bike check-up

Took my bike in for its spring check-up this afternoon. I use Urbane Cyclist on John St., just north of Queen. The people there are really great, especially Eugene, the bike guy. He remembered my bike right away, even though I've only taken my bike in once before, asked me where my front fender was (I told him we took it off because Jeff & I couldn't get my bike into the trunk of the car otherwise).

While I was chatting with the bike people, a couple of couriers came in. Wow, did I ever feel like a geek! I'm not sure what other cities are like, but Toronto is definitely a bike courier city, at least downtown. There's a strong community of them here; they even have their own websites! :-) Even during the imaginary blizzard last week, you could see them whizzing around, scarfs wrapped around their faces, shoulders hunched against the wind. I could never be a courier, even if I had more bike experience...I just don't have the chutzpah. Heck, this afternoon was my first time out on a bike this spring and my nerves were a wreck by the time I got to the bike shop...Queen Street had crazy traffic as well as bumper-to-bumper streetcars. Yikes, get me to the Martin Goodman Trail!

Hey, Inkspot was listed in the May issue of Writer's Digest as one of the best websites for writers (check out page 28).

Getting together with Jodi and Allison tonight.