Art

Hello Void....

Every so often Taxi Mum and I walk along the streets of Victoria with boy, or sit at our local coffee shop and I see Art ( and I don't mean Arthur ).  I always try to understand where the artist is coming from, are they looking to share some of their thoughts, feelings, expressions and creativity with us or are we, as their target audience, influencing what they create (as we all live in a capitalist marketplace).  Although I can appreciate the work and thought that goes into something to make it aesthetically pleasing to some (not always me...and thats ok) I do not always like it...sorry....but it's the truth. 

Some Art, however, gets me every time.  I often go to my favorite link page (here) and pick a frame / bicycle builder. Now this is not an exhaustive list (and please...if you have more, let me know) but I cannot but be amazed at the beauty of these frames. I am a new school, old school guy (Steel is real...again....after my carbon and aluminum bikes) and I cannot say enough for the classic styling of a polished, lugged steel frame (Here goes the miscellaneous plug for a bike I cannot afford, and the bike I hope to show up on my Tattoo). 

Trust me folks, these craftsmen (and women) create truly amazing Art (and I certainly apreicate it as such) and I thank them for giving me beautiful pieces to behold every day.  Even bikes I would not personally ride, I think are beautiful. The time, talent and work that goes into each and every one of these is amazing.

Now...if I could only win the lottery....

Happy riding all

D.C.

Are These Better than a Car?

Another Shout into the Void...

Well, Taxi Mum and I are trying to decide what (if any) bike we should next purchase to transport Boy and possible siblings as well as Dog 1 and Dog2. Let me tell ya...there are lots of choices. My first thought (and still my favorite) is a Surly Big Dummy. I have to say, this is by far the nicest cargo bike out there...come on, what other type of bike can you put neon lights and a blender on! I've got great thoughts of putting a blender full of fruit and milk on the back en route to work and coming in 4 Km later with a nice smoothie! (I'll have to find a good way to strap it down though!) Taxi Mum will also get a break as I can carry both her and Boy on it.  If you put on the wide loaders you can even put on two dog crates to take them down for a run on the beach. I have a certain build in mind (as always...expensive) and I think it would be the cats arse. 

Taxi Mum has some other ideas however. She was looking at Rain City Cycles  in Vancouver and saw a Bakfiest cargo bike and some cargo trikes, although I already stated I would not be partaking in a Trike ride, although I like Elizabeth May (see campaign trail 2), I'll only go so far. The Bakfiest bikes do have some other benefits however. The long box can easily carry 3 + kids, dogs and groceries, this is definitely has its advantages, however, I would have to clear out the garage to fit it inside! I do wonder though, can I still fit the neon lights??

Alas, this decision is really one of how can we further decrease our dependence on our $300.00 a month lawn ornament (a.k.a. Toyota Matrix). I do believe that one of these bicycle will help Taxi Mum get past some of those days where the "elements" just seem to be too much, hey I can't blame her, who wants to be sick, or worse yet, be at home with a sick Boy!

Well... I should be getting out there to clean off my lawn gnomes and Matrix. 

Cheers All

D.C.

The Abyss

So, I finally did it....I threw my voice into the giant Terabyte abyss kown as the Internet. I placed my preverbial message in a bottle and set it adrift wondering if it shall every be answered. I hope everyone (or anyone) enjoys what I have to say, and I promise I will try not to waste the valuable moments of you life you have spent reading and enjoying this Blog....

I Love Mondays!

Well, to be completely honest, I love mondays that I don't work. Today was a slightly rainy, overcast day as usual for this time of year in Victoria. Lucky for the Fam. we got new rainproof suits and new fenders for the bikes! This means longs rainy months of fun! The Boy loves bike rides, and even more so now that he does not get wet or cold. He now goes out to the garage yelling, "Bikes!" and ALWAYS wants to go riding.

Today started off with dropping the family off for yoga while I went and did the typical Bike Shop tour to the usual suspects: Fairfield Bike Shop and North Park Bike Shop , by far the best and most friendly bike shops I have come across in Victoria.

After the tour it was back to pick up the fam at yoga to again head out to North Park for a little fix and install on my wife's Batavus. As always, spectacular service from the folks at North Park.

Although it was a little rainy today we decided to head out to our typical lunch spot at Macchiato (down on Broughton and Broad) and then toured over to Fernwood for another coffee (hey...you can't have too many of those!).

The Batavus is quickly becoming the best family transport vehicle. While the Boy rides up front, Taxi Mum is getting quite good at transporting him while he sleeps in his BoBike seat. All in all a great ride and everyone had fun.

Check back soon for great reviews on the Batavus, BoBike seat and the Steelwool.