Feeling inspired, I decided to ride my bike to German class today so I thought I should dress (German) appropriately. Pegged my khakis on the chain/gear side and donned my springy yellow Chuck T's...within the first 2 miles of me peddling my heart out, I was passed by a man dressed in a full business suit (!!!) with his (apparent) sandwich packed in a bright blue Tupperware hinged on his rear bike rack. That was all that he had. I guess that was his springy accessory. I thought that was going to be one of the silliest things I would see today until about 5 minutes later, on the same bike ride, I was stopped at a traffic light opposite of an 80-something year old woman who had on the 3D glasses that she evidently got when she went to see "The Avengers" this past weekend. Seriously, I was cracking up audibly at that one (but not for her to see or hear). What else might I see today???
In July 2012, we had the opportunity to go to the Tour de France. We went to the time trials on day one then were along the race course (in several locations) to watch the race itself. It was an amazing experience. The pack is lead by several cars, support vehicles, race coordinators, etc. There are parade float-like vehicles that fly by throwing things to the spectators along the route. Finally the leader pack comes into sight. It was exhilarating! When the peleton went by, the amount of wind they create is amazing. I don't know why I never thought about that. Chasing the race trying to beat them to certain points so we could keep seeing them was so much fun. Hope to go to it every year that we are over here...perhaps Alps d'Huez next year!
Sept. 4th, 2012
Wendy Full of Grace strikes again. In my continued attempts to embrace the German/European way of life, I decided to get a "city" bike. It allows one to ride in skirts, little heels, etc and typically has a basket or two, lights and the all-important bell. Until now, I have been riding my mountain bike with my messenger bag slung across me. Now I can sit up tall (like Mary Poppins) on the big, cushy seat in my skirt and cute wedge heels, and carry my book bag in my rear basket! The one thing I did not know about my new bike is that in addition to the hand breaks, there are also foot breaks (btw, when since 1940, have there been foot breaks on adult bikes?). Just a word of caution: when you are coasting up to an intersection on such a bike with foot/pedal breaks, one should NOT casually backpedal. This immediately brings the bike to a stop and the rider off the big, cushy seat on to her cute wedge heels, and not very gracefully! Just sayin'...
