Retro

I got Betty back in the early 2000s and loved the ride...until a couple summers ago when I quit loving the ride.

I made changes to the stem and to the seatpost to make it a bit more comfortable for a bit more time, then I dropped my name into an 18-24 month queue for a custom road rig. I’ve never been interested in the carbon bike that everyone has, and the steel ride I wanted just wasn’t found on the LBS floor.

Until one day it was.

In my size. Fillet brazed 853. Gloss black with white panels.

And I took it out for a long ride, just because I was curious.

It was lively.

And for the next ten months the ride picked small battles with the custom-lugged-953 in my head. My LBS buddies would comment on the bicycle when I’d stop in, and I’d leave saying I like it. The ride is what I’m looking for...

...but for just a few more $$ I’d eventually have my dream bike, whatever that was. It had been clear when I’d signed-up, but the edges were getting hazy.

And then there was a deal.

And the deal and the ride and the stolen LHT and the upcoming gravel grinder and the fact that I really do fit a standard off-the-shelf bicycle just fine so-why-would-I-spend-a-ton-of-$$-on-custom all added up to a logical conclusion.

And it turns-out the things I questioned about the bike ten months ago are the very things that make me love it: long-reach brake calipers and brazons for a rack mean it’s a ride for a variety of purposes, seasons and conditions.

One ride for everything. Old-school.

-TOB turns-out Old School is hip

Through the Window

I want

that

bicycle, the one that says

goin' somewhere...and

maybe I'll think about coming back....

- OB and I want to go with it

How to Sell a Bicycle

Stop anthropomorphizing. Bicycles aren't people, friends, pets, ponies or sentient beings of any kind. We're the ones who develop attachments; frames and forks don't however, an aluminum seatpost and a steel seat tube....

Quit labeling bicycles as svelte, pretty, genius, hard core, sophisticated or genteel. They're made of [trendy or vintage frame material here] which makes the ride appropriately [stiff, noodly, spritly, harsh, quick].

Don't name your bicycle. Naming it causes problems in the same way it causes problems for the farm kid who inadvertenly names a chick, and then one day has to face Mrs. Peeper sitting on the platter in the middle of the supper table.

Realize that a bicycle never did "carry you away" "help you escape" or "open new doors". YOU pedaled yourself away. YOU escaped. YOU opened the doors. You chose to do it on a bicycle. Smart you.

Remember, a bicycle doesn't have eyes, a heart or memories. Your ride doesn't pine for you after you park it and head inside for the night. YOU experience these things. You will still have memories after a bicycle is gone.

Understand that your riding needs and interests change over time. These changes sometimes require you to sell an old bicycle in order to buy a new one that is a better fit...for instance: you need a mountain bike because Betty just doesn't go there. Don't worry, she won't care that you're two-timing her. She's cool in that way. So don't sell her, sell the old track bike.

Besides, you've gotta know that Italian track frame was just toying with you. Your only contact now is when you bump your head into him as you're grabbing something off the far garage shelf. And does he even say anything?!

Realize that a bicycle hanging in the garage not being used isn't living the life it deserves. Find it a good home with an owner who can give it what it needs: the open road, the parade, the back woods, the competition.

Sell it. And get over it. It's not a loss.

It's giving an old friend new life.

- The said goodbye to a couple of pals Bag

Bianchiism

So I looked. Jamis, Surly and Redline were early contenders, had what I was looking for and the brands are available at a couple LBSs.

I also considered having something done to the travel bicycle that I already have. The old LeMond could be repurposed with the addition of some brazons, but there's no way it would take cantilever brakes and 35c commuter tires with studs. It was out. And the Cross Concept I have already? It can't take a rack (believe me, I've tried 'em all), and I'm tired of hauling a backpack. She goes onto the auction block.

I dug around on the Surly site, the Jamis site. Long Haul Trucker? WD has one and loves it for commuting. Maybe a CrossCheck? Aurora? I poked around online and read forums and reveiws. They each had plusses and minuses. Someone somewhere in some forum mentioned the Bianchi Volpe...I decided that may be worth a look. After all, I converted to Bianchiism seven years ago and with each passing season it seems I become more entrenched in the faith.

And then -- it started innocently enough as I scanned through the frame geometry and component lists -- I found myself paying undue attention to forum comments about bicycle weight. It's the last vestige of my racing days: a 16-pound road bicycle (pedals and bottle cages included) that I still love to ride. The words lightweight and fun have the same definition in my cycling manual. I'm trying to rewrite it, but it takes time.

I headed off to an LBS on the west side-o-town (I know, it's not THE LBS, but it's good to have found a bunch of good joes close to home) and talked to the Commuter Guy every LBS has a Commuter Guy. I told Commuter Guy what I was looking for and what I was coming from. We hemmed and hawed over a Conquest. We talked Surly. You know, in all honesty, in this town I worry about having a Surly locked up outside of any place. I don't think twice about leaving Betty sitting out while I go in for coffee, but I'd have to have a u-lock and cable on a Long Haul Trucker if I popped in somewhere to grab a kleenex.

Besides, WD's LHT weighs in at 35 lbs 35 lbs! with fenders, studded tires, rack and lights.

We were about to walk over to the computer when Commuter Guy stops and says you're tall...what size frame to you take? We've got this '09 Bianchi Axis on sale, but it's a 58.

It's a size larger than I would take if I were racing cyclocross, but I have no plans for that -- it's a perfect fit and reach for riding the road. The aluminum frame means no rust, it's all sparkly black, it takes a rack, it's on sale...and it weighs 22 pounds.

Bingo!

-The now I have to sell one Bag

Decision Tree

I'm trying really hard not to let this blog tumble down a long slide into an aging-parents, hot-flashes-keep-me-up-all-night, work-is-depressing-because-of-budget-problems diatribe, but some days it's really hard. I mean, really...I can't sleep, 30 kids in a class, people losing their jobs, no pay raise this year or next, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!

However, off in the distance is a flickering bulb that I turn and look toward every now and again: this year and next, our perk for not getting a raise is that we can cash in a sick day if we spend it on...fitness equipment.

Imagine.

F i t n e s s equipment.

Just thinking it sends me to my happy place.

So all sorts of bicycles are rolling round the miniture velodrome that is my brain: a single speed mtb, a Pugsley, a full-on touring bicycle. But, these rides would each cost a pile of sick days. One day buys me a bottom-end hybrid at a garage sale as long as I can find one on Sunday when everything is half off. And yes, I can add my own $$ toward something more expensive, but I've got my limits.

Any bicycle would go a long way toward keeping me level-headed in the midst of the insanity, but the sanity that I've been pining away for is that which is attained in the midst of a day-to-day grind, in the midst of commuting and errand-running. I've decided I want something that can take a rear rack (I'm tired of the backpack), but that's still a sprite on the 25 mile round trip commute, as long as it's something that can lock up outside the grocery store, yet it's gotta have decent components, but not cost a ton, and it needs to look good, but be something that I don't really care about....

Can you see my conundrum?

- Baggie

Celeste

Mystique of the Bianchi

OUR bicycles aren’t
aquamarine
they’re not turquoise
not seafoam
but they do resemble
the color of
Crest
toothpaste
...
.



- ob

Sittin' in a Tree? in a Coffee Shop?

Turns-out Stella has a thing for Ice Bike.

She's a bit of a cowgirl and Ice is...well, at first glance Ice strikes a girl as a bit old fashioned. He's been around the corner a few times. He doesn't go in for that suspension stuff. And gears? Who needs more than a seven-speed cassette?

Ice spent quite some years hanging-out, living the good life, gettin' a bit soft until, as life has it, events started knocking him on the top tube. And, when events start knockin' things start changin'. He's still a bit proper on the outside, but Ice is thinking about things a little differently these days. He picked up some fenders and some studs and now often makes the trek into the city. He's turning a bit urban...the square chic type.

And Stella's liking it.

They got to know each other while they were both hanging-out in the back 40 during part of the winter. I'm not sure how long it will last...after all, she's a dirt girl and he's a city boy, but right now they're both willing to check-out the other side for a bit. Turns-out their roots sprouted in similar places...and when one knows the other's background, really knows it, things go a little deeper than suspension and gears.

They spent part of Sunday bombing around some snowy streets, hit the coffee shop, and she didn't miss the trails at all.

- OB can't keep 'em down on the farm forever, you know

Cheap Bikes Anonymous

Um, hi. I'm TOB...

*hi TOB*

...and I have a Murray hanging in my garage.

*a.....*

I don't own Murray, mind you. It's just hanging in my garage. My dad bought it years ago at WalMart the $54.88 pricetag is still on the front reflector when he decided he'd like to putter around the retirement community. It's a mountain bike that's way too small for him, weighs a ton and shifts terribly

*of course*

so it's been sitting in his garage gathering dust. He and Mom have been downsizing and they wanted to get rid of things so I brought it home with me...with the good intentions of giving it away on FreeCycle.

*um hmmmm*

My niece, however, being a college student and all, knows plenty of others who can use a cheap alternative to walking around campus so she found Murray a new owner on my stipulation that New Owner never, ever take Murray on any actual mountain bike trail except now that it's turned cold, New Owner doesn't really need Murray until next spring so can I store it for her?

*sigh*

I couldn't really say no....

- Baggie if I leave it parked in the back alley, do you think it'll be safe until next spring?

Unassuming

It was an unobtrusive arrival. After a tough beginning to her life (the rest of her siblings were snapped-up and spirited away months ago) she finally found her home with me. Like leftovers and last-picks tend to be, she was hopeful when we met and quietly found her spot in the stable: glad to have a home but not sure she really had a place here.

I wasn't sure, either.

I was eager to get her out and about, but it took a couple rides to realize I was expecting her to be like Betty. I knew she had Betty’s strong lineage, but unlike Betty she wasn't in her element when I introduced her to the crowd. She was content to head down the road with everyone but she stuck to the periphery. Rather than wanting to dance around and play chase games, she seemed to have something else on her mind, but I wasn’t sure what it was. She was comfortable around the others in the barn, she even welcomed Red, but she always had that distracted look in her eye: is she running from something? looking for something? She was congenial enough, but was upfront: this is who I am...I'm not much into changing. Just can't.

I started thinking she just wouldn't be happy here -- maybe next spring we'd need to find a better home -- but then came my own distraction: work was starting up again.

I traipsed out to the barn last Monday morning to start the commuting routine. Betty was staying home this time, happy for the extra Zs. The newbie would be taking her place.

She wasn’t overly ancy when we took off, but right away I could feel a difference in her gait. It was a bit springier...somewhat more comfortable. The load felt lighter, the rutted road in the industrial park was smoother, and the washboard limestone trail was easier...the dust didn’t even bother her. She was matter-of-fact, even happy, about her work. Then, she had the chance to follow the uneven, narrow walking path through the grass on the freeway overpass where the sidewalk ended she could have some fun on this stuff....

Betty, always willing but definite in her preferences, would have done what needed to be done, but probably would have taken to the road, and once back home would have changed into her clean shoes. This one relished in the varied terrain and the splatters, and I could see her eyeing the park reserve we pass by on the way home...wonder if there’s a bit o' singletrack hiding in there? When we got back she pranced into the stable all happy-like and didn't even bother with clean-up. What a paradox: unassuming, practical, industrious and strong yet graceful...

...Beatrice Francine?

- OB don’t ask how I come up with these names...nor whether this one will stick!

Vintage Red

'76 was a Fine Year


It's AMAZING how much space can be found in the garage after a person has de-cluttered he did ask: what about the bicycles? and I realized he was right -- there's room for more! I picked up this Raleigh Grand Prix from a local guy who rescues old bicycles that are in decent working order. It appears to be from 1976, as far as I can tell.

I'm thinking it'll get fenders and wider tires, and I might swap-out the wheels for some others I have...or not. I think the drop bars have to go back on (the previous owner had removed them in the hopes his dad would ride it -- he sent them along with me). With the exception of some brake adjustments the components seem to be in good shape, but I do have 8-speed parts hanging around.

Leave everything as-is? Frankenbike it?

Perhaps a decision will come after I give it a few rides and see how well 10 speeds work for pushing 29 (!) pounds around the city I'm such a weenie and see how well those components actually work after all these years. The frame is in decent, but not pristine, shape.

Thoughts?
- OB we're all a little rusty after a few years

Who's Da Ma...er...

the Woman?

It's one of those accomplishments that makes a person run up the stairs and fling her arms up into the air and the crowd goes wild and throw her head back as the camera pans from every direction.

~ I am the queen of the world ~

because

I got the bicycle into that leeeetle teeeny case.

This is what I'll be rollin' through the airport:

I hate to jinx anything by saying it, but I am so excited to finally be free of the massive travel case and free of FedEx. This even has a pull handle and wheels. Checks as regular luggage.

And ALL I had to do was saw my bike in half!

I was really fine with the coupled frame until I actually separated it and stepped away from the bicycle stand with half a rig in my hands. I looked at my hands. I looked at the amputee still hanging there in the stand ohmyGodwhathaveIdone and did an uncontrollable eye-roll and prayer to the Almighty. Seriously, I know it's fine -- I wouldn't have had it done if I hadn't done some research -- but it's still disconcerting.

Until the puzzle challenge begins. The first time any bicycle goes into any case it requires some unique finangling. It'll be a breeze the next time around!

Thanks to KM for the heads up regarding the TSA -- he suggested step-by-step photos inside the case along with my cell phone number on the odd chance they open the case and don't know how to get things back into place -- and to Pab for the you can do it on the crank arms.

- The Bag's sayin' whew

The Demise of the LBS

or
The Plight of the Goofball
is that redundant??

So, how do you like yer bike?

Greatest Betty I’ve ever had.

Yeah, my good bike is an unobtanium Speedoflite.

MmmHmmmmm.

Yeah, this old Ralphie is my winter ride.

UmmHmmm.

Yeah, I stopped over at *LBS* and they wanted $UntoldMillions$ for for my unobtanium Speedoflite AND it was one that had been test ridden all summer like I want to BUY a test-ridden bike so I got on the internet and found one at *MASSIVE CATALOG OUTLET* for $SlightlyLess$ and THEN I went to E-Bay and found one for $SoCheap$.

...and there goes the Local Bike Shop...

Well, what do they expect when they’ve got 100% markup, come on.

Bicycles have a mark-up of 30-35%.

... . . .. .

So, where do you plan to get yours serviced

!?

- this guy didn't know TOB does some work for *LBS*

It’s Not You, It’s Me

I wanted to love you. You have everything I’m looking for...that fun side, a bit of a flash.

You’re not afraid to put it all out there. Yet you’re flexible enough to fit into a variety of situations.

I know you’d work hard and even show me a good time. I appreciate that about you. But after three go-rounds, it’s time for me to admit the passion just isn’t there. I’m sorry.

I’ve met someone...not someone better. In fact, this one is even lacking some of the things you have; but I can’t deny the bond. It was immediate.

And the thing is, I know our time together won’t be without its frustrations!

But we flow. All I have to do is think it, and we’re heading in that direction.

You have everything! But it's me. I can’t go through the years feeling just OK about your ride quality. I’d resent you, and you deserve better.

I know you’ll find the right one. Soon.

- The Old Bag really wanted to like the Salsa

Cheap Good Stuff

I eased outta racing a few years ago do ya ever really leave it behind? but continued to volunteer with the club: coaching and communications, mainly. I finally cut the ties at the end of '05 after having decreased my involvement even more. It was time. I still like my racing connections, but over the years our largest-in-the-state women's team has splintered-off into indivudual directions: marriage, kids, doctoral programs, lifestyle commuters, recreational clubs, other teams. Time for me to move and shake as well.

As a thank you from the club, I'm getting-in on some steep discounts on the goods: framesets, builds, wheelsets, tires. Now, I'll be the first to admit I don't need another bike, but I've been keeping an eye open for some type of 'cross frame...something I can build up as a commuter for any season...a distance workhorse with fenders and a rear rack...equipped for disk brakes. I've got some cannibalized Ultegra and XT components, but would need stem/bars and seat/post. Essentially, the cross frame I'm looking for is just coming to market so there isn't a ton of choice yet. And, I rather like the idea of building up Herman Munster -- everyone around here has one. It's their spring and fall crud-roads ride. It's where our old components go when they die...and then they really die.

In the meantime I've got a nearly half-priced Bianchi Cross Concept waiting for me...full bike or frameset. It's a great deal on a nice bicycle, but it's not exactly what I want. Can a ride be too nice? I know I'll like the frame -- I ride a similar road bike. I'm not big enough to be tough on it. What's missing? Damned eyelets. I want a workhorse that will carry my pack. Not that I haul a ton of stuff on the commute (I leave most of it at work...maybe I need to leave more of it at work!), but I'm tired of it being on my back.

According to our sponsorship agreement, we can sell the bike after a year.

So.

Do I jump on the full-meal-deal, ride it for a year and then consider my option of selling? with a good possibility of a profit? or maybe I'll like it enough to keep it?

Do I go cheap and get the framest, put all my old stuff on it (I think I've got wheels that will work) and then in a year exercise my option to sell it and get a disk-braked commuter (which would require a new wheel build)? Will I run the risk of needing new components? Am I putting out more $ in the long run? Again, maybe I'll like the Bianchi.

Do I skip it all, save my $ and build the Herman Munster?

Do I skip it all, including Herman, organize my commuting shtuff, and commute on the race bike just because it's so much fun....

- TOB needs some advice, here

9/03/06 Update

STILL the L’una?!

I wrote poems
to you

about
you

imagining
you

until I found out
I shouldn’t

so
then

I
quit

* heavy sigh *

and lived happily ever after the end wahoo!

- Old (after all, this is a BIKE BLOG, here) Bag

Nose Print on the Window

Silver sleek lines,
hypnotizing.

Illuminating surface,
mesmerizing.

Secret union,
tantalizing...

...until
the beckoning
of
Master Card.

-TOB on the Bianchi L’una

*no* I'm not getting another bike!

Dear Prudence

I really don’t take to purposefully naming my rides, but they’re destined. Names pop into my head and pretty soon something sticks. This fall in the midst of mountain biking season I’d roll into the garage and there would be the Bianchi...the ride I’m so excited to get back to each spring, the ride that sails me over the summer roads and takes me away from it all. In the fall, she leans against the garage wall...ever-ready. Seeing her one Sunday after a particularly great singletrack weekend, I realized I miss that Betty. It stuck. She’s steady, but she takes me places I won’t go alone. That’s what a Betty is: a best bud girlfriend with a fast side ready to challenge anything that comes along even if it’s off the beaten path and she’s in heels.

The Stumpjumper became Stella. Dunno why. Stella is a cowgirl with a hoarse voice, a whiskey on the table and a cigar in her hand. I like her. She's the girl cousin raised out on the farm, up with the rooster mucking out the stalls in the morning, unafraid of exploring the old cars abandoned in the back woods. She cleans up well and knows how to put on her red boots and have damned a good time...and she talks about it the next day.

The Giordana track bike, soon to turn road-fixie? No name yet. Something Italian...male with long curly locks and an accent I could never hope to understand. He's the one I could stay in with and look at all night. This beautiful frame is a work of art. When we do finally hit the road it'll be for supper under the street lamps at the local sidewalk cafe.

The old Moab mountain bike is destined to turn single-speed. Unnamed. But, I know he's a low-key, older backwoods man. Solid. Dependable. This one shows his years and his scars, but isn't one to fall apart. Heading out with him means tramping through the wooded fields in flannel and denim with a pair of sturdy brown leather work boots.

The steel LeMond is on its second life as a tourist with a triple...willing and able to go anywhere anytime. Who knows? Maybe a name with connotations of racer - turned - normal - joe...maybe LeMond? Plans for this one include couplers on the frame which means traveling will be even easier than it is now. While his colors don't always match, there's one thing I'm sure of: this joe will never be caught with black socks and sandals paired to bermuda shorts...a camera draped across the handlebars, maybe.

The 1961 magenta Schwinn Starlet with the streamers and built-in horn...curved and padded in all the right places: Marilyn is a little obvious here.

Regardless, the grocery-getter was christened today. After some finishing touches yesterday (wire racks, longer stem, cheap computer) I headed out on errands this morning. Besides hitting the bank, I picked up things at Home Depot, Target, Cub Foods, the LBS, Snyder Drug and the Liquor Store. All the while, John and Paul sang through my head: Dear Prudence won’t you come out to play, greet the brand new day-hey-hey-heeyy. Prudence Prodigy. I think the name will stick. It’s got a good beat, it’s easy to dance to. Prudence is the one who made it through the years of peace-and-love in spite of the daisies and crocheted vests -- she's finally clear-headed about her priorities, but man-oh-man she still thinks about what she used to do for fun.



- TOB and the sunny sky-hy-hy-hies

The Two Ponies

or
Betty (road bike) and Stella (mountain bike)

Betty
sleek, weightless
flowing, spinning, flying
thoroughbred, racetrack, bronco, rodeo
bouncing, pulling, balancing
unbridled, explosive
Stella

- diamante by The Bag

Bananas and Apples...

...were my first purchase while riding my reborn beater bike to the grocery store (along with picking-up a bunch of stuff from the LBS on the way since the beater needs her own tubes, seat bag, frame pump, tools....). Back in 1993 she helped begin my second life as a cyclist. We rode down the Oregon coastline and through the Canadian Rockies before I realized.

There are better-suited bicycles for riding distances on the roads.

Since my old beater also had clearance for skinny knobbies, she was the first to take me along the river bottom trails, before the river bottoms were a place. We headed east off of Bloomington Ferry Bridge Road through the trees and skirted a cornfield before popping back into the woods that border the Minnesota River. There were a couple other off-road excursions before I realized.

There are better-suited bicycles for riding singletrack.

I got those two better-suited bicycles... and another better-suited for racing and another better-suited for the track and another better-suited for childhood memories. The ’93 Giant Prodigy spent ten years hanging upside down from the garage rafters; her only job to preserve what was once. She went to Oregon and Calgary. She was the only.

Until there were others.

This past September she came down for a dusting and degreasing, and for a replacement saddle. Last week she got her own tool bag, a frame pump is on its way from a store across town, and panniers are in the mail. It took three years after moving into my new old house before I realized.

This is the perfectly-suited bicycle for my new old-neighborhood life.

How ‘bout them apples (and bananas)?

- The Old Bag