BEACH BIKES FOR SALE

Commute 2 (2.11.11)
For some reason I woke up early and made a split second decision to pack up my bag, hop on the bike, and bike all the way in to work via the flat, 42-mile route. My Friday commute pledge is currently in jeopardy due to a changed meeting schedule. But I figured I'll try to work with it by leaving earlier. For some reason, on today's ride, I had forgotten what little I had ever learned about long-distance commuting. I overdressed. The knee warmers that had me aching last commute somehow found their way back onto my knees for this commute. The tail light I was pretty sure was dying on the prior evening's commute home, did in fact die, just as expected, about 2 miles out of the city. (I was carrying back-up batteries.) I was dehydrated and under-caloried as I woke up way before my appetite. Along the busy thoroughfare by the airport, I dropped my water bottle--for the first time in my entire life. It was a slog. I pulled over, removed one whole layer of clothing. Chugged some water. Cleared my head. Ditched the negative attitude. Things got better after that, particularly once a glorious sunrise started breaking. At that moment, too, another rider passed me. I worked hard to catch up to him by a popular break spot. There, we chatted a bit, discovered we were headed to the same general destination, and decided we'd enjoy each other's company for the second half of the commute. Working together, our pace picked up, as did our spirits. Thanks, Paul, and nice to meet you!

What meant to be a joyfull two-day ride to Ubatuba, SP, after Xmas, turned into a nightmare. A broken drive belt, the usual "extra" fees for the insurance company to pick up the bike and the notice that NOT EVEN ONE of HD dealers in my country had the part in stock.

Three days and about twenty five phone calls after, a guy helped me, bringing up an used belt and tools to fix the bike.

It's all ok with the bike now, it works fine as it always did, but I have to mention that the dealer's service in Brazil really sucks: no parts in stock, even if all you need is a light bulb. The only purpose of HD dealer's aftermarket policy is to sell overpriced clothes and lots of useless chrome accessories.

I would like to thank Richard, from RCH, that became a friend after all this.

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