Dust off the bikes- it's time to cruise!

Spring is near and my heart sings for joy when I embark on leisurely, exploratory rides around town! The last couple months have been devoted to minor maintenance and repairs on the bikes so that all are ready to roll once the snow melts. Oh no, I'm not talking about the Leisurely Pedaling Cruisers for which we have the Fort Collins Bike Library to thank for their rental agreement and partnership (more on that in a future story)...

Yes, I have several bikes and each serves a unique purpose. The mountain bike got a deep cleaning: sure it'll be coated in trail dust within seconds of its first ride, but a well-oiled machine is much more forgiving as I work out my "early season jitters!" The daily commuter has freshly patched tubes, a new squeak-horn, and a "lick and a promise" for replacing the chain and casettes this summer. the Super-fast road bike is currently having its 10,000 mile once-over maintenance visit: the drive train is getting replaced, wheels trued, and brake pads refinished. I can't wait to head outside the city and enjoy the nearby mountain roads with this baby! Finally, the cruiser is getting a bath and some new accessories. I love the cruiser for its around town handy nature. It's too heavy to steal (easily), and it has a very functional basket to carry all my whimsical necessities. Most importantly, this city is flat enough to get away with the single gear on a casual cruise.

From our home base in Old Town North, I can effortlessly cruise over to O'Dells, Funkwerks, and New Belgium breweries... or venture to Blue Sky Winery... or drop in for some spirits at Copper Muse Distillery. Venturing a bit farther and landing in Old Town affords a variety of shopping, people watching, and live music. I can't think of a more relaxing shopping experience!
Most importantly, adventures like these don't require your standard hard-core cycling apparel (which I have plenty and use frequently). A close second in important details: 2-hour parking only applies to cars! *smile* Bike parking is aplenty, and Fort Collins keeps adding innovative and convenient options for avid bike commuters. In fact... I'll finish these thoughts later: the sun is shining and my cruiser is calling!