Archive for April, 2009
Human Barometer
Posted by barista in Me myself and I on 04/23/2009
Ugh.
The last couple days, and the next couple, are an obvious indication of what I call “Weather YoYo”. Temperature goes down, temperature goes up. Pressure goes up and down along with all that.
And I suffer. Meet the human barometer: me.
Right now, I wish to hide in cave and sleep 3-4 days straight.
Let’s see if I can push myself to go and ride my bike once I get home, instead of heading the siren’s call of my comfy bed.
UPDATE: I went and punished my legs with a small hour’s worth of riding. Yeah, I feel better, but I still hunger for sleep. Damn you weather bomb!
Getting to know Jack
I started Saturday by rising early and heading to Urbane Cycle to purchase my bike. After much (too much according to Denier) consternation, I finally chose a simple yet sturdy folding Dahon Jack. The folding frame lends itself to storage in my apartment and make the bike fit inside the car. The 500$ price, 26″ wheels, the nice understated mate black paintjob, and the ease of adding fenders and inexpensive rack make this a “Urban Assault Bike” of sorts. The icing on the cake is the Schwalbe Big Apple tyres, which simply defy my expectations. Had I known of these tyres years ago, I would have switched my old city-cum-mountain-bike in Montreal. These 50$ tyres are 2.0 inch fat, kevlar reinforced to resist punctures, and low PSI to “eat up the crappy roads” as suspension. I had asked for the bike to be delivered Monday after work hours, with a set of black SKS fenders and a simple black rear rack with book spring.
Monday comes around and it’s raining cats, dogs, frogs, penguins, whales, etc…
I think to myself what a lucky guy I am to pickup my new bike today, of all days. I had packed my reflective bike jacket and helmet in my bag that morning, but I was not prepared to end-of-world flood conditions. So, at 16:30, I headed from work to MEC for some scuba-gear. After gratuitous browsing about, I picked up some stuff:
- Whoosh cycling pants
- cycling headband
- Planet Bike Aquillo gloves
Then I headed over to Urbane, avoiding gigantic puddles along the way. The wind for the East was furious and cold. The downpour constant.
The Jack was ready, paid already in full. After waiting for my “owners kit” and getting briefed on my free upcoming tuneups, I changed into “weather warrior gear” and set out.
I have never biked in Toronto and without some judicious walkabouts, I would have been thoroughly lost. I chose to ride on College street, merge into Dundas and then finally stretch into Bloor and ride home at High Park. It was glorious ride, the clothes keeping me dry and wind safe, though sweaty enough. The tail wind made me fly, and I had the nervous energy of someone driving in a new area for the first time.
I realise that I should add a rear-view mirror, as my head kept having to track back-and-to-the-left to see what the cars were upto. Although College has a bike lane, it ends too early and doesn’t provide the reach to my area. Nonetheless, the ride home felt safe.
So this is Jack
And this is Jack folded
The Bike Swam Home … err
Posted by barista in Me myself and I on 04/21/2009
I took possession of my new bike yesterday evening, when the city was under heavy winds and rain. After a brief visit to MEC for some scuba gear, I pedaled home with glorious tail winds. Darn, that felt good. Pictures and more coming soon. And yes, a weekend report is due, but I forgot the camera …
No worries though, it will magically get backdated. 
The Weekend Report – Apr 18-19
Posted by barista in Beer, The Weekend Report on 04/20/2009
Ah the weekend!
Got up early and purchased my bike, ending weeks of speculation and research. I was taking possession Monday night, so I decided to meander down King street. To my surprise, the Bier Markt has a location on the corner of King and Portland.
The terrace was open and empty, the sun playing hide-and-go-seek with clouds. I was hungry, but what really got me to walk up and as for a table ? Bolleke !
Antwerp is home to Brouwerij De Koninck, makers of the mothers-milk-goodness amber ale simply called Bolleke by locals. The nickname comes from the name of the “bowl shaped” drinking glass, which is code to mean “breast shaped”. Indeed!
I found myself explaining this information to the staff, who mistook me for a photographer?! I ordered the Markt burger with “frites” and the amber ale of goodness. Other folks began to stop and read the posted menu and shortly I was no longer the only patron on the terrace. I really didn’t notice that much, the food was just to my taste and I felt pretty good. My waitress and I chatted about the amount of appreciation this ale gets, and she provided a sampler of another for my opinion. The other bier left so little in positive impression, I have even failed to note it’s name.
After this nice meal, I proceeded to walk home, familiarizing myself with the path I would take if biking. A prudent scouting maneuver, given the Monday deluge. But that was the future.
Along the way I spotted the most obvious reason all squirrels are hyper… coffee!
My Eye!
Posted by barista in Me myself and I on 04/17/2009
It hurts. Yes, my left eye is being difficult, with a small infection in the corner, near the tear duct.
I’m treating it, but it still has the nasty tendency to feel like a small jagged piece of something being stuck under the eyelid.
It is healing, but the constant nagging and minor blurriness is a pain-in-the-ass.
Moral of the story: Don’t touch your eyes unless you hands are clean if you travel via the public transport system.
Attack of the Clones! Yema SQJ6451 Edition.
Posted by barista in Interweeb!, Vroom vroom on 04/14/2009
Yema SQJ6451
This isn’t a Subaru… It’s the new Yema SQJ6451.
Yes, car clones from China are a real threat.
The Weekend Report – Apr 10-12
Posted by barista in Bike, Me myself and I, The Weekend Report, Vroom vroom on 04/13/2009
Long Easter weekend in Montreal!
It was a last minute bookings to Montreal by train, as I completely forgot about the statutory holiday. Figures, I’m so in tune with such things (not!). Because it was last minute, I had to leave with an earlier train and return with a later one. Overall, the negative aspect is that these trains stop more, but the positive one is that these older trains aren’t the frozen commuter-not-for-long-distance-with-broken-washrooms crap the “Express” is these days.
It was cool weather, but pleasant too. Dad and I spent much time looking at various things that keep our brains diverted these days: cars & bikes. Who knew
We spent time “cooking” easter standards, some time watching “Good Eats” season 1, and hunting via the Internet for “just-the-right-spot” of land we could call “The Weekend Retreat” in Ontario. It’s not easy pickings and distance matters a lot. Thankfully, we aren’t in a hurry to change. ‘cept I could really use a plan/place by Nov 1st here … hmm …
On the car front, we visited a dealer that had a really well priced Toyota FJ, something on Dad’s “A-list” for driving/towing. I keep reminding him he doesn’t actually want a manual transmission anymore, or so he claimed for the last 10 years, but that doesn’t stop him making “big eyes” toward the Tonka Toy in question. I’m all for the manual tranny, but it wouldn’t be my car, though if it were diesel, I’d lobby to buy it immediately. Rumors of this models’ cancellation by Toyota are rampant, though unsubstantiated. If Toyota had sense enough to bring it Diesel, we most likely even pony up to buy it new.
On the bike front, I toured some shops with dad to get his opinion. We agreed that I’m a) picky and b) almost as well served by a single speed bike as anything else. So instead of reducing the list … I just added “single speed” models to it. Denier’s going to go all “foam-at-the-mouth” rabid on me for not choosing already. LOL
I had the pleasure to briefly road-test our “Garage Sale Peugeot”, a mint 1983 Canadian made U09 SuperSport. This thing is genuinely beautiful with gobs of “retro style”. Maybe I’ll bring it here as my steed, until the “ultimate city bike” shows up. It would need a good tune-up, especially the front brakes and the 27″ tyre may not hold up to abuse anymore. Thinking out loud, it would also need a set of fenders and a rear rack, so it’s not “ready to commute” just yet. Included below is an “identical” Peugeot and link to some details about these bikes.
Fine weekend also included a Saturday brunch crew get-together, a late Saturday coffee and pastry session with Typo Lou and Ricki. All good!
Now I just lack a little sleep, the later train put my arrival to my door at midnight. /yawn
Parking problems solved!
Posted by barista in Interweeb!, Vroom vroom on 04/10/2009
Nice…. How a multi-level parking shouldn’t operate. Props to AutoBlog
Stealth Cayenne
Posted by barista in It came from Denis, Vroom vroom on 04/10/2009
My spies in Monaco report seeing a TechArt custom Porsche Cayenne in stealth plane matte black. The agent referred to the four wheel monster as the Haggunenons flagship. I can see the resemblance.
Subaru Outback 2010
Posted by barista in Meh, Vroom vroom on 04/09/2009
NY presentation Outback 2010
So the trend continues, more Subaru vehicles that look positively “Meh”. Lacking any distinctive style seems to be a selling point for many cars, as so aptly proven by Toyota designers, and Subaru borrows a page. I liked the older model far more.
I wonder if Subaru will ever get a brand design identity as strong as their brand technical identity.
AutoBlog collected pictures from the unveiling and the stock photos.
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