Cash for Clunkers?
First off, I’m partnering up with the fantastic Bridget Pilloud for a new project called Narrative Actualization! I know, right?!?! We’re changing stories! I’m teaching the writing portion, and Bridget is teaching the life changing portion and it’s going to be awesome. You can follow our progress here and here.
And I was riding my bike yesterday, in the rain, with Archie in the trailer on the back and I had this thought — I’ve not been honest with the fan club about my bike trailer. I was huffing and puffing up a very small hill and thinking that you all were probably picturing me (because that’s how you spend your days, right?) riding my shiny pretty Bianchi with a glossy Burley on the back and smiling the whole way. None of this is true.
My Bianchi is 7 years old and though it is a noble steed, it is not shiny. But the bike trailer. OMG you guys. I bought it on Craigslist for $40. It’s a wal-mart off-brand. I used it year round and now there’s hole in the bottom Archie needs to avoid because otherwise he’ll fall straight through, the cover doesn’t close all the way and worst of all — both tires are flat.
When both tires went flat about three months ago, I just left them. Here was my thought: I’ll get a better work out. And sure enough, it’s even more challenging riding with a 40lb kid in a 20lb trailer with two flat tires.
Then I thought, well, I’ll put some air in them because this is silly. So I did and I promptly popped one of the tubes. At that point, I couldn’t fill up the other one because then I’d be lopsided. On I rode.
Now, in the rain, the tires squeak and squeal and pedestrians look at me. Yesterday it was two moms in their tricked out rain gear with their perfect $700 strollers who were checking out my action. I was embarrassed, internet. I tried to play it off like I was just on my way to the gas station to fill up the offending tires and that would have worked had I not been pedaling away from the nearest gas station.
On my way home, I thought, you know what America needs? America needs a cash for clunkers bike trailer program. Because, right? We could all use that.
And if there were such a thing, I’d trade in my $40 junker bike trailer and get this:
I want this now. Badly. Xtracycle. WANT.
I think that retreat sounds amazing.
Don’t be ashamed by your ghetto gear! The point is that you are out there riding–it doesn’t matter what you’re riding on. (I tell myself this as I tool around town on my old-ass mountain bike or my off-brand circa-1980s granny bike.) Of course, filling the tires would probably make the whole experience more pleasurable for you, but other than that, I say lift your head and ride with pride!
(Aside from all that, however, a bicycle version of Cash for Clunkers is a great idea. Especially if one could trade in a junky old car for an awesome new bike/trailer.)
I don’t even have a bike. Does that make it feel better?
Isn’t Archie almost old enough to ride his own bike?
And get a job to pay for it?
Seems like I heard the Joe Bike shop on Hawthorne was doing a cash for clunkers for bikes. Might be worth checking out. http://www.joe-bike.com/ I just glanced at the website and couldn’t find anything, but the special offers page still thinks it’s summer, so what does it know.
Alternatively, I also have an old bike, and a cheap bike trailer and do all the bike maintenance and repairs for my bike, my partner’s bike and many of my friends’ bikes. My almost-2 year old loves her squeaky bike trailer cause she can actually play with toys as opposed to the rack mounted bike seat which she can’t, cause they’ll fall. Anyway, I would happily volunteer to take a look at your bike and/or trailer. Can’t promise it’ll be as good as new, but it’ll be better than it was, and it’ll be free. . . .
Yay Jake!
Kind of makes me feel bad that I have a bike and a trailer, but I live in the middle of a hilly burbia with nothing to ride to. So we actually have to put the bikes on a rack on the car and then drive somewhere to go biking. And when does this happen? Never.
4 years ago a friend of mine called and said that he would be able to get brand new Mongoose mountain bikes cheap, so I bought one. Its the fanciest thing ever. It’s still sitting in the garage and it has those little rubber nubs on the tires because it’s never been used.
I think we should take up a collection and buy Mel a new bike. The only caveat is that it has to be one of those “sit down” style recumbent bikes and she has to change her banner logo from that ink splotch thing to a picture of her riding the new bike, wearing her 1930’s swimsuit. I’m in for $25. Who’s with me?
too bad you can’t bring your broken down bike trailer here in a few weeks; i’m good at fixing stuff. couple new tubes, some grease/oil, a little fabrication/patch for the hole, and you’d be good as new.
you are RIGHT ON THE MONEY though about it being a better workout. judging by the last picture i’ve seen, it’s totally paying off. milfy!