Getting around Downtown Phila

So, I live 2.5 miles away from campus, too far to walk and I'm not a public transportation kinda guy. I like to be free from bus schedules and such, I guess I'm just not a city boy in that sense. Although the subway is nice, but too limited in range. So I thought I'd ride a bike, except I didn't want to park my fancy road bike with quick release everything parked on the street in a town where they'd steel their mother's bicycles if it weren't chained to something big and immovable.


So I bought a cheapo bike off of craigslist and I fixed it up a little because it was old and some parts were wearing out like the tires and the shifter cable. Here's the finished product (as usual click to embiggen):

It's a Panasonic lugged steel 27" road bike with 3 speed internal gearing (gears are in the rear hub). It's got a coaster brake and right now the brake lever for the front brake doesn't fit properly so I have to get a new one or a longer bolt. It's a really comfy bike, the saddle has springs to it and is well padded. There's a bunch of rust all over the frame and the wheels look like they're on their last leg. But it still works, rides smooth, gears are still good. And most important, I got it cheap!

Here's what it use to look like in 1974, when it was brand new:

Also have to mention that there is a super awesome used bike store in town on South St and 9th Ave, it's called Via Bicycles. Super friendly and knowledgeable people and they've got parts for oldie bikes like mine. The shop itself is filled to the brim with used and new parts, it's almost cluttered but in a functional way. They've got at least 3 of those big front wheel/small rear wheel bikes where you sit on top of the front wheel. They also have a ton of used bikes that they've fixed up and ready to ride. I loved it and will be returning to peruse and socialize. Here's a pic of one of the cleaner examples of the big bike:


Today I had my first ride to campus and it was fun even though there were a ton of cars it wasn't any worse than a day in Newport Beach riding between traffic and parked cars. I think you can actually get around the city much faster on a bike. I'll post more about the first day of orientation later.

Hammer Out.
(my new nickname for this blog...you like?)