Check out my new wheels...

Check out my new helmet. Totally Super-Dave Osborne. If you don't know who that is, you're probably too young, or not Canadian. Not knowing, of course, if young non-Canadians even read this blog.

This photo was taken back in January, around day two of ownership, before I learned to wear a wind-breaker. Back when I thought a thrift-shop jean jacket was Safety First, and also the heighth of circa-1978 dirt bike fashion.

Around day three of ownership, I was pulled off the road by a fellow Honda Ruckus owner who had--I think the term is--"pimped" his ride. Every bit of plastic was replaced with chrome. His ignition key was a silver skull. He had tattoos, black leather, and a diamond nose stud.

Wow, I thought. I am so in a motorcycle gang. I acted very cool, just so you know.

He told me his 7-year old had made him the skull key. He told me about an online Ruckus forum that will help me with any maintenance questions that come up. Then we did the secret Ruckus salute and sped away.

So. The Bicycle-Gardening Chronicles are in for revisions.

What can I call me now?

Before somebody calls me a sell-out, let me clarify that according to the most flattering timeline possible, you may think I'm a late-twenty-something riding my bicycle all over the North Shore and gardening. Oh ho ho ho. No. I'm definitely a late-thirty-something. I'm like that Olympic "grizzled" snow-boarder guy: still doing it.

Furthermore, I'm still riding my bicycle. I love my bicycle. My bicycle is the reason my life is one long endorphin high. I'm still not used to the concept of just sitting there on my scoot.

So, considering my advancing age and infirmity, I decided that now is a good time to start diversifying my skills. I'm taking a part-time online Tech Writing course this year, which means I have to prop myself up at a computer and think at the end of the day. Thus, the scooter.

Check this out:

I can fit all my loppers/shears etc. under the seat and tie in long-handle gear like my telescoping pole pruner!! One year, when I was transiting to Ghana through Amsterdam, I went on a (cobble-)stoned bike-shop quest and found these water-proof paniers (cheap!) which fit the Ruckus perfectly. There are bicycle-goodies in Amsterdam we only dream of here.

Also check this out:

This is the back of the scooter. I've stuffed a tarp in over the loppers etc. so you can't see them here. There's a bar just where I tie in the pruner (under the panier strap), so the pruner's not resting on the relatively flimsy plastic tail-lights. I also tie it in under the seat in front, so it's not going anywhere--largely thanks to the Best Tie-Ins ever: old bicycle tubes cut in strips. They don't mark paint, and hold a knot so tight you can get away with an over-and-under, unless you're a wee bit Safety First and go for a full knot, like me. (I will do another post on the amazing versatility of old bicycle tubes.)

I'm almost giddy about my carrying capacity--no comparison to conventional scooters that have panels and zero storage space. And this is a mere 50 cc, button-start, 4-stroke, standard driver's licence, 220 lb capacity, town-speed only. I can get to 60 km/hr on the flat, and grind up some of North Van's steepest hills at 30-40 km/hr. Takin' the slow lane.

I filled up after 150 km for $3.76. La.