Sunday, November 18, 2007

Ride, Fold, Repeat. . .


I am thoroughly enthralled with folding bikes and Dahon, by far, is the best option out there. The Bike Guy Stable now contains three Dahons, that have afforded me the luxury of leaving the car in the driveway for days at a time. The commute from Racine to Lake Forest travels through beautifully paved and tree-canopied roads, deer-trodden bike paths and "I am bicyclist,hear me roar" bike lanes. After a ride of 8-9 miles, depending on route, the bike is folded, bagged and brought onto the Metra along with my cup of coffee purchased for one dollar from Ray, the forever polite, Sandwich Stop Cafe proprietor. The train ride often involves a light nap, maybe a quick read, but never angst-ridden, finger-flipping driving.

On weekdays I exit the train at Lake Bluff and ride the last two miles to Kiddles. On Saturdays, I either ride the whole 30 miles, or exit the train earlier yet, at North Chicago.

You may read all the technical data on Dahon Bikes at their web site and who knows, technical data will likely show up on this blog. But for now, we are focused on the prospect of you getting the Dahon Religion and ending your worship of the petrol-burning beast. Like any life change, you will go through contemplation that argues for and against the New Way. One of the many reasons you will buy your bike at Kiddles is the "counseling" you receive--more on my former life as a Mental Health Therapist at a later date.

Dahon has graciously allowed us to purchase certain frame sets for the purpose of creating "Designer Dahons". Most of these bikes have been fixed gear, or single speed bikes, like the one pictured above. They are incredibly light and the 20" versions feature the larger, 451 sized, wheels. I brought my little Dahon Mu fixed gear on a 109 mile ride last year and enjoyed some gritty 21-26mph pace line action. A viable bike? I should think so.

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