You'd think that the fabulosity of my new washer and dryer would keep me busy enough, and it's true that I have enjoyed many a load of laundry over the last few days. I even tested the gentle cycle and tried out the rack that fits into the dryer. I even washed a pair of sneakers. And while we were at it with the laundry upgrades, we bought a new iron and I gleefully ironed a bunch of things. I do believe I have a completely new attitude toward the clotheskeeping arts.
But the other new thing in my life is my bike. I have a no-name mountain bike, but it's not very comfortable to ride and the frame won't allow me to hook the trailer up and haul the kids around. The new bike is a retro-styled cruiser with a big wicker basket and a seat that feels like I'm pedaling a couch, and I love it. Today I hitched up the trailer and took the girls to the store to pick up a couple of things. And it was a little harder than I thought, but the majority of the difficulty was related to the total lack of bike racks at the San Carlos Trader Joe's, which blew my mind. Nowhere to park the damn thing! Anywhere you could lock it up was totally inconvenient to people trying to walk by, anywhere that was out of the way had nothing to lock the bike to.
I tried my best to park it in the place that would cause the least amount of trouble to the other people trying to get from point A to point B, and then we grabbed a couple of things, and then we rode home. I hardly even got lost. For something that could easily have become a "what the hell was I thinking" adventure, it was actually pretty damn great. And those little $1.99 thermal bags TJ's sells totally kept the half-and-half cold. If it weren't for the kids, I could fit a couple weeks' worth of groceries in the trailer--something to think about for the future, when I can go shopping while they're both in school.
The best part was, it turned the need for half-and-half into Doing Something in a way that zipping over in the car could never do.
Update: this is my bike, minus the cloth thingie in the basket. You don't even want to know how much extra they try to jack you for the basket liner:
I believe pictures of the bike are in order.
Posted by: Becky | May 21, 2007 at 09:24 PM
Wow! I love the bike. The problem with my bike is that I can't touch the ground when I sit on the seat. That is actually dangerous. I am selling it at Bobbi's garage sale.
Posted by: Grammy | May 21, 2007 at 11:03 PM
I have a cruiser just like that (powder blue) in the garage that hasn't seen any action since I was 3 months pregnant with #2. If you ever want to bike around on our cruisers, wearing head kerchiefs, singing Doe-A-Deer from The Sound of Music, let me know. I'm down.
Posted by: stephanie | May 21, 2007 at 11:45 PM
Thanks for the picture! It's adorable! I want a bike, along with the 44654891 other things I want.
Posted by: Becky | May 22, 2007 at 12:19 PM
That is so funny! I've been scouting Electra's (Townies) too, namely the fashion one with the balls hanging off the handlebars (which JJ is teasing me mercilessly about...now I can show him yours!)...when you said Dutch bike, I had no idea you were talking about Electras! Super cute! Fickle me would LOVE. IT. for about 5 minutes before wanting something shiny and new. So I may just settle for the Pearl version with red seat. ...cuz it won't clash with our trailer as much...
Posted by: Stefania/CityMama | May 22, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Neat bike! Good concept! Let me know if it continues and you keep up the riding with the girls. I gave up. Auntie N
Posted by: Auntie Nancy | May 23, 2007 at 12:12 PM
My mom used to take us on biking excursions when we were younger - it is seriously one of my most favorite memories. (We never had a trailer though, we were already too old...probably a good thing, because my mom would fall off her bike all the time!)
When Shakeer was born, I got a child's seat to attach to my bike. He used it, Kelsey rode in it...I'm thinking about strapping Sparky in just to see Nathan's reaction!
Posted by: Kat | May 25, 2007 at 04:45 PM
Bikes are the best! definitely better for getting around. It's definitely a better option for us here in new york city. cars are not very practical :(
p.s. just stumbled across your blog on the web and love it. keep up the great posts!
Posted by: jonathan | June 04, 2007 at 01:42 PM