A Year in Uruguay

I bought an inexpensive bike at the Tienda Inglesa (about $80 US). It's made in China and it's about the same quality bike you would find at K-Mart. There are excellent bikes available here (Trek, Giant) but they are much more expensive. I don't like the typical hobbyist advice, "buy the most expensive _______ you can afford." I've heard this advice for cameras, binoculars, camping equipment, kayaks, bikes, etc. An economist would advise, "buy the cheapest __________ that will work for you." This saves money and saves resources for society as a whole. The problem is misjudging how cheap you can go; if it doesn't work you've wasted both money and resources. Anyway, this bike seems like it will work for the time I'm in Uruguay.

I took a nice long ride along the Rambla this afternoon, 20 kilometers round-trip. The sidewalk is wide and smooth. I think there are only 2 or 3 driveways to cross in that entire distance. The shore alternates between sandy beaches, low dunes, and outcroppings of rock. Fishing boats are hauled up behind small markets offering fresh fish. It's been a few years since I've been on a bike for that distance. I think I'm going to be sore.

Labels: sports, Uruguay