Bike Shop Blues

The lever


Dropped my ancient bike off a week ago Sat.  Mon. they call, say it will cost more.  Fine, still cheaper than buying a new one.  Go pick it up yesterday, bring it home, go to ride it, realize the safty brake lever wasn't put back on.  Called them, yes, it was there.  Mind you, this is a 90 mile round trip!  I want to ride my bike so today I drive there to get my lever.  Here it is, that is all.  A "geez, sorry about that" would have gone a LONG way.  I never had my bike worked on there and I really wanted to like them.  But this threw a wet blanket on the whole deal.

I am a bit miffed too that vintage bikes owned by older women seem to not be of much importance at bike shops.  No, it isn't the latest greatest racing machine you're dying to work on!  But without the advancement of the bike I am allowing you to work on now your 7K bike wouldn't be the bike it is!

Maybe I am being a bit ridiculous but this really kinda' burned my butt.  Next time I will take it to the Bad Cat (just found them by accident this morning online) where they put right on their website they love '60s and '70s bikes.

Jesus Intervention

My husband kinda' ticked me off last week by dragging home a defunct junk manure spreader.  He paid $220 for it at auction so that tells you what great shape it is in.  Came home on a trailer.  I was ticked because he already has one that he doesn't use, we don't need another one laying around here along with the rest of his "treasures" he keeps dragging home. 

That and after telling me not to spend money he takes it out of savings.  Well, guess what, that ticked me off too.  I am not a spender like he is and to me savings are to be SAVED unless it is an emergency.  A POS manure spreader is not an emergency.

But I learned from my therapist that I have a high moral view on life and much is black and white.  So I am trying to become more gray.

Now you know Benjamin is at the bike shop.  I get home today to a message to call them.  I knew it wouldn't be good.  So I called them and they said well, to get it on the road it will now cost more.  Guess what the cost will be???

Think about it.



It should be sorta' easy...



Ready?



The cost of a POS manure spreader!!!

Yes, $220!  I said FIX IT!  He says "sentimental huh?"  Sentimental and thinking gray...as in goose.  What is good for the gander is good for the goose!  Difference is mine will be used.

Thank you Jesus for solving my "what can I do with $220" problem!  Yes, thank you JESUS!!!

May:National Bike Month!

Happy May Day.  And it is also the first day of National Bike Month!  Whoot!  Let's show all those bikes the love!

Feels more like, what?  November? Early March?  Anyone else kinda' sorta' ready for spring?  The REAL spring?  Yah, me too. It'll be calendar summer before spring arrives at this rate.  I wanted to ride a little but not in 21* with a 20mph wind.  Sorry.

I work the next two days.  My rear tire has a slow leak so I am going to have to get serious about replacing those tires I suppose.  I don't want to as there goes a paycheck.  I'll see how long it takes to deflate and go by that.  Meanwhile I have mail route Monday and Tuesday.  Here is hoping it stays good despite the crazy gravel roads.

Today I got a coupon for the local Snap Fitness.  It is for a free week.  I figure what the heck, go check it out.  I am not a gym rat but sometimes it would be nice to have a place to go when I want to get out of here and not feel I have to eat or spend money.

Bicycle Spa

Benji is now at the bicycle spa.  The guy looked at him and said "it may not be worth putting anything into it."  :(.  I said ok, what do you think really?  So he asked if I'd be willing to put $100 into him.  I said yes of course since I can't buy a new bike for that.  I said call me if there is more needed or ??  So we will see.  I can't believe what bad shape he is in.  That shed must be about as good as leaving it outside.  I am kinda' ticked off that they just shoved him in there.  But what is done is done.

The guy said he'd be done by Tuesday most likely.  I can't get it until Wed. or Thurs. so whatever. 

I then went to the book store where there was a local author signing books.  So I asked him what it was about and where he lives etc.  I bought one, it looks pretty good, set in the northwoods of WI which is what I know.    The author is Brett Champan and the book is "Rearview Sunset". 

I also discovered a magazine called Bicycle Times!  I opened it up and there was Benjamins little cousin, a 1980 Schwinn Varsity!!!  Can we say bike love?  So I bought the issue.  I also love the letter the the editor commenting on how last issue's cover let him relive a ride, LOL.  The cover is a cute guy chasing a cute girl on a trail, both having a lot of fun!  So I came home and subscribed online.

So here is hoping Benji comes from the spa in usable shape and he and I can hit the road again like we used to.  I told the guy there is sentimentality involved too.  That he seemed to understand ;).  Yup, you can tell a bike person...

TGIF

Let me help you dismantle the fence.

I tore down my temporary fence yesterday and as you can see my gelding Jack was all for helping.  I also turned the colt loose since he needs room to run and the pen is just too darn sloppy.  It is sloppy everywhere else too (look at Jack's legs!) but they have a choice where to go.  Unfortuantly the colt is muddy this afternoon but he seems happy otherwise.  I caught him and loved on him and then let him go.  Earlier he was flat out under the sun in some sparse grass.  That is what a baby needs.



Last photo before heading in the the big wide world.

 Yesterday I called a bike shop and explained what  mess Benjamin was.  No problem, they won't make him pretty but can make him road worthy.  I'll ride him this summer and decide whether just to ride for sentimental reasons and replace him or not.  If I decide I want to ride him I will work further in restoring him.

Tomorrow is a wellness fair in Cadott I am going to try and go to.  Then take Benjamin in to the shop. I loaded him in the backseat of my car.

Day 7: Your Zodiac Sign, Does It Fit You

I am a Libra and for the most part it does fit.

Diplomaitic and urbane
Romantic and charming
Easygoing and sociable
Idealistic and peaceable

On the dark side....

Indecisive and changeable
Gullible and easily infuenced
Flirtatious and self-indulgent

And...

LIKES
• The finer things in life
• Sharing
• conviviality
• Gentleness

DISLIKES
• Violence
• Injustice
• Brutishness
• Being a slave to fashion

I am idealistic though age is making me less so.  Fashion, eh, whatever.  When you are nearly six foot fashion isn't much of an interest because nothing has ever fit, ever.  Anyway, for the most part it does fit my personality.

Our New Addition

My Earth Day colt is doing pretty good despite the crummy weather.  I really do wish spring would show up.  Having him and his mom trapped up in a shed is just not natural for a baby.  He is full of it and although I sure am having fun playing with him, he needs some warm sunshine to bask in, grass to lay on and nibble, not wind rain snow and boot sucking MUD!

Whatcha' looking at?

Ignore his dirty muzzle :).  Sticky cholostrum and mud do not mix.  He really has a pink nose.  These pictures was taken on Saturday.

He was a little slow up the uptake, not getting up on his own or nursing on his own but he's catching on now and is acting as he should.