Bikes That Work

Big Sexy--1984 Raleigh Marathon.

I spent some time this past Saturday converting my 1984 Raleigh Marathon into what I hope will be my grocery store and go-to-the-gym bike. So you can see what I came up with, Gentle Readers of This Blog—A Big Sexy SUV of a bike!


Hey, it works!

The Grocery Store is 3 miles away, and down-hill for the return. That will make the trip back with everything loaded much easier.

Since I’m being a bachelor now with Little Egypt living in Lawrence—and we have to support two households—I think I can find ways to live that save money, do my part to help the environment, and be healthy. I think I’ll tend to buy only what I need, which is only what I can carry.


This is too Ghetto, so I may try to find something else, or strap it to the back rack.

Big Sexy is a huge bike. Left un-locked outside the store, I don’t think anyone would be able to jump on ‘em and ride off—the frame is 27 inches (69 centimeters) so that’s the deterrent. I’ll lock it up just to keep everyone honest.

Still, I doubt most people I see in the grocery store have the fitness to even ride a bike but a few blocks.


Hey, this looks cool, don't you think?

In Tucson, older retired people actually look quite fit. They golf, walk, hike, ride bikes, and enjoy the good weather. When I go to the gym, I would say half of the people are retired—and they’re fit. Its men and women my age—and younger—that seem overweight.

Recently I did some work for the dietitians here at the San. I acquired the study titled, “To Fat To Fight,” put together by a group of retired military brass. It reports that 75% of young adults, men and women, between the ages of 17 and 24, are ineligible for military service because they’re too fat. On average kids are 30 to 40 pounds overweight. The generals claim this is a threat to our national security.

Back in 1946, President Harry Truman started the School Lunch Program. At the start of WW II it was discovered that many of the American youth drafted or volunteering for service were rejected because of malnutrition. Again, poor health as a threat to national security.


Heather traded in her SUV for this BMW--I don't see how they can really afford it. When I explained to her I was making a bike to go to the grocery store, she said, "Why don't you drive? It's only like three miles..."


Bikes that work!

On the weekends, I only use the car to drive to the grocery store Saturday morning. I can do this errand by bike. I’ll try this out and see how it goes! Cheers! Bruce