Since the start of the Eat Local Challenge, I’ve made three shopping trips by bicycle. I was nervous at first, but once I got the braking thing down, everything went just fine. Did you know that bikes these days have hand brakes? Instead of having you pedal backwards to stop? I can’t keep up with the blistering pace of bicycle technology.
The first time I went out, I felt like a fish out of water. I’m used to playing the role of antagonizer, bearing down on cyclists from the snug and bumpered safety of my motor vehicle, not the other way around. Given the way karma usually works, I decided it would be safer to stick to the sidewalks where I could bully the pedestrians. Not that they were intimidated. I gave a generous berth to any obstacles, real or imagined. My braking was early and often. My turns wide and swervy. The only real threat to them was my instability. And my language. I had at least one uncomfortable encounter with that pesky crotch bar. Why is it there again? But once I got to the relative protection of the bike path, I became a lot less clenchy. All in all, it felt empowering to be self-propelled and actually feel the wind in my face, as opposed to the utter windlessness of my jogging speed.
My first trip was to Shaw’s, where you can get a bunch of local products: Stonyfield Farm milk and yogurt, Cabot cheese and butter, Trappist jams made by the monks of Saint Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer. Sometimes they even have local goat cheese. The second trip was to the farmer’s market in town where I got the havarti the kids like so much and found some surprise local strawberries, thank god. I didn’t ask questions. How many apples can one person eat, anyway? Today, I went to Russo’s for milk, butter, cream, bread, and dried beans.
Unfortunately, the cute little wicker basket on the front of the bike I’m borrowing got so weighted down by all of my important dairy products that it rested right on the front wheel, wicker to rubber. The friction threatened to wear a hole right through the bottom of the basket, but, more importantly, it made an extremely loud zipping sound that turned heads at a time when I really didn’t want to be observed. It was nothing a few adjustments didn’t fix temporarily, until the next frost heave, but it became clear that I’ll need to dig out my backpack for my next run.
So far I’ve clocked about 13 miles, which, with today’s fuel prices, means I’ve saved about $2 in gas. Interesting. Somehow, I thought it would be more. Well, it’s fun anyway. At least up until the point where I have to walk the bike up the painfully long, steep hill to my cliffside dwelling like a big loser.
I don't care what you say, I'm glad you got the bike. And I bet *you're* glad you have it too. Even DH and I thought about getting bikes this summer - HA! What a sight that would be! Good for you Tammy.
Posted by: Sally | October 08, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Hi! I stopped by to read because I saw Cabot Cheese (yay - thanks for the mention) but I am so excited because that blueberry cobbler recipe looks so amazing. I just printed it and need to go get some blueberries right now!
Love your blog. Now I have to go follow all your links!
Posted by: Wendy | October 08, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Great post....I never understood why the crotch bar was there either! Especially since technically, those are the "male" versions of bikes, and the ones that don't have it are the "female" versions! If I didn't live on a friggin' mountain, I'd love to give my bike a go also. Brava!!!
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Posted by: Katie | October 08, 2008 at 10:09 AM
The weighted basket got me and I had to wipe my eyes before reading further. I walk to the market from the office with my suede city purse casually dropping purchases of apples, onions and potatoes into it. Then inevitably have to lug it back in a bear hug because the handle broke. And limping because city shoes aren't meant for real walking. But doesn't it seem right that you pedal for Trappist monk jam? I'm sure they would bless you if they knew. Or tear up laughing like I did. Thank you.
Posted by: Katrina | October 08, 2008 at 12:04 PM
good for you for biking. Up here in the frozen north it is getting colder and colder, and my hands are starting to freeze a little on the bike (no I do not do winter biking like some I know).
I do a lot of groceries on my bike and find it handy to have panniers that go on the back of the bike (you'll need a rack too). Then you can buy more!
Posted by: sunny12 | October 08, 2008 at 01:38 PM
I'm impressed that you dare to bike in Boston at all. I've only done it once, and it was so nerve-wracking, I'm never doing it again.
Posted by: adele | October 08, 2008 at 01:48 PM
I find a backpack very handy in these situations because I often fall off my bike (you probably think I'm kidding too but you weren't there in Nantucket when I ran a parked car off the road) and the backpack pads the groceries a little better than the basket.
Posted by: Alecto | October 08, 2008 at 05:23 PM
And they say fish don't need bicycles.
Posted by: Flood | October 08, 2008 at 06:04 PM
I keep meaning to get my bike back up and running. It actually has back-pedal brakes, because it is so old. And the handy little rack on the back does the wheel-rub thing. That's right, I don't really want to start riding that bike at all. I'll just stick to the legs, I guess.
Posted by: Heather | October 08, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Hi Tammy - thanks for your words of encouragement on my blog. I started shopping by bicycle too. My weekly farmers market shop is a 6 mile round trip. Plus parking would cost $5 each time so I am saving lots! I have been doing it since the end of August. Like you - I was shaky at first but I am starting to get used to and loving it. I bungee my regular basket to my back rack and also carry a backpack. It stops me buying too much too!
Posted by: sam | October 09, 2008 at 08:41 PM
sam: Today was my first day with the backpack, and I shan't be buying that many groceries in one trip ever again.
Heather: Back-pedal brakes are sooooo awesome.
Flood: "They" don't know what the hell they're talking about. P.S. Are you surviving?
Alecto: Very interesting! Kind of like an airbag, huh? Maybe I should wear one on my back, one on my front--it's only a matter of time before I hit the pavement.
Adele: Well, downtown Waltham is no Boston, but it's still scary. They all go to the same driving school.
sunny12: I had to google pannier, but that's exactly what I need. And then somebody to pedal the bike for me once they're loaded down.
Katrina: I pedal for monks! That's pretty funny. I don't think they'd find my blog too funny, however.
Katie: I don't get it either. Male, female, we all have crotches. P.S. I'm behind in my e-mail--I'll be in touch.
Wendy: Three cheers for Cabot! Butter and cheese are the cornerstones of my Eat Local diet.
Sally: I'm VERY glad to be borrowing this bike. I didn't think I had it in me, but I'm very glad I do. Hope you get your bikes!
Posted by: Tammy | October 10, 2008 at 09:24 PM