Oregon Media Insiders

If you see a tandem bike ridden by a jovial fellow with a Van Dyke beard and a fat little old broad in Converse sneakers behind him, wave, or at least look out: It's Cablenut and me! We took delivery of it on Tuesday and he's gotten it all spiffed up and road-worthy.

Yesterday was our inaugural ride to see if the four of us could make it from the OMI Anchor Desk at approx 30th and Division to New Seasons (Mirador, actually, didn't need to go to the market). That part is easy; it's hauling my fat hinder back up Colonial Heights that's the tricky part. I still can't do it by myself yet, and Lou was pretty pooped by the time we hit the peak--yes, I know we're wimps, we're geeks, not athletes, or at least I am, Lou's just 7. JJ's actually a pretty fair biker and rides a lot, and Josie is, too.

Riding as "Captain" Cablenut's "Rear Admiral" (I prefer that to "stoker"), I actually got a workout without wearing myself to a dangerous nub or stranding myself some place too exhausted to ride home. That's an honest fear; I caught that respiratory virus earlier this year and got so sick I'm completely deconditioned again and am having to start from scratch--disappointing after getting up to 30 minutes a day on the treadmill.

This morning we took off early by ourselves and rode to the Stumptown over on 34th and Belmont instead of walking to the OMI Caffeine Bureau on the corner. And I tell you, when we got home I was disappointed. That was the most fun I think I've ever had on wheels of any kind. I'm looking forward to the next ride, and that's a first for this devout non-athlete.

So, I'm hearing something about hot weather? Goodness me, I hope there'll be something on the news about it.