Oma’s Operation

Just before the mixer on Thursday, Mr. D and I discovered that Dottie’s 53-cm Oma could not be adjusted to fit me. The seat post was a bit too long for the tube, so the seat wouldn’t go down to the top of the seat post. That left those last two crucial inches that meant the difference between my toes grazing the ground and my toes having to stretch to complete the revolution of the pedal — not the safest method of riding in city traffic.

Contrary to what Friday’s post might imply, Dottie is more than willing to go the extra mile to share her bikes with friends. Once we got back to the condo, she gave the go-ahead for those crucial inches to be amputated the next morning. Ten minutes and visit with the handsaw later, and the extra seat post length was history.

Dr. Greg: "The patient is recovering nicely and will be ready to ride later this morning."

And I was able to spend the weekend on two wheels.

"You mean I can ride this one now?"

And we're off!

Riding Oma turned out to be a hell of a lot of fun. She was faster than I’d imagined she would be, and didn’t feel too much heavier than my Batavus. Definitely no problem in fairly flat Chicagoland, though trying it out on the hills in Nashville would be interesting.

Betty who?

The riding position was even more relaxed than the Batavus, and even though I had to hoist myself up into the saddle (even with the truncated post, the frame was a bit of a stretch) once I got up there I was more than comfortable. Not to mention she’s strikingly beautiful–so elegant.