DC Tweed Ride

The first ever DC Tweed Ride was today and holy shit, it was a blast. Aside from a couple kinks that I think were in part because the organizers aren't "bikey people" (and had probably little or no experience organizing a large ride), it went off very well. The energy of the riders was fantastic and some of the ensembles that folks had put together were works of art. Not forgetting, of course, the bikes, which were well represented. Definitely some bikes that don't get a chance to come out everyday, including two penny-farthings and some lovely early english single speeds. The end was a slight dissapointment as it concluded at a bar where they were blasting 70's and 80's dance music, effectively killing the 'vintage' feel of the ride. Instead a group of us went off to dinner and enjoyed our tweeding to the fullest. I hardly ever get an opportunity to dress up as it seems that I'm always getting sweaty or dirty riding a bike or working on bikes, so it was a very nice change of pace for me to put together 'an outfit' (what a novel idea!) and get treated like a lady. Quite frankly, I just want to get dressed up and do it again at my leisure!

meet the ladies

Cecil, the love of my life, a handbuilt Strawberry, lugged steel from a builder in Portland, OR. I purchased this bike from a craigslist seller in Portland(where I'm originally from). When I first got her, she was built up with Nitto Mustache bars and some cheapy components. First things first, I swapped out the bars for a pair of vintage Nitto drops (anybody want to buy a practically new pair o' mustache bars?). She was in fantastic condition when I first got her and her paint was immaculate. She is a royal blue that fades to white on the fork, seat stays and chain stays.



I worked as a bike messenger on this bike for many years and alas, during the years the paint has become more scratched and parts gradually broke or wore out and were replaced. At one time, the rear triangle was compressed slightly and the rear wheel was toast. Luckily its high quality steel, and the amazing Dean over at Bike Central was able to straighten her back out. The wheel was replaced with one given me by a friend, a vintage Dura-Ace hub laced to a Mavic CXP-30.



Cecil was the bike I took with me to tour around Southern France in September and although she's not looking as mint as she used to, she is still in beautiful condition and solid as a rock. Its hard to argue with the logic of a handbuilt, lugged steel frame and while she now sports Speedplay Zero pedals (as she is my main roadbike) she will eventually go back to clip and straps when I get my bike for road season.

Vital Stats:

Frame: Strawberry lugged steel
Fork: Strawberry steel
Headset: Chris King threaded
Stem: Nitto Pearl NJS
Seatpost: Nitto NJS (I can't remember the name but it looks like a frog mouth)
Front Hub: Shimano Deore
Rear Hub: Shimano Dura-Ace
Front Rim: unknown box rim
Rear Rim: Mavic CXP 30
Front Derailleur: Mavic somethin' or other
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT
Cranks: Sugino somethin' or others, 165
Shifters: Shimano bar end
Brakes: Shimano 600




1984 Pinarello covered in Campagnolo Nuovo Record. This is my latest love. Bikes come and go in my life, but I can tell that much like the Strawberry, this little lady is around to stay. She has been repainted (very nicely) and although the components are not the original ones, the previous owner did a lovely job of finding period correct components.



She is literally dripping in Campy, down to the Campy Nuovo Record hubs laced to tubular rims (a first for me). I really must learn how to fix them myself. One of my favorite parts of this bike is the front derailleur, with the three cutout holes. 1984 is the year that the summer Olympics were won on a Pinarello. I plan on making a couple changes to her in time, including a set of arc bars with cork grips, a Brooks saddle and a snazzy front bag from Velo Orange. I really want this lady to look as classy as possible.



Vital Stats:

Frame: Columbus lugged steel
Fork: Columbus steel, crowned
Headset: Campagnolo
Stem: 3TTT
Seatpost: Campagnolo
Front Hub: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Rear Hub: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Front Rim: Montreal Ambrosio Medialle D'Or tubular
Rear Rim: Montreal Ambrosio Medialle D'Or tubular
Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Cranks: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Shifters: Campagnolo Down Tube
Brakes: Campagnolo

As I said, bikes have a way of coming and going in my life and there a couple hanging on the periphery right now, including a Cannondale SystemSix that I currently have listed on eBay, a Fuji track that currently resides out of state but I plan to bring here and use as my everyday round-towner, and a 1987 Cannondale ST-400 touring frame that I can't decide whether I want to sell it or ride it myself. I literally change my mind daily. On the wish list is a Terry Valkyrie (maybe I can purchase it over the summer?) and the bike I intend to buy for road season, which is the Cannondale Six Feminine 4.

who gives a sh*t?

I really, pointedly could not give a shit about 'creating new cyclists'. I know, as a person who works at a bike shop, that I ought to, and I am often told how important it is. In fact, I feel that most of cycling activism and advocacy are centered around 'creating new cyclists'. How much money (precious little that most advocacy groups have) goes towards creating infrastructure to make 'new cyclists' comfortable out on the road? Bike lanes are expensive, and most seasoned cyclists will tell you that they are dangerous, often creating more of a risk than if the cyclist just stayed in the lane (like the law usually allows). How many free commuter classes, bike to work days, light giveaways, fix a flat classes and bike friendly routes can we throw money at? How about we all just hug each other and tell each other 'its gonna be awight. We won't let those nasty ol' cars get you'. We can follow up with a group circle jerk while everybody gets to spout off about their carbon footprint and how many miles they have to commute everyday. (5 miles! Wow, in the rain!)

A couple days ago a representive from a major bike company came into the store and started talking to me about the importance of creating new cyclists, obviously believing us to be of one mind since I work in the industry. I nodded and politely agreed because, quite frankly, we aren't allowed any other opinion. It makes sense fiscally if you work in the industry. More cyclists means more money. Newbie cyclists are often the largest consumers, as they drop large portions on not only the bike, but all the accesories they need, or think they need. Many new cyclists buy anything and everything they can get their hands on because, quite frankly, they just don't know better. (yes ma'am, I am sure you really need to buy the new cycling computer/special cycling socks/helmet/front and rear lights/u-lock/reflective band for your ankles/cycling specific gloves/summer jersey/winter jersey/short chamois/long chamois/chamois butter/small brimmed cap/rack/panniers/upgraded saddle/pedal system/basket/cycling specific rain coat) So yes, I'll agree with you Representive-from-a-large-bike-company, because new cyclists more often than not are the ones paying my paycheck, but lets call a spade a spade here; the interest in creating new cyclists is not one that comes out of the goodness of our hearts.

Many new cyclists have 'freshman in college syndrome'. Like many freshman, they are eager and excited to be a part of it all. They want to participate, to feel like they are a member of a team, to speak up and join in. They have moved beyond anonymous bumfuck and have bought themselves into the club. Some join slowly and more quietly, others get really loud and obnoxious and want to show off their glitz and glam. They are 'in'. But like freshman, as cyclists pass the years they tend to quiet down, buckle down and ride. When they have laid out miles on the road, quiet miles no longer bragged about, they realize what it really means to be 'in', to not have to talk loudly about it, because their worn in, well ridden bikes, patched up cycling clothes and confidence now show it (the ability to patch a flat in 2.5 minutes flat doesn't hurt either).

Now I realize that I am an unabashed bike snob, but I was once a newbie myself, a newbie cast afloat to make my way on the pavement alone. No hand holding allowed, I sweated and fell over and got drenched and got pushed off the road by aggresive cars all by myself, and you know what? I'm a stronger cyclist for it. Cycling is sink or swim. If you are a cyclist, you will make it. Every incident will drive you to push a little harder, hold your lane a little more, ride one more cold day, push it one more mile. If you aren't, well then, I'll buy your bike for cheap off craigslist and good riddance.