Metric on my Townie

[Ellen 06]

I completed a metric century on my Electra Townie 7 speed saturday. It was a perfect day weatherwise with beautiful scenery.

That's probably as far as I can take this bike, I can't imagine doing a century on it-but then I never imagined a metric on it either. I'll be in the market for another bike this winter. I'll be test riding a bunch of road bikes this fall, but I am leaning towards the Electra 700 because I really like the geometry of the flat foot bike. It has thinner tires, 27 inch wheels and 21 gears, but still may not be up to the miles I'll put on it.

I had the only Townie in the pack, again, felt like riding a pony in a field of thoroughbreds, but I sure got noticed

[maillotpois]

Wow that's great! A "pony in a field of thoroughbreds" - what a GREAT analogy!!

[Bikingmomof3]

Congratulations Ellen.

[mimitabby]

The bike you like might just be fine
Remember, every year someone rides the Seattle to Portland ride (double century, 2 days; 204 miles total) on a hotwheels, a unicycle, even
roller skates...
Most bikes can do a century.. but if you want to go FAST...
then you should get more selective.
and congrats on your century!

[KSH]

Congrats!

I always totally respect anyone who is riding a rally on anything other than a road bike. I always figure they are working a bit harder then I am... and that's something to admire!

Great job on making it 60 miles on your Townie! Impressive!

[pooks]

Congrats! That's the bike I most likely would have gotten if I hadn't gotten my shaft-driven bike. Good luck with the century, whichever bike you end up using.

[KnottedYet]

Congratulations! You are such a stud-muffin!!!

(have you written to Electra and told them what you did?)

[margo49]

Loved this story.
I always say that whatever you do on a bike has already been done by an English woman on Raleigh sports with 3-speed Sturmey Archer gearing and a cut lunch in a basket on the front!
Thanks for proving me right! Again !

[Bad JuJu]

(have you written to Electra and told them what you did?)

Hey, that's a great idea that Knot mentioned, Ellen. Electra might even use your story in their advertising!

Congrats--that's super!

[Ellen 06]

I did write an email to them. I got back a rather pat, glad you like the bike reply. Oh well. Maybe the email will pass around their office and I'll get something later.

Loved the comment about the English women doing it all before. I ride with a front-mounted big basket, holding my water, cliff bars, fruit, maps, tire repair kit and so on. Riders always comment I get extra points for the basket.

Pooks, what is a shaft driven bike?

Ellen

[Ellen 06]

mimitabby,

I do want to go faster, otherwise I'd be happy with my 7D. But my riding buddy is on a Scott and I can't keep up with her on the flat. We're basically Tortoise and Hare. I think that is largely a matter of temperament and physiology, but I'm hoping thinner tires and more conditioning on my part, plus the extra gears will make up some difference.

Ellen

[eclectic]

congrats on the Metric! ! !

I have just been introduced to the townie this summer - they are too cool.
I have never seen one around here though, I have no idea why.

[pooks]

Pooks, what is a shaft driven bike?

Ellen

No chains, internal gears:

http://dynamicbicycles.com

I have a Runabout Step-through.

[eclectic]

No chains, internal gears:

http://dynamicbicycles.com

I have a Runabout Step-through.

Too cool Pooks, I have never heard of those either!

but alas you will never get a "chain tatoo"