The saga of the new and old bikes...aka bored at work

Today is another 95+ degree day. Fun, huh? Instead of having my day off from work like I used to on Wednesdays and Thursdays, I'm at the office, not the lake. The prospect of going to run at the gym later doesn't exactly thrill me either. So I guess I need to start adding some more creative material to this website. My portfolio isn't supposed to be the only creative aspect. I don't have my journals with me at work, which is not conducive to me getting started on THAT idea.

I will add, because I'm super excited, that I purchased a Haro bike yesterday for 100 bucks. Anyone that has seen me bike in Otis, knows what I blast around the lake on. For those unaware, let me give you a brief description. It's a Toys R' Us special. I say that with all the sarcasm I can muster. It's titled the Pacific Wanderer and I thought I was the cat's ass riding this piece around when I was ten. Yup. It's a hot magenta pink with garish lettering along the side. It's meant for, well, a ten year old girl.

Fast forward to today. I am now 22. I'd like to add that I did manage to grow at least a foot or two since I originally received the bike. So now, the bike is covered in dust and spider webs. The handle bar grips were starting to crack. So father decided it would be a marvelous idea to slather oil all over them. Not only do I need gloves because the cracked rubber manages to rub my hands raw no matter how many callouses I develop, but I need the gloves to keep the oil off. If I forget, my hands are a mess for the entire day, leaving greasy hand prints on everything I touch. I'm a huge fan of toast, so the toaster pays big time after morning rides and mom is NOT happy.

The other problem is obviously the size of the bike. I'm not scared by the pink color. I actually think it's a unique way of saying I love to run and bike so much I don't care what color or style I'm sporting. Really. But I literally have the seat almost popping out of the hold it's hiked so high. I"m afraid that one hard bump and I'll be tossed to the side of the road, seat flown off to somewhere else. Oh and my gears are hopelessly broken and messed up. I think I'm in 10th gear and it's more like 21-death-of-me-on-a-hill gear.

This bike was my only form of exercise when running wasn't an option. So 14 miles rides were not uncommon pretty much EVERY DAY for 2 -3 months. And the hill behind Katie's...let me just say that hill could make even the toughest people, cars, animals, whatever...cry. It sucks.  And I still go for rides after runs or if I'm feeling beat up. It was time to move on.

Pacific Wanderer, you have treated me well. Even after the past four years of particularly harsh abuse from our 14 mile rides around the lake, you have served me well in a sport you probably should never be used in competitively.

I raise my iced coffee to you and say you can now have a break. Other than when mom wants to ride you for a mile. Which might actually be worse than me riding you. Oh well.

As for you, Haro, I hope you're ready. LACE UP YOUR TIRES!

Here are some pictures I found online...very similar to how my new bike looks...well,
I bought it from my neighbors, so it's not exactly NEW. Just new to me :) Mine also has a very cushy seat and different handlebars.