Those weird terms in the post title are Scots language or at least the popular bits from the Scottish Funny Papers (Scottish people will know it’s Broons and Oor Wullie). I’m a Scottish born expat going on half my life in the US. I work on a well known video game franchise for Xbox.

I try to ride at least thirty miles a day in summer and on my recumbent in the basement for the nine months of Seattle rainy drizzly “winter” that usually starts about 4pm October 20th.

I recently got into folding bikes but my main ride is a cannondale Carbon quick 2 - with a stem riser* thanks to a back injury- that and absolutely hating road bikes relative lack of control and flexibility although I’ve happily converted them to flat bars in the past.

I’m still searching for the perfect folding bike and I think I might have found a couple of candidates. I liked traveling with Dahon and Brompton but always felt compromised- and o kept looking for something that folded but didn’t feel like a toy. Early Montague Paratroopers looked close but were heavy and got mixed reviews.


eventually I discovered flatbikes.com - and was shocked to discover they were in a warehouse five minutes from work. Got a “rugged hybrid” that folds easily into a box but uses standard components and 700c wheels. Took that on a bunch of trips here and abroad. felt amazing to be on my own bike in weird locales- exploring Tokyo alleys or Hawaiian forest service roads.

Then I stumbled across the Tern Eclipse- I got the second best model - the p20 since the “x22 blackbird “ was the same bike with some upgraded components. 26 inch wheels and a fantastic folding mechanism- easily faster than the rugged hybrid thanks to the 26 inch rims on Schwalbe Kojaks- although I plan to install some knobby tires for dirt and gravel trails - and it’s GORGEOUS (or weird) looking to the point where I’m guaranteed stares or questions even from haughty $10k Carbon shavers.

I’m switching between the three and each offers something different- the Cannondale does everything from centuries to cinder tracks and rolling forest trails and is uncompromised. The Tern is portable, super fast and eats hills like Pac Man eats dots thanks to the geometry and gearing- and the Rugged Hybrid is permanently folded in its airliner box and ready for emergency travel- haven’t found a bag or case for the Tern yet but if anyone knows of one....

I did have a mint Trek hardtail- forget the model but whatever was $1100 three or four years ago but that’s on permanent loan to a friend in need during the weird Covid bike shortage (which has started to impact the cost and availability of components and gear) and I used that rarely but for more challenging dirt and trails (not too much real mountain biking though).

only recently realized this is on the passion side of hobby and I’m trying to shake off years of bias — and to understand that anything from a clown-unicycle to naked cyclocross uncle is worthy and I’ve narrowed down my negative feelings to just incompetent zero brake fixies who endanger themselves and others - but even then I get it. (Please put a brake on or don’t go through red lights downtown - I don’t mind you getting killed but it creates road rage that gets taken out on others or permanently traumatizes the minivan driver who eventually absorbed your face).

I’ve even given up hope that the three abreast lawyers on $10k carbons will ever use voice signals to pass me at 30 on a family oriented city bike path only to decelerate immediately in front of me to 1mph lower than I was cruising at. I’m at peace with the reality now.

all bikes are good bikes and all cyclists are potentially good people.

I’m getting better at maintenance but mostly by dis and reassembling my cannondale into the Thule airplane box. I’ll never understand tuning derailleurs and I’ll always mess something up. I can now change and repair tires like a nascar pit crew and even carry spares to help newbs with flats on trails if I’m feeling generous - but I’m running out of 28cs and I am not running a charity. Eventually I’m only helping you if it’s a 32c or a 26 inch!

Recently ordered a pair cheap of wellgo dual platform spds with quick release from AliExpress- and hoping to find just the quick release adapter sockets on sale so I can install on all three bikes. I like riding clipped in but want the option for me to wear trail running shoes or loan the bike to regular humans with no cleats.

also using a garmin edge 830 and fighting the temptation to add a varia back light radar because all it’s gonna do is add to my confirmation bias about the $10k Carbon bro’s refusal to voice signal.


my favorite all time rides are San Juan Island coastal loop, Methow Valley community trails and Makena to Lahaina loop on Maui. The last stretch of road from Makena to the lava is a bit bumpy for the Tern tho.

*this makes disassembly to fit in a standard Thule airporter more challenging but I think I’ve figured it out.