Today I think I took the sort of ride only I could have taken.
Actually, there was nothing terribly unusual about the ride itself (which is not to say that I didn't enjoy it). I rode into, and was blown by, wind gusts of up to 50 KPH as I pedaled along the World's Fair Marina Promenade and along under the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges. At least I had the wind at my back for part of the return ride.
Just as I was leaving the WFM Promenade, near LaGuardia Airport, I spotted this on the battered concrete ramp:
I'm guessing that this Park Tool Allen key set fell out of someone's seat bag, backpack or messenger bag. The keys were in surprisingly good condition. The smaller ones showed some wear, but still look usable, while the larger ones are in really good shape.
After finding that little treasure, I rode about two more kilometers to Kesso's for a container of my favorite Greek yogurt, which is made fresh every day.
As the owner packed a container for me, I found this on the floor:
What girl doesn't need a book of Hello Kitty! stickers? None had been removed; the booklet looked as if it just came off the shelf of a kiddie boutique in Park Slope.
I picked it up and showed it to the owner of the shop. He shrugged his shoulders. "You like? Take!"
Between those stickers, the tool, the yougurt and little Greek pastries, I was glad I rode with my Barley bag!
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!
.jpg)
