Should She Stay or Should She Go?

I took the Tempest mixte out for a longer test ride today. She needed very little to make her ready to go; just some air in the tires. Everything else is in pretty good shape.

It is interesting to ride with gears as Eselin is just a one speed donkey. The Geek didn't have to spend so much time coasting as we cruised down the Crescent.

The mixte is fast (relatively speaking) but it is a bit too small; the seat could stand to be raised by another inch, but there is no more post for that. A new post can be obtained.
The hand grips, ridged as they are, are also very hard on the hands and will also have to be changed if I keep her.

If I give her away, I want to keep the seat, perhaps for Rabbit. Is that selfish?
Either way, she is going to need a bath.

Contradictions

A warmish day meant my trip home involved no boots, no coat, no mitts.....

.....but a winter helmet.
At least I am colour coordinated.

Last Day in Disguise.

The temperature didn't drop to -21 last night (only -17) but full face protection was needed nevertheless.

The Geek hopes this is the last time this season for the full get-up.

Winter's Last Gasp?

Snow this morning, -21 tonight. Dare I hope this is the last?

Back on the 'Bat

The streets are pretty much dry now so I decided it was time to take Eselin out again. I told Rabbit I was taking Eselin because she needed exercise, but I don't think Rabbit bought that story, especially since Rabbit is now up near the rafters of the garage, probably until next winter.

I had forgotten how wonderful Eselin is to ride. Smooth. Quiet. Tall. And the new leather saddle I bought last fall is sooo much more comfortable than the Sella Royale saddle with which Eselin came equipped, and which I am now using on Rabbit. Rabbit was used primarily for short jaunts so it really didn't matter about the comfort of the saddle.
The Geek and I stopped on the bridge to check out the river levels, but didn't tarry long as the wind was strong and it was quite cold despite the sun.
It is good to be back on the Bat.

'Pop' Goes the River

After what seemed an extraordinarily long spell of cloud, it is wonderful to see the sun.

The Red River is starting to crack and break up, weeks ahead of normal.
Huge chunks and sheets of ice are making their way north to Lake Manitoba.
Rabbit stands on high alert, ready to flee should the ice suddenly break free of the river and climb the bank.
I am posting the pictures in a smaller size so hopefully they can be enlarged by clicking upon them. Blogger has been a little tempermental of late and won't always enlarge my photographs.

Camoflauge

I suspect this bike has been abandoned. It has been looking very dejected for several weeks now, and since the thaw has started, it has been repeatedly splashed with street grime.
It is blends so much into the background, it probably feels it will never be found by its owner.

Murky, Moody, March

We are having a very atypical March. Rain, fog and early melting, causing puddles in the streets that turn into ugly, muddy tsunamis when vehicles drive through them.
It isn't much better in the afternoon, when I park my bike and take the bus to the University.
We now have plenty of water on top of the river ice.
And I hope global warming never progresses to the point where this is a possibility.


I crave our normal sunny days.

Cycling the Tour de France

After reading my post on The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Richard suggested I read French Revolutions by Tim Moore.

Mr Moore, with very little recent cycling experience, and in not the best physical condition, decides he is going to cycle the route of the Tour De France. He buys himself a new road bike, and, without master the locking toe-clips or the bicycle's gears, sets off on his adventure.
I found Mr Moore's writing style highly entertaining and he critiques and praises everyone and everything, including himself, with the same degree of honesty and humour.

The book gives a good overview of the route the tour takes and the history of this race.I am not inspired to try the same feat, but I enjoyed Moore's take on the caper.
It was a very enjoyable read.