>Scary Situation (and stupidity on my part)

>So there I was…coasting down a slight incline this evening. I had just left the gym and felt refreshed; had a couple slices of pizza for dinner on the rear rack. I noticed the front break is rubbing against the rim. Not unusual, I thought; the caliper just needs some adjusting. So I lean forward as I coasted and pushed it aside a little. A minute later it did it again. When I came to a stop light and inspected a little closer I realized it wasn’t the break at all, but the rim, more specifically the bolt attaching it to the fork. Yup, both bolts were so loose that I could have easily lifted the tire off the bike…and I coasting down a hill like this (on a sixty pound bike).

This is a v1 Mundo and when I ordered it a box arrived basically containing all of the pieces (when I say pieces I mean it; almost nothing was put together) …it took the better part of an evening (and some cursing) for me to put this thing together in my living room (according to their website the v3 arrives mostly assembled…I’ll let you know). At any rate, I originally attached this bolt, and most others on the bike, about a year-and-a-half ago and have not checked it since (this is where my stupidity comes in). No need to, I thought; the bike is still new and I put it together…think again. In the same way a car has to be inspected yearly I think I’ll get in the habit of inspecting my bikes more often for faulty or loose parts. I don’t even want to imagine what could have happened if the front wheel came off while I was coasting down a hill on a busy and icy city street.

Day and Night


I love the winter…I really do. And I feel blessed to live in a region that has four distinct seasons. But I have to admit that by late February the bleakness can really bring me down (maybe it’s the lack of sun). Today was such a mix of weather I did not know how to dress to be out on a bike. Early in the day it was warm (for this time of year) and a little sunny, then it was overcast and drizzly, and now it’s cold and snowy.

I’m toasty warm sitting next to my little wood burning stove as I type these words…but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was looking forward to a sultry summer’s night.

>Day and Night

>
I love the winter…I really do. And I feel blessed to live in a region that has four distinct seasons. But I have to admit that by late February the bleakness can really bring me down (maybe it’s the lack of sun). Today was such a mix of weather I did not know how to dress to be out on a bike. Early in the day it was warm (for this time of year) and a little sunny, then it was overcast and drizzly, and now it’s cold and snowy.

I’m toasty warm sitting next to my little wood burning stove as I type these words…but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was looking forward to a sultry summer’s night.

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#136)

A box of wine.

Lately I’ve been noticing more and more wines in boxes. It used to be that a boxed wine was a crappy wine…well this doesn’t seem to be the issue any longer. Tonight I purchased a box of my favorite everyday wine…and it cost 40% less than if it were in a bottle. It tastes the same, but I have to admit I don’t really like drinking wine from a box…I really enjoy the ritual of opening a bottle. But like many things, that may soon be a thing of the past. If you want to read a couple quick articles on what others have to say about the new influx of boxed wine click here and here.

>Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#136)

>A box of wine.

Lately I’ve been noticing more and more wines in boxes. It used to be that a boxed wine was a crappy wine…well this doesn’t seem to be the issue any longer. Tonight I purchased a box of my favorite everyday wine…and it cost 40% less than if it were in a bottle. It tastes the same, but I have to admit I don’t really like drinking wine from a box…I really enjoy the ritual of opening a bottle. But like many things, that may soon be a thing of the past. If you want to read a couple quick articles on what others have to say about the new influx of boxed wine click here and here.

Amazing (and a little scary)

 
This is a 1-gig flash drive that one of my dogs mistook for a small chew toy. After I retrieved it from his mouth I looked at it a little closer. This teeny device is capable of holding 500,000 books. At a quick estimation I probably have about 1000 books in my house. The thought that they (and 500 times them) can fit in this teeny thing is both amazing and a little scary to me. And even more scary is that ten years from now (or much less) this flash drive will look like a cumbersome giant. I truly hope that books never entirely disappear.

>Amazing (and a little scary)

>

 
This is a 1-gig flash drive that one of my dogs mistook for a small chew toy. After I retrieved it from his mouth I looked at it a little closer. This teeny device is capable of holding 500,000 books. At a quick estimation I probably have about 1000 books in my house. The thought that they (and 500 times them) can fit in this teeny thing is both amazing and a little scary to me. And even more scary is that ten years from now (or much less) this flash drive will look like a cumbersome giant. I truly hope that books never entirely disappear.