Surprise, surprise....WOW!!

[Red Rock]

I have recently subscribed to Momentum magazine.

Then a few weeks later they told me I had won Issue #32 drawing:D:eek::D. This only happened one other time in my life when I was a kid. I could not believe it. Then my husband kept asking me, "What did you win, what did you win?" I told him "I have no idea".

Then today, out of no where this box arrives at my house with Dahon written over it:eek:. I had no idea what that was. So we checked to whom it was sent. Of course it was to me:eek::D. I opened the shipping tag and it said it was my prize winning!:D So it was like Christmas in March:D:D. We opened the box and here was a folding bike?! Wow. I had never seen one of these. So this was my project for the afternoon. I put it together (unfolded it), put some grease on the chain and took it for a maiden spin. I am still in shock over the whole thing. A bike does not arrive at your doorstep all of the time. I can see that it might be useful because it DOES fold.

I am happily in shock and amazment over all of this:D:D

I guess my stable is growing without me realizing it.

Here are some pics for all to enjoy

Happy riding all,
Red Rock

[GLC1968]

Holy crap...what luck!! Congratulations on your amazing good fortune!! :D

[Biciclista]

congrats on winning a BIKE!

[Red Rock]

I have to keep pinching myself and looking at to make sure it is really there. Did this really just happen? It might take awhile to process this.

Red Rock

[redrhodie]

Wow! That's awesome!

Merry March!

[shootingstar]

congrats! Lucky you and they sent in 1 piece across the border. :rolleyes:

[jobob]

Waaay cool. Congrats!

[tulip]

You're a winner, that's fantastic! What a great surprise!!

[PamNY]

Congratulations! Those are the coolest bikes, and everyone I've talked to who owns one loves it. Hope you have a grand time riding it!

Pam

[madscot13]

whoa that is super neat. I think I am going to subscribe regardless of prizes. it is a pretty interesting magazine

[ilima]

Congrats! That is such an awesome prize.

[Red Rock]

Thank you everyone for your good wishes on the bike.

I would not have subscribed to the mag if it was not for the all of the good folks here on TE that are constantly recommending it to read. So thankyou all. This bike has now increased my riding options by amazing porportions. Now I really have no excuse NOT to ride.

Has anyone used or picked up the portable bag to protect and carry the bike? Do Bike Fridays function basically the same as this brand?

Thankyou,
Red Rock

[tulip]

Bike Fridays fold differently. I used to have a Dahon, but it was a 26" wheel model which wasn't very foldy. It was too big, really.

Many transit companies require that folding bikes be in a bag. An Ikea bag will work for smaller bikes, and they're only $1 (or is it $2?)

I'm sure you'll have fun!

[Red Rock]

Tulip:

Do you have other suggestions for bagging if you do not have an Ikea store around? I'm tring to think of other large chains around where I live that might have something like that. I'm not coming up with anything right off the top of my head.

Red Rock

[celerystalksme]

that's....AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i'm not sure if i'd buy a folde...i might, but probably not. however...if i won one, i'd be so stoked!!!!!!!!! and i'd totally find excuses to use it!

congrats!!!!!!!!!!

[Tuckervill]

That's COOL!

My son won a Schwinn Cutter at the Tour de Cure last year. Having grown up watching Bozo's Grand Prize game (http://www.skooldays.com/categories/arcade/ag1231.htm), I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I was happier than he was!

Congratulations!

Karen

[Ana]

Surprises and winning prizes are totally awesome! :)

It looks like a blast!

Enjoy!! :D

[sgtiger]

Woohoo! That is so cool to get a bike delivered unexpectedly. :cool::D:D:D:D:D:D:cool:

[tulip]

Tulip:

Do you have other suggestions for bagging if you do not have an Ikea store around? I'm tring to think of other large chains around where I live that might have something like that. I'm not coming up with anything right off the top of my head.

Red Rock

hmmmm, I don't know of any other stores that have such lightweight and inexpensive bags. The Dahon bags are good, but I think they are kinda pricey. Maybe Target or Walmart have big bags now, since they are attempting to go green, at least in a marketing sense.

[sfa]

That is so very cool! Congratulations, and have fun riding!

[ny biker]

I have recently subscribed to Momentum magazine.

Then a few weeks later they told me I had won Issue #32 drawing:D:eek::D. This only happened one other time in my life when I was a kid. I could not believe it. Then my husband kept asking me, "What did you win, what did you win?" I told him "I have no idea".

(Am I the only person who read this far and thought about the "major award" electric sex lamp from A Christmas Story?)

Congratulations and enjoy your new toy.

[jobob]

Do you have other suggestions for bagging if you do not have an Ikea store around?

Hi RR-

I did a quick search on bikeforums (which has a pretty active folding bikes sub-forum) and came across these threads which might help in your bag search:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=448678

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=371198

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=406564

Good luck, and enjoy your cool ride!

[Red Rock]

I took her into the shop today to have its "first" tune up to activate the warranty. The guys at the shop were a little bit amazed at how I ended up with the bike when I told them. Then they went on about how I need a single speed and any other assortments of bikes. I told them now that my DH was having a hard time that I now have 4 bikes. He has one. At least I have diversity of riding ability.

Jobob-thankyou for the links. I will have to check them out.

Red Rock

[Selkie]

RR - You might be on a roll! Next time there's a big powerball prize, I'll have to send you $$$ to buy me some tickets.

Love your free folder! ENJOY.

[twin]

Congratulations!!!!! That is so cool!

[Tri Girl]

That is so freakin' cool!!!!!:cool:
I've been seriously drooling over folding bikes lately and want to buy one. How awesome that one just landed on your doorstep! Best prize EVER!!!!!!!!!
Bed, Bath and Beyond has those giant bags for a few dollars. They're the same type material as the wal-mart reusable bags. Don't know if that's heavy duty enough for the bike, tho. Can you get an Ikea bag online?

Too cool!!!!!!! :) Enjoy!

[Red Rock]

Tri Girl- I was thinking about BB and Beyond bags. I have not taken myself out to the store yet to check them out.

Last night I was on the Ikea site trying to figureout if I could by one of their bags. I was not able to get anywhere with that. I guess what I am saying is that it was not OBVIUOS to the general onlooker to the website. I hope it isn't a case of you have to purchase something from us before we will let you by a bag. What about Old Navy? Kohl's? These are all stores that I never go into. I'm more fluent in Sportman's Warehouse, REI, LL Bean...etc. Where all the fun stuff is.

Thankyou for your collective help. It is definately a nice addition to my growing stable. I guess I have now formally achieved the many bike sindrome, like many others on the site:D.

Red Rock

[redrhodie]

If you want, I'll get you an Ikea bag. It could be a couple of weeks before I get to it, though.

[Red Rock]

redroadie-that would be great. Such a nice offer. Thankyou. Thankyou. At least that would give something to put the bike in and carry as needed, when I needed it.

I will check out some of these other local chains too to see what I can find.

It just occured to me, what if I call their customer service line and ask them about purchasing a bag? They might say No, but it could be worth a try. You don't know until you try or ask, right?

I'll keep you posted, ok? If you need my info, PM me.

Thankyou,
Red Rock

[Aint Doody]

Would a duffle from REI work?

[Red Rock]

I'm checking all possible options right now. Redrorhodie has a bag coming my way though so that will help.

Red Rock

[evangundy]

Wow is right - nice surprise :-) I hope you get many miles of enjoyment outa this new toy. I bet Dahon and the magazine would both love to get a ride report from you, and a picture or two.

Edna

[Tri Girl]

And if you ever decide that folding bikes are icky and you want me to give it a good home, I'd bite the bullet and give your bike a nice place to live out its life. ;) hee hee- just teasing. I hope you LOVE that bike to death. You look great riding it in the pics. Fits you like a glove.

[Red Rock]

evangundy-Yes, I have thought about doing a write-up. I just have to get used to it first and log some real miles on it to feel "comfortable". All the other bikes fit just right. Then I would like to do something wothwhile enough for a write-up. (How is my normal life, unique? Perhaps I need to think like Pardes.)

Tri Girl-As strange as it may sound, when I told my dad about this he was like, "you might want to sell it", "you can just throw your other bikes on the back of the car or in the truck and go for a ride." It was like he did not understand what made it unique. Then I told him that people were picking these up these days. Then he said that that was more of a reason to sell the bike. At the end of the conversation, I was a little taken a back to say the least. For me it is a new adventure and a learning experience. I have read that some people have something like 4300 miles on theirs??!!

I have had the bike adjusted to fit me better since it has been into the shop so the bars will not be so high now. I just need some quick release skewers on the wheels for my sanity and flats.

Red Rock

[Tri Girl]

That's interesting that your dad didn't "get it." I'm not entirely surprised. I think all bikes have a unique purpose that makes them different and special from the others. Some people (even bikers) don't get my need for 5 bikes. They all have a purpose and are used for diff. things (TT bike for racing, touring bike for tours, mtn bike, and grocery store/errand bike and one garage sale bike that sits on the trainer year round).
I think folding bikes are just about the coolest. Fold them up and take them literally ANYWHERE. I know a man who exclusively rides is Bike Friday EVERYWHERE (touring, commuting, organized rides). He loves that bike.
I didn't realize your bike didn't come with QR wheels. That would be trickier for changing flats, although not entirely impossible.
I hope you have such a great time on your new ride. It's a great addition to the stable.
Sorry this was so long-winded.

[Kitty Gatita]

I am VERY envious and happy for your good fortune!!! I would LUV to have a folder! Airlines now charge $300 round trip to take your fullsize bike. Cheaper to buy one when you get there and garage it with friends! Someday (someday...:)) when I am flush I would love a Dahon or a Bike Friday to take along with me on trips.

How very cool!!! Congrats!

[redrhodie]

Sent you a pm. I got you a bag :)

[Red Rock]

Thankyou redrhodie. I sent you a PM too.