Pragmatik » jamis http://www.pragmatik.org/blog Being of use to the world since 1979. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:54:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Hot Jamis. http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2009/07/hot-jamis/ http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2009/07/hot-jamis/#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:34:19 +0000 Johnny http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/?p=1963 hotjamis0709
Got to take a short ride with my two bike pals yesterday. It was hot, and we were on a tight time budget, but it was a blast. We only rode about 12 miles, but it kicked my ass around a little. In my defense, I haven’t been riding regularly for three months. I had just re-spoked Zack’s rear wheel, trued both and patched a tire. Wouldn’t you know that at the end of the ride, when we were standing around talking, the HIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSS of a blown tire interrupted us? We had ice water and enjoyed some AC in my apartment. Then we fixed it up over beers.  Had it not blown, I would probably have gone home alone and taken a shower and read for a while.  Having some beer and working on bikes was much better.  Not a bad way to spend the afternoon!

]]> http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2009/07/hot-jamis/feed/ 1 First commute treat! http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2009/07/first-commute-treat/ http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2009/07/first-commute-treat/#comments Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:37:16 +0000 Johnny http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/?p=1959 bikeglass_1_0709
Yesterday, I took a [hybrid!] bus to work, with my floor pump in my backpack, my helmet in a box on my lap and my rear-mount kickstand. I put the stand on at lunch and was shaking with excitement and nervousness all day at the idea of getting to ride again. I mean, my last ride didn’t go so well. My wife had to work late, so we had dinner at the delicious Cafe’ Mocha near Penn Station after work, and then I set off to North Baltimore! I stopped by my parents’ house in Hampden to show off the new ride to my folks, my brother and my aunt and uncle — and to have a cream soda.
bikeglass_2_0709
Then I rode home, up Roland Avenue. At one intersection, I was behind another cyclist at the red light, and there was another gent coming from the opposite way — and it wasn’t even close to rush hour anymore. Being out of commission all spring and early summer, I missed the increase in ridership. The gentleman in front of me ran a red light I didn’t want to run after a block or two, so we parted ways. I rode around Evergreen, through Stony Run Park and back home, not really wanting to stop. I came home, took off my sweaty shirt and had some water with lemon in the lazer-etched bike pint glass I got for Valentine’s Day this year and watched “The Simpsons.”

Sweet first ride. Chromoly steel rides like a freakin dream, but I kept hearing something bell-like when I hit bumps. I think the rear brake cable was banging the toptube because the little rubber things weren’t on right (my fault). That steel literally rings. But it also could have been the dangerous thing I found when I got home. When I was installing my front fenders last week, I forgot to check that the stays were tightened at the dropout eyelets. Holy shit, that could have been disastrous!  Also completely my fault.

Rode to work this morning with the Mrs. — our first joint commute. I was completely drenched with sweat when I got here, and I wasn’t cycling hard this morning at all. I have to go back to a shoulder bag and away from my backpack. Thank God for the baby wipes and extra shirt I keep in my desk. I was a mess.

But I’m sitting here with my helmet on the AC vent, my new tires dirty and my bike begging me for 5:00.  I am very happy.

]]> http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2009/07/first-commute-treat/feed/ 8 Independence Day 2009. http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2009/07/independence-day-2009/ http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2009/07/independence-day-2009/#comments Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:07:57 +0000 Johnny http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/?p=1952 codatease0709
This year, it’s independence from NOT cycling.  This is a teaser of my new bike, with rack, fenders, lights, computer, sitting in my office.  Until I go get it tomorrow/Sunday, now that my new helmet is here!

Old Independence Day posts:
2008
2007

]]> http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2009/07/independence-day-2009/feed/ 0 A bike and a coffee maker in my office. http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2009/06/a-bike-and-a-coffee-maker-in-my-office/ http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/2009/06/a-bike-and-a-coffee-maker-in-my-office/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:47:34 +0000 Johnny http://www.pragmatik.org/blog/?p=1945 This morning, there is a gorgeous bike and a coffee maker in my office.  Since my helmet is still en route, I didn’t want to jinx the chance of my bike not being here after leaving it locked in my office all weekend by saying anything.  Monday morning, here it is.  Waiting for me.  And my coffee maker, too.

Picked up/bought my bike Friday, with nice accessories and very friendly folks at the new bike shop.  I’ll use some lunch hours this week to put on my fenders, lights, rack, computer and change the tires to the slightly wider ones I bought.  When my helmet comes  in, I’ll ride it home and, once again, start pedaling my ass all over town.

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