Mrs. Irene Fenderbottom's gettin' a make-over!

I've been craving a new mixte.  Not just new to me, which is the case with most of my bikes, but something with new technology and looks.  With the departure of Mrs. Gale I've decided to completely revamp Irene.  Her frame is in excellent shape and is exceptionally comfortable for me.  She's going to be reborn as a three-speed with new wheels, drivetrain, saddle, etc. and more than likely a new color.  

I don't even know where to begin with the project so suggestions are welcomed, especially for the wheels since that's where it's really all going to begin.  She has 27" wheels so I'm not even sure what all my options are?  My goal is for a quick, comfortable around town bike. 

An Extremely Lovely Sunday Ride

This week's Lovely Sunday Ride, and entry into LGRAB round 3,  featured the Highland's Neighborhood of Denver.  The townsite of Highland was laid out in December 1858 by William Larimer, Jr., who the previous month had founded Denver City.  In 1859 the Highland town company formed, and a Platte River bridge was planned to connect to Auraria and Denver. The Rocky Mountain News noted:

"No more handsome location for residences can be found than on the highlands of Highland, on the opposite side of the river from and overlooking Auraria and Denver, and a vast extent of surrounding territory."

After the May 1864 flood wiped out parts of Denver, new people moved up the hill to the west. The Fifteenth Street Bridge made the western hills accessible and as the years passed streetcars made the area even easier to reach.

From my house to Highland Park, where we met, it was approximately seven miles, only the last two or so were straight up hill so it wasn't bad at all.  We meandered through the neighborhood for about an hour...

Getting to Know Irene

Irene Fenderbottom, my early 70's Raleigh mixte is proving to be a delightful bike.  I've now taken her for several short rides around town to do errands and today I rode her to work.   I'm so pleased with my decision to flip her handlebars. It gives her a touch of sportiness that matches her ride nicely.  She's responsive and literally glides down the street.  Her 52-18 gearing is proving to be just right. 

My original intention with her was for a rainy day bike. 

The Day Could Not Have Been Better!

Started out with a little bike ride. 

With B1 bein' all tricky 'n stuff.

Name That Bike

I asked my facebook friends for naming suggestions for the rainy day bike.  Here's the list:

• Shed - From OW - Because it looks like the bike in my parents shed from like 30 years ago that they bought at the Denver Spoke (no longer in business).
• Stormy
• Jane
• Jenny
• Jeannie
• Doris
• Dinah
• Nellie
• Alice
• Nells
• Mrs. Fenderbottom
• Miss Lucy
• Bonnie
• Prudence
• Raynebow Skye < snickersnort >
• Irena - OW's mother's name
• Sarah Irene -What my dad always called by bff, suggested by my bff.
• Jenny

I took her for a longer ride this afternoon, and by longer I mean just barely further than around the block.  She needed new brake pads and of course I rode over to the Park Hill Bike Depot, my favorite bike shop/coop.

 I'll write more about the Depot at another time but in brief, it's a small non-profit where I serve on the Board of Directors.  We work with a mission to increase opportunities for healthy living through cycling.  We have a fully operational professional bike shop as well as a fix-your-bike and volunteer run shop and each year we put hundreds, upon hundreds of refurbished bikes back into the community through various programs.

Anyhoo...it was a good opportunity to feel her ride.  I'm thinking she rides a lot like a Mrs. Irene Fenderbottom.  She's got classic looks, a smooth ride and just a touch of feisty personality with those flipped bars.  So that's it, the rainy day bike is officially named Mrs. Irene Fenderbottom.  I'm sure Vivian, Mrs. Gale and The Lowrider will be pleased.

Rainy Day Bike - pt 2

The rain today inspired me to finish up my rainy day bike.  We had a hectic morning which included an early event at the kids' school, a misunderstanding between us and reality, me loosing track of time and having to high tail it by foot from the school to my office to catch a 9am meeting.  Luckily it's only six blocks and through the park a bit.  Anyway, I hadn't been on a bike today and was feeling the need to do something bikey.