Sigh. Why can’t the people who make money on car loans resist putting down bikes? A few years ago, General Motors got an earful for their college discount campaign featuring a guy so embarrassed to be seen on his bike he shields his face from a pretty girl. The slogan was “Reality Sucks. Stop pedaling…start driving.” But before long, the reality of angry public sentiment sucked for GM and they quickly backpedaled to apologize and removed the ad. Now, easyfinancial is promoting car loans with a sad guy dragging a Christmas tree by bike.
After I rolled my eyes, I had to chuckle. My husband is nothing like the guy in the ad. On Saturday, when we were getting ready to hop on our bikes to buy our Christmas tree I asked if I could pull the tree this year. After all, he had done it the last two years. It was my turn. “No.” he said, “It’s my thing.” Greedy, isn’t he?
I’ll admit that the first year I bike commuted, we didn’t see how we could carry a tree with our bikes so we drove. It didn’t help that the tree lot was on busy El Camino, which isn’t a comfortable place to ride. We only drove two miles to buy the tree, and probably spent more time lashing it on top of the car than we did driving.
By the next year we were better prepared. We had bought a bike trailer and had found a tree lot run by the Sea Scouts that’s further away in Palo Alto, but accessible by quieter streets. Now buying a tree is as simple as pulling up to the front of the lot, picking a tree, paying for it, and having a scout drop it in our trailer and tie it down. Super quick and easy, with no fear that the tree will fly off your car at 35 miles an hour.
I love seeing the surprise on the scout’s face when you say you have a bike, not a car, and the reactions you get on the ride home are just as predictable. From the “Wow!” from a bunch of kids walking to the library, to “Happy Christmas” from a mom pushing a stroller, to a simple smile and nod from an older gent, everyone looks happy to see you roll by. We only get to do it once a year, so no wonder my husband doesn’t want to share.
Have you tried bringing a Christmas tree home by bike? Did you take a photo of your bike in action? If so, share it with the world by to Chris at Modacity to add to his Pedal Powered Christmas collection.
gasstationwithoutpumps
December 8, 2014 at 8:47 pm
I always get our Christmas tree by bike, but I only do it about every 5 years, because I buy a live tree and keep it in a pot—it usually lasts 5 years or more. The hard part is getting the 100-lb potted tree into and out of the bike trailer—I need help with that. The other hard part is getting the tree up the steps into the house each year. After repotting, the tree and pot can weigh between 200 and 300 lbs.
ladyfleur
December 8, 2014 at 10:22 pm
Wow, that’s cool. Do you have a photo of your bike with the potted tree? I’d love to see it.
gasstationwithoutpumps
December 9, 2014 at 9:26 pm
I had to get a new tree last year (the old one died), so I just happen to have posted a picture of it:
https://gasstationwithoutpumps.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/more-trailer-loads/
Lizzie
December 9, 2014 at 4:57 am
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Loved the photos and presentation. I especially liked the cat under the tree and the mixtie in front of the tree. Three cheers for your husband hauling the tree.
ladyfleur
December 9, 2014 at 11:24 am
Thanks. I loved the teens figuring out how to get the big tree ready for the minivan, especially the way the little kids were watching them.
Alfred Fickensher
December 10, 2014 at 7:42 pm
This blog entry was one I really enjoyed; the photo series was delightful. Sitting here in frigid Iowa tho, I must admit that the immediate take-away for me was hubby’s sandaled bare feet. BRRR
Alf
Brian
December 11, 2014 at 3:41 pm
I think this is my favorite of your blog entries. It has everything: seasonality, unexpected footwear, traffic, onlookers, and a starring role that suits Dick just perfectly. And a cameo for the cat.
Kim (@kim_harding)
December 16, 2014 at 1:07 am
That first image says to me: No need to get the car fixed, I just don’t need it.