tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post644665166558199863..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: What Is a Girl to Ride?Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-48448951396117023702010-09-15T07:43:25.229-04:002010-09-15T07:43:25.229-04:00Thanks for the suggestion! No, I hadn't tried ...Thanks for the suggestion! No, I hadn't tried that yet. Does mounting the lights low on the bike (closer to the road) help as well?Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08236210810344032312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-32350184111942192982010-09-12T21:11:50.869-04:002010-09-12T21:11:50.869-04:00Regardless of what bike you end up taking you are ...Regardless of what bike you end up taking you are probably going to have such a marvelous time that we'll all be sick hearing about it. Today I was daydreaming about doing something similar after reading this post last evening and it makes me want to go spend a few days spinning around somewhere quiet and beautiful. <br /><br />Have a great time, ride your bikes and eat well, drink well and tell us all about it.<br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-28248623378549555922010-09-12T09:58:08.607-04:002010-09-12T09:58:08.607-04:00In the book history world, BSO stands for 'boo...In the book history world, BSO stands for 'book shaped object'. Like one of those books with the pages cut out in the exact shape to store a gun, or a whiskey bottle, or what have you.Blumenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-6493038687949420642010-09-12T00:55:29.262-04:002010-09-12T00:55:29.262-04:00Or an EleanorOr an EleanorErin Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01051288210007789595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81298613775609652882010-09-12T00:54:26.108-04:002010-09-12T00:54:26.108-04:00That mixte looks like a SylviaThat mixte looks like a SylviaErin Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01051288210007789595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21154854844178628082010-09-11T20:13:01.186-04:002010-09-11T20:13:01.186-04:00so who was the lucky bike??!!so who was the lucky bike??!!somervillainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13903377050982678550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-11310126410738917302010-09-11T16:31:58.807-04:002010-09-11T16:31:58.807-04:00Amy - The thing to do is to install 2 headlights, ...Amy - The thing to do is to install 2 headlights, and point one straight ahead and the other down at the road. Have you tried that?<br /><br />phillippe - done!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21379091323147305662010-09-11T16:28:23.600-04:002010-09-11T16:28:23.600-04:00I'd go with the Trek, with the addition of a $...I'd go with the Trek, with the addition of a $35 headlight and a cheap red blinkie from Wal Mart on the back. I commuted for a year with a setup like that, and it worked well. It'd take about a week for the headlight to get dim enough to be nerve-wracking, and the tail light is still on the original batteries that I installed two years ago. BTW, I run both of them in solid-state beams and had a commute that took about 30 minutes.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464331017299038485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-32791179058975754672010-09-11T16:23:38.724-04:002010-09-11T16:23:38.724-04:00Toss a coin.
Or rent a beach cruiser.
Or, even bet...Toss a coin.<br />Or rent a beach cruiser.<br />Or, even better, sell those bikes, they're driving you nuts. <br />And get a Harley.philippenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-34466236951425313632010-09-11T07:47:21.768-04:002010-09-11T07:47:21.768-04:00I vote for Seymour. It's only for 2 weeks and ...I vote for Seymour. It's only for 2 weeks and you'll enjoy your time there more not worrying about the mixte or Graham. BTW, you mention lighting for dark country roads. Do you have any suggestions for lights that are bright enough to actually SEE the road at night with? This will be my first year riding home from work in the dark, and while the Cateye lights I have are good at making me visible in the dark, they do nothing to help me see whats on the road.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08236210810344032312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59711836667400822922010-09-11T07:09:01.452-04:002010-09-11T07:09:01.452-04:00I spent a week meandering inn-to-inn from Plymouth...I spent a week meandering inn-to-inn from Plymouth to Provincetown this August. I rode my Rivendell Atlantis, parked indoors at night, and took a U-lock for meal and sightseeing stops. No problems.<br /><br />While I was in Provincetown, I just left my bike in my hotel room and walked around town. I wouldn't lock a nice bike to those bike racks crowded with rented beach cruisers. And you can't ride at faster than a walking pace on downtown Commercial street anyway.<br /><br />Have a great trip!Lisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-89765125524827613332010-09-11T01:06:53.475-04:002010-09-11T01:06:53.475-04:00Wow, cape cod! I am lucky to live in a rural area...Wow, cape cod! I am lucky to live in a rural area and barely lock my bike-but bike theft happens. My surly just looks so unassuming compared to the high end road bikes that get stolen, so maybe nobody cares. I'd take the mixte or rivendell and hope all goes well. You could also cover the decals and headbadge. I guess having an all purpose beater bike is a good idea, but then why have such lovely bikes if you can't ride them? Summer is over anyway, so it should be quiet except for Friday nights now right?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21018441557263087632010-09-11T00:21:24.650-04:002010-09-11T00:21:24.650-04:00On one hand, I'd say to take your new mixte. ...On one hand, I'd say to take your new mixte. It would ride best in all of the situations you describe, and it will feel festive to have your new custom bike with you.<br /><br />On the other hand, I'd say to bring Seymour and extra lights. You won't worry about him getting dinged up. Plus, I somehow get the sense that he won't be as much a part of your future as Graham and the mixte will be.Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-61343397842321345372010-09-10T23:33:58.585-04:002010-09-10T23:33:58.585-04:00ha! BSO... i never knew that.ha! BSO... i never knew that.somervillainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13903377050982678550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-33629543794654426412010-09-10T22:45:16.390-04:002010-09-10T22:45:16.390-04:00BSO stands for "bike shaped object". It...BSO stands for "bike shaped object". It's a term some people use to describe bikes that are so badly made that they are practically non-functional.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40100044650660012912010-09-10T22:34:11.825-04:002010-09-10T22:34:11.825-04:00First, whats a BSO? I hope it's not something ...First, whats a BSO? I hope it's not something so patantly obvious that asking will reveal me as the complete poseur that I might really be. But I'm sorta' fixating...I can't even think of anything rude or off-color that it might be...<br /><br />On the subject of what bike to take, I think you should take whatever bike you pictured yourself riding when you daydreamed about going. For most of us that means the best bike we've got. Here's one reason why, I know guys with all sorts of cool vintage sports cars,Jaguars, Porsches,a couple of Ferraris, a 55'300SL Mercedes and one or two 60s Maseratis. The few who actually drive them and make em' work for a living have the best stories, the healthiest attitudes about them and seem to really enjoy them.<br /><br /> The ones who just pay people to polish them, trailer them everywhere and stand around talking about how much they are worth don't look like they're having much fun(not that you do anything like that with your bikes, but you get the point).They also talk crap about the cars they actually drive(which are still so far beyond what I can afford that it makes me sick(jealous?... yeah)). Anyway, the bikes I've had stolen were mostly grabbed from where I lived when I was away...selfishly cheating with other bikes...<br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-52442417726299084552010-09-10T21:42:41.376-04:002010-09-10T21:42:41.376-04:00Take the bike most appropriate for the conditions ...Take the bike most appropriate for the conditions that you will be confortable riding and along with that a Kryptonite U-lock and Kryptonite cable.<br /><br />Leave no easily removable items when locked up. Securely, lock the bike with both locks where the bike is visible in those circumstances where you have to leave the bike. Take the bike in at night.<br /><br />I always use a sturdy Kryptonite U-lock and cable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-91216570948416279892010-09-10T21:21:34.303-04:002010-09-10T21:21:34.303-04:00I really appreciate what G.E. wrote. I'd just ...I really appreciate what G.E. wrote. I'd just take Graham and stop worrying.Herzognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-89316978549290143462010-09-10T20:57:27.984-04:002010-09-10T20:57:27.984-04:00take the new bike!!! hope and pray you will find k...take the new bike!!! hope and pray you will find kind-hearted souls who will let you bring the bike indoors or onto porches, and really enjoy the gorgeous piece of artwork-engineering you have pined over for so long...Patience Meliora Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897974563208566336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40075908661058654712010-09-10T20:49:18.778-04:002010-09-10T20:49:18.778-04:00Seymour and extra batteries.Seymour and extra batteries.Steve Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13650405341304401203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21084044282537589152010-09-10T18:50:03.713-04:002010-09-10T18:50:03.713-04:00I'm not entirely certain this will be helpful,...I'm not entirely certain this will be helpful, and it is, of course, merely an opinion, but I know that this summer, when we went on our camping/biking tour, I was EXTREMELY paranoid about taking the "nice bike" on the trip, so I went the evening before we were leaving in a complete panic, and bought a $100 bicycle (though it wasn't bad and actually worked well - I just wasn't as comfy as I would've been on my bike) off of Craigslist because I was so entirely crazed about the idea of someone scratching my paint or stealing the bike. In retrospect, I should've just taken the bike I was comfortable using. While I know that the paranoia isn't entirely in my head, and that there is the possibility that someone could steal the bike or that it could be damaged, the reality is that over time this will happen anyway (well, hopefully not the theft part, but probably some small damage to the paint, scratches, etc). Personally, I would prefer not to have bicycles that I'm afraid to take with me and ride, and while I want them to stay pretty, and know the cost involved with replacing them, I realize that I can't live in a bubble and protect them from everything out there. I'd much rather be able to ride what I like/want, in comfort, and if I have to take an extra lock, I'm okay with that too. Sometimes when we have things that we've worked so hard for, and invested so much in (both money-wise and time-wise), I think it's difficult to let go of the idea of keeping them in pristine condition. At some point though, cars get scratched, clothes wear out, and unfortunately, bicycles will get scuffs and scratches. <br /><br />I think taking whichever bicycle makes the most sense to you in all your adventures for the time you're residing at the Cape should be the one you take along. Try not to stress yourself out about the many possible scenarios that COULD happen. Live in the moment and enjoy one of the beautiful bikes at your disposal. :o) I do think taking one with lights is probably the best idea though, unless, as has been suggested, you can borrow the lights from one and put it on the one you'd prefer to take along.G.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13429419832660419144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59767491931426447042010-09-10T16:49:00.637-04:002010-09-10T16:49:00.637-04:00Re the idea of "not being deterred from ridin...Re the idea of "not being deterred from riding good bicycles, because otherwise what is the point of getting them"... I mostly agree with this. <br /><br />Last year I took the vintage mixte I used to own for our 2-week stay on the Cape. While being safe to lock up, that bike beat me up so badly on hilly long distance rides that I was unable to cycle every day as I had planned to do. It looked nice in pictures and was zippy on shorter rides, but I would have gotten a lot more cycling out of the trip last year had I owned a bike like the Rivendell. I know for a fact that I can cycle 40-50 miles on the Rivendell day after day, because I have done it. <br /><br />Lights were also a problem last year. On bikes without dynamo lighting, we like to use powerful CatEyes on the front and back. But this was not sufficient for my comfort on pitch black roads that wound alongside cliffs. So if I do take the Trek, I will probably gather all the battery-operated headlights I own from my other bikes and cover it with them for cycling at night.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49656468240066945682010-09-10T16:36:05.632-04:002010-09-10T16:36:05.632-04:00slightly off-topic, but on the maiden voyage of my...slightly off-topic, but on the maiden voyage of my pristine porteur conversion, some careless hack managed to completely buckle my front honjo fender while locked to a bike rack. i'm guessing his quick-release skewer snagged my fender and he just kept yanking his bike to free it. i was shocked and even had thoughts of dropping another $90 to replace the set (can't buy just one), but in the end i just bent it back as best i could, and now there's just a small scar from where the fender folded on itself. the bike had been christened, and it doesn't bother me now. since then the fenders have accumulated additional scars and scratches, and it just adds to the character of a well-loved and ridden bike.<br /><br />so if vandalism/carelessness were the major concern, then the trek with its existing patina and indestructible SKS fenders would be my first choice.somervillainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13903377050982678550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-73344464396613338152010-09-10T16:02:36.110-04:002010-09-10T16:02:36.110-04:00Yeah I mostly worry about things like Honjo fender...Yeah I mostly worry about things like Honjo fenders getting destroyed, paint scratched, something falling or being dragged past the bike. Stuff like that. Most bikes I see in P town are fenderless BSOs and old MTBs, mixed with some old cruisers. I see the same stuff in other beach towns. <br /><br />People are of course well-meaning, but not used to treating bikes (and bikes belonging to others) in an extra careful way.MDIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10810401918223629618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-48686053512882315052010-09-10T15:23:43.770-04:002010-09-10T15:23:43.770-04:00My guess is that vandalism/carelessness will be yo...My guess is that vandalism/carelessness will be your biggest threat. In any event, both the Rivendell and the Royal H. are so specialized and rarified that I can't imagine the average bike thief ever having heard of them. They'd more likely take the Specialized Rockhopper you're parked next to!Richardnoreply@blogger.com