The Bobbin Birdie Flies to Iowa!

I hope that everyone is having a nice Valentine's Day - either celebrating it, ignoring it, or doing something delightfully un-Valentinesy, whatever your persuasion. 

But what will the red Bobbin Birdie be doing, you might ask? She will be spending the evening packing her bags, for soon she will fly to her new human friend in the Midwest. I would like to announce that the winner of the Valentine's Day Give-Away and the recipient of the Birdie is Audrey W., whose submission I repost below:

The photo is a little fuzzy, but a close look reveals details that struck me as both sweet and meaningful. On the right is a picture of a heart shaped wheel in a truing stand. And the poem on the left reads:

"true love

discouraging, tiresome
amassed frustrations
quick release–
escape
restore sanity?

true love, loyal to
youth, to health, to
the beating-
heart

celebrating curves,
bearing pain and
bliss–
eternal"

Though not as sleek in presentation as some of the other entries, the impact of Audrey's card stayed with me, and many readers reported the same effect in their feedback. 

Audrey is involved in the Bike Library in Iowa City, where she and the Birdie should feel right at home as a couple. Please join me in congratulating Audrey on her new bicycle! 

I would like to thank everyone who submitted their poetry and art for this give-away (see the 15 finalists here). Your work brought joy to lots of readers, and I hope there is some satisfaction in that. Thank you also to those who gave feedback about their favourite entries; I read all the comments and they definitely influenced my decision. Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to the fellows at Forth Floor - the North American distributor of Bobbin Bicycles - for sponsoring this give-away with no stipulations or strings attached. As always, thank you everyone for reading, and a lovely evening to all!

Comments

  1. Congratulations Audrey, I hope you and the Bobbin Birdie have many happy miles together!

    Also, Happy Valentine's Day to all the Lovely Bicycle readers out there (and Velouria)!

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    1. We are part of the anti-Valentine's crew, though I still like doing Valentine-themed posts and give-aways : )

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    2. Anti-Valentine's? Say it isn't so! ;-)

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    3. Oh yes. It was a night of pizza and replacing bolts on my fixed gear crankset. Living glamorously.

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  2. Heartfelt congrats to the very deserving winner! I am pleasantly surprised by your choice V!

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  3. I lost the bike, but I won her heart.
    Good contest.
    William B.

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  4. Congratulations Audrey!!!

    This has been my favorite contest here so far, awesome submissions!

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  5. Congratulations, Audrey! It's a beautiful bike for a beautiful Valentine. Your entry rocked!

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  6. Mad props,Audrey! May you enjoy many smile filled miles on your prize,and kudos to The Lovely Bicycle for bringing the opportunity to all,nicely done,good show :)

    The Disabled Cyclist

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  7. I wonder if by any chance she'll do something like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=W-rAv43UFnA

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  8. Great winning valentine. I loved reading about the Bike Library Audrey. I have fond memories of living in Iowa City and riding my 80's Diamondback Ascent Ex purchased from the Ordinary Bike shop. The next time I am in Iowa City I will look for your Bobbin Birdie. It will not be difficult to spot! Beautiful bike.

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  9. Congratulations, Audrey!

    (BTW: In Audrey's original submission, the final line says "never dies." But in the typewritten accompaniment, the final line says "eternal." Just trying to be true to the poem.)

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    1. Hmm an inconsistency for future scholars to speculate about for sure!

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  10. Gosh, somehow I didn't even see this in the original entries, perhaps my computer jumped ahead when scrolling but I think it is wonderful and a worthy winner. Beautiful colours, design, detail- wonderful!

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  11. Audrey seems precious. I'm happy for her!

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  12. Wow the Bike Library looks like a great place. I am happy for the winner!

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  13. Nice choice, and congratulations to Audrey !

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  14. I voted for you Audrey, congrats and I hope you like the bike!

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  15. dear velouria:a big heartfelt thank you! This is a real lift for audrey in more ways than just the fact that she doesn't own a car. Or, until now, a really sweet bike! she works hard to promote bicycling in Iowa! i would like to thank your sponsor also; would that be Forth Floor? many best wishes

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    1. Audrey's Mom! Thank you for stopping by : )

      Yes Forth Floor donated the bike for the give-away, though they are not a sponsor of this blog.

      I hope Audrey enjoys the bicycle!

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  16. Congratulation Audrey!

    I will look for the Birdie the next time I am out that way, probably in the spring.

    Aaron

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