Where Does One Garage a Bike?

North Miami Beach, FL 1-28-2001 Aaron H. Schectman

THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then, Opinions pro or con are welcome.

WHERE DOES ONE GARAGE A BIKE?

Well, where does one garage a bike? If you have a garage as I did in New
Jersey the bike would go on the wall or stand somewhere handy if there was
room. I had several elaborate schemes including pulleys to raise the bike
up in the rafters. In Florida Carol will no longer let me park it against
the dining area wall near the door. Our new apartment is out of bounds.
So, I have found the solution that works for me. I garage my bike in my
car.

This morning I suited up with my padded shorts under a pair of jeans. It
was cool enough with a cloud cover so my turtle neck shirt was covered with
a cardigan sweater. Instead of knee pads I decided on a short trip and just
tucked my right pant's leg into my sock.

Putting the bike together was fairly easy this morning. I had gone over it
in my head many times. I had loosened the handlebars to lower them and
twist them so they did not interfere with my driving when placed between the
two front seats. So it was a matter of inserting the seat in the rear stem
and getting the front wheel on without loosening the set screw for the brake
cable too much. I only had to stop once to tighten up my handwork.

My usual route is a 7 plus mile circle from the Moorings down to the Snake
River canal where there has been a bike path for many years. I navigated
this feeling fine and calling out hellos to all the walkers who were bundled
up in this fairly cool for Florida morning. I remembered that there had
been work along the other side of the canal and this seemed to be another
bike path.

There surely was and it went all the way back to Miami Gardens Drive and I
had missed its entrance while looking to get on the familiar side. This is
a short trip just right for my first time out in at least four months. I
haven't been regularly biking for over half a year.

I guess you can garage your bike in your car if you have to. It works for
me. Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10. Carol also says: "You're such a good
sport."