Bikes and Bottles in My Basement
Too much cider…too much beer…too little fridge shelf space. Oh, what to do when guests are coming for Christmas?
I never considered it in the old house, but the bulkhead was the clue here. On my frequent bike trips, I leave from the basement where I keep my bikes, up the stairway through the bulkhead.
So there I have it, in freezing temperatures, we have a 13-step cooler. It presently stocks two different ales (Anchor Christmas and Southampton IPA) and two gallon jugs of apple cider. This is a toper’s version of a root cellar.
It might even do an okay job in warm weather. The stairs run to eight feet underground with concrete walls.
So here in Hyde Park, I live a daytime subterranean life. My desk and computers are were the previous owner’s were in the basement…as are my bikes.
He really only trained for the Pan-Mass Challenge. That’s a kind of what-a-good-boy-am-I bit of charity, but useful. He didn’t see bikes as transportation or environmental statements or even convenience. He wouldn’t even get the bike out until the air hit 80 degrees.
However, blessings on him for the two-bike garage in the basement. (Click the thumbnail for a large view.) He had the inspiration to convert a closet into bike storage. This home improvement was as simple as screwing two hooks into a rafter and tossing the closet door. That garage would be two bikes, each on its own hook, easily accessible. Jerk one down and its out the basement door and up the stairs to spin.
Cyclists of all ages who walk through the digs stop there and gawk. I don’t have to say a thing. They envy it and want one of their own. Five strides form bike garage to the outside stairs is a home improvement with daily return.
Tags: harrumph, harrumpher, storage, bicycles, cooler, basement
on December 24th, 2009 at 10:51 am
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on December 24th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
“Too much cider…too much beer…too little fridge shelf space. ”
Rats!
For a second there I thought I might be able to suggest sending a couple of cases my way.
I am not doing too badly though with a fridge well stocked with a variety of excellent Quebec brewed Boreale beers, a few Stella Artois, one Fullers Organic Honey Dew and a Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA. We are blessed with several excellent smaller breweries in Montreal. I would recommend pretty much anything brewed by Boreale and St. Ambroise if you can find them for sale in the Boston area. Every single one of their beers are top notch. Belle Geulle is also very good, and they brew up a Winter Lager that is nicely hopped with Czech Saaz hops if I am not mistaken, but they don’t get top marks because they brew a fairly insipid Pilsner beer although the Original Belle Guelle is one of my all time favorite beers. I used to brew my own beer from the grain (no kit beers ever) but there is such a good selection of excellent beers from local breweries now that it is barely worth the effort.
Enjoy the holidays,
Robin Edgar
on December 28th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I use the bulkhead until the temp gets too low for refrigeration and hits freezer mode. But then, the whole cellar averages 55 F most of the winter, which is a splendid temperature for storing brewed beverages.