Fancy Bikes

I have turned away from mopeds, mainly because I can't get my Puch Maxi running. I didn't really try, because I am so ignorant of motors. One of these days I'll sell it.

Instead, I've become more enamored of bicycles, partly because of Lovely Bicycle, a blog by a young woman in Somerville who is interested in biking in ways that I am. That is, for pleasure and transportation, and not racing. Velouria, as she fancies herself, is a fine photographer and reviews really interesting bikes. I'll let you visit and decide for yourself.

Visiting this site has led to interest in the Chief, from Heritage in Chicago. It's an awfully handsome bike, and you can get it with 8-speed internal gearing. Be still my heart.

Meanwhile, I tool around on a used, bright red Specialized Allez built in the early 90's that I picked up in Worcester at Barney's Bicycles. This IS a racing bike, so I will have to change the cassette and rear derailleur to something I can manage. Unless riding around on it in its present set-up enlarges my quads so much I won't have to (unlikely).

My other, main bike, is on its way from Worcester, a Gary Fisher Nirvana. It's stock, with a rack and panniers, so I can run errands. Since I now live a short distance from shops, work and library, I intend getting around on it more. I fancy putting fenders on it so I can ride in the wet; we'll see.

So I'll likely sell the Maxi moped and put the money into bikes. Here on Cape Cod, bikes are quite practical, and the Maxi, as lovely as it is, too much trouble for someone like me, who has no great love of mechanical work.