Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween

They start off as whole pumpkins, but soon, we carve away at them, giving them their own unique little faces or designs.

Their insides are removed, providing seeds for toasting (in my case, burning).

In the end, we're left, for a short time, with a small reminder of fall and the changing seasons. 

Wishing the very best to all for a very safe, fun, and happy Halloween!

The "Snowpocalypse" and the Arrival of the Bella Ciao Superba

As predicted by the forecasters for the last several days, the snow storm hit the state over night (and is still actually dropping snow as I type). We awoke to no power (and no heat, more importantly), but the views outside were actually quite beautiful.

View from the window

Sagging tree branches from weight of wet snow

The large trees keep snow off a lot of the ground, but they seem to suffer for it in the form of losing branches

I love seeing the combination of the fall colors and the snow together

Depending on where I look, there's anywhere from 1/2 an inch to about a foot of snow, but surprisingly, the roads seem to be fairly clear, considering the amount that fell. Heat and power have now been returned (at least here) and life begins to resume. Then, just as I was finished shaking snow off of some of the tree branches I could reach, a delivery arrived for me: the Bella Ciao Superba.

The driver didn't seem happy to be dropping off a 46 pound-and-some-change package, but when I looked at the box, I wasn't thrilled with the way it had been cared for while in their hands.

Bottom of box as delivered

More damage - just a couple of images of the many slices and holes present on the box.
On an interesting note, it appears I received #11 out of 12 of the Superba's!

This is not the first time we've experienced poor carrier handling, so I suppose I wasn't horribly shocked to receive the box in this kind of condition. Disappointed, certainly, but not surprised. I opened up the box to survey the package.

Looks good so far

I started to pull out the packing materials, praying that there was no damage to the bike. There was a lot of packaging, so I assumed the Superba would be fine. Sadly, I was wrong.

Dimples in rear fender

I was disappointed to see dimples on the rear fender. How the damage occurred is even more odd to me because the exact position of the indentations actually had a large piece of foam surrounding it. There was, however, a large slice through the reverse side of the box, and it was easy to see in the formations on the foam that something had struck it.

Slice in box that coincides with location of the fender and dimples

Thus far, it seems that this is the only damage that occurred, and while I'm not exactly happy to have a new bike that already has damage, I will say that the fender is probably the easiest area to deal with some imperfections. I have yet to contact Harris Cyclery about the damage (though they will likely have me file a claim with UPS, which I already know will not have positive results because of past experiences), but will do so as soon as the bike mechanic is home and can take a closer look. From what I can tell, the rest of the bicycle seems to be unscathed, but I don't want to speak too soon.

As you can see, in this photo it's difficult to see the damage to the fender, and eventually the rear rack will also somewhat cover the area.

I have to admit, when it came time to vote for the color of this Bella Ciao, I voted for periwinkle. Of course, at the time, I didn't think I'd be purchasing one either (though I certainly was lusting after the bike). While I am a sucker for that lovely grayish-lavender color, I have to say that the green is actually quite pretty, and was probably a better choice for this bike.

Unpacking the contents of the box has been fun. All sorts of goodies to discover, like the grips, the rear rack, the kickstand, the saddle and so on. I especially enjoyed the note on the front of the grips, reminding the assembler that the grips must be glued in place.

I should point out that this bike is meant to be assembled by a bike shop or a bicycle mechanic, so anyone who is considering shipping one of these should be aware that there is some technical expertise needed. Fortunately for me, one lives in-house. So, while the snow continues to fall, I await his return home to assemble this beautiful bike, and hope for the roads to clear quickly so I can actually take her out for a ride. I look forward to seeing her in all her glory and sharing initial thoughts.

Gorgeous Summer Temps to Freezing Winter

In typical Colorado fashion, our beautiful, sunny days of summer (which turn into sunny days of fall) are quickly coming to an end.

*Info from Weather Underground

Today, it was a quite warm, low-80 degree Fahrenheit day, and Wednesday, well, the forecasters are predicting a snowpocalypse. I feel myself clinging to the warmth of today, wishing, hoping for the snow to just go around us and move on to some other unsuspecting state, but I know that no matter what, the snow is on its way. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for awhile.

My mental preparations that started several weeks ago haven't really adjusted my outlook in regard to what is coming. Fortunately, the sunny days are scheduled to return soon after the snow storm, though the temperatures will be cut in half. I do believe I need a change in outlook. Perhaps I should be excited that I now get to drag out the wool caps and warm scarves? Regardless of my mental state, I suppose winter is coming, ready or not!

A City Bicycle Decision

The last several weeks have been full of thoughts, research, and test rides in an attempt to figure out what sort of city bicycle I should have or seek out. Having owned several types of upright bikes over the last few years, I think it's almost more difficult to make a choice because I have too many thoughts and past experiences flowing through my head. I know, poor me...my tiara is too big and my gold shoes are simply too tight. I don't mean it to sound "princessy" at all (though I am aware that I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to try many different brands/styles), but it really is seemingly more difficult to pick out a bike after there have been so many with varying features and degrees of enjoyment.

I seriously considered re-purchasing a Pashley Princess Sovereign because I just couldn't seem to find an upright bike that would work well for my purposes. The one lingering issue that kept pounding in my head about the Pashley, however, was her weight. While she's not as heavy as some of the Dutch bicycles on the market, when you have a lot of hills to climb, a rider definitely starts to feel the weight of the Pashley. While she is pedal-able up hills, the overall ride is a bit slower than I would hope, and I kept holding out hope that something would stand out as a suitable city bike.

**Image from Velorbis

After discovering a Velorbis Dannebrog in an expired listing on e-Bay, I thought that it could be a possibility. I have not had the opportunity personally to ride the Velorbis, but after reading several reviews, hearing about test rides, etc, the consensus seemed to be that it was a very similar feel to the Pashley Princess, which isn't necessarily what will work for me right now. To compound matters with the Velorbis, the seller prefers strongly to sell it to someone who can pick it up locally (in Connecticut) because he was having difficulty finding a shop to pack and ship the bike even remotely reasonably. A 2,000 mile drive probably isn't the most economic choice, I am aware.

Without going into too much detail about what was and wan't working for me in each bike I considered, I will simply say that I found myself trying to find one that made the most sense and wouldn't break the bank. I discovered quickly that I wasn't going to find what I wanted in a sub-$800 bicycle, so I opened up the prospects to an almost double-the-budget range. I looked for used bikes that sell for higher retail prices but would be discounted in a used state, at vintage bikes that could be turned into something beautiful and usable again, and of course, new bicycles. In the end, I really want a bicycle of quality that I can hang on to long-term, but finding a place to test ride each of the bikes I have interest in is challenging, even with our new city bike shop in Denver, The Mindful Bike.

**Image from Bella Ciao

Prior to my last visit to The Mindful Bike, I had been searching online for U.S. retailers of Bella Ciao. From what I read online, The Mindful Bike is carrying this brand in their shop. Oddly, I hadn't recalled seeing them on my last visit, and after visiting them again, realized that my initial thought was correct. I inquired as to whether or not they would be carrying Bella Ciao bicycles, but the owners were out of the store, and the gentleman I spoke with wasn't sure if they would or wouldn't be carrying them. After returning home, I recalled that there were a handful of Bella Ciao's available at Harris Cyclery in Massachusetts - or at least, there were back in August. I assumed that they would all be sold out at this point in time and figured I would continue my search, but thought it was worthwhile to find out. Surprisingly, my inquiry returned positive results with Elton stating that they do in fact have a few of these bikes left in stock.

I took a bit of time to think about it, to debate whether or not it was a good decision, but ultimately decided to go for the purchase of the Bella Ciao Superba. It's unnerving to purchase a fairly expensive bicycle and be unable to actually test ride it, but I remain positive that it will be a good choice. I do have a couple of small concerns, but it is supposed to be a lighter ride than many other bikes on the market, and it has the options I was hoping to get on a new upright style bike. I am so incredibly excited to receive this bike (it's due in the middle of this week), and cannot wait to get it built up and take her for a ride. Of course, now I am going to have to figure out how to make up for the price difference from what I had intended to spend, and the reality of what it ended up taking to get this bike, but I remain hopeful that it will be a good decision (Anyone want to buy a bicycle... or maybe a painting, or two... or ten?). Stay tuned for a ride report (hopefully by the end of the week, if our weather holds) and first impressions.

Love Your Body Day

One of the winning 2011 posters
*Image from Love Your Body

Today is Love Your Body Day, and as someone who has often wished to be someone else or wished to have another persons body rather than my own, I connect quite strongly with the poster above. I am very fortunate to have a partner in life who loves me the way that I am, and just wants me to always be happy and content with who I am (as we all should be). It's easy to get caught up in what we think we should look like, but I appreciate what the Now Foundation spreads in their message of loving who we are now, today. Every day women are some of the most beautiful people I know, and because I know so many beautiful women who are all different heights, sizes, and from various places in the world, I just want to wish all of you a very happy Love Your Body day. I hope you'll spread the love to all the beautiful people you know as well.

Velorbis Dannebrog for Sale

A few days ago, I happened upon an outdated listing for a used Velorbis Dannebrog. Since the bike appeared to have never sold, I contacted the seller to see if the bike is still available. Turns out, that they are still trying to sell this bike. While I would love to get my hands on this gorgeous ride, the sellers are in Connecticut and are having difficulty with getting the bicycle shipped.

*Image from NOHO Cycle Chic
You can read their review of the bike through the link as well

As my own sort of PSA (and to prevent Sam from strangling me in my attempts to figure out how I can get it back here to Colorado), I thought I would put this out there for anyone in the northeast who is in search of this bike and would be able to get to the Fairfield, CT area to pick it up. The owner is "entertaining offers" (as he shared with me) starting at $1,000 (really a good deal for the Dannebrog). You can see their original images on the old e-Bay listing here, where you can also contact the seller with questions at the bottom of the listing.

Hopefully, there's someone in their area who can truly appreciate this bike and will give it a good home. Please feel free to pass this along to anyone you know who would be interested.

Bikes for Sale: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Public V7, & Bridgestone MB-S

Once again our bicycle herd is changing (or maybe thinning is a better word), and we have a few bikes up for sale. I thought I'd put up a post in case anyone is looking for, has interest in, or knows anyone who might be looking for any of these bikes.

The first bike is the Surly Long Haul Trucker. SOLD

The frame size is the 46cm... and other details can be found on e-Bay here. Sam got another bike over the summer that he has been riding more often, so he's decided that the LHT really does need to go to a new home.

Next up, the Public Bikes V7  SOLD... I would prefer to sell this to someone locally, but will consider packing and shipping within the U.S.

This one has been Sam's "city bike," but he tends to like to just ride his road bike as a city bike, so this hasn't been getting the use it really should. It's the Standard size model (ideal for someone approximately 4'10"-5'6"). You can find more details on CL here. If you aren't local and would need shipping, just get in touch and we can discuss this as a possibility. As forewarning, bike shipping costs seem to have increased, so it's generally somewhere in the neighborhood of $110-140. Also, if anyone would like better pictures, I can email those as well.

The final bike for sale is the 1994 Bridgestone MB-S.

My mountain biking career doesn't seem to have taken off, and since I'm still terrified of the rocks, we've decided to let this one go. I'm sure someone out there could make great use of this beauty. You can find additional information on CL. She (he?) has several scratches, but I still think it's a gorgeous ride (and am in love with the lugs, of course). This one is a 16 inch size (or a size small). Again, I'd prefer to sell this locally, but will consider shipping, if need be.

I'll take this post down and remove specific bikes as they sell, so if this post is still up, then we still have the bikes. Feel free to inquire with questions: endlessvelolove {at} gmail.

Have a beautiful day!

Fall is Too Beautiful

Just had to share a quick shot of our view today looking out from the house. The autumn season seems to go so quickly, but the colors are absolutely amazing!

How did we get so lucky to see these colors right outside the door? Hope you're able to get out on your bike and enjoy these amazing color changes. Enjoy the beginning of the week, too.

Expecting the Expected

I was on a group bike ride a few weeks ago. We were riding along, enjoying our Friday afternoon, decompressing, and taking in what was left of the daylight. As we approached a red signal, we all came to a stop in the middle of the lane, waiting for the light to turn green so we could proceed to the other side. As we waited for the light to change, a car turning left to head in the opposite direction yelled out to us. Everyone seemed to ignore it, or look a little perturbed. I glanced over at Sam, confused about what was happening. Shaking his head he said, "It takes all kinds."

*Image from bicycle.net

This only confused me more. "What?" I asked. "The woman," he said, "shouting out rude things to us." I couldn't help but laugh. I said, "She said, 'Great job! Keep it up!'"

This incident made me think that as bicycle riders we may be anticipating and even expecting motorists to be rude, say hateful things, or try to nudge us (or in some cases, full on push us) off the road. I couldn't help but wonder if, at times, perhaps we are creating a world in which we "expect the expected." Meaning that we so often see and experience bad behaviors on the road that it can cause us to think that every driver on the road is out to get us.

What do you think? Is it possible that we sometimes create an incident or make it a larger matter than it really is because we are so keenly aware of the possibilities and/or past experiences while riding?

Confessions of a Bicycle-Loving Klutz

By nature, I am a klutzy person. There's just no getting around it, and the harder I try to avoid this flaw, the more it seems to rear its little head. It started quite young, too. One of my earliest memories is of tripping on a toy at the age of 2 and falling through a sliding glass door at the back of our house onto a courtyard of bricks (I still have the scar on my forehead from that little doozy). At age 11, I was in our backyard, daydreaming on a self-supported cot when my mother called out to me. I immediately lifted my head to see what she needed and managed to flip myself over, face first, on to our cement patio. Blood immediately poured from my mouth, and I have to admit, that one really hurt. To this day, I cringe when I think about it. At age 20, I was miniature golfing with a small group of friends. While teetering on the edge of a cement block in some wedge heels, I managed to fall and twist my ankle. I couldn't walk for weeks.

*Image source here

This could be a never-ending list of episodes, and while these are just a few examples, I was always bruised or scabbed as a kid and young adult. It's slowed somewhat in adulthood, but I can't help but hold on to those experiences. This has led to some strange behaviors when it comes to bicycles. I had my share of bike accidents as a kid, but there haven't been too many major falls in adulthood. Strangely, I have adopted some interesting (some might say odd) habits to avoid falling. 

For instance, I have to start pedaling with my left foot. For some reason, I am off-balance when I try to start with my right. It doesn't seem like a huge deal, except that I know it must be annoying to watch this crazy person back pedal her crank every time she stops so that she can start on her left side. I've tried to break myself of this habit, but I am petrified that something disastrous will happen if I start off with the right foot.

Another of these odd habits is that I cannot "properly" mount a bicycle. I can't even do a push off when straddling a bike to get some starting momentum. Instead, I must have the foot as described above and simply start pedaling. I just feel shaky and unsure of myself and imagine myself toppling immediately.

My feet are kind of cut out of this shot, but you can see that my left was going down first

Stopping is no better. I have to put my left foot down first. I've wondered if perhaps there is some sort of opposite-dominant-hand scenario playing out in all of this, but I've realized that it's one of those things I've done simply to protect me from myself (or rather, my clumsiness).  

Other small oddities that have popped up? I have a kind of strange fear of people watching me take off on a bicycle. There's something unnerving about it that puts me on edge. I am most keenly aware of this at bike shops when I'm test riding a bike, or when taking off on a bike that I don't normally ride. Often times the sales person at bike shops will follow me outside (merely to make sure everything is set up properly), but they always watch me set off which completely freaks me out. I have a fear that I will somehow fall off the bike (though this has never happened) and be absolutely mortified and potentially bruised.

While none of these behaviors are life-altering, I have become very aware of my continual need to do them. So, confession time...what sorts of habits have you developed while riding your bike that perhaps fall a bit from the norm? Do you have any odd behaviors you can't seem to break, or maybe they don't seem to be a bother at all? 

Jazz for Cows

I can't help but adore this video... if you love jazz and/or cows, it's definitely worth the 2 minutes.

I love that the cows actually seem to be enjoying the concert!

The Linus Bike Test Ride

Over the weekend, I had a brief break from work and decided that I'd like to get out in some sun and continue the search for a city bike. I headed down to Mindful Bike expecting to find a variety of bicycles to try out. I was shocked to see how much their inventory had diminished since my last visit a few weeks ago, but I was also pleased to see it because it assures me (as I'm sure the owners) that there is, indeed, a need for this type of shop on the front range and in the metro area.

Bella Ciao Corvo Citta Donna
*Image from Bella Ciao

I had read about a week ago that Bella Ciao is being sold at Mindful Bike, and was already aware that they're selling a variety of other bikes. When I arrived the store was minimally stocked with Linus and Bobbin bicycles - nothing wrong with that at all, but just not the variety I was looking forward to seeing (and riding). I decided that the Linus bikes were a nice looking bunch on my last visit, but this time thought it was time for a test ride. I tried out the Mixte 3 version, as well as the Dutchi 3, expecting that they would ride much like Public Bikes. I didn't find that to be the case, however.

I am aware of several people who own Linus Bikes and really love them, so I expected that, at minimum, I would find them to be a definite contender for the city bike replacement. I love that their prices are in a more affordable range for many people, and the styling is very sleek so I fully expected to take off as soon as I started pedaling. Again, this was not really the case.

Linus Bike, Mixte 3
*Image from Linus Bike

Starting with the Mixte 3, the styling on this bike is quite nice. It really does have the look of a mid-century French bike that's been updated for the 21st century. It is not fully lugged (not that I would expect to see lugs on a sub-$700 bike), but the 8 speed version is partially lugged for a bit more money. I love that the Mixte 3 comes equipped with a 3-speed internal hub, rear rack and bell, making it pretty functional from the moment you ride out the door. The Mixte 3 comes in one size (49cm) which is intended to be a nice middle ground for everyone to be able to ride. Personally, I found it to be a bit stretched for my just shy of 5'4" height, and even just riding it a few blocks I began to feel a kind of pain/numbing in my lower elbows from the stretch. This could simply be personal preferences or incorrect set up for the test ride, as Sam also rode the mixte and didn't have the same sensation. Regardless, I don't think any cyclist would buy a bike that caused pain on such a short ride.

Linus Bike, Mixte 8
*Image from Linus Bike

As for the ride quality, I would say it rode okay. I left the test ride with a "meh" feeling - meaning that it is a functional bike, and a good price, but it just wasn't as fast or agile as I expected it to be. Had I never ridden or owned other city bikes, I'm sure it would be a fine selection, but even comparing it to our Public Bikes, I would choose those again any day over the Linus. The Linus almost felt as though I just couldn't pick up any speed, and the sleek looks did not correlate to a quick ride, which I found disappointing. Perhaps the Mixte 8 (unavailable on our visit) would ride differently? The two models are made of different grades of material (Mixte 3= hi tensile steel; Mixte 8=4130 chromoly), but I just don't see that making a huge difference in the feel of the ride. Though admittedly, I could be wrong.

Linus Bike, Dutchi 3
*Image from Linus Bike

The Dutchi 3 test ride, sadly, wasn't any better. In fact, I would say that if I had to choose between the two, I would opt for the mixte version over the loop frame version, even with the elbow pain. The differences in the ride were astounding to me. One of the big differences is that the Dutchi 3 model I rode had 26" wheels, rather than 700c, which caused a feeling of spinning rather than covering any ground. I am absolutely not a hill climber, and I purposefully took the bike up some fairly steep hills, but I never left 3rd gear. This tells me that the bike just isn't geared properly. It would be perfect if a person lived in a very hilly area, but on flat lands it was frustrating to just spin. The crank is also a 165, which I think added to this spinning feeling while riding. Perhaps a longer crank arm could help this? I should also say that the Dutchi model comes in two sizes: 43cm and 45cm. The larger model (unavailable on my visit) has 700c wheels, so perhaps it would've made enough of a difference to lessen the constantly spinning wheels.

Linus Bike, Dutchi 8
*Image from Linus Bike

The Dutchi 3 comes equipped similarly to the Mixte 3 model, but one thing I did prefer on the Dutchi 3 is that it comes standard with a chainguard. If a person is going to ride this in every day clothes (which would be its purpose for me), I find that a chainguard makes this much easier to do. The Dutchi also comes in an 8 speed version. Neither of these models are lugged, and the Dutchi 8 comes in the 45cm size only, having the 700c wheels. Again, it's difficult to have an opinion since I was unable to ride it, but I suspect that it could ride better with the larger wheels.

I left the shop after both test rides thinking that each bike is acceptable, but I don't believe they are something I would personally choose to purchase. Of course, as with any opinion on ride quality, there are factors to consider. I've owned Pashley's in the past that were much heavier and had a more solid feeling. These Linus Bikes were nothing like the Pashley models. I've also owned 70s step-through Raleigh's which were much quicker and racier in feel. Again, the Linus Bikes feel nothing like these either. As indicated above, I cannot even compare them to the Public Bike options, as those had a completely different feel as well. If you have the ability to test ride these for yourself, I would recommend doing so, as it will likely provide answers for personal ride style, wants, and needs. I would say they are worth trying out. After all, I've taken rides on bikes that others simply despised and absolutely loved them, and vice versa. As for me, I'm opting to remain city bike-less for the time being... so, the hunt continues.

World Bicycle Relief Fundraiser

When I read today that Barb of Bike Style Spokane is trying to raise money for World Bicycle Relief, I couldn't help but think that she's had a wonderful idea. While I don't necessarily have tons of money to donate myself, Barb points out that of the over 600 women bike bloggers she has on her pretty comprehensive list, if only 60 of those raised $134 for this cause, the total would be over $8,000. How incredible!

To provide a bit about World Bicycle Relief directly from their website...
WBR is "dedicated to providing access to independence and livelihood through the power of bicycles.  Founded by SRAM Corporation in 2005 and supported by leaders in the bicycle industry, World Bicycle Relief specializes in large-scale, comprehensive bicycle programs by providing supply chain management, technical knowledge and logistics expertise to poverty relief and disaster recovery initiatives. Compared to walking, bicycles represent an enormous leap in productivity and access to healthcare, education and economic development opportunities. The simple, sustainable nature of bicycles empowers individuals, their families and their communities."

This is an opportunity to make a difference (possibly, completely life-altering) in someone's life for a very small amount of money. Curious about what else World Bicycle Relief is, does, and how you can help? Just take a few minutes to look at the videos linked by Barb here, and if you have the means, even to donate just a small amount, please do. To donate directly, please go to the team page here. If you'd like to join the team fundraiser, you can also do that at the top of the donation page.

Please help spread the word, and if you are a blogger yourself, consider linking or even posting about this fundraiser.

A City Bike: To Build or to Buy

Recently, I posed a question asking whether the color of a bicycle plays a role in a decision to buy a bicycle. I am always genuinely curious what leads a person to select one bicycle over another, and I'm in a bit of a quandary myself at the present. I am presently city bike-less, and I don't like it. It's been a constant in my life for several years now, and not having one makes me feel as though something is missing.

*RAL color chart

In order to remedy the situation, I, of course, have started the hunt for a bike to fill the void. It seems that my criteria have shifted slightly from my very first upright bike, but much remains the same. This bike will primarily be used around town, for sub-10 mile round trip rides. For the most part, it will be used during daylight hours, and it needs to be able to carry a couple bags of groceries or anything I might be picking up around town. While these needs/requirements leave a wide open choice in bikes, I know that my visual preferences will certainly play a large role in the bike selection process.

Former Pashley Princess Sovereign

Something struck me the other day though, and I thought perhaps I should refurbish and build up a bike from the plethora of options of 60s-80s loop or mixte frame bikes. I got excited about the idea of being able to re-paint the frame a color that I'd love, put modern components on it including an internal hub, lighter wheels, and so on. I began to immediately imagine what this "vintage" bike could become. It was exciting, and in some ways, a very enticing prospect.

Former would-be Schwinn project - never quite became a project and was sold instead

Then, the practical side of me decided to become part of the conversation and I realized the costs and time involved with a project like this. First, I have to find the frame or bike, have the frame/fork painted, likely replace the wheels, tires and tubes. Then there are other pieces, such as replacing a rusty chain, perhaps having to find a new crank, switching out a derailleur for an internal hub, and so the list grows. When I sat down and added it up, potentially, I could be looking at a cost between $600-800. Really? Holy cow, that's a lot of money to re-make an old bicycle! It could be done slightly cheaper, but I also know what happens with these projects and whatever amount you think it will be, you have to add 10-25% for those unexpected costs.

*Image from Abici

I began to think of the number of bicycles on the market that are sub-$800, and realized there are so many choices out there. No, I'm not going to find a Dutch bicycle, the Abici Granturismo is off the list, and the Velorbis Scrap Deluxe is certainly not falling into this self-imposed price range, but there are definitely options out there. Linus bikes come to mind, of course Public, and there are others that certainly easily fall onto this list.

There are pros and cons to both sides of this coin. Building up a bike myself allows me to completely decide what will be on the bike. I can obsess and be nit-picky about every little detail. Of course, this freedom of choice comes at a cost. Sometimes my picks aren't the best for a specific bike and I end up having to sell parts and re-purchase, or sometimes the fit isn't quite right. I can't change what an older frame is, after all, so if I end up not liking the ride, there are a limited number of things I can do to change that. There's also the time involved with building a bike up. It could be completed within a couple of months, but the reality is that I am more likely looking at a 6-9 month project. Do I want to wait that long for a city bike?

Rebuilt bicycle purchased in 2001 - a $25 find!

When buying a bike already built, there is the option to walk away without purchasing when the fit isn't right, doesn't feel good, and the like, whereas I don't necessarily know what the fit will be if I find just a frame/fork from a vintage bike. There's no wait time with a whole bike purchase. I can virtually buy the bike, get it home, and start riding. It also means that I don't have the same choice with color options (though it can still be repainted), or components, etc.

Deciding how important each of these factors are will certainly help to make the decision a bit easier, or sway me one direction or another. There are also other options in-between the two, such as simply finding an older bike and just cleaning it up, rather than completely overhauling it, or finding a newer bike on e-Bay or Craigslist at a better price. If given the choice and having the technical know-how necessary, what would you do? Would you rather build from the ground up, reuse something that would likely be discarded, and make it whole, or would you prefer to keep your hands out of the process and purchase a bike ready to ride and make changes as you get to know the bike?

Hunt for Saddlebags: Rivendell's Brand V Review

Soon after picking up the Surly Pacer, I realized that not having racks or bags at all on the bike was going to be an issue. I wanted to keep it stripped down as much as possible, but I also need to be able to carry some things with me (like a patch kit, a tool, and so on). I wanted something that was large enough to actually hold a few items, but not so large that I'd throw everything into it (as I tend to do with my Carradice bag on the Hillborne) and weigh it down.

I had a few adventures to local bike shops, trying to locate an appropriate saddlebag. Most of what I found were bags on the small side. Certainly, they would house a tool and patch kit, but I was hoping to find something that, if I should desire, would also hold my wallet, my phone, keys, lights, or small items of that nature. They were all, in my opinion, odd shapes, and I couldn't imagine fitting all of the things I wanted in these bags. I know many who use them and are quite happy, but I was determined to find what I was looking for... enter Rivendell's Brand V saddlebag.

The dimensions of this bag (8"L x 5"W x 4.5"T) seemed perfect for my needs. Small, but not overly so, and large enough to fit everything I need to fit into a bag while riding. The canvas material is tough and sturdy, and the zipper closure is perfect to keep things contained inside.

The bag contains no leather or other animal products, so it's considered vegan (obviously, this isn't a huge issue for me, as I do have leather saddles, but I prefer to save the animals when possible). The attachments to the seat post and saddle are made of velcro. Rivendell has some specific and lengthy instructions for attaching the velcro which worried me some, but it turns out that it works perfectly and there was no need for concern.

Typical contents of the Brand V saddlebag

The neutral color is also appealing to me. I have found that most bags I've seen are either black, or bright colors/super girly... all of which are fun and great options, but I really wanted it to blend more than stand out.

Attaching the bike taillight is a snap

One of my favorite features (because I lack a rear rack on this bike) is the small strip on the zipper cover of this bag. It allows a taillight with a clip to be slid through and held in place. It's been a great asset on rides in the dark, allowing me to be seen easily, even with the bag covering the seat post. There's also a reflective strip on the back of this bag, allowing for extra illumination when car headlight hit the rear of the bag.

I will admit that the cost of this bag is a bit much, particularly when compared to other locally found saddlebags in the $15-40 price range. But, I had a gift certificate to use at Rivdendell, and even had I not, I think it is worth the price (which I just noted actually went up to $65 recently with Rivendell's 'across the board' increase in prices). I believe the bag will be long lasting, and it's definitely doing what I need it to do.  I'm impressed with it's durability and structure, as it seems to create the best use of space. I should also note that for those who ride smaller frame bikes (as I do), there is no issue with the bag dragging on the rear wheel, as is the case with some larger saddlebags. The bike pictured is a 46cm frame with 700c wheels and you can see that there is still clearance (not much-about an inch or so-but enough).

I'm pleased with this bag, and other than my concerns with the cost, I am extremely happy with its functionality. I would definitely purchase it again.

Save Me from Myself: Cut the Hair, or Let it Grow

With all that's going on in the world, I realize hair is the last thing I should be worried about, but I'm posting this anyway. I've been pondering cutting my hair (I know, not life altering, but it's on my mind). I cut it off quite short several years ago and then went back and forth with growing it out and cutting it off for a few years. About 2 years ago, I decided to just let it grow and it's been doing so with trimmings and couple inch off haircuts since then. I know it's just hair, and it always grows back, but I thought I'd get opinions. Should I let it keep growing, or should I cut it off again?

The 2nd and 3rd pictures aren't exactly fair, as I have no make up on in the "longer hair" shots

Here's where my dilemma comes into play. Having it longer I can easily pull it back (which I often do as illustrated above). The problem is, since I can pull it back, that is what I'll do 85% of the time. Then I look sloppy and unkempt, which is fine when I'm puttering around the house, but I do have to leave the abode. I like the versatility of long hair, but having curly hair (which isn't as curly in the pics as it actually can be) is a real pain in the rear, and having thick, curly hair - well, that's not so fabulous either. It can look better than it does in the pictures above, but it usually doesn't as I don't take the time with it. When it's shorter, I can get away with doing very little and still have it look okay... however, growing it out again is nothing short of torture, when I decide I've had enough of the shorter do. So, if you're willing, I'm looking for usable input. I'll even make it easy with a poll, or feel free to leave thoughts in comments. Thanks in advance!

Does the Color of Your Bike Matter?

My unofficial, official poll today asks the question, does the color of your bike matter?  I have known individuals who would never, ever purchase a bike if it was the wrong color (meaning one they didn't prefer, as I don't know that there can actually be a "wrong" color), and others who could care less. For those individuals, the bike could be nearly rusted away, but as long as it functioned, the color carries no weight in a decision for purchasing.

The Pacer didn't come in the color I wanted, but a paint job in the future is always a possibility.

Our household is slightly divided, but I think both of us fall somewhere in between the two extremes. While I would never buy a bicycle based solely on color, I have to admit that the aesthetics of a bike, including its color, definitely play a large role in whether or not I'll plunk down the dough. Somehow though, I never seem to actually get the color of bike I want on the bike I need (or want, depending how you view it). There are just certain colors that I find more appealing than others, and it's difficult for me to let go of it once it's in my head.

Sam's Bianchi Brava, rusting out - Love the Bianchi Celeste color though!

So, I'm curious about others. Is your bike the color you wanted, or did you take what you found because you liked the bike? Does color even matter to you? Did color or some other (relatively) easy to change item detour you from a certain bike? Feel free to discuss and/or take the poll.

Gone to the Birds

"Your reflective, open-ended approach to life produces far more questions than answers."

Pigeons in progress... and this process is never ending, I swear. It's also how I spend most of my time these days.

In case you're wondering, no, the above statement is not a fortune cookie or a psychics' prediction. This is the last line of a short synopsis I recently read about myself, or more accurately, my personality type. I really couldn't help but identify with the statement, particularly in recent weeks (though it's always true). Truly, I seem to have gone into introspection mode, and I find that often means I don't write as much (oddly). I spend a lot of time thinking, pondering, wondering, reading... all of which (generally speaking) leads to nothing good or, perhaps more importantly, nothing productive.

One of my favorite pigeons in progress... s/he has the most interesting/inquisitive look on his/her face

No profound or eureka moments seem to come from these times of thinking, but I believe it's important for me to go through them. They are the times that allow me to regroup and understand my place in the world, where I want to be, where I'm headed, and the like. What does this have to do with bicycles, or even art? Nothing, and everything.

I am a thinker, and always have been. Even when it seems as though there's nothing going on, the hamster wheel is always turning. I think more than I should, and spend far too much time concerned with what others think of me, what I've said (or not said), or reacting to situations that really don't affect me on any sort of personal or professional level. I easily lose myself in thoughts that lead to other thoughts, which lead to completely unrelated topics, and I can quite easily lose an entire day in the bat of an eye. Literally.

It starts out rather innocently. For example, let's say I'm just reading in the morning to see what other bloggers have posted (have to keep up on these things, you know). I read something that sparks my interest, let's say for illustration purposes here, it's about a bicycle I've never heard of prior to that post. So, I start looking into said bicycle, and it turns out this bicycle is manufactured in (again for illustrative purposes only) Ethiopia. Reading the word "Ethiopia" reminds me of my Art of Africa course, which reminds me that I have a mid term approaching in the next few days and that I should likely be studying instead of reading blogs and researching bicycles. Thinking about classes reminds me that I'm unsure of what I'm going to do when I'm out of school in the next several months, so I start researching career possibilities for my "type" of personality. What do others do who are like me? Are they happy in their career? Should I be getting a teaching credential? Am I the "teacher" type? Will that exhaust me and leave me feeling unfulfilled. I've worked at schools/colleges in the past, so I know the drill. Can I stand up to the "powers" and be the best teacher possible? Reading about burnt out teachers leads me to think I should be in business for myself, but what kind of business? Where would that money come from? What happens when it fails and I have student loans, and on top of it a business loan to repay? New businesses generally require at minimum a couple of years to even turn a profit. Maybe I need to go to grad school? I always wanted to study law, or history, or psychology, or geology and geography. Which reminds me of the earth, which reminds me of bicycles. Maybe I should make bicycle accessories? Maybe I should finally start that wool line for all sizes that I keep looking for to no avail?  And so it goes. My mind wanders, and time flies by leaving me with even more to accomplish and no time to get it all done. While I am aware I need these days, I'm still upset when I know that an entire day has gone by and little to nothing has been accomplished.

Why am I sharing this? I can't really say, other than I'm trying to figure some things out, and posts seem to slow during these times. I'll be out of my funk introspection period soon enough, but until then, please bear with me and know that bicycles are always on my mind (and staring at me from across the room, calling to me to come and ride). Hope you're out enjoying this gorgeous season on your own two wheels!