~tHe tOrpedO~

~tOrpedO~

Hej alla!

Kirsten + Bicycle = TRUE Swede

Well its a fact, only but a few days ago I fell in love....with 'the torpedo'.. my very own Euro bike! She is a beauty! Little rusty but she gets me from A to B! And for the whopping cost of 500 Kronas!

500 SEK = $75 US

WOW! Who could pass on that offer!

Anyways, now that I have my very own mode of transportation I feel like the world is my oyster. However, I do feel like bike riding here is way more dangerous than driving! The bikers think that they own the road- which makes you initially think that it would be more safe...its not. Look at it this way, being a foreigner and not being as confident on the roads- not knowing east from west, north from south, x road from y road etc.- I confess I am a little dodgy on my bike. 

 So if you are planning to come to Sweden and bike here are few things to watch out for:

1. DRIVERS- Understand that all the cars around you don't really care about the biker that “rules the road.” More so...they just don't really care. There is no rush here in Sweden. Everyone is just happy go lucky- love that! For example, I have not seen one case of road rage. But at the same time- most are oblivious. Whether its looking at the sun, the stars, the green tree, the stunning leaf on the road etc. attention is elsewhere. And just to clarify, this is no poke at the Swedes- rock on! Be blissed out! But bikers- keep your eyes open!

1. PEDESTRIANS- Just like drivers, pedestrians are of no help either. Head in the clouds they do not care if you are on your bike. The city's infrastructure somewhat helps. Beside the “walkways” there are “bike lanes” but whether a person uses them is out of your control.. this alluding to the swerving action that happens on the side roads way to often. In addition, there are only some roads, sidewalks etc. that you can go down that are labelled with signs in swedish... how is one to figure all this out in one trip!?
   well, im sure if I knew Swedish that would probably be a good start.... in the workings....
   
   
2. BIKER ATTIRE- All the bikers here not only are multi tasking to insanity as they bike (using their phones, fixing their jacket, organize groceries in their basket etc.) they are all listening to music as they do so! This means that Dick and Jane who have their headphones in at full blast are clueless to anyone but themselves...including the foreigners such as myself. Dad you would be so proud.. no more headphones for me... I GET IT FINALLY!
   On a side note, those of you do not yet own a pair of the white Converse kicks- go get a pair...its in.
3. LIGHTS- The bike lights do not always work, sometimes they are not there, all the time they are not so reliable. This leads to the ultimate life or death (maybe a little extreme but work with me) guessing game! RIDER BEWARE ~ HEAD ON A SWIVEL 24/7.
   
   
4. OREBRO- Lastly, there are piles of bikers EVERYWHERE. This makes the local scene look like a cluster-mess of people that you have to dodge your way around. So make sure you start your day with your Java or your in for a harsh dose of reality.
   
   
   
   
   
   (picture of Orebro downtown)

(a cafe we bike to for our java downtown)

(a swedish version of cola pop at the cafe)

Okay so thats it for the time being! Biking in itself has been a big enough adventure... aside from the trip to Berlin I just booked for November!

You will be posted!

Hej da!