The Indignity of Shopping by Race Bike

Actually, it is my race bike, my training bike, my commuter and my beater. I have no quiver. I have no stable. Just the six-year old Giant that I have consistently upgraded through the years.

One of these upgrades was a pair of Speedplay pedals. Light, easy on the knees and simple to engage and disengage, these are some of the finer pedals on the market, in my opinion. However, all who own these beauties are well aware of the simple fact that riding in so-called normal shoes is essentially impossible. Thus, anytime I wanna go anywhere (say, to the grocery store) I have to bring a backpack with a pair of shoes. Since I live here in San Francisco, one of the more scandalous U.S. cities, I also have to bring along a pair of U-locks. Now, with my bag half full of crap before I step foot outside my apartment door, I am ready to go.

I pull up to the Safeway with my bag in tow. I lock my bike to the rack (so conscientiously supplied by the dear San Francisco Bicycle Coalition)and lock my front wheel to the frame. I then remember my helmet, and undo one of the locks for its inclusion. Then I realize I still have a seat bag on. I detach that. Then I realize I have a rear light on the seatpost. I remove that. Then I realize I have not one but two water bottles in the cages. I detach those. Then I finally remove my Sidis and put on the Adidas. Now, my backpack really is full, and I am still not shopping.

I'm nearly ready to move away from the bike rack, when some essentially homeless guy on a crapped out 80s Trek mountain bike leisurely sidles up next to me. He looks at my ridiculous predicament, SMIRKS, and then secures his "ride" up with some crumby Topeak wire lock, and goes inside.

What's more, this grocery store is no more than four blocks away, and I only purchased a loaf of sourdough bread, bananas, a chocolate bar, and a quart of organic milk.

This has dealt a serious blow to my self esteem.