For The Next Girl

I was having a conversation with a fellow cycle enthusiast Paul Grens, yesterday. Something he'd told me a few months ago came back up and made me laugh. He came by looking for parts for a Raleigh Sports cruiser. I asked him was this his "next girlfriends bike"? We both cracked up when he said, yes.

We were looking around at things he needed to finish the project when it occured to me what a great idea that was. I'm bored this time of year, so why not? I've built and restored a ton of bikes, but some of the most difficult projects have been step-through frames. I dislike how many of them look. I understand their value and need. It's sad but I often neglect some pretty wonderful frames because they happen to be step-through.





Nothing wrong with these bikes for sure. I'm not alone in my neglect of ladies frames. Many women don't care for them. Just look at the prices, on craigslist. You can get one for a song. I've watched a lot of them make it inside the scrap yard. Shame on me.

So for the next 8 weeks, I'm going to have a contest. All are invited to participate. I'm going to build my "next girlfriends bike". Will she be tall? What color does she like. Will she be girlie? Will she be a shorty? Maybe a big girl? It has to fit perfectly, so these are important questions. To the rest of you, I challenge. Build your "next girlfriends bike. If you are married or in some other arrangement, feel free to participate. If your next girlfriend is a guy, you can get in on this as well. However, he'd better be comfortable on a step-though. Mixte frames are welcome as well. I'm not sure what my next girlfriend looks like. I do know she's gonna look good on my bike.
I also believe it's gonna look better than your bike. Hmm... where to start?


Who accepts this challenge?
You don't have to live in the Chicago area either. But time stamp your photos and show your build steps. Don't write and tell your your next girlfriend doesn't ride a bike. If they don't, keep looking. The only prize the winner gets is hopefully an appreciative girl/guy/mate or whatever. So I guess in some way we all win.

Feel free to comment or tell me, your bike, will kick my bikes ass. I just don't think so.

What Gives?

This past Thursday night, was a cold, miserable, typical winter night in Chicago. I was meeting a friend for drinks. I rode my winter bike. She took a cab, so naturally I arrived first. I decided to wait outside as opposed to going in, just in case there might be a change in plan. While standing at the corner of North Damen and Milwaukee Ave, I couldn't help but notice how many others were out in the shitty weather riding like me. I get a warm feeling whenever I see anyone riding during winter in the Windy City. I regularly check out other cyclists, just to see what they're riding or how the bike might be set up.

One thing I couldn't help but notice was how many ragged rides there are in town. Trust me, I get it, in Chicago bike theft is rampant. The winters are downright cruel. So, if someone is riding a POS, I understand. What I don't get is a rider who's chain is so rusty that it barely turns. I saw a kid whose bottom bracket was creaking so loud, you could hear it easily, even though we were at one of the louder intersections in the city. I guy rolled by on one of those Wal-mart bikes (i guess you could say he rolled)Both wheels were so grossly out of true that he had to loosen his brakes to the point where they were in-operable.

I don't know maybe it's me. I've always enjoyed riding a bike that is easy to pedal, that fucking fly's when you want it to and that won't get you killed when an emergency stop is required.

The midnight Marauders Porn ride, takes off from that same intersection tonight. I'm thinking, I should maybe return to my spot and just park and yell like a raving lunatic, Hey mama you'd look really hot if your tires were inflated! Yo chief let me oil that chain for you, one dollar! Maybe just, Hey..Hey you..Fix your goddamn bike!