Riding!

Well, if you remember my saga, my bike, Herman, was stolen in late
January, much to my chagrin as I really loved the convenience of being
able to cycle around the city as well as out on Long Island out at
Brian's. I knew the replacement cost would be about $500+ when the
bike and all the bells and whistles were added to it to have what I
had stolen replaced. I had just gone out of town the weekend before
and my reserves were lower than usual so I felt like I was looking an
iceburg in the eye from a rowboat.

Well, I have much to celebrate today. A couple of very good friends
gave me $150 towards the bike and I cashed in three of my Internet
Survey balances and stayed as frugal as I could. I went to the bike
shop last Thursday to price the bike and supplies to get an idea of
what I needed to have to get it all at once. When I told the owner of
the bike shop what had happened he very, very kindly gave me a really
amazing price for the package and I went today and got Herman, Jr!
He's the same brand of bike as the other and other than the fact that
the baskets on the back are silver instead of black, they really are
identical.

I am thrilled as spring is just poking it's nose up here in NYC and I
really do want to get in some good riding this season. So, the
thieves might have broken my heart but three really great guys fixed
it grandly!

FlatironMike
looking at new bike lanes
Three years, three weeks, five days, 20 hours, 59 minutes and 49
seconds. 22457 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.25. Life saved: 11
weeks, 23 hours, 25 minutes.

On Tue, 9 Mar 2010 16:28:02 -0800 (PST), FlatironMike
<flatironmikenyc@gmail.com> wrote:

>Well, if you remember my saga, my bike, Herman, was stolen in late
>January, much to my chagrin as I really loved the convenience of being
>able to cycle around the city as well as out on Long Island out at
>Brian's. I knew the replacement cost would be about $500+ when the
>bike and all the bells and whistles were added to it to have what I
>had stolen replaced. I had just gone out of town the weekend before
>and my reserves were lower than usual so I felt like I was looking an
>iceburg in the eye from a rowboat.
>
>Well, I have much to celebrate today. A couple of very good friends
>gave me $150 towards the bike and I cashed in three of my Internet
>Survey balances and stayed as frugal as I could. I went to the bike
>shop last Thursday to price the bike and supplies to get an idea of
>what I needed to have to get it all at once. When I told the owner of
>the bike shop what had happened he very, very kindly gave me a really
>amazing price for the package and I went today and got Herman, Jr!
>He's the same brand of bike as the other and other than the fact that
>the baskets on the back are silver instead of black, they really are
>identical.
>
>I am thrilled as spring is just poking it's nose up here in NYC and I
>really do want to get in some good riding this season. So, the
>thieves might have broken my heart but three really great guys fixed
>it grandly!
>
>FlatironMike
>looking at new bike lanes
>Three years, three weeks, five days, 20 hours, 59 minutes and 49
>seconds. 22457 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.25. Life saved: 11
>weeks, 23 hours, 25 minutes.

I'm really happy for you!! However, Herman, Jr sounds like a smaller
version of the original. I'd go with Herman the second.
Sue

In article <cbd7b1aa-9e9f-4c63-a29f-2e6566f33a6a@t23g2000yqt.googlegroups.com>,
FlatironMike <flatironmikenyc@gmail.com> wrote:
>Well, if you remember my saga, my bike, Herman, was stolen in late
>January, much to my chagrin as I really loved the convenience of being
>able to cycle around the city as well as out on Long Island out at
>Brian's. I knew the replacement cost would be about $500+ when the
>bike and all the bells and whistles were added to it to have what I
>had stolen replaced. I had just gone out of town the weekend before
>and my reserves were lower than usual so I felt like I was looking an
>iceburg in the eye from a rowboat.
>
>Well, I have much to celebrate today. A couple of very good friends
>gave me $150 towards the bike and I cashed in three of my Internet
>Survey balances and stayed as frugal as I could. I went to the bike
>shop last Thursday to price the bike and supplies to get an idea of
>what I needed to have to get it all at once. When I told the owner of
>the bike shop what had happened he very, very kindly gave me a really
>amazing price for the package and I went today and got Herman, Jr!
>He's the same brand of bike as the other and other than the fact that
>the baskets on the back are silver instead of black, they really are
>identical.
>
>I am thrilled as spring is just poking it's nose up here in NYC and I
>really do want to get in some good riding this season. So, the
>thieves might have broken my heart but three really great guys fixed
>it grandly!
>
>FlatironMike
>looking at new bike lanes
>Three years, three weeks, five days, 20 hours, 59 minutes and 49
>seconds. 22457 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.25. Life saved: 11
>weeks, 23 hours, 25 minutes.

Great News, Mike!

Happy Cycling!

Hmmmm. Interesting idea, Sue. I'll sleep on it and ask Herman in the
morning what he thinks!

FlatironMike
Three years, three weeks, five days, 23 hours, 38 minutes and 30
seconds. 22459 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.91. Life saved: 11
weeks, 23 hours, 35 minutes.

Wow! Sooo glad to hear that you're on the road again

Wayne


FlatironMike <flatironmikenyc@gmail.com> wrote in news:cbd7b1aa-9e9f-
4c63-a29f-2e6566f33a6a@t23g2000yqt.googlegroups.com:

> Well, if you remember my saga, my bike, Herman, was stolen in late
> January, much to my chagrin as I really loved the convenience of being
> able to cycle around the city as well as out on Long Island out at
> Brian's. I knew the replacement cost would be about $500+ when the
> bike and all the bells and whistles were added to it to have what I
> had stolen replaced. I had just gone out of town the weekend before
> and my reserves were lower than usual so I felt like I was looking an
> iceburg in the eye from a rowboat.
>
> Well, I have much to celebrate today. A couple of very good friends
> gave me $150 towards the bike and I cashed in three of my Internet
> Survey balances and stayed as frugal as I could. I went to the bike
> shop last Thursday to price the bike and supplies to get an idea of
> what I needed to have to get it all at once. When I told the owner of
> the bike shop what had happened he very, very kindly gave me a really
> amazing price for the package and I went today and got Herman, Jr!
> He's the same brand of bike as the other and other than the fact that
> the baskets on the back are silver instead of black, they really are
> identical.
>
> I am thrilled as spring is just poking it's nose up here in NYC and I
> really do want to get in some good riding this season. So, the
> thieves might have broken my heart but three really great guys fixed
> it grandly!
>
> FlatironMike
> looking at new bike lanes
> Three years, three weeks, five days, 20 hours, 59 minutes and 49
> seconds. 22457 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.25. Life saved: 11
> weeks, 23 hours, 25 minutes.

I do fully agree with you, Maude, that on a lot of levels it is the
reincarnation of Herman. But frankly the bike really does fit my
needs and budget and with the $100 lock I bought I dare anyone to mess
with Junior! But your second point that there are good folk 'out
there' is so true. I do think sharing this with all of you gives all
of us a better feeling about how life can be!


FlatironMike
Three years, three weeks, five days, 23 hours, 39 minutes and 58
seconds. 22459 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.91. Life saved: 11
weeks, 23 hours, 35 minutes.

Thanks, Bruce. Now I am checking the weather forecast for the next
few days to get in some good riding and get the bike going great.

FlatironMike
Three years, three weeks, five days, 23 hours, 41 minutes and 50
seconds. 22459 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.92. Life saved: 11
weeks, 23 hours, 35 minutes.

"Sue" <sebrady@thegrid.net> wrote in message

> I'm really happy for you!! However, Herman, Jr sounds like a smaller
> version of the original. I'd go with Herman the second.
> Sue

I vote with Sue here: Herman II or perhaps Hermann

-W

On Mar 9, 6:28*pm, FlatironMike <flatironmike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well, if you remember my saga, my bike, Herman, was stolen in late
> January, much to my chagrin as I really loved the convenience of being
> able to cycle around the city as well as out on Long Island out at
> Brian's. *I knew the replacement cost would be about $500+ when the
> bike and all the bells and whistles were added to it to have what I
> had stolen replaced. *I had just gone out of town the weekend before
> and my reserves were lower than usual so I felt like I was looking an
> iceburg in the eye from a rowboat.
>
> Well, I have much to celebrate today. *A couple of very good friends
> gave me $150 towards the bike and I cashed in three of my Internet
> Survey balances and stayed as frugal as I could. *I went to the bike
> shop last Thursday to price the bike and supplies to get an idea of
> what I needed to have to get it all at once. *When I told the owner of
> the bike shop what had happened he very, very kindly gave me a really
> amazing price for the package and I went today and got Herman, Jr!
> He's the same brand of bike as the other and other than the fact that
> the baskets on the back are silver instead of black, they really are
> identical.
>
> I am thrilled as spring is just poking it's nose up here in NYC and I
> really do want to get in some good riding this season. *So, the
> thieves might have broken my heart but three really great guys fixed
> it grandly!
>
> FlatironMike
> looking at new bike lanes
> Three years, three weeks, five days, 20 hours, 59 minutes and 49
> seconds. 22457 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.25. Life saved: 11
> weeks, 23 hours, 25 minutes.

Congratulations!!!!!
Now there is the kind of success story I need to read everyday.
That NEVER would have happened were you still smoking.
Pics?
Tell me more about "internet surveys".
And....how do we avoid a similar fate for Jr.?
Insurance? Lock? What is the solution?
I was given a CHEAP bike last fall.
I need to get it up and running....yesterday.

Do you wear a helmet Mike? Just wondering... I don't. But, I don't live in
Manhatten!
My wife and I love to ride on our Townies. We live in a large residential
neighborhood that's flat. We can ride close to 14 miles without leaving our
neighborhood. Usually we do about 7 miles on a regular night. I also like to
do it on rollerblades (I'll wear a helmet then).
I'm sure it's exciting to ride around your town!
Stay safe,
Keven


"FlatironMike" <flatironmikenyc@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:cbd7b1aa-9e9f-4c63-a29f-2e6566f33a6a@t23g2000yqt.googlegroups.com...
> Well, if you remember my saga, my bike, Herman, was stolen in late
> January, much to my chagrin as I really loved the convenience of being
> able to cycle around the city as well as out on Long Island out at
> Brian's. I knew the replacement cost would be about $500+ when the
> bike and all the bells and whistles were added to it to have what I
> had stolen replaced. I had just gone out of town the weekend before
> and my reserves were lower than usual so I felt like I was looking an
> iceburg in the eye from a rowboat.
>
> Well, I have much to celebrate today. A couple of very good friends
> gave me $150 towards the bike and I cashed in three of my Internet
> Survey balances and stayed as frugal as I could. I went to the bike
> shop last Thursday to price the bike and supplies to get an idea of
> what I needed to have to get it all at once. When I told the owner of
> the bike shop what had happened he very, very kindly gave me a really
> amazing price for the package and I went today and got Herman, Jr!
> He's the same brand of bike as the other and other than the fact that
> the baskets on the back are silver instead of black, they really are
> identical.
>
> I am thrilled as spring is just poking it's nose up here in NYC and I
> really do want to get in some good riding this season. So, the
> thieves might have broken my heart but three really great guys fixed
> it grandly!
>
> FlatironMike
> looking at new bike lanes
> Three years, three weeks, five days, 20 hours, 59 minutes and 49
> seconds. 22457 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.25. Life saved: 11
> weeks, 23 hours, 25 minutes.

On Mar 9, 7:28*pm, FlatironMike <flatironmike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well, if you remember my saga, my bike, Herman, was stolen in late
> January, much to my chagrin as I really loved the convenience of being
> able to cycle around the city as well as out on Long Island out at
> Brian's. *I knew the replacement cost would be about $500+ when the
> bike and all the bells and whistles were added to it to have what I
> had stolen replaced. *I had just gone out of town the weekend before
> and my reserves were lower than usual so I felt like I was looking an
> iceburg in the eye from a rowboat.
>
> Well, I have much to celebrate today. *A couple of very good friends
> gave me $150 towards the bike and I cashed in three of my Internet
> Survey balances and stayed as frugal as I could. *I went to the bike
> shop last Thursday to price the bike and supplies to get an idea of
> what I needed to have to get it all at once. *When I told the owner of
> the bike shop what had happened he very, very kindly gave me a really
> amazing price for the package and I went today and got Herman, Jr!
> He's the same brand of bike as the other and other than the fact that
> the baskets on the back are silver instead of black, they really are
> identical.
>
> I am thrilled as spring is just poking it's nose up here in NYC and I
> really do want to get in some good riding this season. *So, the
> thieves might have broken my heart but three really great guys fixed
> it grandly!
>
> FlatironMike
> looking at new bike lanes
> Three years, three weeks, five days, 20 hours, 59 minutes and 49
> seconds. 22457 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.25. Life saved: 11
> weeks, 23 hours, 25 minutes.

Yeaaa Mike!!!

This is GREAT news!

I've managed to get out twice this year, one a 10 km and the second a
36 km ride ( 22 miles ). The first ride was tough with a strong wind
from the NE. Second ride was *most* excellent -- the little engines
in my leg muscles woke up :-)

Ride on!!

So happy to hear it Mike!! I have been thinking about all my active AS3
buddies as I have been walking the past couple weeks. Go us!!
Go bike shop guys!! Tugs on the ol' heart strings!!
With hope and heart and lots of exclamation points,
Kathleen


"FlatironMike" <flatironmikenyc@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:cbd7b1aa-9e9f-4c63-a29f-2e6566f33a6a@t23g2000yqt.googlegroups.com...
> Well, if you remember my saga, my bike, Herman, was stolen in late
> January, much to my chagrin as I really loved the convenience of being
> able to cycle around the city as well as out on Long Island out at
> Brian's. I knew the replacement cost would be about $500+ when the
> bike and all the bells and whistles were added to it to have what I
> had stolen replaced. I had just gone out of town the weekend before
> and my reserves were lower than usual so I felt like I was looking an
> iceburg in the eye from a rowboat.
>
> Well, I have much to celebrate today. A couple of very good friends
> gave me $150 towards the bike and I cashed in three of my Internet
> Survey balances and stayed as frugal as I could. I went to the bike
> shop last Thursday to price the bike and supplies to get an idea of
> what I needed to have to get it all at once. When I told the owner of
> the bike shop what had happened he very, very kindly gave me a really
> amazing price for the package and I went today and got Herman, Jr!
> He's the same brand of bike as the other and other than the fact that
> the baskets on the back are silver instead of black, they really are
> identical.
>
> I am thrilled as spring is just poking it's nose up here in NYC and I
> really do want to get in some good riding this season. So, the
> thieves might have broken my heart but three really great guys fixed
> it grandly!
>
> FlatironMike
> looking at new bike lanes
> Three years, three weeks, five days, 20 hours, 59 minutes and 49
> seconds. 22457 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.25. Life saved: 11
> weeks, 23 hours, 25 minutes.

In article <80f642e9-5ba1-493a-bc90-14c4287eb9a1@q16g2000yqq.googlegroups.com>,
FlatironMike <flatironmikenyc@gmail.com> wrote:
>Thanks, Bruce. Now I am checking the weather forecast for the next
>few days to get in some good riding and get the bike going great.
>
>FlatironMike
>Three years, three weeks, five days, 23 hours, 41 minutes and 50
>seconds. 22459 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.92. Life saved: 11
>weeks, 23 hours, 35 minutes.

I'm going to upgrade my ride this year from a 30-year-old Peugeot
UO-9 to a hybrid of some sort and take some long trips (some overnight).
Upgraded my computer yesterday. So I'm ready to enter the 21st century.

In article <pt-dnU94zNQsuArWnZ2dnUVZ_umdnZ2d@earthlink.com>,
Clams Canino <cc-marine@earthdink.net> wrote:
>
>"Sue" <sebrady@thegrid.net> wrote in message
>
>> I'm really happy for you!! However, Herman, Jr sounds like a smaller
>> version of the original. I'd go with Herman the second.
>> Sue
>
>I vote with Sue here: Herman II or perhaps Hermann

Herman, Part Deux.

In article <hn7k3s$h2e$1@news.eternal-september.org>,
Keven <justaskme@midnight.com> wrote:

>Do you wear a helmet Mike? Just wondering... I don't.

You should wear a helmet. If you break a bone they can
put a screw in it. If you crack your skull you're screwed.

On Tue, 9 Mar 2010 23:51:44 -0500, "Clams Canino"
<cc-marine@earthdink.net> wrote:

>
>"Sue" <sebrady@thegrid.net> wrote in message
>
>> I'm really happy for you!! However, Herman, Jr sounds like a smaller
>> version of the original. I'd go with Herman the second.
>> Sue
>
>I vote with Sue here: Herman II or perhaps Hermann
>
>-W

Herman, Jr might be a tricycle. )
Sue

>

On Mar 9, 6:28*pm, FlatironMike <flatironmike...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well, if you remember my saga, my bike, Herman, was stolen in late
> January, much to my chagrin as I really loved the convenience of being
> able to cycle around the city as well as out on Long Island out at
> Brian's. *I knew the replacement cost would be about $500+ when the
> bike and all the bells and whistles were added to it to have what I
> had stolen replaced. *I had just gone out of town the weekend before
> and my reserves were lower than usual so I felt like I was looking an
> iceburg in the eye from a rowboat.
>
> Well, I have much to celebrate today. *A couple of very good friends
> gave me $150 towards the bike and I cashed in three of my Internet
> Survey balances and stayed as frugal as I could. *I went to the bike
> shop last Thursday to price the bike and supplies to get an idea of
> what I needed to have to get it all at once. *When I told the owner of
> the bike shop what had happened he very, very kindly gave me a really
> amazing price for the package and I went today and got Herman, Jr!
> He's the same brand of bike as the other and other than the fact that
> the baskets on the back are silver instead of black, they really are
> identical.
>
> I am thrilled as spring is just poking it's nose up here in NYC and I
> really do want to get in some good riding this season. *So, the
> thieves might have broken my heart but three really great guys fixed
> it grandly!
>
> FlatironMike
> looking at new bike lanes
> Three years, three weeks, five days, 20 hours, 59 minutes and 49
> seconds. 22457 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.25. Life saved: 11
> weeks, 23 hours, 25 minutes.

Maybe you should call it Hisman. Cause it's not Herman... Just
sayin...
(They all can't be gold... but these are the lines I come up with...)

I'm still here,
Pearce
(At work without meter program)

Glad to see your mobile again, its good to be able to get around.

Mike M


On Tue, 9 Mar 2010 19:09:13 -0800 (PST), FlatironMike
<flatironmikenyc@gmail.com> wrote:

>I do fully agree with you, Maude, that on a lot of levels it is the
>reincarnation of Herman. But frankly the bike really does fit my
>needs and budget and with the $100 lock I bought I dare anyone to mess
>with Junior! But your second point that there are good folk 'out
>there' is so true. I do think sharing this with all of you gives all
>of us a better feeling about how life can be!
>
>
>FlatironMike
>Three years, three weeks, five days, 23 hours, 39 minutes and 58
>seconds. 22459 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.91. Life saved: 11
>weeks, 23 hours, 35 minutes.

Instead of taking 30 puffs of smoke, FlatironMike spoketh upon us:

>I am thrilled as spring is just poking it's nose up here in NYC and I
>really do want to get in some good riding this season. So, the
>thieves might have broken my heart but three really great guys fixed
>it grandly!

I am very happy for you Mike!!! Have great fun!

--
Tihomir 2Y9M, Knin, HR 44°N 16°E
http://www.quitbuddies.org

Quote 5802 of 9147:
.... Captain, the UARTs won't take this Speed!

I am so happy to hear you have a new bike.

biking is fun, I can't wait until the weather gets better here and I can
take my bike for a ride.

PolarBear

"FlatironMike" <flatironmikenyc@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:cbd7b1aa-9e9f-4c63-a29f-2e6566f33a6a@t23g2000yqt.googlegroups.com...
> Well, if you remember my saga, my bike, Herman, was stolen in late
> January, much to my chagrin as I really loved the convenience of being
> able to cycle around the city as well as out on Long Island out at
> Brian's. I knew the replacement cost would be about $500+ when the
> bike and all the bells and whistles were added to it to have what I
> had stolen replaced. I had just gone out of town the weekend before
> and my reserves were lower than usual so I felt like I was looking an
> iceburg in the eye from a rowboat.
>
> Well, I have much to celebrate today. A couple of very good friends
> gave me $150 towards the bike and I cashed in three of my Internet
> Survey balances and stayed as frugal as I could. I went to the bike
> shop last Thursday to price the bike and supplies to get an idea of
> what I needed to have to get it all at once. When I told the owner of
> the bike shop what had happened he very, very kindly gave me a really
> amazing price for the package and I went today and got Herman, Jr!
> He's the same brand of bike as the other and other than the fact that
> the baskets on the back are silver instead of black, they really are
> identical.
>
> I am thrilled as spring is just poking it's nose up here in NYC and I
> really do want to get in some good riding this season. So, the
> thieves might have broken my heart but three really great guys fixed
> it grandly!
>
> FlatironMike
> looking at new bike lanes
> Three years, three weeks, five days, 20 hours, 59 minutes and 49
> seconds. 22457 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,737.25. Life saved: 11
> weeks, 23 hours, 25 minutes.
>

Thanks for asking Keven. I rode in three AIDSRides back in 1999 and
2000 so wearing a helmut cycling is second nature. Cycling in NYC is
much better than 10 years ago and there are bike lanes on nearly all
the Avenues and many cross town streets as well and a lot of bikepaths
that are useful for getting north and south on the Island. Yeah, it
is NOT a picnic and I usually am only cycling about 9MPH on average by
the end of my rides. Most of them at present are focused on shopping
or going to the doctors but as it warms up I fully expect to work into
a much larger riding program. I am strongly considering doing one of
the AIDS Rides that end or start in NYC and need to research the data
now.

FlatironMike
Three years, one month, five days, 23 hours, 52 minutes and 23
seconds. 22599 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,779.97. Life saved: 11
weeks, 1 day, 11 hours, 15 minutes.

Well, to wrap this up. I rode out to Brian's in West Sayville on
Friday and back to the City on Monday.

I *did* take the LIRR for 51.6 of the miles so I only rode about 3...

But we had horrid weather all weekend and a near nor'easter on
Saturday night. The more I ride I know that Herman is still in the
Bike and I love having Herman between my legs.

Herman, Jr. a trike! YIKES!

FlatironMike
Three years, one month, five days, 23 hours, 56 minutes and 24
seconds. 22599 cigarettes not smoked, saving $6,779.98. Life saved: 11
weeks, 1 day, 11 hours, 15 minutes.