May 9th, 2011
Pedal Pusher
Sometime when I get an idea in my head it’s extremely difficult for me to let go of, and after two summers of looking I’m so excited to finally own a powder blue 1970’s Schwinn Suburban! Last summer I didn’t put many miles on my bike outside of the weekends because most of its cables and components are original, which made breaking a part of the experience that I couldn’t exactly count on.
But I’ve been wanting to get my little cruiser updated and made functional so badly that it hurts!
This weekend we made the trip in to a local bike shop and after giving my cruiser a once over they confirmed that everything important about it still works perfectly! We’re cleared for a makeover! It’s getting new cables, brakes and tires in the shop along with a good cleaning of all it’s pokey bits (don’t be intimidated by my detailled technical knowledge) before I take it home to shine it up.
I’m looking forward to becoming a commuter cyclist this summer- gas prices are scary these days and I’m really excited to building being active into my daily life. One of my best friends in the world recently bought her plane ticket to move to my prairie city this summer, and I’m picturing us biking all over town causing all kinds of trouble all ready.
It’s a little thing, but I think biking around town will make me feel like maybe I’m bound for the beach instead of the studio, and it’s going to make my summer days linger and start a little sweeter.
Do you have any little rituals that make the summer extra special?
I have a couple more I’ll share in the comments when I’ve had my coffee this morning!
{images: leila brewster photography, urban outfitters, cycle chic, Gaby J Photography}
Riding my bike to the post office to deliver my packages was one of my favorite and most ideal “visions” of what it would be like to finally follow my dream and run my own creative biz. Last summer, I did it! And it’s amazing how it feels when you bring a simple but sweet vision like that to life. I didn’t even have a bike so I had to go out and get one! Ha. That bike in the last photo is the one that I have! Would you believe that it is from… WalMart? It’s true.
Riding my bike and also sitting on the front porch with a book are 2 of my favorite summer traditions :D I also LOVE laying on a blanket in the grass and reading or writing – but I can only do it if it’s a little cooler out because otherwise there are just too many bugs here! Bleh.
Cuteness. Is that what your blue bike looks like? I have a hybrid bike but I think I want to trade it in for a cruiser as we don’t ride trails as much as we thought we would. It’s just too hot.
I currently live in a place where biking isn’t really a feasible form of transportation (especially to work) but I am moving soon to a Very small town where it will be! Exciting.
I just posted my summer blog goals. :)
i don’t ride my bike nearly as much as i should – it just gets so hot here (arizona) in the summer! that second photo – the peach bike from urban – wow, i love it so much.
oh wow that’s so exciting that your bike will get a little makeover to kick start your cycling routine! i really want to cycle more, it was one of my things on the ’23 before 24′ list i did a few weeks ago. Summer is definitely the best time to start!
x
Summer in Toronto =
*beaches
*ice cream out of the Mister Softee truck
*hanging out on the roof of my sketchy apartment building
Summer in Halifax =
*beaches/trips to PEI (where the beaches are better, but obvs I’m a little biased)
*patios on Argyle St
*canoeing on the Northwest Arm
Both = awesome!
God I can’t wait until I buy a bike and we can cruise the city together. I want to get one while it’s still nice out, and while the city is still fresh so that I can explore!!!!
Oh fun! I can totally picture you on your bike, grinning ear to ear!
Some fab things I love to do in the summer:
– going for runs around the local lakes.
– playing in the sand with my nephews
– sipping wine on an outdoor patio in Minneapolis
– sitting at the end of the dock, feet in the water, margarita or daiquiri in hand!
i just tuned up my bike yesterday and took it on it’s first little run.
it’s so awesome to be biking again!
I love it! Your little cruiser and the lovely pictures you posted inspires me to get my bike out myself!
Love it! I just traded in my old bike for one with more gears so I can take the hills in a little more style (and with a lot less sweatyness). I love the feeling I get from riding my bike to the places I need to go instead of driving, it’s really exhilarating!
I love going for long rides on the bike in summer, with my boyfriend. We do this on a wonderful bicycle path on the coast, it is 24 km long and it goes along the seaside, it’s beautiful.
I also love eating breakfast (I prefer fruit from our garden, like strawberries and cherries) on the balcony, a perfect way to start the day.
I love vintage bikes, I love the colours.
Have a great day.
Juliette
Historically I keep Memorial Day weekend WIDE oep and just for me because as far as I’m concerned, that’s when the summer really starts. I treat myself to an entire day at a pool, sunscreen applied of course; I go to a winery with friends, I spend time an at oudoor cafe or two reading and sipping something cool, and I go on long walks. This year it will be much different for me, but I still love keeping Memorial Day open to relax, rejuvenate and soak up the weather.
so excited for you! summers should always be filled with bike riding and bike picnic dates :D
xo,
cb
When I still lived in Germany, I didn’t have a car and practically did EVERYTHING by bike. I really can’t wait to have a bike again.
How exciting! & what gorgeous bike inspiration! I’m looking to move near Seattle, WA within the next year or two & I plan on becoming a regular bike rider myself! Living in Southern California isn’t really conducive to daily bike riding & having a 30 minute DRIVE commute makes riding my bike look grim. SO, I’m just very excited to get to move somewhere where I can save the planet & my wallet, one pedal at a time! I’m so happy you’re doing this…what a great transition!
Two other summer rituals of mine:
– Reading on the porch in our comfy swinging chair late into the evenings
– Splashing around in the kiddie pool we bought to keep the puppies cool
<3
My summer rituals include not setting an alarm (!) and going to all of the lovely Farmer’s Markets Sacramento has (one almost every day means lots of fresh produce!). This summer will be a little different, as I’ll be dividing my time between Sacramento, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Illinois (Andrew is playing poker all over tarnation this summer) so I’m both eager and nervous.
Hooray for summer and all the fun things that come with it. I love that Amber is moving to Winnipeg to be near you, that sounds fantastic. So happy for the two of you. Cruising around town will be awesome. Since I’m home now I’ve been giving thought to dusting off my bike and using it to ride around town a bit. Its been horribly rainy here though. Here’s hoping sunny days come soon. My summer rituals including sitting outside reading, ice tea thats been brewed by the sun, deck drinking, and evenings on the swing by our little pond.
Love your bike! The only time I ever ride a bike here is in the park, because riding a bike in NYC (even with the so-called “bike lanes” seems really scary). We’re thinking about getting a Vespa, which will make summer 100% more better. Zipping along on a little motorized scooter (that is pretty fuel efficient) > standing dripping and sweaty and breathing in hot, putrid air on a subway platform.
As far as summer rituals: lots more fresh flowers inside, at least one picnic/book-reading-on-a-blanket in the park session each weekend, brunches on charming sidewalks in the Village, and spending more time on our roof deck.
I’m curious as to how costly this is? I also have a 70’s schwinn with sketchy brakes! (mines red)
Generally the prices we’ve talked about are much more affordable than I thought (you can call for quotes) and there are even inexpensive workshops in most cities that teach you how to do minor and major repairs :)
I need to get a bike. (Hmm, although there is that space issue!) I used to LOVE riding one when I was younger and there are actually some decent bike paths around here. It would not be an option to ride it to work though – so jealous you get to do that! :)
Love this! I recently went on a bike tour of London, and it was such a lovely way to travel. However, the traffic around the city makes things a bit more dangerous, and I’m not ready to brave it by myself. I’m hoping there will be trips out to the country where I can ride around a bit. :)
I totally hear you- our city doesn’t have much in the way of bike lanes and sometimes it’s scary! I’m all about taking the safer, scenic route :)
ahh, so great!