Saturday, November 30, 2013

154. "Warrantee Tune-up"

My folding bike, now credited with three saves during the first 5 months of use, was about due for its six month "warrantee tune-up," so I took it in the to dealer.  The mechanic put it up on a stand and with some disdain asked me how many miles. "I don't know" (later I decided about 200 miles, with many hills and some rain, both suggesting more wear and tear that one might expect in six months). 

"You're beyond your warrantee."

"But it says six months, nothing said about mileage."

"You need a 'silver' tune-up; can't let you leave without it; bike's unsafe."

"Silver?"  Why not platinum or titanium"  Or molybdenite?  

Well I did leave, rode my bike home without incident, put in new brakes, then a few days later returned. The mechanic this time accepted without question my request that I receive the promised tune-up with no work replacement of parts not covered by said warrantee. We'll see.


Saturday, November 23, 2013

153. Drip Dry

Parking garage bike cage at one of my work sites. Not only anti-theft but also a place to hang out wet clothes during the rainy season.  I'm lucky, I have a warmer, drier area for my wet gear.

Didn't see any underwear hanging up to dry, which is more than I can say for one of my co-worker's office a few years ago when I walked by the open door and saw a pair of jockey briefs hanging from a book case (after a few months, he brought in a small Ikea closet).

As back-up, I keep an extra set of everything stuffed in a desk drawer.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

152. Anti-Bike Mayor

New Mayor: anti-bike, pro-car, and unenthusiastic about rapid transit.  But of course he wouldn't describe himself that way, so we should give him the benefit of the doubt for a few months.  There are more car votes than bike votes, so he did what he had to do to get elected. What's important is not what he said before being elected, but what he does after.

Note: both outgoing and incoming NYC mayors agree on the need for more bike lanes.