HELLO BIKE FRIDAY!

I am much more of a cyclist than I am a runner. Because I try to stay fit when I travel,  running is often the most accessible activity. Until now!

Say hello to my Bike Friday.

First, I love bicycles. Even more so riding them. Road bikes and mtn. bikes made from titanium and carbon fiber, steel framed beach cruisers and even retro euro travel bikes. Two wheels and pedals just make me smile.

But checking a bike packed in a normal cycle travel case on airplanes is cost prohibitive, even for a Delta Diamond Million Mile flyer like me.  Then last spring my wife reminded me of the Bike Friday line of foldable bicycles. Before the idea had a chance to evaporate, I had mine on order. A candy apple red Pocket Rocket with flat bars and disc brakes. And a build date of May 17.

It arrived in its own Samsonite suite case. I can check it as luggage, no $75 each way charge. I put it together in less than 20 minutes and when Steve and Dave, two biking friends from Utah showed up of the weekend we went for a ride. Our inaugural ride was a 22-mile round trip with a tough climb at the half way point. On the ride out the bike was fine, but it didn’t take long to find out it does not like to climb. It goes up, but you have to whip it. Going down hill, I reached 38.8 mph before the small wheels, and short wheelbase conspired for some twitchiness.

This is what a Bike Friday looks like packed.

Next up was a week-long trip to the mid west. We sailed through the initial bag check (tsa took a look, but did not unpack it). On my first night I pulled the bike out of the case and had it set up in 15 minutes. The next morning left my hotel at 6:00 a.m. and got in a beautiful 16 mile ride through the hilly, forested area west of Bloomington, Indiana. This is why it made the trip: To provide two-wheeled freedom from tiny, smelly hotel "gyms."

All in all, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.