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
bikes
Waiting Out a Rainstorm on Royal and Governor Nicholls
It was another stormy day in New Orleans, but I really, really, really needed to ride my bike. That meant breaking one of my unofficial biking rules that I learned from my dad: never start a ride in the rain. No such choice today, so I put on my quick-dry skirt and raincoat, tied a plastic bag on the fancy leather saddle, rolled up my waterproof pannier (thank you, Ortlieb!,) and headed down to the Quarter to meet S. for dinner before joining other friends for Treme in the Treme. Continue reading
Spoke Cards in a Wheel on St. Peter Street
I haven’t blogged in three days, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been riding around! Thursday caught me driving around to recover from Wednesday’s long ride. Friday’s evening post-downpour ride to Mid-City left me remembering why I bike (Jazz Fest parking) and why I should finally get a flipping rear fender (fifteen minutes in the restaurant bathroom wiping the mud off my legs). I decided to forego biking in the tornado conditions on Saturday, but I was rewarded for a weekend of buzzkill weather with a positively perfect day today. Continue reading
A Caressing Breeze From the Bywater to the Lower Garden District
I don’t usually ride my bike with other people. When I go out for a ride it is usually so I can be alone, not because I’m thinking terribly deep thoughts, but kind of so I can empty out, not pay attention to anything but the road, the traffic, and whatever pops into my view. And sometimes I’m just trying to get somewhere, as fast as I can. Tonight, though, I rode back home with B., after a lovely evening out with a whole slew of good friends. Continue reading
Amy Hempel, Sally Kenney, and Lemonade at Tulane
Short story writer Amy Hempel is on Tulane’s campus this week as the Zale-Kimmerling Writer in Residence, and today she came to my class to chat with my students and answer questions ranging from the writerly (How do I keep my own voice and also write for an audience?) to the mundane (Where have you eaten so far?). When asked what it takes to be a writer, she said she doesn’t really think it’s about talent–it’s about obsession and nerve. Continue reading
Learning to Ride a Bike on Rousseau Street
There’s a little spot in the distance in this picture. You might not be able to tell, but that’s B., learning to ride a bicycle on a most beautiful sunny Sunday in New Orleans. You see, B. has long meant to learn to ride a bike, but it just hasn’t happened. Continue reading
Empty Lot at St. Charles and Louisiana
It was a perfect spring day in New Orleans (and yes, I know it’s only February), and I had no parades to go to, so I took my bike to a coffee shop where I sat outside and got some work done. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but it was impossible to stay there on this most lovely day. I wasn’t the only cyclist out enjoying the sunshine; Kate Hudson was walking her bike down Magazine Street, dressed as if it were much, much warmer than it actually was. Continue reading
Sugar Bowl-Bound Fans on Canal and Camp
Last night ended with a popped tube on Magazine and Poydras, so today meant catching a ride downtown with my tube repair kit, pump, and 15mm wrench. It was surprisingly pleasurable to set up shop there on Magazine, even though I was in the way of the impressive flow of Sugar Bowl pedestrian traffic; I don’t know, it feels good to use public space in ways you’re not meant to. Continue reading
Bike Parking at Zeitgeist Multidisciplinary Arts Center
After a quick car ride today to invest in another cell phone (thanks for nothing, thief), I hopped on Rhoda and headed over to Oretha Castle Haley to help set up for the Bicycle Film Festival at Zeitgeist. My local radio station had informed me that a festival of sorts was also being held on the street. I like a good mash-up, so I was hoping both crowds would be there together. Continue reading
Bike Rack at Harry’s Ace Hardware on Magazine
It’s cold tonight. And rainy. There was talk of snow, but that was mostly just fantasy. Regardless, it meant I was driving downtown tonight. And for a party with other bikers. I figured I’d have to park a few blocks away, skulk in. Continue reading
What I Saw Riding My Bike Around Today 