Built for the Job.

This is my bike. I LOVE this bike! I bought it after my other bike was destroyed when I was hit by a car. I had always wanted a Schwinn. Although I thought it would be classic red, I like the sophistication of the metallics. YES! Colours matter for modes of transportation-There is a reason you don't buy a taupe Ferrari. I like the comfort seat, the raised handle bars and of couse, my after-factory installed carry basket. I also like the feel of my bike. This was a lot harder to get use to when I first bought it, as it is easily 1/2 the weight of my previous bike. Think about the physics, when I am riding it 80% of the total mass is above the seat. That brings up all sorts of center of gravity issues that I have to NOT think about. But still, I love this bike, how it moves, how it looks and how it feels. I love that my friends Tracy and Mark think that I'm the coolest thing on wheels when they see me pedalling around town in a skirt and heels, basket full of stuff.

For this reason, I have been greatly stressed by some people's dismissing of it. When I first told my friend, Pieter that I was considering doing Sea To Sea, his first response was- "You going to get a new bike?" I was puzzled. "NO- I love that bike! I ride it everyday! I know that bike! I want to do Sea To Sea on it." Since the announcement of my impending adventure, several "serious" cyclists have said the same thing. Dan clearly stated "That bike just isn't built for what you want to do. You're just making it hard on yourself"

OK but I think I can make some modifications, like clip pedals and street wheels, and this bike will work. Yes, it may be harder, but sometimes you make life a little harder for yourself to keep the things you love. I know this bike. I trust this bike. This bike can go Sea To Sea.