Shek's Footprint

I bought a roadster from India. These bikes are very common work-horse bikes in India. I have not been able to update the ‘My Bicycles‘ page due to some error with wordpress and my hosting server. Till then, enjoy this slideshow. The bike cost me 60 USD. The bicycle shop owner packed it in a box and I brought it over as a checked in luggage. International travelers are allowed two 50 lbs bags to check in.

The riding position is taking time to get used to. You can see Matt from bikejax riding it to get an idea of the posture. For starters, the handle bar grips are very skinny and make it uncomfortable. It is an easy fix. I have installed a longer seat post and a new seat that I had. The bike is very tall at 22 inches for me but not too tall. The brakes are rudimentary rod brakes. No cables. These brakes will take time getting used to as well. The master plan is to have this bike replace Katrien. I will still hold on to the antique dutch bike, just not subject her to too much beating.

A variant of Katherine, this name means pure. Rowena has won the contest due to the meaning of the name and it’s alignment with this website’s mission. The cheque is in the mail! A close second are Rochelle and Ninon in a tie.

Katrien is surely excited with her new name though she is no dainty lady. She prefers her older saddle back on her and now sports a new Wald 137 basket in front. The basket is very efficient in carrying breakfast and lunch to work, bread and salad from the grocery store or even a six pack of Yuengling. The Minnehaha canvas bag under the original saddle holds the extra tube, tools, a small towel and handcuff locks. The book rack usually holds a folded jacket (for the days that I begin by being too optimistic about the Florida fall).

It is time to look for a name for my Dutch bike. I think personifying it is a natural step in respecting the bike and commiting to it.

I may not be as popular as this guy (link) in finding a name but I am sure going to try. The bike no longer has the OYB bag. A cool new Minnehaha small saddle bag sits under the seat.

The rules are simple. I want an female European name because I think it is a girl. A brief justification of the name would be appreciated.

Update: Running list of suggestions

• Rochelle by Jeremiah
• Genevieve by Jack “Ghost Rider” Sweeney
• Guenevere by me, endorsed by Dillon
• Rowena by me, inspired by Rowena
• Katrien by Rowena, meaning pure, natural and simple. This one seems to be the most aligned to my views.
• Ninon by Terri Hartley, influenced by the life of Anne “Ninon” de l’Enclos (link)
• Daphne by pam
• Else by pam, german origin, this word is short for Elizabeth
• Anke by Andrew Cline (link), tough but cute, I agree
• Anja by me, inspired by my cousin’s wife, Anja. German origin.

It should have been no object of frustration when the rear tire of the old Amsterdam city bike blew. I was on my way to work from home. Lunch and a can of diet coke in a plastic bag was wrapped around my handlebar. A black rain jacket was stuffed in the book rack in response to the intermittent dark clouds. I had covered half the way to work breathing clean air under the tree lined road. This stretch of Deerwood Park Blvd slopes down gradually and is always under shade making it the best part of my ride to work.

All of a sudden, the cushioned ride was gone and my butt could feel every slight bump. I promptly got off the bike and the brittle rear tire lay squished between the rims and the tarmac. All I could think of walking on my way to work was how unreliable this bike has become and that I should buy a newer city bike. The dormant consumerist inside me wanted to order the Biria Classic Dutch (I dont want to go broke on the Velorbis Churchill Balloon yet). Once home, I dismantled the rear wheel, which took a little while since a ton of hardware had to be removed. I will be buying two puntcure resistant tires for the bike and two tubes. I am making this road worthy. It was built for riding and it shall be ridden.

The old Amsterdam bike, of which a photo shoot is still pending, is an old geyser. It is also becoming increasingly popular for my work commute. That is roughly 8 miles a day, 5 days a week. I am pending the photo shoot till after Hanna (link) but the brakes had to be looked at today. The front brake is a single pivot caliper and it is made of thin aluminum. It is bent and the rubber was brittle. The max I could get done is the brake pads replaced. Newer Single pivot caliper brake systems do not fit on the frame.

I have thought about buying a new city bike (preferably a Velorbis Churchill Balloon) and preserving this 30+ year old Amsterdam bike, but bikes are made to be ridden. So, I shall honor the creation of this bike and it shall be my mode of leisurely short distance travel. For those who have not experienced the joys of a city bike (not hybrid but dutch design bikes), you don’t know what you are missing. I even bought a pair of aviators to match the bicycle.

Today, I ordered a Solvit Trackr Dog Trailer, large, for Laya. The internal dimensions measure up well with Laya’s collar to butt length. If she likes it, my trusty 2007 Saturn Aura will receive its last oil change from me and will be put up for sale.