New ride
I wrote this post almost two weeks ago now, but thanks to rain,the problems with the web site, and how busy we have been, I didn’t have a picture to accompany it until today. I have been telling people I would be getting a new bike soon and that I would make this post. I am sorry it waited so long, everybody. Not to worry I have been riding a safe new bike for over a week now and all it well. Except for danielles fall… The tuesday I mention in the first sentence actually tuesday august 21.)
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So on tuesday danielle and I got paid for the first time since coming to japan. I have to say, it feels nice to be making six figures every month, even if it is in yen. In honor of this momentous occasion, we went out and promptly blew a large wad of cash on new bicycles for the two of us.
Pickings were a bit slim for me I must admit. In the whole bike store, there were only 2 or maybe 3 bikes that would fit my enormous gaijin size. Oh well made my choice a lot easier. Then there was the complicated process of actually communicating to the sales people that we wanted to buy the bikes and filling out the requisite paperwork. There was some definite confusion, but in the end we walked out with two bikes, matching no less, how dorky is that?
Oh what a difference this made. For starters I no longer have to fear for my life when riding my bike, an improvement I can tell you. Also, I can now get to work in around 12 min as opposed to 20. Hows that for a bike that fits.
Now we just need to figure out how and where to abandon our current bikes. One suggestion we are seriously considering is just leaving the bikes at a station, in case one or the other of us comes home late and wants to take a ride. Throwing them out is almost not an option, as we have no idea how to navigate the oversize trash system…
Great, your new bike looks simple and nice. I remember when Rachel parked her bike outside at Santa Cruse, she rubbed an oil over the entire metal surface to keep it from rusting. I am not sure what kind of oil it was. Is this what you are doing? Do you both have helmets in case you fall? Does almost everyone wear helmets in Japan as we do in the US?
Dad
Yeah the bike is perfect for a commuter. Still need to acquire working head and tail lights for them. We have no sort of oil to prevent rusting, not to say one doesn’t exist, but I don’t know how I would ask for it. However it didn’t seem to have helped Rachel’s bike too much. When I started using it many of the rustable surfaces, were rusty. I know many of the rustable points points have started rusting already on my new bike, the chain gears and important looking points seem to be looking alright.
No one in japan wears helmets, except elementary school students. And they are issued helmets and hats so that when they are biking or walking to and from school they are easily identifiable. I at first, wanted to wear a helmet as well, but didn’t due to the fact that we simply do not have any. However I quickly realized that if I were to wear a helmet that my risk of heat stroke was higher than my risk of head injury. When the weather turns colder, I might reconsider.
No tallbike!?! Disappointed…
Still, lookin’ good, Aaron, lookin’ good.
What really impresses me is that you stated “leaving your bike at a station”. I assume you lock it? But even then, it would be very risky for theft here in the U.S.A.
What is the crime rate in the city in which you live?
Love, Grandma
Crime in japan is surprisingly low. People everywhere leave there bikes sitting around with little more than a wheel lock. They are rarely, if ever, stolen and usually when they are it is a crime of convenience and you will eventually get your bike back.
Overall, japan is a much safer country than the US. The rate of violent crimes is much lower, and theft is not as prevalent. However, they are by no means non existent and some JETs have gotten into trouble by not realizing that.
We are doing our best to stay safe while still integrating into japanese society.