...because that's what all the college kids are doing.
Unfortunately, I don't have the same regular bungee cords as all the college kids, and I was unwilling to buy them because 1) it was too dang cold to go to the store, and 2) I have a pannier on the way anyway. So I just used the bungee net that I already have, by passing it under the crate and affixing it to either side.
So far, so good. Then on Tuesday I discovered that if the crate felt just a teensy bit unbalanced (like, say, when I put one foot down because I was waiting at a stoplight), it would retaliate by flipping over to the side, dumping my backpack on the ground, then flipping itself back up again. It was like living in a cartoon, or at least a live-action Looney Tunes movie.
So I learned pretty quickly how to not overbalance on one side or the other, and got to campus, where I had to carry the bike up some stairs (the UT campus has stairs everywhere. I'm surprised they haven't been sued for accessibility issues). I picked up my bike like I always do, forgetting that my heavy backpack was in the crate, then realised that I couldn't lift my bike and my backpack. But before I could set the bike back down, the crate did its new flipping trick. I turned to pick up my possessions and saw that there was a tall young man behind me (think: basketball player) who, to his credit, was not laughing.
I: (to myself) Well, that's not going to work. (See Possible Basketball Player.)
PBP: Do you need some help, ma'am? (I love the politeness of these Texas boys.)
I: No, thank you; I just can't carry it all at once.
PBP: (chuckles) Okay.
And on we went. And for some reason, even though I do dozens of embarrassing things every single day, I was completely mortified by that exchange.
Story time! Have your possessions ever gone into a full-on rebellion?
14 comments:
Funny! I can relate. I had a similar experience the steaming hot day I tried to walk home from the street market with about 5 bags of produce. Must have been the same young man who asked me if I needed help. I was sweaty and exhausted and my hands were killing me, but I did NOT need his help, thank you very much!
LOL! You're better than me-- with 5 bags of produce, I probably would have caved & handed them over. :)
They definitely rebel, usually at the most inconvenient times.
:)
Nice to meet you, fellow crusader!
Nice to meet you, too! I'm going to work my way round to the crusader blogs as soon as I get some homework done... so it may be a while. :/
That IS indeed what all the college kids are doing XD
Hi, fellow crusader. I once had a bike that for some reason decided that it liked to rotate around its fron wheel. Now, normally the bike trundles along while the wheel rotates, but no, not this one. The wheel would sit there while the bike would turn over the top of it and dump me unceremoniously over the front.
Needless to say I gave it a stiff talking to.
I look forward to getting to know you during the crusade.
@Amanda: I know, right? It's like a contagion.
@Tony: Oh, my. I agree that a stiff talking to was in order. I look forward to getting to know you, too!
Smiling...thanks for sharing... I work on a campus and used to ride my bike with my bag bungee corded to the back too. The straps got tangled in the wheel once and caused a wipe-out - not nearly as funny as your flipping trick!
Visiting you from the new Crusade and I am a new follower.
This is just more proof that bicycles are evil. ;)
erica
@Margo: Yikes! That's not funny at all! :(
@Erica: Or that bungee nets are evil... this one has been pretty much useless since the day I bought it.
The good news is: The pannier arrived yesterday, is now attached, and the crate has been relegated back to its status as a footrest.
Hi, Su,
I'm a fellow crusader just dropping by to say hello.
Sorry about the bike inscedent.
Have a great weekend.
Hey, Michael! Nice to see you again.
Doesn't that crate say property of Borden Inc?
Actually, it's better than that... it reads, "Use by other than registered owner punishable by law."
Maybe I should turn myself in.
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