I've bonded with my bike. We are now great friends.



M

Maggie

Guest
Yesterday, I found myself without a car. We have 4 cars hanging about
this house, but yesterday every member of the household had one. My
offspring and the husband had all gone missing. I think everyone headed
for the shore yesterday. South on the Parkway. Except the husband, I
think he was at Auto Zone...His favorite place. Or with his
sister...I'm not sure.

I had to get to a brunch given for a good friend of mine. I was
dressed in my finest and I was wearing Gucci Sandals with 3 inch spikey
heels. I was late. I jumped on my bike with present in hand and made
it to the party. It was quite a sight. I was actually very proud of
myself.

I'm enjoying owning this bike. Even if I don't know a lot about bikes,
and I am a casual rider.....I love having it now. It gets me to work,
it gets me places when all cars vanish from the driveway, and it has
truly become my friend. I think I have finally bonded with my bicycle.
Yesterday proved that to me. Last year I would have spent an hour on
the phone, finding a ride or getting one of my cars back.

The thing that was most priceless, was the looks on the faces of my
friends when I came riding up to the restaurant on my bike. Gift under
my arm, purse on the handlebars and 3" spike sandals on my feet.

I figure if I am not going to become a hard core, lyra wearing cyclist,
at least I can be myself, a "strange and unique cyclist" :)

Maybe it filled my need to be the center of the universe, as most of
you think I have the desire to be...and you know what....I don't care
if that is my goal. I love being a little bit crazy and a little bit
strange. It is liberating.

That was a wonderful bike ride yesterday....I parked my WalMart bike
between a Mercedes and a Jaguar in the parking lot of the restaurant
and walked my 3 inch spike heels proudly into the restaurant. ;-)

Maggie.

No more pain
No no more strain
Now I'm sane
But I'll rather be in love again.
 
Maggie wrote:

> The thing that was most priceless, was the looks on the faces of my
> friends when I came riding up to the restaurant on my bike. Gift under
> my arm, purse on the handlebars and 3" spike sandals on my feet.


Next time, we need pictures.


> That was a wonderful bike ride yesterday....I parked my WalMart bike
> between a Mercedes and a Jaguar


What happened to the bike store bike?

Rich
 
Maggie wrote:

> I'm enjoying owning this bike. Even if I don't know a lot about bikes,
> and I am a casual rider.....I love having it now. It gets me to work,
> it gets me places when all cars vanish from the driveway, and it has
> truly become my friend. I think I have finally bonded with my bicycle.
> Yesterday proved that to me. Last year I would have spent an hour on
> the phone, finding a ride or getting one of my cars back.


Good for you!

That moment when you realize the bike is MORE THAN EXERCISE is special.

Cars are so boring. They are boring to be inside of. They are
relentlessly boring to drive.
 
Zoot Katz wrote:
> You're no longer a "casual rider", you're a "utility cyclist" now.
> You've learned that bicycles _are_ vehicles. > zk



I did learn that yesterday, didn't I? For the first time I thought of
my bike as a means of transportation. Not because I wanted to ride to
get in shape, or ride to prove something to myself.....but just because
I needed a means of transporation and I knew I had one. I looked at
that bike as a way to get to brunch. I did have a vehicle. I had my
bike. That was a kodak moment.

I just returned from a bridal shower. I spent three hours watching the
bride to be open gifts. I think when we start making preparations for
my daughters bridal party, I am going to go way out on a limb and try
to organize something that will not make everyone fall asleep.

Who invented Bridal showers and Baby Showers? A bunch of women
sitting around eating tiny sandwiches with the crust cut off and
italian pastries, while watching the dreaded "OPENING OF
GIFTS"....Ahhhh a toaster....Ahhhh a blender.....Ahhhh...a place
setting. Someone should have given them matching bicycles. Now that
would be a great wedding shower gift. Riding could be another
"Afternoon delight" for the couple.

Maggie.

No more pain
No no more strain
Now I'm sane
But I'll rather be in love again.
 
Leo Lichtman wrote:
> "Maggie" wrote: (clip) Gift under my arm, purse on the handlebars and 3"
> spike sandals on my feet. (clip)
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> So you weren't kidding when you told me to look for you with a Gucci purse
> hanging from your handlebars. Does Gucci make panniers?


I never kid about Gucci. Nor do I take Coco Chanels name in vain. ;-)

Maggie

No more pain
No no more strain
Now I'm sane
But I'll rather be in love again.
 
Joe Canuck wrote:
> Maggie wrote:
>
>> I had to get to a brunch given for a good friend of mine. I was
>> dressed in my finest and I was wearing Gucci Sandals with 3 inch spikey
>> heels. I was late. I jumped on my bike with present in hand and made
>> it to the party. It was quite a sight. I was actually very proud of
>> myself.

>
>
> Argh!
>
> That is not proper cycling attire in the least, particulary in terms of
> safety.


I see women biking in heels and skirts all the time in Harvard Sq.
Cambridge, MA. I imagine it must be common in many cities, particularly
in Europe. It's not a big deal.
 
5 Jun 2005 12:50:58 -0700,
<[email protected]>,
"Maggie" <[email protected]> wrote, in part:

>
>I just returned from a bridal shower. I spent three hours watching the
>bride to be open gifts. I think when we start making preparations for
>my daughters bridal party, I am going to go way out on a limb and try
>to organize something that will not make everyone fall asleep.


I'm going to a wedding in mid-July. The wedding party and guests are
all going to be pedal powered. The couple have asked their cyclist
friends to help out by loaning their extra bikes for out of town
guests and towing various chariots and trailers for the guests too
feeble or inexperienced to pedal themselves. I'll be riding by then
but I'm not sure I'll be able to tow anyone.

>Someone should have given them matching bicycles. Now that
>would be a great wedding shower gift. Riding could be another
>"Afternoon delight" for the couple.


Only if they're both already cyclists and the bikes fit each of them
properly rather than just matching each other. It's a common mistake
that often leaves Mrs. with an ill fitting bike she might not even
like. He decides which bike he wants and she gets the matching step
through model by default. It's better to match socks or jersies than
to try matching bicycles.

Couples these days seem be pretty much over the "Afternoon Delight"
stage of their relationship by the time they finally decide to get
married. But maybe bikes could renew the excitement as they become
more adventurous discovering new secluded picnic spots.
--
zk
 
Zoot Katz wrote:

>>Someone should have given them matching bicycles. Now that
>>would be a great wedding shower gift. Riding could be another
>>"Afternoon delight" for the couple.


Or a tandem.
 
Leo Lichtman wrote:
> "Maggie" wrote: I never kid about Gucci. Nor do I take Coco Chanels name
> in vain. ;-)
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> I think you need a messenger bag. Does Gucci make those? (Ducking.)


Yes Gucci makes a Messenger bag, but I don't think its exactly the kind
you are thinking of. I have a Gucci Messenger bag.
See Neiman Marcus...aka Needless Markup.....
Prada has messenger bags that are very functional. I love Prada too.
But not as much as Gucci. Designers do make Messenger bags. Even
Versace designed a few. European designers would never leave a
Messenger bag out of their collection silly. Europeans ride their
bikes everywhere.

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?cmCat=search&itemId=prod10590122

Maggie
 
Peter Cole wrote:

> Joe Canuck wrote:
>
>> Maggie wrote:
>>
>>> I had to get to a brunch given for a good friend of mine. I was
>>> dressed in my finest and I was wearing Gucci Sandals with 3 inch spikey
>>> heels. I was late. I jumped on my bike with present in hand and made
>>> it to the party. It was quite a sight. I was actually very proud of
>>> myself.

>>
>>
>>
>> Argh!
>>
>> That is not proper cycling attire in the least, particulary in terms
>> of safety.

>
>
> I see women biking in heels and skirts all the time in Harvard Sq.
> Cambridge, MA. I imagine it must be common in many cities, particularly
> in Europe. It's not a big deal.


Well, it isn't common here in Ottawa, Ontario Canada.

Of course you are right, it isn't a big deal for me. I noticed one of
these the other day while at the grocery store. She had a mini skirt and
heels on while trying to ride a bike. I had the impression the whole
thing was rather awkward.
 
Peter Cole wrote:
> I see women biking in heels and skirts all the time in Harvard Sq.
> Cambridge, MA. I imagine it must be common in many cities, particularly
> in Europe. It's not a big deal.


Since further investigation into this matter, I realize it is not
unique or odd. You are right about Harvard Sq. I love Boston and my
friend and I have been there on numerous occasions. Especially when
her kids were at Boston University. Women riding on bikes, dressed in
heels, was not unique at all. I probably never thought much about the
women riding all dressed up as I did about men in lycra shorts.

I've seen many men riding in suits and ties and never gave it a second
thought. Especially in college towns. When I took an adult studies
class at NYU, the professors were always riding in suit jackets.

Friends have told me that women dressed in heels and men wearing suits
is definately not an oddity in Europe. My daughter told me that when
she was in Europe, most of the people she saw on bikes were dressed for
work. And here I thought I was being unique. I guess I have to buy
bicycling clothes to be unique. ;-)

I'm happy to know I rode in a very Euro style to that brunch. ;-)

Maggie

If only I had listened
to all my closest friends..
You'd still be in my arms tonight
If only.
-RS.
 

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