I read an interesting post by Ronovan on Monday. The long and short of it was those bloggers who have a little of their personality in their blogs make for more interesting reading. As regular readers know, I have four basic features 1. Monday has the Top Ten Things Not to Do list. 2. Wednesday is story day and has been featuring Billy and Frank in their attempt to rob a bank. 3. Is the Friday JohnKu where I have a brief reflection and a Haiku. 4.Saturday is the Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt which comes from Lind Hill’s fine place. The rest of the week is filled on an ad hoc basis with blog tours, cover reveals etc.
I thought I would try something new on Thursday. I take pictures while out and about and thought I could post one and then discuss some aspect of the picture and what it meant to me and why I took it. Perhaps this would add a little personality to the schedule. Well, we will see.
Here is the first.
I ride my bike on the beach three days a week. I usually go about eight miles unless the rain or the wind is too strong. After all, I am in those fragile years where one has to watch the weather carefully. I always wondered why the old folks watched the weather so religiously. Now I have the answer, they needed to plan their ride on the beach and wanted to know what to wear while sweating their butts off. So the picture is of my bike. It is a 3G beach cruiser. It doesn’t have any gears and you can’t see it well but is in a delicate state of repair. The biggest problem, with riding on the beach, is the salt air wants to dissolve everything that is not made out of stainless steel. (The salt has a rough time with stainless but manages to melt it as well over time) To have a bike made of stainless steel would be way more than I would want to pay. So I put up with replacing the chain and wheels frequently as well as the spoke bearings. This picture was taken after a ride this week with the Gulf as a backdrop. Yes, that is a gull behind the bike.
Fiction Favorites 
A simple and elegant transport. Is there anything you can spray the chain and wheels with to protect it from the elements?
LikeLiked by 1 person
They get a non sticky spray, but still are doomed over time.
LikeLike
You can only delay the inevitable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes
LikeLike
Cool bike 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. All business that one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Riding a bike in sand is hard work, isn’t it? You’re not so fragile after all. 🙂
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eight miles in the sand is pretty hard. 🙂
LikeLike
See. You’re in great shape! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
*cough*
LikeLike
Stop it! You can’t fool me anymore. 😮 😛
LikeLike
I’d love that scenery for a bike ride – I’m so jealous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The nice part it is different every time.
LikeLike
Nice idea, John! It makes me want to go for a long bike ride 😀 Truth be told, I haven’t ridden a bike in years!
PS: The 3G beach cruiser looks very cool indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The cruiser is the work horse of the bike world. Great exercise as well
LikeLike
I like you getting more personal!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well sometimes it just has to be. Thanks Ms. Fan
LikeLike
I tried, but sand kept flattening the tires. You are doing very well to ride five to eight miles. I used to ride that at Callaway Gardens in GA and it is quite a haul even on a bike path.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah you need thorn resistant tubes for sand. There are no thorns but the sand raises hell.
LikeLiked by 1 person
8 miles wow. I’ve got to give you a round of applause for that one 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much *cough cough wheeze*
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and MTM have this bike thing in common. You have a lot in common, actually.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Big difference in price and sophistication. His bikes are like Ferrari’s mine like a pick up truck. I did bust a few ribs a couple of months ago. (not nearly as bad as MTM’s injury but does show a commonness in mishap)
LikeLike
Great photo and story behind it. I’m looking forward to more Thursday photos and explanations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Phillip
LikeLike
That looks (and sounds) like a great bike. I’ve never ridden on the beach but the idea sounds heavenly! Great picture too :-).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoy it a lot. Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
I commend you, John, for staying vigilant with your health–and for doing something you enjoy. That means you will continue to stick with it:) You are living my dream of actually living on the beach and writing full time–I shall be there one day, my friend. Until then, your writing is inspiring me. Don’t stop doing what you do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You now have inspired me. As you know, this is a lonely business and words of encouragement mean a lot. Thank you so much.:-)
LikeLike