New toy

Well, not quite yet. I own it, but it's only being tuned today, for pickup this evening. The sucky thing is we're in Ottawa this weekend so I can't actually spend any time on it until next week. It's my first full-suspension bike, I'll have to go off the road sometime to make sure it's worth having. My off-road bike doesn't burn more gas*, it burns more calories**, so it's an acceptable silly purchase.

If you're in the market for a bike, check out SportChek. It's staffed by useless bored teenagers (ah I miss those days) but the prices are better than your neighbourhood shop, plus you get free tuneups for a year. I'd rather support a small shop, but I just couldn't bear to spend $469.99-$4699.99 on a bike -- I'm very cheap. Luckily for my consumer guilt, SportChek is Canadian! It was started by some Calgary Stampeders (people, not bulls).

* Like an SUV
** Mountain bikes generally burn more calories when used. Their frames are heavier, the tires are larger and less smooth against the pavement. Plus the whole biking on bumpy dirt and gravel stuff (optional).

Lousy teenage* layabouts.

New bike update: not yet possessed. I was told it would be tuned up today, so my plan was to pick it up this afternoon. Smartly, I called to ensure it was ready: "uhhh... that's like on my todo list for my shift tonight? and i've got like two rackets ahead of your bike? it'll be like two hours?"

Tomorrow evening is my next chance to get it, but I have to pack for the trip to Ottawa (departure at 6pm or so), and then we probably won't get back until after 5pm on Sunday, which is when Sportchek closes. Grrr.

Not that I'd actually be able to ride it, I just want it I want it I want it!

* sigh *

* I'd just like to emphasize that I know plenty of teenagers who get lots done, are smart, fun, funny, and don't speak with raised intonation at the end of each phrase. But this Sportchek location is unusually blessed, I guess. Like, y'know? Doooood.