Sylvia the Linus Dutchi and her changes Part 1

We got Sylvia on February 24, 2014 after searching for the right bicycle for me for a long time.When we were looking I had a few requirements. It had to be strong enough to carry stuff; it needed a low step through for my knee; it had to be small enough to fit me (I'm a very spritely 5'1"-3" tall. It depends on who measures me and my shoes at the time.) It had to feel right. I didn't want black; most of the bikes around here are black and I wanted a blue bike. Good thing I was flexible on the color!

I rode so many different bikes I almost gave up. I rode Treks, Giants, Birias, Raleighs, Specialized, Schwinns, a Montgomery Ward bike, and other assorted Craigslist contraptions. I rode old ones and new ones. I was beginning to think I would never find the right one for me. Then we heard about this little tiny shop that had just opened up, Transit Cycles. The owner let me take a spin on a black Linus Dutchi and it felt good and I could get on easily and just go, but I hated the grips and the brakes sucked. . Of course, me being me, I had to keep looking.

A few days later we went back and I tried out Sylvia. I didn't like seat or her grips, but the fit felt even better than the black one had. Plus she wasn't black. Duncan was willing to trade the rear rack for a front one and trade out the grips for some black foam ones so we put the deposit down and left her to be adjusted. Two days later the small size is available in blue. Oh well, she was already mine.

A week later we went to get her. On the final test ride to make sure she fit and was adjusted properly I found an old drum set. Her front rack carried home the little drum with no problem and that sealed the deal. She could carry stuff and she liked it!

The oldest picture I could find.

After a few months of riding I really hated the saddle (it pinched and not in a good way!) and my dear husband got me my Brooks. It's a B67s and has been the most comfortable saddle I've ever sat on. Now that it has some miles on it, it just keeps getting better and better. 

After about 4 months I had destroyed the rubber in the pedals she came with. Linus was really nice and offered to replace them, but I said no thanks. I tried some other rubber block pedals, but in less than 2 months they had cracked and were falling apart. I think the weather here just destroys the rubber and I hate plastic pedals. I did some research and ended up getting these bear trap pedals in green. They are nice and wide for my feet and they grip my shoes nicely. The only downside is that they really hurt if they hit you. Someday I hope to have rubber pedals that don't fall apart so fast, but until then these ones rock.

In this configuration she took me to work and on many adventures. Then I outgrew her 3 speeds and we got new wheels with bigger gears from my husband for Christmas. That's when the party really started.

To be continued.......

I hate waiting!

Patience has never been my virtue and I'm currently waiting on two very important things so it's really driving me nuts.
I've had two interviews for the job I really want and now I have to wait until next week to see if I can move forward in the hiring process or if I failed and wasn't chosen. That's crazy making. At least there was a lot of laughter at the peer review, that's a good thing right?
I want Sylvia to be done and home, I hate the waiting to get her back. I have faith that they can get the hub to fit, but I'm still worried. I'm starting to wonder why I thought this was a good idea.
I decided to alleviate my worry by researching other bikes and that's been fun. If I do have to replace her I will probably save my pennies and go the custom route. I don't want to have to look forever again. I wish Linus made 8 speeds in my size.
I just got off the phone with a very nice man who gave me several tips on how to make her better. His website is DBC City Bike Design  and it would take a while, but I do like that he's worked with short people like me before. His Facebook has lots of great pics of bikes they've built as well as some of the neatest dishes. There's also a really great looking coffee table.
I just really hope I don't have to get a new bike and they don't break her by accident. It's taken me a year to get her this way and the thought of starting over sucks.  Well that's enough moping, I have bedding to hand sew for Rory because I killed the electric sewing machine and my treadle has decided that needles are more fun to break and shoot than sew with.
Have fun!

Rory likes his new ball.

Bike Swap Meet

On Sunday we went to the bike swap meet and it was a ton of fun. There were all kinds of bikes and people there. I didn't get many pictures because I was too busy touching every thing and flitting around like a loon. I was looking for a hub dynamo, but no one seemed to have brought one. I think I'll just get one from Duncan once I've saved up. Most vendors didn't take debit and I'm glad we didn't have cash with us or I would have bought stuff. Sylvia got a few compliments and that made my day though.
I'm looking for a camera purse that will fit in my basket so I can take my camera with me. My phone is okay, but after 150 odd miles of no falls I feel comfortable enough to carry my good one again. My current bag is to big and has to go in sideways.

A lot of people were there.

I had a ton of fun walking around with my husband. It was a great adventure to see all the bikes and bits for sale. I wanted one of everything. The best part though was how friendly the people were.

So many cool bike things for sale.

A lot of times when I go in a bike shop they speak over me to my husband. At the swap meet they saw me. It felt good.

Even the sun is up for the fun.

In some places it was slowed down to a crawl due to all the people. I hope the vendors sold a ton and I can't wait for the November one. I will remember to bring cash! It was a great day out though!

He posed for me!

This weekends adventures

On Saturday we decided to go shopping by bike and it worked out great! My husband got me this sweet cooler backpack at Home Depot so now I can carry cold stuff without the melt. The amazing thing is that it fits in all my baskets so it's multi-use. It also matches Sylvia perfectly and came with two six packs of my favorite beverage!
We also hit the Red Wing store for some leather care stuff and Safeway for ice cream and produce. I keep getting amazed by how much she can carry. When will I learn she's magic? It was so much fun that we have decided to do all of our 5 mile shopping by bike together. In that area is Safeway, Walmart, Home Depot, Target, Petsmart, and a ton of other places. I wish there were more local type places though.

It can hold 2 gallons of ice cream and 2 mini watermelons!

I love these benches by the park. They're made with old train wheels.

On Sunday we rode downtown to check out Cyclovia. It's a twice a year thing where they close some streets traffic; peds and bikes can roam around freely. It was definitely an experience! The Netherlands we are not; but I had fun. Tucson cyclists are a lot like Tucson drivers, oblivious to whats going on around them. There were a lot of sudden stops and people would just step out right in front of you with out looking. I almost ran over a lady carrying a small dog, but I missed them.

Just arriving and it's already busy.

There were thousands of bicyclists out there. I didn't know there were that many bikes in the city, and more kept arriving. In some places it was scary fun!

Lots of cruisers were there.

I loved seeing all the families out with the children. The kids seemed to have the most fun, but you had to go super slow so you didn't run over them. I'm so glad Sylvia is so stable and easy to balance!

Happy families of all types were out and about.

A lot of the tents were set up in the middle of the road so you had trouble getting by at intersections. On the plus side I learned I can rice slower than 2 miles an hour and stay upright. That's a feat! Once I got used to the flow it went smoother and was actually enjoyable. We walked the bikes a lot though.

I would love to see this every day!

There was this really cool Bull Bike. It's made of real bones and the parts of three different bikes! It's really massive. The legs are articulated and move when it's pedaled which is creepy cool.

Ghost Rider?

I think it would be scary to see that come up behind you in your mirror! It does have a nice smile though.

Smile and wave!

 It was definitely to big for me to even try to ride.

She looks so tiny next to the beast!

Towards the end of the route I found this really cool mail box. I love cool mailboxes! It's a little church!

It's all metal!

All in all it was a great weekend filled with fun and new experiences. I can't wait to see what next weekend will be like; we're going to the bike swap meet! 

I hope you all had a great weekend too!

Introducing Sylvia

Introducing my new bike! I got her late last month and so far we've been having a ton of fun together. She's a shiny red Linus Dutchi 3 in the small size. The shop I found her at had only just opened in January; I got totally lucky! It's a great little shop called Transit Cycles owned by a wonderful man named Duncan. He was great about switching out the leather grips she came with for cork ones and trading the rear rack she came with for a front one.  I didn't like the feel of the plasticky leather and the rear rack I had on Lucy can carry a lot more than the stock one. I'm really grateful that he was willing to make the changes for me! He even swapped out the brown seat for a black one so it would match. 

On Saturday we get to go in for a check up and I feel a little guilty, but I'm getting a Brooks B67 S saddle for her. So far we've only gone on short rides, but I can't seem to get comfortable on this one. I tried the Terry saddle I had and it was awful. The more upright positioning made it rub in all the wrong places if you know what I mean. Then I tried a Forte saddle that was for upright bikes. It felt like it was punching my bum with every bump. That was FUN! So I put the original saddle back on. I just hope the Brooks works for me.

The only other adjustment I've made so far is the kickstand. The one she came with was too short and felt flimsy. Conan my big kitty rubbed against the bike and she went crashing down. Now I get to find touch up paint, but thankfully no one else was injured. Who knew a 16 year old cat could move that fast. She now has the sturdy kickstand off Lucy and the cats love rubbing on her tires when I get home. 

I also got a new helmet to replace the one I cracked when I fell over on Lucy. 

So far I've been having to much fun riding her and she is my excuse for not blogging like I should. ;)

Lucy Will Be Retiring Soon

Lucy

I've been searching for a new bike this past month. It's been getting harder to swing my leg over Lucy for a while now. It's the full extension at the top of the movement that hurts and if I snap it I feel it. Plus there's the fact that I can only start and stop at a curb or a step or else she gives me a wedgie. Her 17" frame has always been to large for me, but I love her so much.
Since I got my sales job I've only been riding her very sporadically (about once or twice a month) and that laziness definitely adds to the problems when I do mount up. Once we get going though the world is our oyster and I am the pearl. At least until the next stop sign or light. The problems are all me not her. I'm just finally accepting that I need a different kind of bike. It only took me several years.
I'm not sure what to do with her yet. I will be putting her baskets and rack on the new bike when I get it. The fenders will stay on her though.
 I thought about giving her to my sister in law. She loves riding the bike we fixed up for her mom and Lucy would fit her. I just hate the thought of her sitting outside all the time collecting rust and not being cleaned regularly. Lucy loves her bathes. I thought about selling her, but I hate not knowing what happens to her. Yes I have attachment issues, and she's been nothing but loyal to me. I'll probably keep her in the shed wrapped in a sheet until I can figure it out.
She started out as a junk bike that I could park outside while at school and has become a dear and trusted steed. If you know of anyone who would give her the best home let me know.