Scenic Route

As it turns out, Yellow Bike is a 2000 model and originally sold for $630.

I finally had success by Googling on the wheels of all things. The very first listing was for a review of the 2000 Trek 1000 Triple at Epinions. Not only did this match the description and the specs, but [...]

On Thursday I ordered everything I need for Yellow Bike, with the exception of the pedals, saddle and brifters. Today, the mailman brought everything that was shipping via US Mail.

Still out there somewhere are the rear dérailleur and two rolls of bar tape. (I expect to mess it up the first time.)

I also [...]

Bikes Rule!

Saturday on my ride to work, I was pedaling up a snowy side street. A guy was in his driveway, brushing snow off the family Taurus wagon. Seeing me, he turned and, pumping a fist in the air shouted, “Bikes rule!”

At that particular moment I’s just hit a patch of brown sugar [...]

See also: Meet Yellow Bike

Updated Thursday morning. See underlined sections.

Bike was still on its back on the coffee table this morning. Before I put its chain back on I brought Yellow Bike out in inverted it on the floor next to bike.

On closer examination, Yellow Bike has probably not seen the inside of [...]

“So where is everybody?” asked one guy.

“I think they all stayed home to watch the President,” replied another.

“Don’t they know you can record that?” asked a third.

“Or that CNN will have it on perpetual replay for three days?” I added.

See? No mention was made of the weather. A smidge below freezing with snow isn’t [...]

I didn’t really stress over the decision. Even a complete POS is worth $100 if it’s ridable. The guy assured me it was. I priced-out replacement parts too—rear dérailleur, cassette, right brifter. Without a doubt it would need new cables and a chain, and probably brake pads and tires too. [...]

Drat.

I went over to the landlord’s office this afternoon to take the loft apartment. That was when I found out heat was not included. Apparently there’s a mistake on the web site. I learned the hard way to never, ever, ever take an apartment where I have to pay the heat. [...]

It was a zoo at Winton Branch today—the kind of day I dreaded before, and the whole reason I avoided taking a clerk’s position in the first place.

I was always afraid of bursting into flame or something from the chaotic nature of days such as today, when, managing three or four completely unrelated things at [...]

Drat! We had an ice storm yesterday, followed by snow overnight and more in the forecast. The bike has been wearing its studded tires since last week Monday. And I have a headcold.

This, after a case of bronchitis last week. Bronchitis? I can’t remember having bronchitis when I was smoking. [...]

Jeepers. Don’t I feel productive.

Library

I rode by Sully Branch yesterday to see what the place is like and to meet with the staff there. As it turns out, Sully Branch is even closer to my apartment than Winton Branch. It’s in a section of the city I haven’t visited since I got [...]