Member Diary: Dream Bicycle
Posted by norsehorse on July 26, 2007
*Updated*: go to *Update* below the fold (or photo)
The day prior to the official opening of the FreeRide Montpelier bicycle cooperative, although I did not then own a bike and also had not ridden in a very long time either, due to my long-held passion for bicycling I joined as a member — thanks in part to the sliding fee scale.
Early this past Tuesday evening I arrived back in Montpelier via bus from an out of state visit with a friend as well as family members for the last three weeks (July 3rd thru July 24th).
During my third week of visiting, I stayed with one of my cousins for two nights.
He had become the owner of a bicycle that had formerly belonged to a mutual aunt of ours whom had given it to his sister whom then gave it to him and, which he gifted to me last week.
My cousin is an Ironman Triathlon competitor. He used this particular bike for training prior to his triathlon last year, however he now has his own bike and wanted to keep this one in the family.
The bicycle is a Univega Modo Vivere. At least compared to what I was formerly use to using, it is one fine bike.
While I would someday still like to obtain a recumbent (which is something I made known to certain people at FreeRide Montpelier), with this set of prime wheels, I think I am all set for a while with what for me is a bicycle of my dreams; and, as such, can certainly wait for a bent no matter how long that particular dream may take to fulfill.
Due to the fact that I have absolutely no experience with working on a bicycle of this type (and, although my cousin helped me in that regard as much as he was able to do so within a couple of days) and it also has been many, many years since I last had a bicycle as well as worked on one, after getting of the bus and then dropping my stuff off at the place my things are stored, I walked the bike over to the FreeRide Montpelier shop in order to make sure the front wheel was put on properly as well as to get help with beginning to learn some of what I’ll need to know to work on it properly and keep it up in fine shape both for myself as well as the next generation of my family who will own it after me.
On my initial visit to the bike shop that evening, Matt was the head mechanic on duty for the earlier shift and he helped me out with the front tire, showing me how to properly put it back on and oiling the chain as well as other such stuff.
Later, after a short ride, I went back again and both Matt and Josh — who was head mechanic for the 8 PM to 10 PM shift — helped me with trying to get a rear reflector on the bike.
As we could not find a rear reflector that would properly fit on the bike at the time, Josh found a small rear light and creatively installed it on my bicycle helmet for me and I was good to go.
Even though I have much more to learn and also do with the bike, as well as equip it with, FreeRide Montpelier is helping me get started so I can more safely ride the roads with this road bike of mine.
Thank you FreeRide Montpelier!
*Update*: Yesterday (Friday, July 27th) I went over to FreeRide Montpelier and, with Colin as head mechanic helping me out, ended up traded the women’s racing seat that the bike was outfitted with (back when my aunt got the bike) for a more comfortable seat better suited for a male, yet one I still needed to use the jell pad seat cover for; but with this seat the jell pad fits better and does not slide around as much as it did with the other seat.
In addition, I was also able to get a U lock type of lock for only $3.00 there as well, something that will help keep the bike more securely locked up. Plus I also got the bike registered with the Montpelier Police Department yesterday too (especially since while at FreeRide Montpelier, I was able to get someone to read the serial number of the bike to me so it could be documented and used in registering it), just in case.
*Note*: last updated on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 5:45 PM [EDT].
