I shared this story on another reply on another thread, but my story needs to be shared here since it's relatable. After years off my bike and commuting, I decided to start up again. Over the winter I totally rebuilt my single speed Klunker for commuting since I used to commute on it before. I figure with my busy schedule doing an 11 mile round trip daily commute would be the only way to get any time in the saddle.............



I put a lot of time redoing the bearings, repacking the coaster brake, front hub, stem, and crank bearings. I upgraded the saddle, pedals, bars, and a bunch of other small upgrades. I even gutted an old BMX Shimano coaster brake wheel and all the internals replaced the Falcon coaster brake on the 26" Huffy wheel. What a HUGE difference in braking performance. Here is the issue I ran into. I have a truck that I only drive in the winter and when needed. My daily driver is actually 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback. I consider myself a smart guy, but did not realize in order to fit my bike in my car I would have to remove BOTH wheels AND the handlebars. That would be too much trouble twice a day. A new hitch and bike rack would run me like $300+ to haul the bike. I cannot use a conventional hatch rack on this car because of the rear spoiler. Note the pic of the car......



My truck gets awful fuel milage and I am not loading a 40+ lb Huffy in the bed of my truck twice a day. I had to come up with something. I started searching folding bikes on Marketplace and stole a 2019 Zizzo Campo folder for $100 and a handshake. I did not have to do any work to the folding bike and it fit right in the back of my little hatchback with little effort. Looks like I am all set!



OK so the folding bike was fine so just needed lights and a new saddle. I rode it around a little bit and it rides nice, but handling van get sketchy, but that's probably just me. Let us fast forward to this week. I have yet to commute on any bike this year. My new to me commuter has been folded up in the back of my car since the 1st of April. The weather around here sucks! I had two possible days to commute this week and that was Tuesday and Wednesday this week. I work Tuesday through Saturday every week. Unfortunately on Tuesday I had to take my truck to work to drop off my used tires, used oil, and scrap I accumulated in the shop over winter. While I had the truck at work I decided to load up my Huffy Klunker and bring it home finally.

I checked the forecast and it looked like Wednesday was the first and best day to commute to work! I already lost Tuesday and was not going to miss out on the only last nice day for the week with more rain and storms coming. I went to bed early to get ready for my first commute. I couldn't sleep though since my brain wouldn't shut up. I get up and get ready for my 16 mile drive to town to where my wife works and get my coffee. Here is where I park the car and would ride the bike 5.5 miles to my work and then 5.5 miles back daily. Please note I haven't even ridden any of my bikes much for the last six years. I used to do this same commute from 2014 to 2020.

Wait for it...........
*phone starts ringing* - Wifey calling from work says - "Hey Johnny. Since you got the truck, could you bring our large canopy tent to the store so my boss can borrow it for a party they are having?"

Well, the large canopy tent won't fit in my little car unless I remove the Zizzo from the back, fold the rf and rear seats and squeeze it in. The Huffy was already in the truck. I grabbed the headlight, tail light, commuter bag, and took the truck. Unloaded the tent. Got my coffee. Saddled up the Klunker and finally commuted to work after all this time. My ride is mostly flat, but I totally felt every hill and gust of wind. I was actually feeling good! Even with a single speed I did great. So great I extended my ride to the local dollar store and then to work for a total of 8.7 miles.......




The weather already went to crap and looks like Wednesday will be my first commute on the Zizzo. Might be nice to have some gears! My first commute was brutal on a single speed, but I still loved every second of it. Especially the ride home. Wish me luck!