Today!

Hey Denverites, If you happen to be near the Flagship REI store between 10 and 2pm today, look for the Bike Depot booth, strategically located between the main entrance and that spot where you have to walk to get from the bike path to Starbucks. Yep, we're crafty that way.

The Bike Depot is the place in Denver to do it yourself!  Take a class, donate an old bike or parts, bring your bike in during Fix-Your-Bike hours and have full access to a real live bike shop to make your own repairs and improvements.  Been wanting to build up your dream bike?  The Depot is the place!  Used parts galore and access to every hot new line of goods you can imagine! 

Best part of it all, your contribution to the Depot (bikes, money, membership, volunteer time, spirit) all goes to support access to bikes, bike education and healthy living alternatives for those less fortunate.  The Depot distributes hundreds of bikes each year, with education on how to maintain the bike and ride safely, to people of all ages who otherwise wouldn't have access to a bike.

The Bike Depot
2825 Fairfax
Denver
303-393-1963

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In other news, the Swoopy Mixte is on the Mixte Gallery today!  Go check it out....

The Pannier Gods Looked Down Upon Me and said

"Ye shall have the well used army surplus pannier of your dreams." 

And it was so.....for $2 plus tax.

The light!

A little dirty but I simply couldn't wait to get it on.  It's in the washer now.

It's not actually hooked on yet.  I have an Axiom pannier hook kit I might use or I'll try and utilize some hardware already on the bag if I can find some hooks that will work with them.  I also need to attach some sort of carry strap.  I have a brown strap off another old canvas bag that I might get attached.  I'll need to either take it to a cobbler or find a friend with a super heavy duty sewing machine.

Thanks Ray Linkart (the faded name written inside) for abandoning this bag, thus allowing it to end up in a misc. bin at the Army Surplus off Pecos and the Boulder Turnpike.  I'm grateful.

Almost Done!

The Swoopy One - I'm beginning to think this might be the bike's name.  It's what I just keep using and none of the "people" names are sticking.  Heck, my son was nameless for a week while I tossed names around.  Anyway, The Swoopy One got its new light yesterday.   It looks perfect and works like a charm!

Sorry for the crowded and cluttered repair bench in the photo.  

We couldn't wait!

Now for a bag(s). My Favorite Thrift Store (that's a secret code) is having a 50% off sale for VIP members this weekend. I'm feeling good about this.

Nice Rack

A couple folks emailed asking for a better look at the Swoopy Mixte's rack.  Here you go!  It's lovely, isn't it!

Another Update on the Swoopy One

We're slowly getting this gal all fixed up. I got a beautiful rack from one of the great C&V members on Bike Forums and a light is in transit.


She's been completely disassembled, cleaned and put back together by my wonderful husband, The Baker.

These are NOT the panniers I want to use with this bike but they're what I have for now. I'm on the lookout for something *perfect*. I'll know it when I see it.

Yipee, Skippee, Swoopee Mixtee

I'm on a bike!

The new tires and grips came today so I was finally able to ride my new swoopy mixte.  After a few rounds of routine adjustments (seat, handlebars, etc.) I fell madly and deeply in love.

The tires are Panaracer Col de la Vie and I really like them.  I was considering an all cream tire but since I decided to replace the white grips (which were in bad shape) and white cables all with black, I wanted a tire with black.  They are very similar to the tires that came on the bike.

The back generator light works like a dream.  We have a replacement front light on the way and someone locally has a rack which he thinks will be perfect.  I think I'll also give her a shiny new chain. 

Now, a name.....

Here she isssss, Miss Swoopy Frame Mixteeeeee

I had an appointment this morning and since I biked there I didn't hear the mazillion calls from The Baker.  Fortunately I checked my phone before heading in to see the doc.  He'd found this bike was on CL and he was on his way to pick it up.  (Damn I love CL!) He told me it was exactly the bike I'd been wanting for eons - orange and swoopy.   Not only did he get there before anyone else but the price was quite good for Denver, a high-bike-price town.

By the time he got back to town (it was in a far away 'burb) I was at work so he brought it by my office.  These are the only pics I have as the bike's on the repair stand at the moment. 

Because he rocks, he cleaned and repacked everything that needed cleaning and repacking.  He straightened the fenders and fixed the rear light.  It needs new tires, new grips, new saddle, cables, rack replaced, front generator light replaced and the wheels could use truing.   I think I might replace the handlebars as well.  They're original, but I love the look and feel of a flatter, rounded bar.  We'll see once I get on her for a ride.

More pics after the jump!