Another New Bike

[bikerHen]

Well, I went to Seattle over the weekend and while I was there, bought a bike. It's a Surly Long Haul Trucker, in a lovely metallic burgandy color. This bike is the perfect winter commuter and touring bike. I can't wait to try it out on my club ride tonight!

I can't say THANK YOU enough to Knotted for her patience and total enabling with my bike purchase. She even talked me into a B17 Brooks Saddle and boy does she know about Brooks Saddles! Although she didn't have to talk too hard. The saddle felt pretty good without my chamios, so I figure it should be great with one. Loved the bike shop, Free Range Cycles. This shop and I were made for each other. Their logo is a chicken on a bike!

We, daughter and I, had a GREAT bike buying celebration dinner with Teigyr and her DH Saturday night. Hope you guys made it home safe and sound. Fortunately our hotel was only a mile away. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I must add that I was totally in awe of the number of cyclists and bike paths we saw in Seattle. And the amount of traffic. Now I know why you west siders think Spokane is such a back water place. By comparision, it is! But I'll take my back water town over your main current any day! Although you do have cooler bike shops.

And the best part is . . . my sister informated me she's going to a conference in Seattle the end of August and I'm going with her. She wants to take the bikes too. So I plan to ride my new bike all month and take it back for it's first tune up. That is if I can find the shop. Knotted? There maybe some map making in your future.

The obligatory pictures will be forth coming. As soon as my daughter stops by to go over the whole photo bucket process with me, yet again.

All in all a super fun weekend. Many thanks to my new TE friends. If you ever come over to the quiet side of the state, I'm here for ya! bikerHen

[mimitabby]

gee, you just keep picking times when i am not around.

I am glad you bought a bike from that LBS, I like them very much

I am also glad that Knott got you onto a Brooks already.


riding in traffic does tend to teach you some riding skills. It's surprising what doesn't phase me anymore.

[Velobambina]

Congrats on your new ride. May you have many many happy miles together!

[sandra]

Congratulations! There's nothing more exciting than a new bike. (I just got one myself yesterday)

[Trekhawk]

Congratulations BH!!
Cant wait to see the pics.

[cosc]

Biker H, how wonderful a new bike. Keep us updated on your new bike love.

[Tri Girl]

Wow- how exciting!!! Can't wait to see her!!!

[KnottedYet]

Oh, yeahhhhhh. I'm gonna start callin' myself "The Enabler."

Wanna buy something, but not sure you should? Take me with you. It'll be cooooool...

BikerHen's new Surly is GORGEOUS!!

Now she can assimilate into the Surly cult and the Brooks cult. "Resistance is futile."

[bikerHen]

My first ride last night was great fun! My commute this morning was a little work! I can tell a difference in the weight, steel vs. carbon! I was working harder because my heart rate was about 10 bpm faster most of the commute. And I do think my over all commute was slower. However, since I haven't gotten a computer put on yet, I'm not really sure on the speed. But I do have a feeling on the downhill this bike will fly. But the ride is really nice and smooth. Dare I say smoother than the carbon? Naw! Maybe it's just the wider tires.

So far, so good on the Brooks saddle, girly bits a little sore, but not painfully sore. I can find that perfect place to sit but keep sliding off it. The plan is to ride this bike all month, except for an 80 mile organized ride this weekend, to break everything in. The fenders are really cool too. I rode through water in the roadway a couple of times and didn't get sprayed at all. I feel like such a Fred! Bottom line though . . . I'm lovin this bike!

And I get to join not one but TWO cults! I've always wanted to do that! Does this mean I can get another tattoo? I'm going to bribe the daughter with dinner tonight or tomorrow night so I can get the pictures loaded. Maybe if I write all the steps down I can do it by myself next time. bikerHen

[RoadRaven]

Awesome to hear you are enjoying her so much
And you have plans too, sounds like the 80 mile ride should be a great bonding experience between you and the new addition to the family

Yes... def a tat...
Looking forward to seeing the pix!

[tprevost]

WOW! Very Cool BikerHen!! Congrats on the new bike... can't wait to see pictures!!!!

[jeannierides]

Awesome! Can't wait to see pics! Congratulations BH!

[bikerHen]

Not the best photographs, but better than nothin.


My saddle in all it's glory.


The rest of the pictures came out kinda fuzzy. Guess I shouldn't take pictures before my morning tea. I was on the Surly site today and the correct name for the color is Black Cherry Pearl. Sounds so much better than burgandy. bikerHen

[KnottedYet]

*Such* a pretty bike!

[Starfish]

That is a GORGEOUS bike...the geometry is really pretty to me (if that makes any sense). I love Spokane (lived there briefly a gazillion years ago). I'm hoping maybe to do RATPOD in Montana next June, so I might be calling you for my trip through town!

If you ever want to make a trip out to the Olympic Peninsula when you're over here on the soggy side, let me know!

Beautiful, beautiful bike.