Safety Tips: Biking with Ice Cream

     Here's what I learned today about the safety considerations to take when eating ice cream while commuting to work on my bicycle.  Not to be attempted by beginner cyclists.  An ability to ride with no hands is key.  Unless you are eating an ice cream cone.  However, this "glutard" must eat her ice cream out of a bowl...

     

     The use of a SpokeStyles Handlebar Bag can be very useful for holding the ice cream container.  The one handed spoon scoop is effective for consuming the ice cream while riding through traffic.  Still, be sure to choose the road or trail you are traveling on carefully.  A busy road, such as one near a university at 4pm on a thursday afternoon, is not ideal for biking with ice cream.  Neither is a winding bike trail that is badly in need of being re-paved.  Sloshing of melting ice cream may occur onto your handle bars, your pants, and your face.

     Another important safety decision is what flavor of ice cream to chose if you should be wearing white pants.  Chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce on top is a very delicious choice, however, the bumps of the road may launch droplets of that liquid goodness onto your white pants.

   

     Strawberries, although they are a great compliment to the chocolate syrup, can be a dangerous choking hazard.  Be sure to cut them into smaller pieces, or just stick with the marshmellows.  The "Bicycle Heimlich" maneuver is quite humorous for passing cars to witness, however it is inconvient to stop your bicycle in order to clear your air passageway.  

     Riding bikes and eating ice cream are both enjoyable activities.  However, I found that they might be better enjoyed separately

 
     Lastly, be sure to WIPE THAT DAMN SMILE OFF YOUR FACE.

Love: The Tandem Story, part 1

This is not a love story.  This is a bike story about a Tandem named Love.

     Originally, the Tandem was parked in front of my neighbor's house.  Whenever I would pass by, the purple fender and contrasting rusty brown frame would catch my eye, and I would long for a tandem of my own.  There is just something about a bicycle built for two.  After a few months of watching her from a far, I ran into the neighbor.  A few drinks at the bar later, he had mentioned giving the tandem to someone who would give her the attention that was needed.  I wanted that to be me.  And before the conversation could be forgotten, the immobilized tandem was leaning against MY house.  

     I have always believed that the day I feel like myself, is the day I can let love into my life.  Well, I have certainly discovered myself over this last year through various bicycles.  The bicycle has helped me face the many challenges life has thrown at me.  My spirit is strong.  My community is established.  My soul is happy.  And now, into my life comes "Love," my well weathered tandem.  

     Her front handlebars won't stand up.  The seat is missing something comfortable.  The wheel spokes are unstable from corrosion.  One down tube has gone awol, the other still grips tightly to the bike, but its opposite end is trying to jump ship.  The chains are just done.  The chain rings are dull, bent from abuse.  The tires are trying to biodegrade, quite a feat for rubber.  Yet, she is still so beautiful to me.  I can see that Love needs love as much as I need something to love.  

     So the journey begins... Before rebuilding Love, I first have to strip her of everything she may have carried before.  The wheels will become a structure for sugar snow peas to grow on in the garden.  The chains will be part of my rain gutter down spouts.  The cranks I'm still deciding on.  But that purple fender... I still can't keep my eye off that  purple fender.  

     So, I carried her naked frame to my favorite bicycle welder and fellow Cache La Gaucho Society rider, Mr. Zach Yendra.  Frankenstein-Bike-Builder-Extrodinaire!  Custom-Bicycle-Saddle-Sewing Man!  Tall-Guy-With-Long-Blonde-Hair!  She is in creative hands.  Now the rebuilding begins...

     ...The story will continue...I have bigs plans for Love.  Love will carry me on new adventures.  And one day soon, I will finally get to take Love for a spin!

Take Me Away

     It only takes 10 seconds in the saddle to put a smile on my face.  My bicycle takes me away.  She carries me down roadways, up winding hills, through country fields.  She teaches me to breath the air, to live in the moment, and to listen to the world surrounding me.  My bicycle is the perfect place for me to be Me.

     I realized today how much clearer my life is, as long as I keep riding my bicycle.  No matter what I'm worrying about in life, or what I could be stressing out about, it all disappears with each wheel rotation, carrying me into... a different time?  My bike is a Time Machine!  yes!  I haven't figured out how to go back in time yet.  But I can pedal in the now, ponder the future, and dream about places near and far.  My mind is unclouded and free.  I believe this has a lot to do with the speed of travel.  A bicycle moves faster than a walk, but slower than a car.  It's just about the perfect pace for me to clearly capture my thoughts.

     The only priority for me right now is to keep riding, further and longer.  I ride my bike.  Everyday, I ride my bike.  And if I keep riding my bike, everything will fall into place.