Wherein our cyclist takes her rainy day bike to be cleaned and pressed

[lblanchard]

I asked the bike shop to remove the front fender of my regular bike because it had very tight clearances with respect to my tire and it also had a tendency to either catch crap that would make noises or get out of alignment, which also made noises. And both probably would eventually make mincemeat out of my new tires and I suspect had something to do with my flat the other day.

This means if I ride this bike in the rain it's now going to throw ucky road wetness up onto my pants, probably as far north as the knees. Won't matter much in the scheme of things, as I usually wear black washable yoga pants. But there may be occasions when I need to ride somewhere in iffy weather and also need to look fairly presentable.

Fortunately I have a bike for that. Unfortunately, it's...well...


Photo of a bike just like mine, but cleaner

Where to start? Actually, I love this bike. Even though it's heavier than hell. Even though my feet absolutely will not touch, or come close to touching, the ground when I'm sitting in the saddle. Even though I'm mighty wobbly on it, and the push rod front brake is largely theoretical (and the coaster brakes suck right now).

But it's BIG! Like me. With 28" wheels and a frame that allows me to both sit upright and stretch my legs at the same time. With a slipcover for the chain and with rear wheel guards so I could wear an evening dress and long cloak and ride it to the opera if I wanted.

I believe that Batavus has been making this model (now called the Old Fashion) for upwards of a century. I've been told they fish them out of the Amsterdam canals by the tens of thousands. The dealer I bought it from thinks it's a 70s vintage bike. I've been told it takes an Iron Woman to take this baby out and up and down the river drives. (I was told this by a visibly impressed vintage bike store owner when we came back from a twilight ride of same and were drinking beers together.)

Anyhow. The bike hadn't moved a wheel for six months, maybe a year, maybe longer. Yesterday I pumped up the tires and wobbled over to the bike store, where the staff all said variants on "holy shit," "where the heck did you get THAT?" and "I haven't seen one of those for years!" But they're sure they can rebuild the back hub and improve the coaster brake performance. Forget the push rod, they say, there's nothing they can do for that.

When they're through with it, I plan to bring it home, hose off the remaining cobwebs and maybe wax the frame. Then I swear I will ride it once a week, if only to the Pathmark, so I wobble a little less.

Comments

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

With a slipcover for the chain and with rear wheel guards so I could wear an evening dress and long cloak and ride it to the opera if I wanted.

Oh, I hope someone takes a picture of that.

But I do like the look of this bike.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

First, I'd have to get a cloak. But if I ever do, I'll have Roy take a picture of me on Dutch Treat and wearing it -- just for you.

[clindau.livejournal.com]

What a nice looking bike--is that Dutch Treat?

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

Same model as Dutch Treat -- I stole this from the internet. Dutch Treat is a skootch more beat-up.

[chakolate.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I love that bike. I want one just like it, only lighter. I'm not the Iron Woman you are. :-)

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

They have another similar model, probably lighter. But I don't know if you could find one used for $150, which is what I paid for this one.