The sping-like weather and vibrant blue bike inspired me to dig out my peep-toe blue suede shoes for a ride to brunch. My first real ride with Smurfette (Trisha’s brilliant name suggestion!) was very satisfying. She’s quick and light with a ride almost as smooth as my Oma, if you can believe it. Twice during the short ride, drivers who came to four-way stop signs first waved me on, perhaps catching some of my happy vibes.
Blue Suede Shoes
Good thing, too, because the brakes were not in tip-top shape and the rain that started as soon as I set off was not helping. Mr. Dottie aka Greg fixed the howling sound, but the stopping power was still suspect. After brunch I stopped by Roscoe Village Bikes for a little help and they roughed up my brake pads and rim to help with friction. Unfortunately, poor stopping power in the rain is simply a side effect of steel rims, but improved after that.
Also, she’s geared too easily for me – I was riding in the second-to-largest gear and it was cake. After all those months of riding a 50 LB bike in headwinds, my legs mean business. So I’ll have to look into whether it would be worth changing the chain rings. Not a big deal, either way.
Smurfette in Action
The rain got heavy, so I’m back inside for the rest of the day. I’m going to use this opportunity to listen to the Sigur Ros album I bought this morning while waiting for my brakes (good stuff!) and try to finish reading Neil Gaiman‘s The Graveyard Book (when it takes me weeks to read a young adult book, I know I’m working too much and enjoying life too little).
Oh, and day dream about my dream job that I saw listed over on Cyclicious – Executive Director of Worldbike, a non-profit that promotes bike use for human development in Kenya. Unfortunately, I don’t think my two years as an associate at a law firm qualifies me for the position. What I lack in experience, I make up for in enthusiasm. Hm, I’ll check back in ten years.
P.S. Check out my pictures over at super-blog EcoVelo. While you’re there, look at the other photo submissions, which are much better than mine.
Let's Go Ride a Bike 
Hi Dottie,
I’m glad you are having fun with Smurfette. Great name. Very appropriate.
Sorry to hear that the brakes were so so. I put new pads on the back, because the old ones were ancient.
Lovely bike and shoes!
You know, that exec director gig looks really good to me also. I also dig that Kenya shop manager position they have open.
The first picture looks so cool, such a nice blue color! Btw, I like Sigur Ros a lot (depends on the mood though), but don’t know any of the new stuff. Good for rainy weather, for sure.
A girl’s gotta to match…love the color!
I would suggest some Kool Stop Salmon Pads, they will improve the braking quite a bit, the best you will be able to do with the steel rims. FWIW my pride and joy Raleigh Superbe still has steel rims…I just plan my braking well in advance.
Aaron
You look so snazzy! Glad you are having fun on Smurfette.
Spider, the brakes are no big deal; I just need to get used to the steel rims compared to my Oma’s roller brakes. The new pads are great. I love the bike, so thank you again and again! :) 2whls, I’m going to look into those red pads.
dottie,
I think you will be pleased with what the salmon pads will do for braking. They will never be as strong and sure as the roller brakes on your Oma. One of the reasons I chose the bike I did for my city bike was the roller brakes.
Aaron
the kabuki lives!
that is so cute, my road (and second) bike’s name is also the
smurfette♥
they are long lost cousins :)
Yay… welcome Smurfette!
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