Roy is home...

[lblanchard]

...and fairly disgruntled about the Bedford house. I think he was even closer to moving in, fantasy-wise, than I was. Le sigh. But we can look at other Bedford area properties when we go down in mid August.

I had to do a few things first thing this morning and consequently missed my window for a bike ride in the cool of the morning. Since it's already in the high 80s, I think I'll pass. Venturing out to the PathMark in a rental car is about as adventurous as I plan to get -- it's forecast to go up to 96 today. I reserve the right to change my mind and bike the Lakes if I am feeling stalwart later on.

Comments

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

***fans you***

I was just out, and it feels like a sauna out there. Be careful and stay cool!

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm done with the PathMark and finding some actual work to do, so I think the bike ride is off the table. However...

One of the many virtues of bicycling is that moving through the air, even at low speed, has a certain cooling effect, even on the hottest days.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

do you have a fancy bike with a million gears? My friend JoAnn just got one. Mom says I can have one the ones they have - but 'it's a plain old bike with coaster brakes'.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

I have a Breezer commuter bike -- like this one but with 7 gears instead of 8.
http://www.breezerbikes.com/index.php/component/content/article/36-bicycles/66-uptown-8

I also have a Batavus Old Fashion, a 50-pound behemoth with one speed and coaster brakes. I bought it used for not too much money. Here's a picture of one:
http://www.ibikedb.net/bikes/1026-batavus-intercycle

Edit: I also used to have a real beater of a Schwinn one-speed, but I gave it to my sister.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

oooooooooooooooh, nice bike. The Breezer, I mean.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

The Batavus is actually the most comfortable bike I own for riding on the level, but it is sorely lacking in cargo capacity -- nothing seems to fit on it properly.

EDIT: I bought the Breezer because its combination of features is perfect for my city life. The fenders and generator make for good and safe commuting; it accommodates a front basket, a wire pannier on one side (of the rear), and a removable pannier on the other side. With the addition of bungee cords I can carry some really odd things. I once bungeed an oversized milk crate to the back and transported a 15-lb roast turkey to a church supper.

SECOND EDIT: And the other gears give me a fighting chance at making the mild hills in the areas surrounding Center City.