This post is one of multiple posts (click here for all posts) on the 2014 Winter Errandonnee Challenge which is being hosted by the bike blog chasing mailboxes d.c..
Shortly after crawling out of bed I learned to my delight that today was National Potato Chip Day! I also learned that the C-store down the street was giving away free bags of chips! So after a breakfast of peanut butter on toast (Nova went to the store) I took off to claim my free chips. I hope this can count as one of my wild cards in the challenge.
I rode the Schwinn Straight Bar which I had just thrown together yesterday for a beater to ride pub pedaling tomorrow after we ride in the St Patrick’s parade.
The C-store is only a couple blocks down the street but I took a longer way there. I challenged myself to ride the 2 miles there with no hands which I did.
All that and a bag of chips. $1.07.
I sat on the C-store patio to eat my free chips and sip my coffee made from beans supposedly grown in some far away exotic place.
Free potato chips.
On the way home I decided again to ride the entire way no-handed. At one point I looked down and realized the bike I was riding had no chainguard and I had not tied off my pant leg which was now stained with oil since I had just oiled the chain. A little paranoid now about the possibility of my pant leg getting caught in the chain, I pulled my hands from my pockets so I could grab the bars should I need to in an emergency stop. I made it home without incident and without touching the bars.
Wild Card. To take advantage of free potato chip offer on National Potato Chip day.
Destination: C-store.
What I learned/observation: I believe I’m using this challenge as an excuse to eat badly.
Miles: 4
Date: 03-14-2014
This afternoon my friend was in town once again and we agreed to meet for lunch. Before heading out the door I grabbed a couple Rails-To-Trails magazines off the coffee table that I keep putting off reading and stuck them in my bag. I would make this ride count as the library category of the challenge.
Because it was windy I opted for a bike with gears which was Nova’s MTB which I picked over my own geared bikes just for fun. I left mi casa and rode to Mi Casa where we had lunch. I already have more than my my 2 allowed breakfast or lunch errands so I didn’t bother to photograph lunch.
After lunch I rode over to the city library where I sat outside and started reading an article in of one of the magazines.
Reading Rails-To-Trails magazine at the libraby.
I got antsy before finishing the article and left taking the back way home. When I come upon the old oil well and tanks I pulled over and finished the article under the warmth of the sun.
Reading Rails-To-Trails magazine at the oil well.
Errand: Library (without walls).
Destination: City library and old oil well.
What I learned/observation: By reading my magazine I learned about the Minneapolis Midtown Greenway. The plastic saddle of Nova’s mtb made me realize how comfortable my Brooks saddles are. The library is the only place that’s had a bike rack… and I didn’t use it.
Miles: 5
Date: 03-14-2014
Early this evening I rode to get adult beverages to accompany dinner. This will count as my 2nd any store that is not the grocery store category of the challenge. Still wanting to ride different bikes on these errands I chose the John Deere themed Schwinn even though I wasn’t sure how I’d haul my purchase. My panniers don’t fit on the old rear rack well so I opted to just use my messenger bag.
Upon arriving at the adult beverage store who do I bump in to but my own Grand-kids. They were actually at the restaurant next door and came running out to say hi when they seen me ride up. So the 4 of us stood, chatting and hugging in front of the liquor store. I wonder what that looked like to the casual observer.
At the adult beverage store.
The messenger bag worked great hauling the 6pack of bottles. It was no more uncomfortable than a 2lb Can of coffee. I even had room left over for a pint of something if I were one to drink liquor.
Blue Moon in the bag.
Errand: Any store that is not the grocery store.
Destination: Adult beverage store.
What I learned/observation: Never do anything you wouldn’t want your Grand-kids to know you’re doing. You never know when they may be watching. 6pack of bottles carries fine in a messenger bag. I’m sure real messengers already knew this.
Miles: 2
Date: 03-14-2014