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artdecosupernova-writing · 2 months ago

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OC Kiss Week Day 2: First

WIP: Partners Pairing: Ben x Reagan Timeline: when the two were kids CW: none Rating: G Words: 3,018 (haha whoa)

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Recent fans of Reagan Gilmore and Ben Murray would be surprised to find out that Ben kissed Reagan first. But they likely wouldn't be surprised about how drastically it changed their lives forever.

On the morning of February 13th, 1932, Reagan sped on his green Schwinn bike down the main road of the neighborhood he shared with Ben. He was tasked with grabbing cheese, flour, broth, and butter from the grocer, giving the grocer the money from his parents, and bringing the groceries home so he could then spend the rest of that day with Ben without worry. At that point, school had been a necessary evil that took him from his younger friend for several hours a day, and the weekends were precious.

A few minutes later, Reagan steered onto the street with the corner store, some feet away from a gaggle of boys probably a year or two younger than him. He hopped off the bike, kicked down the kickstand, and jogged into the building. After rushing around and almost forgetting the sack of flour—for which his mother Aoife would have promptly yelled at him, as the Gilmores were currently out of bread entirely—he stopped in front of his bike to deposit the groceries into the basket.

"That's a nice bicycle," one of the boys near the front door said to Reagan.

Reagan looked over his shoulder and nodded. "Thanks," he said, his Culchy accent much stronger than it would be in his later life. The group's curiosity seemed to pique at the idea of interacting with an Irish immigrant.

However, when the interaction went no further than that, the other boy shrugged and turned back to his friends. He held out a cap gun for them to ogle and gasp at.

"Whoa!" the smallest boy whispered excitedly. "That's a real doozy!"

"Ain't it hot stuff?" the first boy said proudly. "Got it from Mr. Fiorello. He's got all sorts of things... tin soldiers, planes, you name it." He pretended to shoot the third boy and he brayed with laughter.

Reagan paused as he squeezed the sack of flour into the basket beside the other items stacked somewhat neatly on the opposite side.

"Mr. Fiorello's got model planes?" the boy who got "shot" asked after he stopped laughing. "Any more cap guns?"

"Nah, he's got marble shooters, though," the boy with the cap gun said. "I wanted one of those, but he was askin' too much to trade for it."

"What kinda marbles he got?"

"Didn't see that many. He's got a collection of Lutzes and some banded ones, though."

"He's got Lutzes?!" the smallest boy exclaimed.

Reagan made sure the groceries were secure before walking around to kick up the kickstand and mount the bike once more. He looked up at the other boys as they conversed among themselves for another few seconds.

"What does he want for the Lutzes?" Reagan asked.

The other boys turned to him, and the boy with the cap gun stuck the toy into the waistband of his trousers. "I dunno. He likes rare stuff, though. I heard he traded a pocket watch from the Wild West for a letter from the President!"

Reagan tipped his head and nodded, thinking. "...Where can I find Mr. Fiorello?"

Moments later, Reagan sped even faster back up the road, a plan formulating in his mind as he repeated Mr. Fiorello's address in his head over and over to prevent forgetting. As soon as he got home, he put the groceries away and wrote down the address on a piece of scrap paper, tucking it away under his pillow for safekeeping before riding out to see Ben.

Over the course of the next few days, Reagan gathered all the toys he didn't play with anymore and items he didn't need and set them aside. There wasn't much he could part with... and when rummaging through his box of sentimental things, he realized he couldn't emotionally afford to give away any of them. A very old pocket watch from his late paternal grandfather pierced with a bullet, his father Casey's Claddagh ring he'd planned to give a future love, his mother's old cigarette case that was discontinued by the manufacturer, letters from various cousins and family he didn't speak to even before moving to America.

He put the box away and gathered his old toys—teddies, a jump rope, and some old jacks he hadn't touched in years as well as a few things he'd brought over from Ireland. He dumped them, stored temporarily in an old pillowcase, into the basket of his bike and rode away from home again.

Cycling past the Mertz house, he slowed upon seeing Ben outside, helping his mother fold laundry from the clothesline.

"Hi, Reggie," Ben said with a big smile as he spotted him over the basket of bedsheets. "You wanna go down to the creek?"

Reagan braked, his hands flexing on the handlebars. "Sure do," he said with a grin. "I have to do something first, so go on ahead without me when you can. I'll catch up."

He caught Shoshana Mertz's eye and winked conspiratorially. She gave a sage nod, understanding then that he was off to get Ben a birthday gift and didn't want to broadcast that.

Ben waved Reagan off and Reagan pedaled away, standing to increase his speed.

Mr. Fiorello lived just outside of the neighborhood, in a Victorian house that dwarfed the others. He was sitting on his porch when Reagan pulled up, rocking in a beautiful antique chair and gazing out at the world beyond his house.

Reagan dismounted the bike and approached cautiously, gripping the pillowcase in a fist. "...Mr. Fiorello?"

"Indeed," he said, his voice much deeper than was expected from a weedy man possibly in his late forties. "Whattaya got for me?"

Reagan held up the pillowcase. "I'd...like to trade for your Lutz marbles, sir, if that's alright."

Mr. Fiorello paused his rocking and leaned forward, scrutinizing Reagan with an intense squint. He eyed him, the pillowcase, and the bike, and took out a pair of spectacles from the pocket of his cardigan. He perched them on the bridge of his nose and gestured for Reagan to come closer. "How old are you, kid?"

"Eleven, sir," Reagan said as he ascended the porch steps.

"What's in the bag?"

"Old toys... some from Ireland."

"Hmm." Mr. Fiorello took the bag from him and opened it to look inside. "...These don't look valuable. There's no novelty."

"I really would like those Lutzes, sir," Reagan said, already starting to get nervous.

Mr. Fiorello peered at Reagan again over the rims of his glasses. "D'you happen to know how coveted Lutzes are these days? They're not a cheap commodity—a luxury. Every kid in the neighborhood wants those Lutzes from me."

Reagan swallowed, standing up a bit straighter. "They don't want them for the reasons I do, sir."

With a tilt of the head, Mr. Fiorello handed the pillowcase back. "...And what reasons would those be, exactly?"

"They'd be a gift. A birthday gift for my best friend. He's turning seven soon." Reagan's gaze dropped down to the pillowcase and his brow pinched. "The last two years I've known him, he's wanted those marbles, but his mum can't afford them, either."

"Look me in the eye when you're speaking to me, boy," Mr. Fiorello said, and though the demand was firm, his tone was sympathetic. When Reagan raised his head again, he nodded. "I'd like to help you out, but those toys and knick-knacks aren't things people would want. I bought the Lutzes myself, saving them for something really special. Dunno what that is, yet, but I got 'em just in case."

Reagan clenched his teeth. "What can I give you for them, sir?"

Mr. Fiorello narrowed his eyes again, calculating. "Something worth more than old toys, I'm afraid."

Reagan's grip on the pillowcase tightened. "...Alright." He turned to walk away from the porch, his own mind running overtime.

In his room after coming in from playing with Ben at the creek, Reagan tossed the pillowcase of toys under his bed and dropped on top of the mattress, his head in his hands. He didn't have money, didn't have much of anything that was of any kind of value that wasn't under strict supervision by his parents. The most expensive thing in the house was the sofa, and there was no way he'd be able to justify trading that, let alone get it out of the house himself or inconspicuously.

He dropped his hands and glanced around the room for anything he didn't think about, and his eyes fell onto the box of sentimental items on top of his dresser. His eyebrows lifted—one of the boys from the grocer mentioned Mr. Fiorello collected rare things such as the letter supposedly from Herbert Hoover that he traded out a pocket watch from the Wild West to acquire. Those had monetary value, certainly, but not on the same playing field.

Emotional value. Mr. Fiorello didn't think those old toys held any emotional value.

Reagan slid off the bed and moved to the dresser, looking into the box. The Claddagh ring, the watch, the cigarette case... he stared at those items for a long time, contemplating, considering.

He took the watch out and inspected it in the light. It was the only thing of his grandfather's that he owned. A relic of the Easter Rising, the bullet hole a souvenir from an English soldier attempting to prevent the revolution. Thomas Gilmore survived, but the watch did not.

It's always meant a lot to him that his granddad chose to give him the watch in person rather than any of his cousins, but only then did he realize that it was the most treasured thing he owned.

And Ben was the most treasured person in his life.

He set his jaw and dropped the watch back into the box. He wouldn't be able to go back to Mr. Fiorello's for another few days.

—

"Easter Rising, 1916," Reagan blurted breathlessly, his bike crashing to the ground as soon as he got off of it. He'd barely even braked before he began the trek up Mr. Fiorello's front porch, where the man himself had currently been tending to flower pots under his windows. "A man named Thomas Gilmore barricades the doors of a friend's shop against English soldiers and the RIC. His friend's wife is with child, and the window for getting out of the firefight is closing very quickly."

Mr. Fiorello stood from one of the pots, turning to Reagan, surprise crossing his face as the eleven-year-old grew closer.

Reagan shoved the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbows to combat the heat of exertion—he broke his own speed record to get to that house. "Thomas insists that the couple make their escape while he stays back. It almost takes too long to get them out, and the RIC breaks through the barricade. Thomas attempts to fight them off with his bare hands, but an officer shoots him right in the heart."

He shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out the watch, holding it out for Mr. Fiorello to see.

"...Thomas played dead until the RIC moved on. His friend's wife later has a healthy girl, and ten years later, Thomas gives his youngest grandson the watch that saved his life."

Mr. Fiorello, stunned into brief silence, perched his spectacles on his nose and eyed the watch with a war of emotions, not the least of which was awe at the state of it. He picked it up and turned it over to reveal the bullet hadn't even pierced the metal.

"...I'll be damned," he murmured. He looked at Reagan. "The Lord was on your grandfather's side that day."

"I'm willing to give it up for the Lutzes, sir," Reagan said quickly. "I'm willing to give you that watch for the Lutzes, as many as you think it's worth."

Mr. Fiorello's brow pinched with an unmistakable level of concern. "...You're going to give me an irreplaceable moment in history and an incredibly sentimental piece of your grandfather... for a toy?"

Reagan swallowed thickly and nodded. "Ben deserves those marbles. I'd..." His chest tightened as he pictured his grandfather handing him the watch and regaling him with the incredible story of its damage. "...I'd give up my whole box of sentiments to make Ben happy."

This appeared to floor Mr. Fiorello significantly. He looked over the priceless item in his hand again and the frown creasing his forehead deepened. Then, without another word, he turned to walk into his house.

Reagan's hands shook, and when the door closed part of the way, he squatted on the porch, taking a deep breath and begging his grandfather's spirit for forgiveness, for understanding, for the strength he needed to make this decision.

Mr. Fiorello returned a few minutes later carrying an ornate wooden box, and Reagan sprang back up.

"What's your name?" the man asked.

"Rían. Well, Reagan. Reagan Gilmore, sir."

"Reagan." Mr. Fiorello seemed to appraise Reagan for a further moment before holding the box out to him. "Make sure Ben takes good care of these."

With still-shaky hands, Reagan took the box, running his fingers over the beautiful art-deco carvings painted with thin black lines and inset with gold. He opened the box and was met with a few rows of high-end Lutz marbles, nestled in a bed of an emerald green velvet-like fabric—possibly actual velvet. He let out a slow breath, looking between each swirl of color and glitter within the balls of glass.

"There's a neat feature of this box I've always enjoyed," Mr. Fiorello said quietly. "If you pull this tab here... gently, mind... and lift..."

Reagan used one hand to lift the ribbon folded down in the center of the box, and with it came the whole bottom of the box. The marbles stayed in place on the piece he lifted, and underneath was an empty compartment lined with the same velvet...

...And sat in the middle was Thomas' watch.

"...Sir?" Reagan said, his brows furrowed in confusion as he looked up at Mr. Fiorello.

"Don't give away who you are to keep someone happy," Mr. Fiorello said. He tapped the box with a finger. "...This is an incredible sacrifice you were willing to make. But I won't let you make it. I'll give you the marbles because you've given me something far more worth the price than a cherished gift—hope. You've given me hope that the kids of our world will be alright, and you've given me hope that there are categories of love out there in the world that are worth nurturing and cherishing. And if I can be any part of that... I've been well-paid for my wares."

Reagan's eyes sprang with tears, but he bit them back as he carefully replaced the marbles into the box. "Thank you, sir."

Mr. Fiorello winked kindly at him. "Write me to let me know how your young friend enjoyed the marbles."

Still numb with disbelief, Reagan wrapped the box in his cardigan and carefully placed it on the bottom of the basket of his bike. Then, with a desperately grateful wave, he rode off, slowly, easily, pushing his tears away with the back of his hand as he pedaled.

—

On the afternoon of February 27th, Reagan arrived at the Mertz house with the box of marbles, sans watch and sensibly wrapped in newspaper tied with butcher's twine. He ate a delicious lunch of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Ben and Shoshana, which Ben was thrilled about since it was his favorite.

"Alright, Benjy," Shoshana said once she cleared the plates and milk glasses. "You've been very patient, so it's time to open your gifts now. Then, we'll have cake."

There was a present from her—a pair of shoes Ben had been vying for over the last few months—and a gift that was somewhat of a tradition, symbolically from the deceased father he never met, which was a shiny red model airplane. Ben opened these gifts with mirth and appreciation, giving Shoshana a big hug. He was old enough to start realizing the situation of the economy and the state of his family's finances, so the significance of those gifts did not go unnoticed.

Then, he unwrapped Reagan's gift. His eyes bugged out of his head and his jaw dropped as soon as he opened the box.

"Holy SMOKES!" Ben bellowed. "Are these Lutzes?!"

"Yeah," Reagan said a bit shyly. "I know you'd wanted new marbles, and I figured—"

Ben threw himself at Reagan and planted a very enthusiastic if not brief kiss on his lips. When he pulled back, he was beaming brighter than the sun and lit the whole room with it.

"You're the best friend a boy could ever have!" Ben praised, pulling Reagan into a tight embrace. "Thank you, thank you!"

Reagan, however, was rendered utterly dazed. He raised a numb hand to pat Ben's back, then found himself returning the embrace, all but rocking side to side with him as he rested his chin on his shoulder.

Something was born in that exact moment, something powerful and indestructible. The love he had for Ben solidified in his chest, wrapping around his heart like a fortress of magma, warming his soul from the inside out. The joy his friend showed him just from receiving the most emotionally harrowing gift he'd ever given anyone was enough to level buildings, and Reagan became addicted to how it made him feel. Completely and totally dependent on that feeling.

He'd dedicate his entire life to necessary sacrifices for Ben, to wringing that joy out of him, to making sure Ben knew he was the center of his universe. Even past the unconditional and indescribable love he'd have for his children later on, Ben would be the Earth to his moon and the sun to his Earth.

He knew, the second Ben kissed him, that he would be nothing without him.

#ockiss25 #Partners #pre-trilogy 1 #hahaha this was a rough write #Thomas was my Irish father-in-law's legal name :')

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thejadedjewel · 5 months ago

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Little Muppet Sesame Things #90

Kermit ridding a bike.

This was done without cgi, mind you. This was all practical.

Also, this quip from Kermit after he escapes a near death situation that wrecked said bike.

Kermit: Hmph. That's pretty dangerous, building a road in the middle of the street! I mean, if frogs couldn't hop, I'd be gone with the Schwinn.

Puns. Ya gotta love 'em.

#little muppet sesame things series #the muppet movie #the muppets #muppets #kermit the frog #kermit

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peyton-warren · 1 year ago

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My brain has been coming up with a bunch of FMK variants and, if you're interested, I'd live to share one with you:

Between Walter Marshall, Jake Jensen and August Walker

Who would pick you up for your date in a Ford, Mustang or Kia?

Absolutely no pressure. Feel free to ignore if you'd like!

-Zombie

So I got clarification from @thezombieprostitute when i was confused because the mustang is a ford vehicle. So the actual question is

Between Walter Marshall, Jake Jensen and August Walker

Who would pick you up for your date in a Ford truck, Mercedes or Kia?

Walter Marshall would pick me up in a beat up old Ford pick up truck. He bought it as a weekend project after he first got his divorce from Angie, to give himself something to work on besides, well, work. He spent tireless hours under the hood, pestered local parts shops for all the bits and bobs he needed to get the truck working just right again. And once he got her running, she is his pride and joy, after Faye of course. He comes and gets me in that truck and the heater isn't quite fixed yet. So I come prepared, dressed in a few extra layers to ride around in. Our idea of a date, even in the dead of winter is to drive around, and talk, maybe stop somewhere to grab some greasy food at a diner in the middle of no where. But then its back to the truck to drive around more, through the winding back roads of Minnesota.

And since it has a beautiful bench seat, I can tuck myself against him, settle in against his bulk to keep warm, a blanket thrown over my other side. I love him and his truck.

August Walker would pick me up in his prize vintage Mercedes.

And finally Jake Jensen would pick me up his bright yellow KIA. Fuck that man could pick me up on his Schwinn pedal bike and I would still blow him six ways to Sunday for his troubles. I love this man. so much.

#walter marshall #jake jensen #August walker #asks #anon asks #not really anon asks... she signed her name!#Silly Zombie #FMK game #but different

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actual-lea · 1 year ago

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psst bestie i want to start biking to the grocery store for fun and profit but i know less than nothing about bikes, do u have any recommendations for what kind of bike/helmet/accessories i should get or any other biking advice ??? thank u love u xoxo

I am grabbing you gently by the face and pulling you into my arms

Thank you for asking me about literally anything related to bikes

You've come to the right place, sort of - this is all just my own personal thoughts/opinions and you can probably find plenty of actual good (non super rambly) advice on reddit/youtube, but!

If you're wanting a bike for just going to the store, I would recommend looking for one that's labelled as a "city" or "hybrid" bike - these are pretty much made for commuting, they generally have regular ol' flat handlebars (rather than the fancy drop bars you see on fancy road bikes) and wider tires than a road bike, and also they're designed to have a more upright riding position (read: comfortable) so you're not leaning over the bars like some sort of aero racer guy in lycra. The wider tires also make the ride more comfortable, and some bikes have suspension on the front, which just means there's basically a shock absorber - depending on how gnarly the sidewalks/roads you're planning to ride on are, that can make a big difference in comfort also (and mayhaps keep groceries from bouncing around too much), but I definitely wouldn't say it's necessary. (The bike I've been riding on for three years, lovingly named Hot Topic, doesn't have any suspension and the only time I really miss it is when I roll over a particularly terrible pothole.) A lot of city bikes also come with fenders/mudguards (or whatever you want to call them - they're the things that keep your tires from splashing mud and water up into your face and/or butt) already included, which is nice if it's rained recently and you have to ride through any puddles.

They sometimes also come with racks also (or at the very least they generally have the mounts for racks included - if you're buying from a bike store they can absolutely install it for you), which you could use for bags/baskets/whatever for handy grocery carrying capabilities - if you're getting more than a few groceries at a time I would definitely think about investing in a rear rack and like a cargo basket thing of some sort to use with it as opposed to putting everything in a front basket, just because putting a lot of weight on the front can affect your center of gravity and make it a bit harder to steer/balance (ask me how I know). Alternatively a backpack can work just fine for transporting Stuff, but having something heavy on your back will make you sweaty and will kind of suck after a short while.

HOWEVER if you're doing the really budget option of spending like a hundred bucks on a bike at Walmart (which is a great option if you don't want to invest a ton in a bike that you aren't going to use a whole lot) then pretty much anything they have should work just fine. Last time I checked I think even they have city/hybrid bikes there as well? But if not, I would probably say just find a nice cheap mountain bike or "cruiser" bike, preferably one with the smoothest tires you can find that aren't super fat and preferably one with a nice comfy seat.

I don't really have any insight regarding helmets - I'm on my second helmet (only because I think you're supposed to replace them every few years) ever since getting "serious" about biking, and both of them have just been run of the mill $30 Schwinn helmets off the shelf at Walmart, and I've never had any problems with them. I think I actually looked up a list of the "best" (safest) helmets once and those were definitely on there as a good budget option, so like. As long as it's a helmet and it's on your head, you're probably good to go. (just make sure it fits properly - there's a little knob thing on the back that you can twist to adjust how tight it is, and make sure the strap is nice and snug under your chin also, you don't want it to fall off if you do ever happen to fall on your head)

The only other accessories I would recommend as strictly necessary would be lights (especially a taillight, ESPECIALLY if you will be doing any riding on the road or at crosswalks where it's really important for cars to see you), and a good lock. For that, I would say maybe don't go for the absolute cheapest option you can find, only because I had a bike stolen before and they cut through the cheap little cable lock I had like it was nothing lmao. (RIP $90 Walmart mountain bike, you were truly too good for this world.) ALSO if your grocery store doesn't have bike racks to lock it to (mine definitely don't) a good option can be to lock it to one of the cart return railing thingies instead, though obv I would recommend using one that's sorta farther out in the parking lot and not near a whole bunch of cars.

On the subject of lights, yeah 1000% get a taillight (you can get a set with front and back lights at Walmart for like ten bucks or something - the front one wraps around the handlebars and the rear one usually goes on the seat post, underneath the seat) and just have it on and flashing anytime you're on the bike, even in the daytime, if there is even the slightest chance that cars being able to see you is important. (Front light is also good, though I usually don't really use mine much unless it's actually getting dark or raining or something.)

If you're going to be riding on sidewalks or other places where pedestrians are present, it might not be a bad idea to also get a bell. The etiquette for trails/hike and bike paths/whatever is to give an audible signal before you pass someone, especially if you're on a bike and passing someone who's walking, to let them know you're there so they don't cross into your path and get run over. The usual thing is to call out "on your left" (because you should stay to the right and pass on the left if you're in the U.S. - I assume it's the opposite in places where you drive on the left instead) as you approach, with a couple seconds lead time to make sure they hear you/aren't startled by your presence and try to move TO the left instead. I do not have a very loud voice, and feel like I'm yelling when I do that, so I got a nice loud bell that I chime before going around people instead (YMMV on which is more comfortable - I feel kinda rude dinging a bell at people too sometimes, but it's definitely more rude (and dangerous) to just make no noise at all and hope they don't swerve to the side suddenly, so yeah).

You'll probably also want a little air pump to keep your tires inflated (the tires have little writing on the side to tell you what PSI/bar/whatever they should be inflated to) - again, you can get little kits at Walmart/Target/wherever that just come with lights and bell and pump already altogether so don't feel like you need to spend a ton on any of this stuff.

OH AND SUNGLASSES, I would recommend just getting like some dollar store sunglasses if you don't already have some that you can wear, not just for keeping the sun out of your eyes but also to protect your eyes from dust and bugs and stuff. Do not underestimate how much it sucks to have even the tiniest gnat fly into or around your eye, because you WILL have to close it/blink rapidly for a few seconds to get it out and you WILL momentarily lose your depth perception and it WILL be scary if it happens while you're moving fast.

Good lord I'm so sorry for this novel, hopefully there is at least SOMETHING remotely helpful in here, and if you have any other thoughts/questions at all please feel free to ask, there is absolutely no such thing as a stupid question in my book when it comes to bike.

#ask lea #anonymous #maybe i should have a cycling tag #long post

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hilarychuff · 2 years ago

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“Be good today, jellybean,” her dad says when he pulls onto the strip of road between Hawkins High and Hawkins Middle. It’s the same thing he says every day when he drops her off, his eyes on his watch while she clambers out of the car. “Thanks, dad,” she says. “I will.” She closes the door, and Phillip Cunningham only looks up to make sure there are no students or bikes in the road before he’s pulling away. Somewhere in town, Chrissy’s sure her younger brother is riding over with his own little pack of friends. He leaves before her in the mornings, walking his Schwinn out of the garage while she’s still picking at half a grapefruit in the kitchen, but he always arrives at school after. Out of habit, she checks the racks on both sides of the road just in case, but she doesn’t see PJ’s bike leaning up against any of them. She does see Steve Harrington’s BMW only a few cars behind where her father’s just was. She’s sure she wouldn’t have noticed it last week — she’s certainly never noticed him with Robin before, not that she’s noticed Robin much at all outside of class — but now that she’s been inside of the burgundy car, her eyes are drawn straight to it. Sure enough, Steve is behind the wheel, Robin in the passenger seat beside him exactly like she’d been the day before. Chrissy wonders if Steve drives Robin everywhere, if he drops Robin off at school every day. If they’re always just a few car lengths behind Chrissy when they arrive in the mornings. She realizes she’s staring right around the moment she locks eyes with Robin, and suddenly she can feel her temperature rocket a few degrees higher. She’d been prepared to see Robin again when second period rolled around. She’d been prepared for the possibility that she’d step over the threshold into civics class and find Robin already in her seat, watching Chrissy as she walked to her own desk in the front row. She hadn’t been prepared for this. Despite the way her face feels suddenly on fire, Chrissy raises a little hand to wave. And then, before she can see what Robin might have chosen to do back, Chrissy is turning and all but running for the high school’s front door. Second period, she tells herself. By second period, she’ll be prepared to say hello.

all the best people see you (all the best people know), chapter 2

#buckingham #chrissy cunningham #robin buckley #chrissy x robin #robin x chrissy #robin buckley x #stranger things #stranger things fic #my writing #my graphics #inadvertent desert hearts movie date au

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mdriftmeyer · 2 years ago

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#adlib #cobblestone roads #advertisement

"Tire got ya down? With the new Schwinn line of bikes every day is a boutique way of living. And our included pump will make sure your color coordinated lifestyle doesn't sag.''

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thewritersspotblog · 16 days ago

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Ripped from the Headlines #38

The Hippie Daredevils Who Were Just Crazy Enough to Invent Mountain Biking By ben marks/Collector’s weekly On October 21, 1976, a small group of cyclists and a dog named Junior gathered on Carson Ridge, which rises just west of Fairfax, California. It was mid-morning and the sky was bright blue, a beautiful day for racing 50-pound vintage Schwinn Excelsior clunkers down Cascade Canyon Road,…

#prompts #ripped from the headlines #writing prompt #writing prompts

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onlyhappyvibes · 3 months ago

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#bike #pedal bike #chain drive #road bike #river #Grandriver #steel bridge #bridge #trees #nature #train tracks #train bridge #schwinn #schwinn road bike #schwinn bicycles

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lanevids · 1 month ago

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Discover the Best Men's Bike: Schwinn Solara Adult Aluminum Road Bike

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commishpro · 3 months ago

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Electric bikes (e-bikes) are totally rewriting the rulebook on how we get around.

Forget just avoiding traffic or getting in a bit of light exercise—these bad boys pack a punch of fun, convenience, and eco-friendly vibes all in one. They’re the kind of wheels that make you feel like you're living in the future, all while helping the planet and your wallet. More and more people are hopping on the e-bike bandwagon every day, so it's clear—this trend isn’t going anywhere. Curious about why everyone’s so into these electric wonders? Let’s break it down!

What’s an E-Bike?

Imagine your regular bike, but with a dash of tech magic. An e-bike comes with an electric motor and a battery that help you glide up hills, zoom through long rides, and laugh in the face of headwinds. Basically, it’s like your bike got a caffeine shot. There are three main types to choose from:

Pedal-Assist (Pedelec): You pedal, the motor assists. It’s like having a tiny robot sidekick helping you out.

Throttle-Controlled: No pedaling required. Just twist the throttle and boom, you’re off! Like a scooter, but way cooler.

Speed Pedelec: Think of this as the race car version of pedal-assist bikes. Perfect for fast commuters who like to leave traffic in the dust.

Why Should You Consider an E-Bike?

E-bikes are basically the Swiss Army knives of modern transportation—variable, fun, and full of perks. Here’s why you might want to take one for a spin:

Eco-Friendly: Ditch the gas-guzzler and say hello to a cleaner, greener you.

Save Money: Bye-bye to fuel costs, parking headaches, and pricey car repairs.

Health Benefits: You still get a workout, but without feeling like you’re training for the Tour de France.

Convenience: Forget traffic jams. Forget endless circling for parking. Your e-bike is ready to breeze right past them.

Accessible: Whether you're new to cycling or just need something a bit easier on your knees, e-bikes make biking more accessible to everyone.

Best E-Bikes on Amazon

Ready to get your E-bike? Here are some top picks that are stealing the spotlight on Amazon:

Ancheer 500W/250W Electric Bike

Motor: 500W (speed up to 20 mph)

Range: 40 miles on a charge

Why it’s awesome: Lightweight, versatile, and over 2,000 glowing reviews. It’s like the crowd-pleaser of e-bikes.

Rad Power Bikes RadMission

Motor & Battery: 500W motor, 48V battery

Range: 45 miles

Why it’s awesome: Sleek, sturdy, and urban-ready—this one’s a commuter’s dream. Plus, Rad Power has built a reputation for quality that’s hard to beat.

Heybike Cityscape

Comfort: Step-through frame for easy mounting

Motor: 350W, 40-mile range

Why it’s awesome: Almost 4.5 stars from thousands of users. Comfortable, practical, and designed for everyday adventures.

Schwinn Marshall Hybrid Bike

Design: Road meets mountain bike

Motor: 250W, 35-mile range

Why it’s awesome: A jack of all trades, ready to handle both city streets and light trails. Plus, it’s a Schwinn, so you know it’s built to last.

ADO A20F XE Foldable E-Bike

Foldable: Ideal for tight spaces and city living

Motor: 500W, 50-mile range

Why it’s awesome: Rugged, portable, and the perfect travel buddy for adventurers on the go. Just fold it up and take it anywhere.

What to Look for When Buying an E-Bike

Choosing an e-bike can feel a bit like buying a new phone—tons of options, lots of jargon, and a lot of decisions to make. But don’t sweat it! Here's what to focus on:

Purpose: Are you commuting? Hitting the trails? Or just riding around town? Pick an e-bike that matches your vibe.

Motor Power: More power = more speed, but it also means you might need to charge more often. Balance is key.

Battery Range: Think about how far you need to go. A 40-mile range might be perfect for daily errands, but long road trips will need something beefier.

Frame & Build: Lightweight frames, like aluminum, are great if you need something easy to maneuver.

Extras: Features like racks, fenders, and lights can make your ride smoother, safer, and a whole lot more practical.

Budget: E-bikes range from “easy on the wallet” to “wait, how much?!”. Decide how much you're willing to spend before you start shopping.

E-Bike Maintenance Tips

Want your e-bike to keep running smoothly? A little TLC goes a long way. Here are some tips to keep your ride in top shape:

Charge Smart: Avoid letting the battery go completely flat. Charge it when it’s around 20-30% for optimal health.

Tire Pressure: Check it regularly to make sure you're not slowing down because of low tires (it’s the little things).

Brakes: Make sure they work. Seriously, this is not negotiable. Safety first, people.

Clean It: A clean bike is a happy bike. Plus, it’ll look cooler while you’re cruising.

Annual Tune-Up: Even the best e-bikes need a check-up. Get it professionally tuned at least once a year.

Final Thoughts

E-bikes are the future of transportation, and for good reason. They’re fun, practical, and help you live a greener, more active lifestyle. Whether you’re cruising around town, commuting, or tackling a mountain trail, there’s an e-bike for every kind of rider. So, are you ready to join the electric revolution?

Want more info on e-bikes? Check out Glide Electric Bikes for expert advice and help finding the perfect ride to suit your style. Go ahead, power up, and ride into the future!

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joneslilbikers · 5 months ago

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Best Child Bike Seats Reviews 2025

Cycling with your child is a beautiful way to explore the outdoors, stay active, and create cherished memories. But when it comes to riding with little ones, safety and comfort are top priorities. That's where the right child bike seat comes in—providing a secure and cosy spot for your child to join the adventure.

Choosing the best bike seat can be daunting with so many options. Should you go for a front-mounted or rear-mounted design? What features ensure your child's safety and happiness on the ride? In this blog, we've got you covered. From top-rated picks to essential buying tips, we'll help you find the perfect child bike seat for your family's needs. Let's dive into the reviews and get ready to hit the road with confidence!

Top Child Bike Seats of 2025

Thule Yepp Maxi (Rear-Mounted)

Highlights: Adjustable footrests, water-resistant materials, and a five-point harness.

Why It's Great: A favourite for its durability, comfort, and easy installation. It's also compatible with most bike frames and racks.

Weight Capacity: Up to 48.5 lbs.

Hamax Caress (Rear-Mounted)

Highlights: Reclining feature, adjustable straps, and shock-absorbing suspension.

Why It's Great: Perfect for long rides, offering maximum comfort for napping kids.

Weight Capacity: Up to 48.5 lbs.

Thule Yepp Mini (Front-Mounted)

Highlights: Compact design, padded shoulder straps, and a quick-release bracket.

Why It's Great: Ideal for toddlers, with a sleek design that keeps them secure and close.

Weight Capacity: Up to 33 lbs.

Shotgun Kids MTB Seat (Mid-Mounted)

Highlights: Adjustable position, non-slip design, and compatibility with mountain bikes.

Why It's Great: This seat is for adventurous families and is great for trail riding.

Weight Capacity: Up to 48 lbs.

Schwinn Deluxe Child Carrier (Rear-Mounted)

Highlights: Affordable, vented sweaty back and three-point harness.

Why It's Great: A budget-friendly option with solid safety features and comfort.

Weight Capacity: Up to 40 lbs.

WeeRide Kangaroo Carrier (Front-Mounted)

Highlights: Center-mounted for better balance, padded seat, and adjustable footrests.

Why It's Great: It keeps your little one close while offering better bike stability.

Weight Capacity: Up to 33 lbs.

Key Features to Consider When Choosing a Child Bike Seat

Safety: Look for seats with secure harness systems (preferably five-point) and sturdy construction.

Comfort: Padded seats, adjustable footrests, and reclining options enhance your child's comfort.

Compatibility: Ensure the sweat fits your bike frame or rack. Some models require additional adapters.

Ease of Installation: Quick-release systems save time and hassle.

Durability: Opt for high-quality materials that can withstand weather and regular use.

Weight and Age Limit: Choose a seat that matches your child’s current weight and growth potential.

Tips for Riding Safely with a Child Bike Seat

Always Wear Helmets: Both you and your child should wear helmets for every ride.

Check the seat Regularly: Inspect for loose bolts, straps, or cracks before each ride.

Balance the Bike: Practice riding with the extra weight before adding your child.

Start Slow: Begin with short rides to ensure your child is comfortable.

Dress for the Weather: Use layers, gloves, and blankets if necessary for your child's comfort.

Conclusion

A high-quality child bike seat can transform your family cycling experience, making it safe, enjoyable, and memorable. Whether navigating city streets or hitting mountain trails, the right ensures your little one stays secure while you focus on the journey.

Invest in the perfect child bike seat today and confidently pedal into adventures!

More Best Guide: https://www.lilbikers.com/

#bike reviews #bike seat reviews #bike seat

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cycledelix · 6 months ago

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I’ve been a bike mechanic my whole life. Professionally I started at 17 years old but the reality is that it began at a much younger age bolting paperboy racks to my Schwinn Frontier to head out and deliver the news. Living in Michigan the bike shop became the perfect seasonal work while I was in school. Then I grew up, worked my way through college, and realized I was still a bike mechanic. It’s a good time! Drinking beer on the job, cracking jokes with the boys, rolling up a fatty as soon as the shop closes and heading out for a ride in the city. Summers flew by and then the winter would hit, and the silence would get to me and I’d go stir crazy and leave. Three winters in a row I tried to get away and didn’t land anywhere, rolling back into the bike shop for the next summer.

The last winter running away was the hardest. I chose to work building mountain bike trails on frozen dirt in December. What sounded like a good time in nature felt more like a construction site. As we gave all our energy to the labor, me and a friend sat there at the end of the days and dreamed of using our youthful energy for something better than making a buck.

I quit the trail building job and headed back to work at the bike shop in 2019 with a dream. Figure out how to ride the tour divide. My friends and I had engaged in a variety of shenanigans on loaded bikes, camping around Michigan. I had only dreamed of anything of the magnitude of the divide. Canada to Mexico, countless mountain passes, multiple desert crossings. No small feat on the bicycle, it was going to be the ride of a lifetime. I was willing to do it alone, but I wanted a friend to join and I started to put out the word in January that I wanted to ride it in late summer. I bought the hard copy of the maps from the adventure cycling association and started showing them to everyone who’d listen.

Tyler worked the repair stand next to me at the bike shop and was one of the first to hear my idea. He didn’t say much about it for a few days. After about a week he came in one day and told me while the boss wasn’t listening that he’d talked to his old lady and that he wanted to go too. He’d only been riding bikes a couple years but Tyler isn’t one to half ass anything and he immediately started making a plan to ride the trip singlespeed.

Benson and I had been riding together for years and the divide was something we had talked about before, but never with the intention of actually pulling it off. We were fixie boys, used to cutting traffic at high speed and sprinting against cars. Risking our lives for a <$100 pot at an alley cat, or making deliveries in the day. Our bikes weighed less than a bag of groceries and he certainly wasn’t set up to tour. I knew he wanted to go but he was broke and partying harder than ever. It was gonna be a piece of work to get him out there.

It was May, and Tyler and I were committing to a late July depart. Benson realizes it’s now or never and he quits partying and comes in to the bike shop with a rusty Surly Long Haul Trucker he bought off a friend and tells me he wants to do the big ride. He’s still broke so Tyler and I start raiding the collective parts bin of the shop to get him ready to go. We petitioned our friends at Velocity USA for a set of rims for him and they pulled through with some eyeleted touring rims that Tyler laced up to his XT hubs. We jammed the biggest front tire possible in there and I set him up with my Surly Moloko bars, a crazy but perfect choice to turn the road touring bike into something ready to crest a mountain pass. The rest of us had fancier setups, but Benson’s had so much character and the love of a whole community of hand me down bike parts that were used well and still ready to go the distance. Rim brakes and 9 speed can get you anywhere. New technology be damned.

Jack had only been back from his tour across New Zealand for a few months. He was damn near out of money and just getting back in the swing of his excavation job. Benson was committing though, and he called Jack and Jack said “Not a big deal” and agreed to get ready to go just one month before we were set to leave. He already had a bike and a tent anyways, who can stop him now?

Two weeks before our departure we four were all committed. We sat down on Jacks porch and bought Amtrak tickets for us and the bikes from Grand Rapids to East Glacier. Everything seemed to be in order. The bikes were good to go and a plan to ride up to Banff by way of Calgary to prep ourselves for all the off-road riding back south to Mexico. We had all been riding in our own ways but the four of us had yet to do an overnight together, so some pavement miles were going to be welcome at the start.

But Tyler and I had one more trick up our sleeve that evening.

Santiago and I had done more long rides together than any of the rest. He had wanted to go on the ride from the beginning of me pitching the idea but his immigration status in the USA depended on his job and he was afraid that there was no way he was going to be allowed to go. His famously authoritarian boss would never allow such a thing.

But Tyler and I were lighting the fire anyways. We lit him a joint at his kitchen table and asked “have you asked?”

It was two weeks before departure. The boss was out for medical reasons and the big trade show was freshly wrapped up. Santo asked, and the company graciously allowed him two months leave, unpaid. Keeping his immigration status meant the trip was possible, but now he had two weeks to get ready and he didn’t even own a tent.

To top it off, the sturdiest bike he had ready for the trip was a fat bike! A surly ice cream truck at that, probably one of the heaviest bikes anyone has attempted this route on. He got to packing and bought a flight to Calgary. Meeting us after our first three days of riding up from Glacier.

Those road miles as a foursome went well and we rolled into Calgary just in time to find out bike polo was happening. We went down to the courts, parked our loaded bikes on the walls and started making friends. We managed to play a few games, drink a few beers, and get offered a yard to put our tents up for the night. Bike polo remains one of the best crowds for making friends for the love of a game.

We had two days straight into the worst headwind of my life to get to Banff. We hike-a-biked up a closed road to camp at a place called Bear Hill our first night and landed in Banff the next day wide eyed and ready to take on the trip of a lifetime. Somehow all five of us were doing it together and we were determined to do it right. And by right I mean with smiles on our faces.

When people read these stories and watch the documentaries and see the photo reels they think of bike touring as something glamourous. The highlighted moments of the beauty of the self powered journey hold a romantic appeal that draws many people to the idea of taking on a bike tour.

The reality is often quite the opposite. Grinding up climbs day after day. Carrying everything you need with you, knowing every ounce slows you down. Living in dirt, never having a chair to sit on. Ending every day tired and hungry just to eat another Ramen with another pack of Sunkist Tuna. Waking up and doing it again, and again, and again. The views are captivating. The memories are legendary, but in my experience that’s largely based in the contrast of how hard you work to get there.

It’s a physical journey, but it’s also a mental journey. The difficulty starts with the deciding to go and cutting the ties with the parts of yourself that want to stay home and take it easy and do things how you always did. Then it continues in the choosing to persist in the chasing the dream, even when it gets difficult. Doing the ride with friends changes everything, and as we each went on our individual journeys of frustration and transformation, we had each other’s support keeping spirits up and the attitude light. Jack turned to us all on day one and said something to the effect of “well boys we’re leaving the comfort at home” and he was right.

It’s hard to talk about the ride without writing a whole chapter book, and maybe I’ll get there someday. Up and down and up and down and up and down. Each pass a new day and each day a new mountain pass. Canada was a good week. We got stronger, we got tougher, we got more saddle sores and more beautiful pictures on our cameras. Jack said “Not a big deal” about a bunch more things, one of the most notable was his expensive camera lens smashing on the ground in front of him. He also smashed his rim so hard the bead was folded flat into the rim. I had to pound it out with some of the same rocks that smashed it. No more tubeless after that, but that wheel made it the whole way. Not a big deal.

Side note, Tyler and I built all the wheels that the five of us rode, nobody broke a spoke the whole way. We’re real bike mechanics.

We were a motley looking bunch. Long hair, tattoos, bright colored bikes and clothes. Benson was wearing a swimsuit most days by week 3 and we all had a tan that bordered on a burn except Tyler, who was applying sunscreen dilligently to protect his ginger skin. He was also powering through on his single speed Karate monkey, getting in more miles walking but also somehow moving the fastest of all of us on a daily basis. He had the most minimal setup of all of us. After Santo realized he had too many shirts he gave one to Tyler and Tyler wore it every single day after that. He did the trip in one shirt and on one gear and in bedrock sandals. Benson was our other fastest guy and remember he’s doing it on a ten year old bike with rim brakes. Both were powered by sour patch kids and cheese. Bikes are a great equalizer, your gear is only as fast as you are.

I could bore you with a day by day breakdown of activities, I could give you a list of prime destinations, but what I think our ride offers is not a “how to” for other people to do gear or maps or planning. Other people are far better at that and a few youtube tutorials will give you a better plan than listening to our gear setups. My advice about all that would be don’t bring too much stuff and make sure it’s attached to your bike securely. Make sure to have space for extra snacks.

What I do believe we can bring you is a glimpse into the best side of bike touring - conquering distance with the homies. Everything about this ride felt so impossible, each individual step so massive, so many opportunities to give up and pack it all home. But at every turn between Banff and Albuquerque I had four friends looking at me and encouraging me and suffering alongside me and celebrating every high point and that made every day worth it. Every curse word muttered at a broken bike was balanced by a joke and a laugh and a half eaten snickers bar and a half smoked joint being passed over by a smiling friend. Sometimes the sun and the terrain do their best to break a man, but together we made the worst times into the best ones.

The ride went mostly like you’d expect, lots of time in the saddle. Most days looked a lot alike (wake up, pedal south). I’ll name just a handful that stood out

Pretty early on we started bathing in creeks and rivers. I think the very first time we all did together was pretty far out in the Canadian Rockies. It had rained overnight and some of our stuff needed to dry, so we parked by the stream and started getting ourselves cleaned up. We hadn’t seen anyone for hours but sure enough as soon as we were all ass naked standing in a creek a group of people on motorcycles pulled up and started asking us for directions. Santo and Tyler obliged and they went on their way. This sort of thing became a pattern on the trip, Santo even. Skinny dippped right upstream from a construction crew making a bridge one day.

We had crossed a few hundred miles of Canadian Rockies since Banff and made it past whitefish Montana where we scored an ounce of weed off a helpful waitress. There had been plenty of climbing and plenty of rocky descents at this point, we felt pretty prepared for anything that might come our way. But then came along one mountain that seemed near impassable, not on the way up but the way down! A couple of the guys were on gravel bikes and wearing clipless pedals down a “road” that hits a 38% grade in one part. We all made it down, jack with the most “roadie” setup came down last kinda pissed off and Tyler just looks at him and holds up a moon pie and starts ripping his clothes off and yells at jack that whoever makes it to a tree a quarter of the way back up the hill gets the moon pie. Jack just strips down to his underwear and starts chasing after Tyler yelling. I forget who got to the tree first but they came back laughing and smiling and shared the moon pie.

On the other end of Montana there’s a lil bar called the Peat. We rolled in hungry and tired from a long day of pedaling and ordered ourselves some food and drink. The owner of the joint was there and we shortly found out it was his birthday and we ended up with some shots on the house and start partying with them. They showed us the building out back that was a crumbling abandoned brothel from a hundred yeas ago and Santo gave us a rendition of his famous “Condom times, good times” talk while Tyler and I climbed in the attic. They got us real drunk and gifted us one of their little hotel rooms that they usually rent out and we all got cleaned up the next morning while we were hungover.

Wyoming went pretty smooth. There hadn’t been a whole lot of other riders who had departed Banff around when we did, but there was this guy named Schwinn (I’m spelling that wrong but this is a bike ride story) we kept seeing and passing back and forth. We ran into him for the last time in the Tetons and he shined us all in the eyes with his headlamp when he said bye, so after that shining someone in the eyes with a headlamp has been called “schwinning.”

The only other riders of note right now were the group of old guys, one of whom was on a recumbent. What the fuck. They all apparently made it down to near the border and then one of them(not recumbent guy) got hit by a car on one of the last days and died. I’ve told people that and they say oh no so sad, but I don’t really think that way. This guy retired and he was doing what he loved when he went down. He got saved from years sitting on a couch reliving exactly what he was currently living. Died with his boots on. Hell yeah.

The big feature of this route in Wyoming is not the Tetons, it’s the great divide basin. 130 miles through the desert with no water or supplies. If it’s muddy it can take a long time, and there’s no protection from the sun or the wind. There’s a tiny little town on the north edge of it called Atlantic City. We were all disjointed rolling in but we made a plan to eat lunch at the bar there before we rode out into the desert. Santo and I were the last ones into the bar and Tyler (who’s a vegetarian), points at an unidentified fried object and tells me to eat it. I bit in and it was chewy and salty and exactly what i figured it was, a Rocky Mountain oyster !

As we were rolling out of town we met a Danish guy named Martin who was riding the divide twice (both directions) that summer and we made friends. We went down to the river on the edge of the desert then and filtered water. Tyler took a very small shit off the side of the bridge. A turd so small he named it Toby. As we were leaving the river we saw an old man walking off into the open desert. As we rode in the same direction he was nowhere to be seen, and then two young hikers seemed to appear from nowhere. Was it a shapeshifter?

When we woke up by the last water on the edge of the desert the next morning Martin was rolling through and Benson took off with him going pretty fast. The rest of us were following but we stuck with the map when they disappeared off the front and we never saw them. We fought headwinds the next few hours and saw more wild horses and antelope than clouds or trees. We got to a turn where the wind was on our side with about 45 miles left to go. Right about then we got a text from benson saying he was at McDonald’s in town on the other side of the desert. He said he got a little lost when he split from Martin but he never ran into a headwind. I’m still convinced he went through a warp in the space time continuum. 45 miles ahead of us!

As you cross the border into Colorado there’s a lovely little lodge called brush mountain and we took our first full day off there. Tyler didn’t want to get too comfortable and he’d seen this “ride bikes naked” sticker on the fridge so he takes off naked up the mountain pass. Little did he know that by doing that it started a chain reaction that ended up with the guy who made this sticker getting his friend who was present to share his acid water with us. The owner of the lodge knew we were taking a day off and she gave us directions to a waterfall that was up the way. As we were getting ready to head to the waterfall and drink the LSD a dude who was riding his bike from Alaska rolled in carrying a full size guitar on his rear rack and a half gallon of peanut butter in his panniers. He came to the waterfall with us and had some of the acid and we were friends immediately. It was a serene day, but with replacement Tyler.

We caught up with Tyler the next day in Steamboat. We had met this older couple named Bill and Debbie somewhere up the road and Bill was a cyclist and had offered us his garage in Steamboat to crash in that night if we needed. We had high hopes of going much further and turned him down. After going to the bike shop and the grocery store in town the sun was getting low and we were starting to regret that choice. We ate some dinner and started making plans to ride 20 miles to the closest dispersed camping when Jack looked up and said “isn’t that Bill and Debbie’s Car?” Sure enough they were just finishing dinner across the street and the first words out of Debbie’s mouth were “do you need a place to stay?”

We took them up on their offer and they brought us to their garage which had three beds and bill’s collection of titanium and carbon fiber bikes. Bill shared some beers with us and we got Debbie to hit the weed after which she got real funny and really into Tyler’s tattoos. She even took me upstairs to show me her jewelry making stuff and on the walk back downstairs she told me “sometimes I think I’m not from here.” Debbie was from Iowa she wasn’t talking about Steamboat, she was talking about earth. Alien Fam.

I was trying to make it down to Breckinridge quickly to meet up with my friend Matt, who was camping north of there. We had already had a big day out of steamboat and I wanted to make it a bunch more miles. Most of the guys were tired but santo agreed to join me in some night riding. We took off next to the colorado river and rode for hours, at one point we hit this downhill that was just a straight line as far as our lights could shine. It just sped up faster and faster with no end in sight, we were screaming laughing into the void speeding up an up and up. We missed some awesome views I guess but that was one of the most surreal experiences of the whole ride. We rode til 4 AM or so and woke up and got to Breck to eat Matt’s car camping dinner which was awesome compared to our bike dinners.

The very last day we all rode together we were making our own route in from Cuba New Mexico into Albuquerque. We didn’t want to ride the highway so we chose a route through the desert that looked like it would work on a map. We camped by a rock that looks like a boob with a nipple and started our last day off into the sand.

The goat heads hit hard and early. Flats were happening left and right and I was the only one who still had sealant in my tires. The tone of frustration was getting higher and rougher and then the fences in the road started showing up. We hopped a couple and then I rolled up on all four guys looking at a 20 foot tall fence with barbed wire at the top and the desert was driving them all mad and they wanted to find a way through it. We found a way around that and made it to a road but at this point Tyler has patched his tube like 12 times and he keeps getting more flats. Jack got another and after we get inside the city a little they tell us to go ahead to the single hotel room we have reserved for the five of us. We oblige and get all checked in and cleaned up before we hear anything from Jack and Tyler. We finally five them a call and it turns out they’re right around the corner sloppy drunk off peppermint schnapps sitting on a curb in the Denny’s parking lot. Both tires on both their bikes still flat, they had walked across Albuquerque getting wasted! We all ate at dennys and then went back to the hotel where Jack shaved a racing stripe down his chest. We spent the next day bombing around Albuquerque ignoring traffic laws and we all said goodbye at the train station the following morning.

They were all headed home by various means and I had a plan to finish the ride to mexico, though not by the official tour divide route. It was all desert and pavement now so I made the call to do long rides in the night to avoid the sun and the traffic. I stopped with some friends in Ruidoso and then took off on the last stretch into El Paso. Somewhere outside Alamogordo as the sun was going down I put a handful of mushrooms in my mouth and rode off into the desert. I pedaled all night long, at some point in my headlight an African Oryx popped up in front of me and I thought I was losing it! Turns out there’s a bunch of them out there. I continued, tripping, until I took a nap between the highway and the railroad tracks and then made it into El Paso for a breakfast burrito as the sun was rising. The Amtrak carried me off later that afternoon and that was that. (Sort of)

The ride contained so many more moments than these, bonding experiences both good and bad, rough days and great ones. Mountain Vistas and beautiful rocks and streams and trees, and Saddle sores and sore hands and sore legs and sore everything else. Afterwards we all made big life changes towards what we truly wanted out of life whether it was professional or romantic, or anything else important. When you have the time to think, it counts.

Is the divide for everybody? No. Was it for us? Yes. Can you smoke a joint at the top of every mountain pass? I’m not sure, but I did my best to and it worked. Bikepacking is only as fun as you make it. Get out there and enjoy yourself.

#cycling #tourdivide #bikepacking

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