Ride Of My Life : the story of the bicycle

The Different Types of Bikes

Peter's Flevobike, a folding recliner

Peter unfolds his reclining bicycle.

Then he explains the modifications he made, including a head rest and rear paniers. The contraption looks like it still needs unfolding, but no.

He demonstrated it next to a graveyard, to emphasize the risks he took in learning how to ride in this literally laid back way. 

 Peter got it on ebay and it took him a couple of weeks to figure out how to ride it. "It involves a whole new skill set," he explained. I tried it briefly, but did not get very far.

One of the skills you need to learn is to hold out your arms like a bird saying, "What, me worry?"

You can read about the history of this machine at: http://flevofan.ligfiets.net/?doc=ch1&lang=en

My Kona Dr Good

This 2012 Kona hybrid features front disk brakes, rear drum brakes. This is my favorite feature; it allows me to stop on a dime with two fingers. I also like the 7 speed Shimano Alfine internal hub. Best all around bike I have ever had. The Velo Orange leather saddle has begun to squeak annoyingly, but I have a replacement on deck.

Bicycles; The benefits and parts thereof

Tern Verge X20 Folding Bike

Bikes in the Ford Museum, Detroit Michigan

Several years ago my brother in exile escorted us through the Ford Museum. My interest in bikes was strong enough that I took these shots of the antiques on display there.

 Bicycles literally paved the way for the dominance of the automobile.

The Moulton with 20 inch (flat!) wheels makes it into a museum. I hear that it was at one point the fastest in the world.

Tandem plus!

A high wheeler with foot rests. Otherwise, you have to put your knees over the handlebars on a steep incline!

So much for my shots of bikes in the Ford.

Here is another picture, not by me, of another bike in that museum. It is, according to the caption, an 1889 Pope Columbia "safety" bicycle. These were, I believe, the first mass produced non-high wheelers in America. Note the slanting crossbar (or top tube, if you prefer) just like a modern (post 2000) bike.

By way of comparison, here is the 2013 version of my newish bike, the Kona Dr Good, also with up slanting top tube:

Mine is a 2012, which did not come with the nifty front carrier. I took this at Liberty! lbs in St. Catherines.

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