Layers of Exposure

 I’ve dressed the same way nearly every day since my last class, in May: shorts, top, sneakers. I did the same this morning: To my knowledge, the post office—my first destination this morning—has no dress code.  The forces that make the weather also write no such mandates. But they let me know, just a few steps from my building, that the season had changed and I wasn’t dressed for it!

So, when I went for a ride, I added a flannel zip hoodie to my attire. In addition to its coziness, it offered another advantage: I didn’t have to wear sunscreen, at least on my arms. Perhaps I should’ve worn some on my face, but I don’t seem to have burned—and I felt the brisk wind, into which I pedaled through Van Cortlandt Park, skipping against my cheeks. I think I needed that.

From Cyxling Without Age

Bet You Can't Ride Just One

Do you actually ride all of those bikes?

You've probably heard that question from the non-cyclists in your life.  I try to explain that even though each of my rides might look similar, they actually offer different kinds of rides, based on their geometry, frame material and components (especially wheels and tires).  

So, my answer is, yes--though, if I'm feeling a bit snarky, I might add, "but not at the same time.  I'm working on that."

Well, last weekend I did manage to ride three of my bikes in three days.  On Friday afternoon, I took Tosca, my Mercian fixed gear, for a spin along the waterfronts of Queens and Brooklyn.

Saturday was the sort of gloriously sunny and brisk early fall-day that riding dreams are made of.  What better day to ride to Connecticut--on Dee-Lilah, my delightful Mercian Vincitore Special.

I'll say more about her accessories--the bags--in another post.   For now, I'll just say that I like them a lot, and while they're not the easiest to acquire, they're worth waiting for.  

And yesterday I took another ride along the waterfronts, mainly because I didn't want to turn it into an all-day (or even all-morning or all-afternoon) ride, as I'd promised to spend some time with someone who can't ride--and some quality time to Marlee.  I didn't take any photos of the bike I rode--Negrosa, my vintage Mercian Olympic, but she's pretty much how you remember her if you've seen her in some earlier posts.

So, while I didn't ride all of my bikes, I think I varied my rides enough to feel justified in having, well, more than one bike!