Bicycle Evolution.

New fenders, rack, and mini-panniers!

Latest configuration!

It happens slowly at first...and then in the blink of an eye your down the rabbit hole.  I'm speaking of course of the evolution of your bicycle as you move from a casual rider to a bicycle commuter.  Wifey's bike is / has been undergoing this process recently.  She rides a Cannondale Synapse series that has geometry's associated with a bit more racey leaning.  Shorter rear triangle, more aggressive head tub angles, etc.  Back when we began riding we apparently thought we would be lean mean competition machines....well....not really.  We did perhaps have the outlook that most Americans have about the bicycle.  That it is a recreational and fitness tool (some might say toy) and we'd be riding with the intent of getting fit and fast.

What really happened was we didn't ride as much as we wanted because we had to "suit up" with our bike cloths and make a point of doing a ride.  To make a long story short, we evolved into riding to work occasionally and over time more frequently until it became how we got around in general.  We quickly discovered that our bikes purpose had evolved and the bicycles we were riding hadn't.

So what was wrong with the bicycle.....really nothing, but we needed to be able to use it more like a car.  First it was wider tires and tire liners for the increasing amount of time we were spending patching flats due to the urban road conditions.  Then it was adding racks, baskets, and bags (of various shapes and sizes) to carry all the things that we needed during the day (lunch, computers, etc.).  We continued riding even as the weather, seasons, and light levels changed, so we added fenders, headlights, taillights and even eventually dynohubs.  Yep, I told you....it's a rabbit hole. 

It isn't always easy.  I actually switched back to my old college bicycle (1986 Raleigh Technium!) so all the bits and pieces would fit and I can still "train" with my fancy Cannondale.  Wifey didn't have an "old" bike to revert to, so the modifications began.  And let me tell you, making all those things listed above on a bike with race inspired geometry isn't easy and certainly doesn't follow the instructions included in most packages.....but it can be done.  So, if you have a bike....any bike, remember it will evolve with your riding style and needs.

 My latest configuration.