Bye, bye Mrs. Gale

She went off to her very happy new owner this week.  Ride long and well!

Mrs. Gale is For Sale

As much as it pains me to say it, I'm selling Mrs. Gale.  She's such a beautiful bike, building her was such a fun experience and I love her to pieces; and because of this love I want her ridden and not hanging in the garage waiting for her all too infrequent days in the sun.

Here are the details:
Gorgeous early 80's mixte made by Nishiki and recently converted to a single speed.  All dressed up with new components! She has a new sprung Brooks saddle, newsingle speed wheels (with flip-flop hub), new chain, new pedals, new coordinating cork grips and a new Wald basket which has been customized with coordinating wood slats.


In all reality, since completing her she's been only been ridden about 20 times.  The garage is packed so full of bikes, she's not going to work for my mother to ride and I just can't stand her to sit.  I'm asking $285 - firm - which is less than I put into her.

I will seriously consider a trade for a newer model, very-low step through, geared bike.  Something along the lines of an Electra Townie, Raleigh Circa or other newer model low step through. Grandma needs a bike and Mrs. Gale's step through height is a bit too high.

Mrs. Gale at the Mixte Gallery

 

Read her story here - The Mixte Gallery

Lookin' Odd but Feelin' Good

I've really been struggling with Mrs. Gale.  She's an absolutely beautiful bike but she's simply not that comfortable.   I've ridden her on short rides under five miles and longer rides around 25 miles and it's all the same, just awkward.  So last night I decided to do something that I knew would look odd but that might make her more comfy.  I flipped her north road style bars, a set-up I love on Irene (another older mixte.)
After a minor seat adjustment, the seas parted, the fog lifted and the ride was like a dream!  She simply wasn't mean to be an upright bike I guess.

Perhaps I'll add a rack and move the basket to the back?  We'll see.  While this look is odd I kind of like it....definitely unique!  I'm still contemplating those fenders.

Out on a test ride to pick up a few essentials - beer, hard cider and, umm, eggs.

Bike Date!

Since the Bike Date activity on LGRAB 1, we vowed that all our dates this summer will be on bikes.  Last night the kids rather unexpectedly both ended up at sleepovers....AND I had my review at work this week (which was fantastic) AND I got some very good news about another churning thing so I was in the mood to celebrate.

So, The Baker and I headed out in search of yummy eats.  Our original intent was to head downtown and just ride around until we saw something that tickled our fancy, but somewhere along the way The Baker uttered the word "sushi" and I was done....

A Fantastic Holiday Weekend

I could go on and on about how thankful I am about choosing to go home for the weekend but instead, I think I'll just post a few pics from an amazing "last trip home."  Yes, there will be more trips for the move but this is the last where my childhood home will look like it always has.  We have plans to do an annual camping trip back as a family after mom moves.  Look.....--->

Decorate Your Bike x 2 - Lovely Sunday Ride

Today was the second Lovely Sunday Ride (pics at the link.)  And as I waited for one of the lovely riders to get to my house I decided to decorate Mrs. Gale with some treats from my flower garden. 

Read about the Lovely Sunday Ride here!

Does Mrs. Gale Need Fenders?

If so, she'd get these beautiful Honjo Le Paon fenders from VO:

I'm so conflicted!  I think she'd look amazing with these beauties however, I really like the simple elegance that she has without fenders.  Both Irene and Vivian have fenders so when it's sloppy out I have two bikes I can choose from.  Giving her fenders would be purely for looks.  Thoughts?

Mom and Daughter Commute

Friday is typically the day I work my way through the stack of stuff that has gathered on my desk over the course of a very busy week.  My kids know that Fridays are sometimes a good day for them to come to work for me for a few hours.  Today B2 joined me for my work commute and a little mom and daughter time. 

I'd like you to meet Mrs.Gale.

She came to us a nameless, twenty dollar mishmash of parts courtesy of craigslist.  Her derailleurs had seen better days, she had two front wheels and her seat was a mess.  But her patina was beautiful and she had so much promise!