The Bike

Since I mention a bike in the title of the blog, I should explain that riding my bike was one of the things I missed most about Japan when we left two years ago.  Japan is a very bike friendly country and it is almost impossible to walk down the street without seeing someone whiz by on a bike.  I’m currently on the look –out for a favorite biking spot.  There is an area by the river, a pedestrian walkway, a couple parks, and an abandoned neighborhood that are currently in the running.  The abandoned neighborhood probably has the most space and scenic views, but it’s a little creepy.  Apparently, all the land is owned by a company that has since downsized.  Its employees used to live in the neighborhood and use the tennis courts, pool, etc.  Now everything is deserted and dilapidated.  It kind of has a post-apocalyptic feel to it so I’m a bit hesitant to spend much time there by myself.  I guess we’ll see where I find myself most in the upcoming weeks.

                                                  One of the parks                                    The pedestrian path
                                     





Here is my glorious bike.  I’m pretty pumped that it is red and has a basket!  Its only flaw is that the brakes have the meanest squeak I've ever heard.  Everyone knows I'm coming.  Plus the bell on it is a little loose so if I hit the slightest bump my bell will ring.  Drew's bike, on the other hand, has a headlight that is really loud when he turns it on at night.  It is powered by the friction of the tire and sounds most similar to putting a playing card in your spokes, except it has a higher "eeee" sound to it.  Ding, eeeee, screech, ding, ding, eeeeee, screech...that's us!