Cars are evil

No, I'm not about to rant and rave about motorists. I'm going to tell you a little Christmas story instead!

Once upon a time in New Zealand there was a triathlete with a silver station wagon. A couple of years ago the transmission in this evil piece of metal died and had to be rebuilt. Fortunately it was under mechanical warranty and the triathlete's share of the bill wasn't too bad. Two happy years of motoring followed...

...Sadly, this tale doesn't have a happy ending! Today, while taking my bike to the bike shop for a chain noise check, the darn car decided to throw a wobbly and not go forwards without massively bunny hopping it's way through a major intersection. I think it's terminal - and the gearbox is probably gone again.

Time for a brief musical interlude, courtesy of Adam Sandler. If you don't do swear words and reggae, don't click on this link. It's gold, but definitely not for the faint of heart!

Anyway, I called a tow truck and got the piece of junk home. I decided it was time to walk to the supermarket and get some milk as the traffic is way too mental today to be riding my bike. I chucked the cats out, narrowly avoided my cat closing the front door on me (she's Siamese and has done it twice now) turned on the house alarm and then promptly closed the door without my keys. Brilliant. Luckily for me, my flatmate forgot she had left a window open so I climbed in, got my keys and went walkies.

I got to the supermarket and back safely and with only one rip-off purchase, a chip of strawberries for $4. Ouch! Normally they are about $2-3 but at Christmas the shops decide we haven't been fleeced enough during the year and then get us where it hurts (in the fruit bowl). I was going to drive over to the strawberry farm and get a 1kg box for $8 but the car stopped that. Munter!

So, no car until further notice or I win lotto. This is going to be rather inconvenient but on the bright side, I was saying just last night that I need to do more riding so at least my bike will be put to good, frequent use.

Having to bike 10km each way to work experience will suck but I will get used to the current saddle faster, I'll have no petrol bill for probably two to three weeks, AND get at least an extra 150km worth of bike in each week. Downside? No cleats yet, so will have to grin and bear riding in running shoes, and if it's raining I will get wet, but I'll just have to harden up and get on with it.

Christmas this year will go on record as being the worst since 1988, but I know it can always be worse. I'll count my blessings for having the foresight to start doing triathlons and buying a bike and decent running shoes - I now have wheels to get around on, and won't get sore feet if I want to walk or run somewhere.