YamacrawJ

Thank you for your warm welcome. Searching out “collapsible bike baskets,” returned a link to your archives, “Dorky Bike.” I laughed my way through that and felt the need to get in on the action. I registered, then spent the next few hours reading about commuter bike maintenance.

I’m a new, casual, fair-weather bike commuter with the zeal of the new convert. I ride from my house to the Park & Ride: 6 miles each way, and if it ever stops raining enough in the Minneapolis area this season, I might be able to go more than twice per week. I bought a ladies Motobécane Nomade ["Made in France" it says on it - in English(!)] for $5.99 at Goodwill. Late 1980s, judging by its 1988 Madison, WI bike license. I touched her pedal and I could tell she wanted to fly. 10 minutes later, I dropped her off at the bike shop and initiated $230 worth of restoration and repair.

I injured my ankle badly last fall. Getting on a bike is part of my own idea for physical therapy to strengthen and loosen up that ankle. I figured I could bike farther than I could walk.

I’ve had great fun tricking her out (or “dorking up” as I learned today from your archive). Folding baskets are on order. I bought an IncrediBell hot pink JelliBell last week. <Tling! Tling!> I’ve already installed a rearview mirror – a retro one from e-Bay, and two clamps and a few extra nuts, bolts, and locking washers later, I’m in business with a mirror that stays put instead of showing me a nice view of the sky.

I appreciate your welcoming, knowledgeable, and funny comments. I’m pursuing getting my hands on Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance and The Art of Urban Cycling per your recommendations.

Thanks, again, for sharing the wealth!

Platy

Yay, a hot pink bell! I thought about getting a sumo wrestler horn but went with an American flag bell instead because it had the classic bike bell sound. The really important question is, hot pink streamers or not? Just kidding. Enjoy your stay here.

Don Gwinn

Cool.

YamacrawJ

Hot pink streamers will be next! Thanks for checking in, Platy and Don. American Flag bell? Too cool! Ride on!