Grease under my nails

This morning I woke up with a mission: start fixing the bicycle.

Although I was supposed to join one of my friends to go see the Manchester United vs Barcelona match (Go Barça!!), I decided I would go straight to the Bike Kitchen to start working on my bicycle. I had e-mailed them earlier this week and got an immediate and super welcoming response.

Despite the gut feeling I had wanting to call them prior to showing up, I carried the bike down the elevator of my building, carried it across the street to the parking garage, packed it in my little car's trunk, and drove there. To my surprise, they were closed for the Holiday weekend and would not be back until Tuesday.

Sad about what I had just found out, I am proud to say that instead of getting totally upset about missing the match, I remembered one of of my friends had recommended another not for profit bike shop. I called the Bikerowave!

"Hello,  Bikerowave," said the voice on the other end.
"Um, hi! Are you open today?"
"Yes, until 5pm."
"Oh great!" I said relieved and without catching my breath added "I have an old bike that no one has ridden in 15 years, it's all rusted. I can't get the lock off. It's in pretty bad shape and I don't know, well I don't know where to start. I don't know anything about bikes"
"That's fine we'll help you-"
Cutting the poor guy off "Niiiiiice, I wanted to stop by today...do I have to make reservations?"
"No, no reservations are needed... just show up" I am convinced by then he thought I was crazy.
"Great! Thank you so much! See you soon...thanks...bye!"
"Bye" Hung up.

Ecstatic, I drove with my windows down from Heliotrope and Melrose all the way to 12255 Venice Beach Blvd avoiding the freeways. It was quite a long drive but a relaxing long drive nonetheless.

I entered the shop carrying the bicycle and the first comment out of my mouth after Hello (without catching my breath) was "I need help!"

The volunteers at the Bikerowave were super helpful in teaching this bike dummy how to rebuild the old beauty that I have in possession. They would often come and ask "How's your project coming along?"

I spent 3 hours at the Bikerowave just rebuilding the back wheel. The volunteers gave me instructions and I did the work. I learned what a skewer is, pulled out and cleaned all 18 balls that make up the bearings (to my surprised they were not rusted and in great shape). I cleaned and greased the 5 speed gear cluster using their parts cleaner and although it is still rusted, it almost looks brand new! I also disassembled the derailer, cleaned it, greased it, and put a new cable. The people who volunteer there are so awesome that one of guys taught me how to align the shifter properly (since the stopper was out of position) and shaved off part of the bead on the new cable so that it would fit on the bike's old school shifter. I bought a new chain and one of the guys showed me how to properly "thread" it through the derailer.

I don't remember when I was so satisfied to have so much dirt and grease under my nails!

There's still work to be done. I was hoping the tubes and tires would be able to work but as soon as air was pumped into the back tire, the noises coming out of it would've made great sound effects for a thriller.

By 5pm -- closing time -- they were politely kicking us out. By the time I made it to the counter to pay for the chain and the $7/hr that they charge, I had the biggest smile on my face. The guy paying before me saw the bike and said "That's quite the bike you have there. Peugeot, a real bike." I smiled and said "it comes with a story and a lot of sentimental value." One of the volunteers added "too bad it got into that condition." I smiled again "that's why I want to fix it myself."

The mission from the day I got the bicycle is to ride it to work next week. Tomorrow the project must continue -- dirty hands here I come!

To fix or to have it fixed?

Some of those supporting this experiment are providing ideas of where to go and get the bike fixed. The decision lies in either paying someone at El Maestro bike shop a few blocks from my apartment to fix it or to fix it myself with the guidance of a volunteer at the Bike Kitchen (Bici Cocina).

I should point out the bike will be 30 years old next year and it hasn't been ridden in 15 years. It comes with strong sentimental value and a story of its own.

While you start wondering or even imagining the bike's story, I'll tell you I am looking forward to fixing the bike myself! I love being hands on and getting dirty with tools -- some people are surprised to find out I do my own oil changes -- maybe the feminist movement hasn't gotten that far yet :) Luckily my uncle has the necessary tools and patience to have taught me how to do an oil change. Hopefully I'll find someone with the equal amount of patience to teach me how to fix the bike. I am after all a bike idiot needing a "Bike Fixing for Dummies" book. I'm just afraid that if I do it myself I won't have all the necessary parts to have the bike in decent running condition by next week.

Pero Explícame Por Qué ... Tell Me Why

Sitting in front of my computer at work, the idea just crept in: what happens if I give up my car for a month in Los Angeles?

As an article titled  LA by Bus mentioned [...]the city of Los Angeles -- which is 19th-century Spanish for "the land where men walk on four wheels" [...]. this is a city made for cars. Still, the idea of being carless in Los Angeles excited me. Even when compared to the East Coast and Europe, public transportation in Los Angeles is a joke and bike trails in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area laugh at the bike trails in this city.

When I started announcing my idea to friends they pointed out the ridiculous distances I travel on a daily basis. Someone called it "social suicide."Another friend pronounced the words "Mi'ja Dios te Bendiga," while a co-worker just shook his head and said "not worth it."

The activities I am involved with have me all over the place. I travel 16 miles south of Los Angeles to Carson in order to get to work (one way). Working in a 24/7 manufacturing environment requires me to be available at odd hours. Language lessons have me traveling to Beverly Hills once a week, while a new project I got involved in has me reaching Santa Monica on Mondays. My friends are all over the place from Studio City to Long Beach and my family lives in the South Bay.

So, why do I want to do this experiment when besides only riding the metro Red Line to Hollywood a few times, I didn't even own a bicycle! 

Differing from CarLess in L.A. the movie, I am not hoping to save the environment by giving up my car. (At least that's what I read on the website, I still need to see the movie.) And unlike the Carless in L.A. blog, my car is still functioning.

Maybe I am bored and tired of driving. Maybe I think I need a bit more interaction with the outside world. Maybe I want a more defined "work/life balance" by forcing myself to stricter and shorter work hours rather than getting to work at 4am one day, at 8am another and staying in the office for up 10 or 12 hrs -- yes, there were also few times when I was stuck at work for 16hrs. Or maybe my mother was right by saying I like to complicate my life, although I would disagree :)

I think my main reason is looking for a new way to save money without having to give up living in downtown LA.

So this is a test.

flat tires, fallen chain, engulfed in rust to the point lock won't open

It involves:
1. Obtaining a beautiful but beat up bike from a family member -- completed today 5/23
2. Fixing up the bike before the end of this weekend
3. Conducting proper planning for transportation routes
4. Doing a week trial -- yes, I am that weak!
5. Upon completion of the week trial I will drop my car off at my family's house -- proving commitment to the experiment
6. If I survive for a month AND save money -- I'll push the experiment for another month until I can determine if I should sell the car

Again, this is just a test...