Paint, Seeds, and Fabric

I lock  my bike to wire bins at Joann's Fabrics. The official rack is at the other end
of the strip mall, too far from the places I frequent.

A colder wind today brought us back to March reality. I set out to buy paint for our front door, fabric for a couple of Annie Projects along with vegetable and flower seeds. I was thinking about planting early leafy and root vegetables. It's also time to sprout tomatoes and basil indoors.

I dug out my fleece gloves and down vest to add to my errand wardrobe. Socks inside sandals were borderline on the ride to the stores and inadequate for the return. With the onset of cold rain later in the day and a whopper of a sinus cold that hit me in one hour, the projects were put on hold. Time for lots of tea and a humidifier.

Netherlands - Cycling Culture and Elephants

Follow New Posts in the Around The World series on Mondays. Click here for the Introduction.

50 miles, Thursday, August 11

After the previous long day we relaxed this morning, setting off later than usual. We putter along back roads, still sailing with the wind. The terrain is truly flat. We cruise the river bottomland west of Antwerp through Puers and St. Gillis-Waas before approaching the Dutch border. All morning a menagerie of cyclists pedal toward us, all ages and sizes, going about life on two wheels. It seems like we’ve come home—at least in our hearts—and are not the anomaly­ for a change.

By midafternoon we pass from De Klinge, Belgium into Clinge, Netherlands. This unique town straddles two countries. Bank hours vary by region, and we find we must rush to Hulst to withdraw Dutch guilder. As with many of our transactions it’s a simple withdrawal, using a VISA card. But as providence would have it, we came to a halt when three elephants crossed the road ahead of us. What? Elephants? We laughed and laughed. Each animal ambled along, strung together like a Barrel of Monkeys, trunks hooked around tails. Their ringleader directed them to a line on the right, eventually to a tent where a circus performed. And as these opportunities only come once in a lifetime, I had Andy snap a photo of me with the elephant train.

Typical Dutch bike. Photo credit: Infrastructuration

We learn there are two bicycles to each person in Holland/Netherland, in Dutch Nederland. In small towns cyclists do not lock their bikes, a sight that is unusual for an American. But Dutch bikes are more utilitarian. Most are black single speeds. Bike paths are separate from roads; red signs and arrows, for the most part, are understandable because of graphic symbols. I was amazed at the numerous patterns of stone and brick that comprise the bikeways – all without mortar. Occasionally loose bricks sound like wooden chimes under wheel. It is a serenade only for cyclists. Andy and I admit to enjoying the paved pathways more. It’s easier on the fanny after long hours in the saddle.

From De Vodel campground in Hengstdijk. Photo credit: Panaramio

In Hengstdijk we pulled into a huge campground on the edge of a pretty lake. For 10.5 guilder (1.8 guilder to 1 USD) we are treated to a prime tenting spot near water. Most of the grounds house permanent trailers. There is a restaurant, bar, a pen of rabbits, and a caged area for guinea pigs and birds. I thought it odd to have animals until we understood that six weeks of vacation is standard. Children must love romping with the pets. Andy and I strolled the campground then peeked in on the bunnies before settling down for the evening.

Clouds and Peepers

On Thursday it was a double headwind day. A warm wind in my face in the morning; a cool blast in the evening. But oh, the painted heavens! I was treated to this sky just before sunset. Streaks of sunlight back-lit the clouds. And the first peepers of the season serenaded my ride home. Ah, this is the life.

My Entry in the Bike Give Away

Well I did it. I entered  Bicycling's Bike Give Away  contest. I tried my best to limit my word length to less than 150 words. The gist: describe what my bike means to me, describe where it takes me, and why I need a new one. Winner chooses a bike reviewed in the April issue. I'm pining for the lowly Breezer, and I use the term "lowly" tongue-in-cheek, because ironically it happens to be the least expensive bicycle up for grabs. But it's the one I would take, should I miraculously win. Here's my entry:

Thanks for rescuing me from a neighbor’s sale. You gave me purpose, adding fenders, racks, even an orange flower to color my beefy black frame. I’m charmed you wrote your name in gilded Sharpie on my tubing. I know I’m not pretty; I’m buffed that you pedal with your son to his school or take me on dirt roads and Burlington’s waterfront trail. I know you desire curvy handlebars, a sexier finish, and less heft. I can’t compete with the Breezer Uptown. I know it’s your heart’s desire for a plucky yet retro-styled ride. But I’ll remain your soul mate for as long as you’ll have me. I’ll brood and shed tears of dust when I must go, but hope you donate me to Bike Recycle or to a lady that will love me as you have, anything but abandoned to the wreckage of another garage sale.

And shhh, don't tell my Ross what I'm up to. 

With the Guy on a Ride

It's nice to get out with the bearded wonder again. Last weekend our boys were engaged with friends, a nice separation between siblings for a breather from one another. We took advantage of our time as a couple and pedaled a slow pace on the waterfront path, ostensibly to check out a camp that a neighbor is considering buying, but also for my guy to test his commuting legs. His ride to work is much longer than mine and he's an early riser. He leaves our house at 5 a.m. for a short drive before hopping on his bike  at 5:30. I know, in the dark!

Every time I look at photos of  my guy wearing his helmet I realize how much I admire this particular style. It's a Bell Citi which has a commuter/retro look to it. I will need a replacement for a Giro that I've been using for years; part of the bracket that cups the head recently broke. I used to own a yellow Bell—you'll see it in the Around the World photos. I wouldn't mind owning another one of the same color.

My husband's yellow fenders always attract comments. And, it matches his brain bucket. He wouldn't admit that he planned the coordinated color scheme; it just happened. A few years back I bought him a bright yellow rain jacket so he's a highly visible presence on the road in cooler and/or wet weather—exactly what you want in low light riding.

Since this adventure last weekend my husband has started his commute, and he couldn't be happier.