Check out this ride. Pretty sweet, huh?
We were heading to MOHAI this morning for a showing of The Frog Prince* and decided to stop off at Recycled Cycles on Boat Street to see about getting a bike for Baby Z. There were just two models there that were a fit for a three-and-a-quarter year old kid with a 12.5″ inseam, and nothing for under $120.
When we asked whether they had anything used, we were reminded that Recycled Cycles has recently opened a second shop on the Wallingford-Fremont border (Wallymont? Frollingtstone?), just around the corner from the fabulous recycled computer shop InterConnection. Not only do they have a different stock, but their warehouse is at the new location, so it seemed more likely that newly fixed up bikes would be put out there before they made it over to Boat Street.
So, after a show, a snack and a rambunctious tumult through MOHAI (which is moving to South Lake Union to make way for the 520 expansion project), we headed down the Burke Gilman to the new shop.
The shop itself is smaller, with fewer bikes overall for sale, but it did have the little sweetie pictured above, now safely in our custody. Score! Thanks to David and Susan (43rd and Thackery)’s son for helping us out.
In other bike related news, Wallyhood welcomes our shortest running sponsor, the Seattle Bike Expo, which runs Saturday and Sunday of next week at Smith Cove, Pier 91 next weekend. It’s a biker’s candy store, with booths featuring every style of bike imaginable and more besides, plus lectures and performances. Bike nerd heaven.
* It was a bit shrieky and overeager for my taste, somewhat like children’s theater put on by talented high school students.
We went to the Frog Prince as well today, and are regular devotees of Storybook Theater performances (since 2008!). I hate to say it, but this was the worst I’ve seen. We saw The Boy Who Cried Wolf a few months back and my 4 year old is still talking about it. So, don’t let this one performance turn you off forever if live theater is something you’d like to take your son to. It’s the best place in Seattle for kiddos to work on their theater-going manners, and usually the productions are quite fun. And affordable.
Thank you, Kim! I had kind of written Storybook Theater off in my head, based on this performance, but I’ll give it another try, knowing the others are likely to be better.
And, in its defense, Zev did enjoy it. I can tell, because I’ve been conscripted into re-enactments several times today, already.
I like to refer to this southern-most area as “Tarmont,” in honor of the occasional materialization of goo in Gasworks Park. 😀
And in any case, a big welcome to Recycled Cycles. Great addition to our ‘hood!
Hey, FamilyWorks will have a presence at the Bike Expo this weekend, so stop by the booth! The fine folks who are putting on the Spoke & Food event (June 26th, ride to a local restaurant) are working hard to put on a great event. It will benefit FamilyWorks! Our own Wallingford Center is one of the sponsors. Thanks, all!
It’s not in Wallingford, but Bike Works (bikeworks.org) is a great place for low cost bikes for kids. Tons of options for under $50.
Just a note from someone who has biked for years…..most bike people recommend that you NOT put training wheels on kid’s bikes. The reason is that learning how to ride a bike is all about balance. Having training wheels on the bike actually retards the learning process. The best way is to get one of those wooden bikes without the peddles. This allows the child to put both feet on the ground and learn balance while they push themselves along. Down side is that these bikes are expensive, you won’t need it very long, and are only good on the level as they have no brakes. Second best is to just keep the seat low enough so the child can have both feet on the ground. When they learn to ride, lift the seat a bit so they can still put half of their foot on the ground. When they are older, the proper setting for the seat is so the leg is just slightly bent when at the lowest point of the stroke.
By the way, Dave and Sue’s son’s name is Ben.
Jordan: I can no longer abide your consistent misspelling of “Thackeray”. You disrespect the memory of one of the finest British satirists of the 19th century (and the original owner of that Winchell’s franchise on 45th).
You’re right, DOUG. I hereby resign. I’m going to head down Stoneway and, rather than turn towards Gasworks Park, I’m going to move to Freemont! Sure, I thought about moving downtown near Pike’s Place Market or even Capital Hill, but I just couldn’t be that far from Greenlake.
The William Makepeace Thackeray Traffic Calming Consortium thanks careful reader DOUG.
And I will miss the Good Shepard Center!
See you at Bumpershoots, Wallyhood.