Daddy's Bicycle

Seamus really likes bikes!

Christmas in September...

Well, preparations for Christmas anyway. Seamus loves my bicycles, I have been looking for a tricycle that had lots of design cues from traditional bicycles. I think I found it. I can't wait for him to see this in a couple of months.

Smart investing...

It would appear, that at least in the short term, petroleum is still a good investment.

"Last quarter, Exxon Mobil posted the highest profits of any corporation in U.S. history - $11.68 billion"

No gouging and no gas...

(Maybe this 3:30 pm traffic jam I took a picture of in Las Vegas a few years ago is a thing of the past)

Well the problem is back. The gas stations in town are all out of fuel, as are the stations in Asheville. Prices did not skyrocket this time (there were allegations of price gouging last time), the result is however the same. Everyone is in a mild panic ...and so we should be. We live in a community that has no sidewalks and mile after mile of narrow country roads.

The one fun thing for me. I am sort of an oddball novelty on campus. I am one of three bicycle commuters on the whole campus. The jeers have now turned to honest questioning. I can imagine the day when there might be as many of six of us commuting by bicycle :-)

Of course once the supply routes reopen and fuel arrives, the F250's used as commuter vehicles will be back in full force.

If Seamus made a video....

I take Seamus on a walk around the neighborhood almost every night. The donkey's are a must see!

Fuel before food...

So, I am not sure if many of you are experiencing this in your hometown or not. Here in Western North Carolina, due to our location, fuel delivery routes, the hurricane (nowhere near us), or some unknown combination of these and social factors, there is a gas panic.

When I returned from Raleigh on Tuesday I filled up the Civic and regular unleaded was $3.69 per gallon. On Friday when I rode my bicycle into work the neighborhood gas station was selling regular unleaded for $3.89. By 6 pm that evening the price was $4.19 as I pedaled home. Today ....it is $4.89. That is $1.20 more than Tuesday!

It doesn't appear folks are worried about food, but the thought of walking, cycling, carpooling, or heaven forbid public transportation is leading to a purchasing frenzy...apparently unaffected by price.

Bike Powered Bar!

My father-in-law sent me this link. Many of you know I like bicycles. I also like adult beverages. What a great combination!

and then came the rain...

It took me a while to get to this post, but after installing this baby in late July it was over a month until it rained at our house. It worked, well after some minor adjustments.

The math is easy enough to do. You can figure out how much rain you are going to collect, but after a few hours when you have 85 gallons it is still pretty amazing and that is only from about 1/8 of our roof. It makes me seriously consider getting a modern cistern installed.

Pumpkinsynthesis...

I purchased this bike in 2000, just after moving to Vermont. It has been a very trusty steed for a mail order bike. It is more or less relegated to commuting now. Due to the color I affectionately named it "The Pumpkin".