As you might have noticed, with the addition of some new rides in our gear lineup, we've been riding our bikes more and more lately, choosing two-wheeled power not just for cruise-around trips to the local park, but for things like
grocery store shopping...
camping...
reading...
having fun...
...and even pizza delivery?!
Right around that good 'ol tax return time, Andy purchased a commute-ready lightweight hybrid bike, with just enough mountain bike suspension and stylin' to make it fun for him to ride. My new one is more of the "station wagon" of bicycles (and as someone who has owned and loved her station wagon, this is a positive thing), an extended frame "longtail" bike equipped with cargo bags, leaving enough room for Alton's child seat, a full grocery store trip, and even (as you see above) an extra-large pizza!
But what about our old bikes, you might ask? Andy's old "mount" was a heavy-framed mountain bike originally owned in high school by his brother Zach, so he used some heavy-duty hooks to hang it from the ceiling of our garage, ready to get muddy and dirty the next time Andy has the opportunity to go mountain biking on a local trail. When I was ready to get my new bike, I tried hard to figure out a way to fit the sweet carryall bags on my old bike, but it was a no-go. When the Portland bike shop owner suggested that I just keep my old bike and get a new one to serve my cargo purposes, I thought she was nuts. Two bikes?! Who owns two bikes?
Well, welcome to Portland, Katie. If I was going to try to bike more and drive less, I soon saw that it made sense to keep my own nimble hybrid bike around for trips when the heavier "mom bike" would be too much (plus, Andy and I agreed that if we sold my old bike secondhand we'd never be able to get as much as it was worth). I was now the proud owner of two awesome rides!
Which brings me back to my birthday gift. Seven years ago, Andy bought me this silver Marin hybrid bike for a birthday gift, back when we were newly engaged and living in California. We would ride together around city streets and country roads for fun and for exercise. Here is what the bike used to look like (photos of me with Alton three years ago, when we'd first purchased his "baby" bike seat in June 2009!):
But my hybrid had also been built to appeal to a wide range of users, including the mountain bike crowd. With straight handlebars that left me slightly hunched over and pedals covered in big pointy plastic spikes (great for muddy shoes on offroad trails, but ready to tear up the skin on my calves every time I accidentally bumped into them while riding around town), I found myself reluctant to ride the old Marin when my new upright cargo bike was so comfortable. Enter Andy, former bike mechanic! For my birthday this year, he pimped my ride, with nice swoopy upright handlebars, smooth, skid-free pedals, soft cork hand grips, a second water bottle cage (two bottles for two riders--now Alton and I don't have to share the same one!), and even a spiffy new bell. Throw in some longer cables to extend the brakes and gears and follow the curves of the new handlebars, and this baby was ready to go! Andy purchased everything a few weeks ago and surprised me, then got to work turnin' wrenches so that my bike makeover was ready in time for my birthday. Can't wait to take her out on the roads! Thank you, sweetie!
Edit: I spoke too soon! Here is my bike with the sweet woven basket that my parents gave me for a birthday gift. Add in the fenders that I'm going to get while shopping with my mother-in-law this weekend, and I think that my sexy city bike is ready to go, ja!
