links for 2007-06-26

links for 2007-06-24

links for 2007-06-22

Easy to confuse, yet very different.

A pannier:

A dépanneur:

http://loglog.peghole.com/archives/pics2004/depanneur2.jpg

A derailleur:

http://www.garynuke.homestead.com/files/rearderailleur.jpg

(one of these is not like the others; one of these does not belong.)

(via: tofu swan)

links for 2007-06-21

links for 2007-06-20

(Shopping) Bags in Germany

Shopping bags are simply different here. In nearly all supermarkets, you are expected to bring your own. Simple plastic bags cost about €0.09; cloth bags are usually sold for €1.50 or so. The plastic bags aren’t our flimsy Kroger versions; they’re more like the sturdy plastic totes you’d get from the Library. And there certainly isn’t anyone waiting to bag your foodstuffs for you. The odd thing, though, is the lack of paper bags. I’ve only seen them at department stores. Shopping carts also require a deposit, usually between €0.50 and 2.00.

And this isn’t a problem at all, because grocery shopping trips aren’t expected to fill more than two totes. It seems that most people walk or take mass transit to their grocery store (citation required!). Most all neighborhoods have one within short walking distance; I have 2 + a produce store and 3 bakeries within 5 minutes. This means grocieries are bought when they’re needed. I like this system.

links for 2007-06-19

Bike crew!

From Anneka:

That’s right kids, break out your nalgenes, it’s happening again. And this time, we’re crossing the border. We’d be going from Marine City, Michigan to Buffalo, New York.

This means, if you’re on the Fora check there for details. Will probably occur on the artificially long weekend of the 20th-24th.

If you have any amount of maps, supplies, suggestions, or erfahrung in your pocket, please talk to us!

links for 2007-06-18