February 18th, 2018:

	Happy Discount Chocolate Day, Phlogosphere!

Canada Post left me a notice back on Tuesday, informing me that I have a 
package awaiting pickup at the local Postal outlet.  I'm hoping it's my 
bike tires and axle spacers for my folding bike project.  I'm rather keen 
to get the bike rolling and rideable by Spring.

I have mixed feelings about finishing the bike off, mostly because it's my 
only bike project for the year.  My commuter is tuned just the way I like, 
my hardtail mountain bike needs nothing, and my road bike/cafe cruiser 
needs a little adjustment but is running.  Apart from routine maintenance, 
I'll have nothing to work on!

I guess I have two options: buy or salvage another bike (and risk death at 
the hands of Mrs. IPX), or spend more time actually *riding* my bikes!

My wife doesn't like riding bikes, and our daughter is still a bit young 
to ride, otherwise I could make the claim that I'm building a bike (or 
bikes) for them!  Ah well, not the worst problem I could have.  It'll give 
me the opportunity to go riding more often.  We have a rail trail called 
the Harte Trail a few blocks south of us that is just *begging* to be 
ridden!  It connects with the Trans Canada Trail a few kilometres east of 
us, and leads out of the city (and eventually to the Trans-Canada Highway) 
a block to the west, so I have plenty of places to ride if I so choose.

Or plenty of escape routes...

One of the areas I plan to explore is a relatively new subdivision a few 
kilometres south of our place.  It's one of those subdivisions that is 
supposed to be a Middle-Class Paradise, with plenty of roundabouts and 
cul-de-sacs but little transit support or accessable grocery stores within 
walking distance... but that's a rant for another time.

And another medium... I'm planning to post pictures, urbanist commentary, 
and ride reports on my MOTD blog (sparcipx.motd.org) when I start riding 
again in the spring.