Check Out My Fabulous Giveaway!

Today is the first day of The Sweet Georgia Brown Grand Giveaway!

"Soon" Is A Subjective Term

That says, "Hi," just in case you can't see it.

In the months that I've not posted anything for your dear readers, I can assure you that I've been riding, learning, and having adventures that are quite blogworthy. I just won't be blogging them here anymore. Happily, gainful employment is in my immediate future, as is relocation, and I won't have time to blog here and at "Sweet Georgia Brown" so head over there for lots of information on and anedoctotes regarding my valiant steed, Brown Betty.

Not to leave you high and dry, I'll still be composing that Brown Betty album. If you're thinking of getting a Globe Live 2 Mixte, you can get plenty of views of this beauty. If you have questions, I'll still be answering e-mail at courtnee.globebikes@gmail.com. I've also got some bike wisdom for you [vicariously] from Josh, bike mechanic extradinaire from Out Spokin' Bikes who is as patient as he is strong.

You should go through the ABC's before every ride: A is for air, B is for brakes, and C is for chain. Because the rubber of your bike tires is porous, tiny amounts of air can escape from them in between rides and, depending on what kind of tires you're riding on (like skinny road tires), it can be quite important to make sure that they're inflated to the proper pressure. Checking brakes is simple--just squeeze the brakes before you head out to see if they feel good. To check the chain, look it over to make sure that it's not dirty and that it's oiled properly. Oiling it once a month should cover your bike's lubrication needs.

There's actually more to be posted from the Basic Maintenance Clinic I attended at Outspokin' Bikes on my other blog (or there will be soon). I hope this helps you have many fun rides in the meantime.

Coming Soon

Betty, with both wheels on the ground for a change

I definitely have some more posts to write and I think I've figured out a way to link to a set of bike photos on Flickr as a little gallery for this blog. (I thought I might use Blogger's new tabbed pages tool, but I don't like the way it looks.) I also hope that I get a lot more photos of cyclists. As the weather gets better, I'm sure I'll see more about.

Boats and Bikes

This post has been ages in the making because my computer has decided to say the long goodbye one failing component at a time and the library only allows you so much time on their computers. Since I'm in the midst of a job search this post has been shuffled to the bottom of the priority list for many days, but with a few moments to spare I bring it to you at last.






Tuesday was a bright spot in the week, literally. Everyday since then has been rainy, windy, and overcast. Lots of folks were out trying to enjoy the last day of nice weather, like these boaters (and their dog).




I met two cyclists! Marc studies Georgraphic Information Systems (stuff that regards maps, he says) at Kennesaw State and was able to figure out a practical route from there to Acworth Beach (that's about a nine mile jaunt). I hope he puts some of his routes on Bikely! Of course, he also rides his bike to classes, but he doesn't live nearly as far away.



I loved the kiddie seat on Scott's bike. He said that he often takes the grandkids for rides, but today he was out for a pre-workout ride. He's getting back into triatholon shape--like his daughter and son-in-law who are training for triatholons! Wow!

Bikes Around the Globe #4

via Hanneli shot by Tommy Ton

This Norwegian fashionista knows that it's much easier to ride a bike in those wedges than walk in them.

Toodling

I guess you could call this a "slow bicycle" shop. Adeline Adeline is a new bike shop in New York City that sells, "toodling-around-town bikes and not bikes that climb mountains or race. Bikes and bike accessories with style." "No Lycra," declares owner, Julia Hirschfeld.

What a welcome development! Toodling seems to get lost between talk of commuting or cycling as a sport. Who would've thought that there would be a shop catering to toodlers? I didn't even know that "toodling" was a term thrown around widely until I just looked it up. However, I was toodling the other day and as I approached group of teen girls one shouted out, "I like your bike. Girrrl, you killin' that thang!"

Toodling definitely has its rewards.

Are there any other toodler-affirming bike shops out there? Do you know of any bicycle manufacturers that make products for the toodler market? I'm sure toodlers are good shoppers like commuters so let me know!

Bikes Around the Globe #3

via Fashion Tadpole

via Jak & Jil

The place: Paris, of course. Stylist Catherine Baba brings her iconic and daring(!) style to cycling. Très chic!