Dutch Bike Co. Chicago & Po Campo

A few weeks ago, W was in Chicago and stopped at Dutch Bike Co. Chicago:

He says it's a great atmosphere with friendly and knowledgeable staff (thanks to Vince for all his help!). I wish I had been there with him... seems like a fantastic store with lots of excellent products like these Workcycles:

I love those Brooks saddles. W came home with a B67 for his Brodie. And he also got a little something for me - a lovely rack tote from Po Campo! These bags are designed in Chicago; it's nice to support local businesses. Here is the front view (note the reflective strip along the side - nice touch):

And the back, with a small pocket for your phone or whatever else you need to keep handy:

Beautiful leather details:

The handles close together with magnets. The zippered main compartment is lined in a lovely purple fabric:

The interior is very roomy - more than enough room for anything I'd need to bring with me on a daily basis. It has one of those small flat zippered pockets that I never know what to do with, but maybe one day I'll have something to put in there. I personally prefer little pockets for stuff like lipgloss, keys, and whatever else I don't want to dig around for, but it's not a big deal at all. I usually end up putting those kind of things in another smaller bag and stashing that inside my purse so it's all together and easier to find. And there is also that handy little pocket on the outside of the bag for those kind of things so I guess I'm really reaching to find anything remotely negative about this bag (it's extremely difficult!!). I didn't take pictures, but I can fit my wallet, phone, sunglasses, lock, tire kit, a book or magazine, and a snack - with plenty of room to spare.

I love the details and practicality of this bag.  In order to attach the bag to your rack, you unclip the straps from the front of the bag, loop them under your rack, clip the straps back to the bag, and tighten them to secure. I think newer versions of the bag also have rack straps on the sides of the bag for further security, which I would have liked, but we'll see how this one does for now. The shoulder strap is also detachable but I think I would generally keep it on. You can also clip a light onto the reflective side loops. The fabric is water-resistant - I'd definitely leave this bag at home on rainy or snowy rides but it does seem to be durable enough for most conditions. I'll post another review once I've had more time to really see it in action. All in all, a very functional but stylish bag. Beats having a sweaty back.

The obligatory inspection by Yoshi:

He tried to climb inside of it, so that means he approves.

Bike Spotting and Observations on Attitudes Towards Transportation

Now that I've started incorporating cycling into my day-to-day life (as opposed to just quick rides around city trails here and there), I find that I'm much more aware of cyclists and cycles in my surroundings. I have previously been too afraid to venture away from the trails and paths and into the road. Now that I have a better understanding of how to ride with traffic, I also have a better understanding of how to be a more considerate driver when sharing the road with cyclists. I'm hoping that more people get into cycling, if not only to help foster the same appreciation in other motorists.

I think cycling is gaining momentum in our city, but I'm not sure if that's just because I have an active interest in it and tend to notice it more than I otherwise would.  In any case, there is still a long ways to go.... the prevailing attitude in Calgary seems to be that driving a car is ideal and something to aspire to. When talking to people about cycling, I often find people dismiss it as "too much effort" or "too sweaty" or "takes too long". But they don't realize that a comfortable bike and a more relaxed pace make a huge difference. Also, cycling doesn't necessarily take that much longer - you avoid traffic jams and can park your bike right outside the door (this is especially meaningful for me as my parking spot is a long walk from my building). Plus, cycling can be your workout for the day so you don't have to spend time at the gym. And when it comes to transit, many people feel they're "done with that phase of life", as though you "graduate" from taking the bus to driving a car. Granted, transit in this city is not always ideal - often crowded, not accessible enough, inefficient route options, etc. but I think the mentality will remain the same long after improvements to transit are made.

I also find that I'm more attentive to bikes that I see around the city, especially those that appeal to me, like this beautiful Opa from Jorg & Olif that I saw parked along 17th Ave:

Eventually my Pashley will be one of these bikes you might see around!  

Pashley vs. Linus - How I Made the Decision

I'm obsessive when it comes to making decisions. I always want to be absolutely sure that I'm making the right choice, and that usually entails endless research, pros/cons comparisons, and lists. I like to make lists.

So when I started my search for a city bike, it became all-consuming. Now that I've made my decision, I'm back to normal! W can breathe a sigh of relief.  Poor W - he had to endure a lot these last few weeks... looking at hubs, brakes, pictures, blogs, etc...

These were my must-haves:

• Step-through or loop frame for ease of mounting/dismounting/skirt-wearing
• Steel frame
• Upright riding posture
• Swept-back handlebars
• Internal gear hub - at least 5 speeds
• Some sort of chain protection - at least a partial chainguard, but preferably a full chaincase

And important, but not deal-breakers:

• Lighting (but this is easy enough to add on)
• Skirt/Coat guard
• Hub brakes

I originally sought a Batavus, but apparently there are no adult Dutch cyclists who are 4'11". Like I mentioned previously, I test rode a few models before narrowing it down to the Pashley Princess Sovereign and the Linus Dutchi. The Linus link takes you to the Dutchi 3, but they are coming out with a Dutchi featuring an 8-speed Shimano Nexus hub that is not yet on the website. There were other manufacturers that I would have been interested in checking out (e.g. Biomega, Abici, Public) but they were either out of my price range or not readily available for test riding.

First I listed out the significant pros and cons of each.  Let's start with the PS:

Pros:

• Full chaincase
• Dynamo headlamp
• Brooks saddle
• Rear wheel lock
• Rear LED light (although this could be a strike against it... dynamo would be nice)
• Skirt guard
• Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires
• Powder coated
• Enclosed hub brakes
• "Classically" stylish

Cons:

• More expensive
• Heavier
• Less gears/gear range (see below for more details)
• Rubber grips (not as aesthetically pleasing to me)

And now the Linus:

Pros:

• Lighter
• More gears/gear range
• Less expensive
• Leather grips
• "Simply" stylish

Cons:

• Partial chainguard
• Have to add accessories (e.g. lights, basket)
• Rim brakes
• Not powder coated
• No frame lock
• Saddle (not a Brooks)

The rim brakes and lack of frame lock weren't a huge deal to me, though.

A lot of the differences between the two were based on the available accessories which, in my mind, are easy enough to deal with. So it came down to the three things that mattered the most and were not as straightforward to change: weight, gears, and quality for the price.

PS apparently weighs in at 45 lbs. The Dutchi 3 weighs 33 lbs. I didn't have any specs on the 8 speed, but Sean said the difference between the PS and the Dutchi 8 would be about 6 or 7 lbs. According to Sean, this difference would be minimal while cycling, and only really noticeable when picking up the bike (doesn't matter since I wouldn't be carrying it up and down stairs or anything). Although they are both relatively heavy, I like that quality as it translates to forward momentum and stability. As a result, the weight difference between the two was no longer an issue for me.

As for gears - the PS comes with a Sturmey-Archer X-RD5(W), which is a wider range hub than on previous PS models. The Linus would be equipped with a Shimano Nexus 8. Not having known that much about gears in the first place (other than how and when to change them), I found this website extremely informative. I had always thought that the number of gears was important; however I now understand the significance of gear range.

Here are the range and specs for the SA hub:

Overall range 256%

Gear 1 - 0.625 (-37.5%)

Gear 2 - 0.75 (-25%)

Gear 3 - 1.00 (Direct drive)

Gear 4 - 1.333 (+33.3%)

Gear 5 - 1.60 (+60%)

And the Shimano:

Overall range 307%

Gear 1 - 0.527 (-47.3%)

Gear 2 - 0.644 (-35.6%)

Gear 3 - 0.748 (-25.2%)

Gear 4 - 0.851 (-14.9%)

Gear 5 - 1.00 (Direct drive)

Gear 6 - 1.223 (+22.3%)

Gear 7 - 1.419 (+41.9%)

Gear 8 - 1.615 (+61.5%)

I found these specs online.  Sean says the SA range is 275% and the Nexus is 208%.  In any case...

Obviously the Shimano has more gears but less range between gears. The higher gears on both hubs are similar enough for my liking; my main focus is on the lower gears. I'm not too concerned with the higher gears as hill climbing is my main concern when it comes to riding. Calgary can get pretty hilly, and my house is apparently in one of the highest areas of the city. First gear is lower in the Shimano, but I figure I can always lower the gears in the SA if I find it necessary. If worse comes to worse, Sean says we can change the SA hub to an 8-speed one; however that would cost several hundred dollars as it requires rebuilding the rear wheel. So really - it's a wash, I think. The Shimano is nice, but it seems like the SA would also suit my needs and can be modified enough if things aren't quite right. The more important thing is the quality of the bike on which the hub sits.

Which brings me to my final consideration. The cost difference between the two would be about $500.  However, after adding extras to the Linus (lights, Brooks saddle, basket), the difference would be maybe around $250. Considering the environment in which I plan to eventually ride (snow, rain, salt on roads, etc.), I would prefer the more durable of the two, which to me is the PS. The quality of the Linus seems to be great, but the Pashley is better in my mind. If I got the Linus, I'm sure I would be very happy but part of me would wonder what it would be like to have the PS. For some reason, I don't think it would be the other way around. So for a few hundred dollars more, I think the PS is the better buy for me. Sean suggested I go with the PS because of its features, durability, and utility. I also came across this site that scrutinized the quality of the Linus. Don't get me wrong - I think Linus makes fantastic bikes, and their popularity is testament to that (a simple Google search reveals many, many positive reviews of their products). However, the PS just has so much going for it that I decided to take the plunge and order one up!

Keep in mind that I have never test-ridden the Linus - I was planning on doing this once BikeBike got their shipment in, but that probably won't be until March 2011. Seeing as how I have already weighed the pros and cons, I didn't feel it was necessary to wait for a test ride... Pashley it is!

I had a difficult time choosing a colour, but I finally settled on Regency Green. I do like Buckingham Black but with all the accessories on the PS, I thought the green was less "heavy" looking. Plus, I saw Lovely Bicycle's PS with cream Delta Cruisers and that was all I needed!

So now I am waiting for my bike.... I can't think of the last time I was this excited!!

Blog header

I have a beautiful new blog header!  Thanks Mark!!!

10/10/10 Commuter Bike Clinic. Oh, and Vote Nenshi!

On Sunday, W and I attended the 10/10/10 Commuter Bike Clinic at Prince's Island Park organized by local groups promoting lessening your carbon footprint through cycle commuting (Transition Calgary, Calgary Commuter Challenge, Arusha Centre, and The Good Life Community Bike Shop)! It was a great way to showcase the options available to Calgarians who are interested in cycle commuting; there was a tent set up with bus routes, bike path maps, and other tips on cycling.

I got a free bike tune-up:

People were test riding that contraption in the top right corner. W really wanted to try it out next; however, the driver returned with a bleeding nose so W decided it must not be worth it.

We learned how to use the Calgary Transit Bike Racks that are found on select bus routes. Here's the one they brought for people to try out:

First, you lower the rack:

Then you place your bike in the rack (direction will be indicated on the rack):

Finally, you pull the holder hook over the wheel as close to the frame as possible.

Calgary Transit has more details instructions here but I thought I would include W's demonstration as well.

The bike racks are easy enough to use. They can accommodate two bikes and are available on a first-come-first-served basis. They are currently available on only three routes, but Calgary Transit will be reassessing bike rack usage next year; hopefully they will be able to provide bike racks on more routes.

Afterwards we hung around Eau Claire.  Passed by the River Cafe:

It's surprising to me that we haven't eaten here before. It's a well-known and much-loved restaurant that specializes in regional cuisine. We would've liked to stop in for a bite but we weren't dressed appropriately.  So we ate fast food at Eau Claire instead! You don't need to see a photo of that.

And here are some snaps from the ride home....

Headed over the bridge back to Memorial Drive:

The controversial Peace Bridge:

Hanging out under the 14th St. bridge:

In other news, W and I took advantage of the advance polls for the municipal elections. I won't tell you who I voted for, but Yoshi judges you if you don't vote Nenshi:

Better Late Than Never... W's First Ride of the Year

W picked up his new Brodie Section.7 from BikeBike on Saturday. Here he is, riding it around the parking lot:

I was very excited to have a new cycling buddy so we decided to explore our neighbourhood a little. No city bike yet, so I rode my Trek.

This bridge connects our community to the next one over (which has a lot of amenities we need to get to - library, shopping plaza, restaurants, etc.). Beats riding on the main roads (Stoney Trail, Country Hills Blvd.), which are extremely busy and always full of impatient motorists. I've witnessed enough accidents on these roads that I'm quite happy there is an alternative!

Some of the views from the ride back - complete with my finger in the first shot.

I like cattails.

We were surprised at how easy it was to get to the shopping plaza. Normally it would take us 10-15 minutes to drive there. Cycling there would take us a little bit longer, maybe 20-25 minutes, but it's a nice ride (gradually downhill and very scenic). The ride back is obviously a little hilly but it feels good once you're done! I'll be even happier with the ride once I get my city bike. I found myself wanting a more upright position to take in the sights along the way. I already have the handlebars positioned relatively high on the Trek, but it still doesn't feel quite right. I'll get into more detail in a later post, but I'm really pining for a less rugged and more comfortable, functional bike. Speaking of which, BikeBike has apparently placed their Linus order. I'm not sure when they'll arrive, but I can't wait to try them out!

Wollmeise!

I just scored two skeins of Wollmeise Sock from my favourite online shop, The Loopy Ewe. I first heard about this yarn in 2008 when I became serious about knitting and signed up for Ravelry. I loved it for its deep, saturated, vibrant colours. I coveted it so badly but could never get a hold of it! As soon as it was posted for sale on any yarn site, it was sold out within minutes. I could never figure out how people were able to be in the right place at the right time. All I could imagine were hordes of weary-looking knitters sitting at their computers constantly refreshing theloopyewe.com until - lo and behold - the Wollmeise unicorn. One time I happened to be browsing the new items at TLE and there it was... but by the time I decided on a colour, everything was sold out. Not that I was dilly-dallying either; I probably took about 30 seconds before clicking 'Add to Cart' but it was too late. I suppose I could always purchase from ebay if I want to pay exorbitant amounts of money for yarn. There is a skein of laceweight with a current bid of $81 USD and almost two days remaining.

And then I figured it out - Twitter! TLE tweeted that they just added Wollmeise so I checked it out and there it was! My heart began to race. My palms were sweaty. Publisher's Clearing House could be at my door with 10 million dollars but they would have to wait until I got my Wollmeise. I found two shades of blue that looked pretty in the 2 seconds I allowed myself to linger so I added them to my cart and quickly checked out.  And right after that - sold out! Now I can add myself to the elite few who have fallen prey to simple supply/demand marketing. Am I a sucker? Who cares, look at this:

Wollmeise Sock in Aquarius

Wollmeise Sock in Sabrina

(Photos courtesy of theloopyewe.com)

As you can probably tell, I love teal.

It seems like I'm making a big fuss over a minor purchase but this is a huge deal for me. I'm the type of person who researches the crap out of everything. Normally a yarn purchase involves extensive reading of reviews, analysis of photos (both of the yarn and of projects knitted up with the yarn), and price-comparison amongst yarn shops. I have pored over websites and blogs until cross-eyed trying to make a decision on which city bike I would get (and I still don't know but at least it's narrowed down to less than a handful). I recently had refractive eye surgery but it took me 3 years to research it and make a decision on who the surgeon would be, which formulation of natural tears I would use afterwards, etc. I will research a pack of gum before purchasing it. So for me to look at the yarn, add it to the cart, and purchase it all within 10 seconds - that's effing huge.

In other news, W is in Saskatoon. I am home in Calgary. We are both having bad food luck. He went to some bubble tea cafe and found the take-out menus. Tried to take one of said take-out menus so that he could peruse it and perhaps, crazily, take out some food later. Cafe Guy told him not to take a take-out menu. W asked how he is supposed to order without a menu. CG told him that people just phone with their order. W said he wouldn't know what to phone for without a menu. CG repeated that people just phone.  Conversation seems to have continued in this circular manner until W decided to leave - with the menu. Why have a stack of take-out menus if you don't want people to take them out?

Meanwhile, my dinner was supposed to be orecchiette with fresh tomato, basil, and bocconcini from a restaurant with multiple locations in Calgary. I had this dish a few weeks ago at the same restaurant, different location, and it was delicious. So I ordered it to go from another location today and was sorely disappointed.  About the only thing right was the orecchiette. Yes, there was fresh tomato but huge chunks of it - some pieces were almost a quarter of a tomato! And it was pretty much all parmesan cheese. I'm not even sure there was bocconcini. And instead of basil - cilantro! wtf. I love cilantro more than most people probably do, but in the appropriate cuisine. And when I'm expecting it. Cilantro is not a nice surprise when you're expecting basil. It's like drinking what you expect to be Coke but it's iced tea instead. Or steak but it's clenbuterol.  Although I'm a pescetarian so I must be clean.

I'm not a food snob but I think that was a fail on their part. I considered letting them know what I thought of the meal but I've decided to be apathetic instead. Wollmeise saved the day!