Bike Adventure

From Sep 23rd.

OK so now I am finally deciding to blog today.. I decided this because today is the day I had a close meeting with death, and because I am alive I must blog…

Still in Maastricht, this place is a new adventure day by day. Not having blogged for 3 weeks puts me behind, but I will catch up.

So to put things into perspective, I purchased a bike from a man in the countryside who fixes and sells bikes for 40 euros, this bike had some wobbley wheels, but I was assured it was quite OK, no problemo. I took this bike home and spend a day in Amsterdam, then came back today to ride it today, for the first day. Now, please picture me riding a city bike, I am an animal, passing old men, children, and those on road bikes with my 20 years old, rusted, wobbley tire city bike.

Today I realized that a 40 euro bike is not for me about

as much as I am NOT for it either. After a long day at school I was heading into the city, riding down hill in my sandals with a few bikes and cars on my tail… all of the sudden without forewarning my front wheel malfunctioned which sent the back of my bike into the air and me into midair flying forward into the cobblestone street. I only realized what happened as I was standing on my two feet, turned around at the faces in AWE at what just happened. All I could say was.. I’m OK, I’m OK.. as my legs started shaking and I realized that the adrenaline was leaving me and I could soon feel the pain in my leg and my child bearing region.
Nevertheless, I am OK. And as biking is the only form of transportation around here, I quickly contacted the man in Belgium I had heard of who had bikes out of his garage and arranged to be there at 9:30 PM, same day.

Arriving at his door, a jolley white haired man, happy to see 3 beautiful young women proceeded to entertain us while trying to sell bikes of varying colors, qualities and styles. I walked out of there with another 40 euro bike, this one much better, and my two friends with 2 bikes for 15 euro each, which is unheard of! Given we had no room for 3 bikes in the car, I volunteered to ride through the countryside from Belgium to maasricht at 10:30 PM, with my trusted collegue and friend driving behind me with her lights so as to protect me… 30 minutes later, we arrived safely at my place, 3 bikes in hand. Oh the adventure that is my new life. J