bikes

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Humidity. So. Much. Humidity.

I am still acclimating. It is really getting hot out there, but more than that, it’s the humidity. The air is so thick. It is so heavy. I swear, it’s like swimming out there. I was running a little bit late on my way to work this morning so I had to pedal hard. Before I even made it a few blocks I was dripping with sweat. Just dripping. I swear, if you’re wearing cotton, wear a size smaller because it gets wet and just hangs. Continue reading →

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Loose Gravel at Baronne and Polymnia

I’m having a bit of a front derailleur issue that I haven’t had time to deal with, so the Specialized is getting extra riding time. The bike is quick and nimble and those skinny tires offer such a low rolling resistance it can feel like flying. It most definitely did when I hit the brand spankin’ new asphalt on Loyola. So, so nice! I’ve been cursing the resurfacing there for awhile. Continue reading →

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Chico’s Parking Lot at Magazine and Joseph

So when I first moved to New Orleans, the only grocery store I knew about was the Winn-Dixie on Tchoupitoulas, the regular grocery of my department chair/tour guide. I went there upon arrival to get a few things to make a first dinner in this city I hadn’t even visited before rolling up in the Hyundai Accent a few days before. There were no fresh tomatoes at the Winn Dixie. In August.*   Continue reading →

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Fenced-Off Parking Lot at the New Orleans Mission

It was another hot and muggy early summer day in New Orleans, so I was a bit of a mess by the time I got to campus for class this morning. I dropped off some paperwork with an administrator who told me she wants to ride her bike, but she just can’t stand feeling like, you know–(insert gesture at me)–that. Fair enough, fair enough. But I actually love that warm-all-over feeling you get after a brisk short ride in our thick, sweaty air. Fortunately, I am able to ride, and she doesn’t have to. Continue reading →

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View From 1440 Canal, 23rd Floor

After zipping up to Tulane for the first day of summer school I took the Surly downtown for a meeting of the KidsWalk coalition. There were representatives from a whole bunch of interested parties–Metro Bicycle Coalition, Regional Planning Commission, Neighborhoods Partnership Network, Safe Routes to School, the AARP, the Department of Public Works, and several other groups. Turns out, there are lots of stakeholders in making our streets and sidewalks navigable for everyone. Continue reading →

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A Line of Bikes at the Bicycle Second Line in Audubon Park

I got up before 7:00 this morning, on a Saturday. This is not something I consider appropriate for a woman of my habits, but today was the big day: the bike rodeo for kids, followed by the bicycle second line in support of the Metro Bicycle Coalition. Continue reading →

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Rally for the Gulf Coast at Jackson Square

Man, I was sore today! I played racquetball yesterday. I’ve never played before. I spend an hour or two riding my bike, but there’s no lateral movement at all in biking. There’s a lot of lateral movement in racquetball. I am entering a new world of crosstraining. Anyway. I took the bike out for a very slow ride up to campus to do some research and then headed downtown for a rally. Continue reading →

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Community Garden at Terpsichore and O.C. Haley

After I finished my writing for the day I hopped on the Surly, still shiny and new from the shoppe, and headed out to do a final ride of the route for this Saturday’s Bicycle Second Line with the Metro Bicycle Coalition. Streets change fast around here, so I wanted to do a last run, taking note of any road construction or serious potholes. Other than the usual off-roading on Freret and that sinkhole developing at Melpomene and St. Charles, the streets are decent and the parade is ready to roll. Continue reading →

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My Tuned-Up Bike On Frenchman

After I finished up my writing tasks this afternoon I headed down to Frenchman Street on the rental Schwinn, hoping the Surly would be all done getting spit-shined at this season’s complimentary tune-up (more good reasons to buy from your local bike shoppe!). The Schwinn was a hybrid, easy step-through, fairly speedy, super cute. I thought I’d like some time sitting upright again, especially since Rhoda’s been having problems lately. And it was fun to ride a new bike for a few miles. But man, I was seriously missing my bike. Continue reading →

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Shipping Containers Along the Mississippi River at Marengo and Tchoupitoulas

So, I generally spend quite a bit of time on my bicycle. I used to think that all bikes were basically the same, but that’s just not true. My bike feels like my bike. It’s in the shop, though, and I’ve got a rental bike, and I wanted to take it out, see what she could do. Yeah, I like what the Surly can do. I like how big and heavy and steel she is. I miss my bike. But this one’s fun too. Sigh. Anyway. Tomorrow. Continue reading →