I've been desperate to get a bike since I've been here...even though we have two vehicles at the office which anyone can use (though one is likely going away in Nov) it is rather hard to "get away." Right now I'm basically confined to Camp Victory and I know that it is going to start gnawing at me in a while. On my day off I'd like to be able to ride to Liberty or Slayer to look around, take pictures etc. I suppose I could use the bus system but I hate waiting around. Besides, I'm tired of humping my ass 15+ minutes each way to work every day.
So, to make a long story short...I got a bike the other day. After repeatedly striking out at the PX (and not willing to purchase the gay bikes they had) I finally asked one of the guys in the office to procure a bicycle for me...the bubba is like James Garner's charater in The Great Escape (Lt. Hendley - "The Scrounger"). Within 20 minutes (and $50) of asking him if he knew of a bike that was available it appeared...complete with helmet. I suppose the saying "you get what you pay for" really is true...I have no idea where the bike came, how it was "procured" or whatever. Suffice to say I took it without a test-ride which was mistake number one...The cables that shift the gears were jammed / rusted / or something...suffice to say when I got on the bike at about 2330 that evening to ride home (in the pitch dark) I discovered the hard way that the only gear that worked on the bike was 1st gear. Seriously.
I must have looked like a complete idiot with my feet flying around as fast as possible yet going nowhere. Likewise, I was drenched by the time that I got back to my hooch. The bike was returned the next day.
The search continues.
4 comments:
So this is the sad story of the bike... indeed, very sad. Good luck in your search. I have ridden mine to work every day this week so far. I probably ride through an area just as dangerous as you do! :)
Now, did you keep your thumbs up the entire time, or re-position them for photo number 2? :o)
That is a rather sad story. I promise, I'm laughing with you...LOL :o)
The "gay bikes" reference; if it wasn't too funny it would be rather homophobic.
Post a Comment