Not everyone can manage without
a car. When I worked 50 plus miles from where I lived a car was necessary. Now,
as I have documented, I live in a small city with adequate mass transit, few
hills and a mild climate. It is a bike friendly place in that there are bike
lanes and paths and people in trucks and cars don’t aim at you (generally). The
city’s pros far outweigh any of the cons. Hundred degree summer days and
hurricanes are an inconvenience.
Months ago my PC quit working.
I was immersed in anticipating my long ride and couldn’t spare the money to
replace its motherboard. Upon returning, well, if you have read my entries here
since August you know what has been going on. Today (ta da!) I picked it up at
my Friendly Neighborhood Computer Shop (FNCS). Just as a bike rider needs a
FNBS (Friendly Neighborhood Bike Shop), computer users will eventually need
their own FNCS.
In my past employed life I
discovered 43rd Street Computer Repair and they proved to be competent and
reasonably priced, a nice combination. Now as an unemployed old guy it is even
nicer! And just as the people at Bikes and More (my FNBS) didn’t mock and scorn
me when I stripped the tread on the left crank of the Schwinn putting on a
pedal, 43rd Street won’t laugh when you have crashed your PC while
trying to install memory sticks. I like that.
Transporting the PC was
possible because of the designers of the utilitarian Burley Travoy. Using foam
packing from the PC’s delivery carton and a bunch of air filled packing bags
inside the Travoy’s tote bag then strapping it all in place with bungee cords I
made the seven mile jaunt home with no undue jolting.
The Travoy is a damn good piece
of equipment. I can be moderately critical of the two straps that accompany the
tote bag, as they are often useless because of their tendency to slip on the
smooth surface of the tote bag when loads shift. For groceries they are
adequate, but for other bulkier items the ubiquitous stretchy elastic bungee is
the only option.
The Travoy’s hitch is also a
remarkable design. It’s flexibility means you don’t have to be quite so
concerned about the loaded trailer tipping and pulling you down with it.
Additionally, the one hand operation to slide the trailer tongue onto the hitch
is cool.
When I arrived home and
considered my circumstances I wondered about the juxtaposition of my bike,
which I view as a potential means of escape if the electrical infrastructure
fails, and a PC that I love because it allows me to re-immerse in technology.
Apocalypse meets technocalypse?
No comments:
Post a Comment