It’s cold, it gets dark shortly after lunchtime, and the streets are salted like a Central Park pretzel, but each day brings us closer to spring, and once again it’s time to register for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour!
Bike New York is notoriously safety-minded, so I’m surprised my high-energy stunt-riding made it past their censors:
Speaking of danger, I should warn you that bloggers in mirror are dorkier than they appear:
I realize it doesn’t seem possible to be dorkier than I appear in that image, but in fact I am.
Nevertheless, at this point I am a true TD Five Boro Bike Tour veteran, having not only promoted but participated in the following editions:
And that’s not even counting the time I did it back in the ’90s. Little did I know back when those Freds on the Kestrels were making fun of me that one day I’d not only be a public figure…
…but that I’d also be the TD Five Boro Bike Tour’s Official SpokesFred*!
*[Bike New York and TD Bank wish it to be known that Bike Snob NYC a.k.a. Tan Tenovo is in no way the TD Five Boro Bike Tour’s official spokesperson or “SpokesFred” or whatever he’s calling himself, and that he is no longer welcome in and TD Bank branch in the greater New York City metropolitan area for reasons we’ve agreed not to disclose.]
So register now and I’ll see you out there.
Alas, I won’t have the Vengeance Bike to ride, but my newest road bike should do me nicely:
Having gotten everything fully “dialed in” as they say, I’ve now moved on to the accessorizing phase of the process, and as you can see I’ve added a frame pump:
As you’ve probably noticed, frame pumps seem to be going extinct. In fact, as far as I know, if you’re in the market for a frame pump it’s pretty much just this one and the Silca. So which to choose? Well, judging from the names, I’d say get the Silca if you want gravitas:
But if it’s whimsy you’re after then Rivendell is the clear choice:
Mike Frameplumper sounds like a character in one of the more lewd Frank Zappa songs.
Anyway, I haven’t used the pump yet (frame pumps are one of those accessories you hope you never have to actually use) but it seems well-made, it fits the frame securely, it’s got a fold-out handle, and most importantly it matches the bike. It also works on both Presta and Schrader, which is handy for when you’re riding with the family, you’re the responsible party (for the bike repair, that is), and you’re dealing with mixed valve types.
I also got this thing:
I like tool rolls for the capacity, and I like saddle bags because they’re easier to strap to the saddle rails, and this thing seemed to split the difference so I figured I’d give it a try. Naturally I filled it with all the requisite emergency items, including the most elaborate multi-tool I’ve ever owned. And while I was at it, I upgraded the brake pads:
The stock pads were just fine, but I figured this bike deserved it:
When you’re this fond of something, you just want to keep giving it little treats.