More Birdy love:

All winter, I've been commuting on full-size bikes. Because no one seems to make a 18" studded tire. Bike from home to the bus, lock up there; beater lockup bike on the work end to get from the bus station to the office.

We're finally into weather which doesn't threaten ice overnight, so this week, I've been back to commuting on the Birdy.

Funny, when I'm not riding, it, I find all kinds of "faults" which need to be addressed, maybe consider a different folder. Then when I'm riding it, I think nothing but, "Wow, what a great bike!"

And everyone loves it! Non bike riders seem a bit surly when I'm riding a hybrid/mountain/road bike, but on the Birdy? Nothing by compliments. The bus crews like it because they don't have to manhandle a full size bike and it takes up less space than some suitcases they have to deal with. Certainly weighs less than most luggage, and they are happy to let me toss it underneath in cargo and retrieve it.

Aside from that, admiring stares and curious questions from other bus riders. Yesterday, there was a group of elderly travelers, probably in their 80s at the station, and they were extremely curious about it, thought it was one of the neatest things they've seen recently. Cruising through lower income neighborhood, some kid yells out "Dude! Sick bike -- I totally love that bike!"

With the older folks, I think it's about the novelty and courtesy -- not intruding into their consciousness with a full size bike. With the young-uns... I actually think it's the suspension that does the trick, like they see it as a weird BMX full suspension bike or something.

In any case, now that I'm riding it regularly again, back in love with my Birdy!