Today, on my way to meet Lakythia for a ride, my rear tire blew out. I cursed my own stupidity: I tried to milk a battered tire for whatever miles I could get from it, instead of replacing it as an older, wiser cyclist (which I'm supposed to be, hence the title of this blog) would.
Lakythia was a sweetheart about it: She met me at B's Bicycle Shop on Driggs Avenue. There, I bought one of the cheaper tires they had (a wire-bead Vittoria Randonneur). As I installed it, Lakythia test-rode a Fuji single-speed/fixed gear bike. (See what a bad influence I am on her?) Then, we were on our way.
Well, not quite. As we were about to set off for a ride along the New Jersey Palisades, someone who doesn't look like any other bike-shop customer you've ever seen rode in. Well, actually, she walked her bike in because she had a flat. Either way, getting to the shop was a respectable feat, in part because of what she had on her feet.
You know you've spent too much time in bike shops when you ask whether a pair of stiletto heels is SPD or Look compatible. Sheryl (a.k.a. "Bitch Cakes), as you can see, doesn't ride either kind of pedal. Her Hello Kitty-mobile has classic cruiser pedals, which makes sense when you look at the bike.
Although I usually ride in skirts, and sometimes in heels, to work, I am a slouch compared to her. Last week, she rode 120 miles in the dress and shoes, and on the bike, you see in the photo. The Transportation Alternatives-sponsored ride took "all day," she said, and included "all kinds" of people. I did a few of their rides back in the day and I don't doubt what she says.
I must say: Back then, my fantasies included looking something like her, or at least exuding style and being a memorable presence in a similar sort of way. To tell you the truth, I still wouldn't mind it, although I'm not sure I could pull of her look. And, frankly, I'm too much of a scaredy-cat to get all of those tatoos, even if they would go with her Hello Kitty purse--which, of course, went with her bike.
We only got to talk briefly because, after her flat was fixed, she had to go to a photo shoot. But I enjoyed talking with her, as I found her to be friendly and articulate.
So, of course, is Lakythia, which is one of the reasons I enjoy riding to her. Plus, anyone who can put up with my scatter-brainedness and complete lack of navigational ability is exactly the sort of person I want and need as a riding buddy, and friend!
Actually, she's checking her GPS just in case! Me, I prefer riding off into the sunset, even if it's seen through a gate!
Lakythia was a sweetheart about it: She met me at B's Bicycle Shop on Driggs Avenue. There, I bought one of the cheaper tires they had (a wire-bead Vittoria Randonneur). As I installed it, Lakythia test-rode a Fuji single-speed/fixed gear bike. (See what a bad influence I am on her?) Then, we were on our way.
Well, not quite. As we were about to set off for a ride along the New Jersey Palisades, someone who doesn't look like any other bike-shop customer you've ever seen rode in. Well, actually, she walked her bike in because she had a flat. Either way, getting to the shop was a respectable feat, in part because of what she had on her feet.
You know you've spent too much time in bike shops when you ask whether a pair of stiletto heels is SPD or Look compatible. Sheryl (a.k.a. "Bitch Cakes), as you can see, doesn't ride either kind of pedal. Her Hello Kitty-mobile has classic cruiser pedals, which makes sense when you look at the bike.
Although I usually ride in skirts, and sometimes in heels, to work, I am a slouch compared to her. Last week, she rode 120 miles in the dress and shoes, and on the bike, you see in the photo. The Transportation Alternatives-sponsored ride took "all day," she said, and included "all kinds" of people. I did a few of their rides back in the day and I don't doubt what she says.
I must say: Back then, my fantasies included looking something like her, or at least exuding style and being a memorable presence in a similar sort of way. To tell you the truth, I still wouldn't mind it, although I'm not sure I could pull of her look. And, frankly, I'm too much of a scaredy-cat to get all of those tatoos, even if they would go with her Hello Kitty purse--which, of course, went with her bike.
We only got to talk briefly because, after her flat was fixed, she had to go to a photo shoot. But I enjoyed talking with her, as I found her to be friendly and articulate.
So, of course, is Lakythia, which is one of the reasons I enjoy riding to her. Plus, anyone who can put up with my scatter-brainedness and complete lack of navigational ability is exactly the sort of person I want and need as a riding buddy, and friend!
Actually, she's checking her GPS just in case! Me, I prefer riding off into the sunset, even if it's seen through a gate!
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