First ride

[sundial]

Hi IAmPam. Glad to see you here and hope you get bit by the cycling bug.

I love looking at the Dutchie bikes. In fact, I dream of having one added to my stable one day. I am beginning to appreciate that upright riding more and more.

Here is a store that has some interesting Dutchie bikes here in the US:

http://www.dutchbikeseattle.com/html/bikes/swan.html

These bikes have been Americanized by adding 8 speed internal gearing--as opposed to the standard 3 speed found in the UK. If you live near rolling hills, you'll appreciate having more gears.

You might want to look at the Pashley Princess Sovereign as well. They're not as easy to find here in the US, but a few shops do carry them. Harris Cyclery is one. Here's a discussion of the Pashely on one of my favorite blogs:

http://www.ecovelo.info/2008/05/17/b...ly-of-a-horse/

[Kris]

I rode Dutch bikes in Holland and France, on bike and barge trips. My DH liked his so much that he bought a Dutch-style bike for commuting. It has lights so he can work late, a chain guard that keeps his pants out of the chain, and fenders that keep whatever was on the road or trail off his back. He loves it.

For myself, I don't like to work that hard. Those bikes, at least the ones I rode, were pretty heavy. I'm heavy enough myself, so I need all the help I can get to keep up with him or whoever else I might ride with, although I usually ride alone. In fact I've just started shopping around for something lighter than the Specialized hybrid I've been riding. (And, while I'm still heavy, I'm 50 pounds lighter than I used to be. ) I'm going to be asking for advice soon too, I think. I still consider myself sort of a new rider.

Kris