Granny's Got a New Bike

 

Maggie takes over

 When I took Nellie in for her medical before heading off on another trip – the mechanics gathered me to her bedside and spoke in soft tones –

“It’s time to think of retirement for dear Nellie” they said…. 

“Surely not!”, was my reply.

“But she needs so much surgery that it’s not sure that she will pull thru…  New crank shaft, new cassette & chain, probably new drive cogs – new brake & gear cables and the issue of the rear brakes continues and she will need new shoes, especially on the rear…  it’s probably kinder to put her onto lighter duties and start again…

We have a suggestion based on the kilometres you travel, see here - this nice new shiny bike!”

The tiny shiny steed pointed out was a bit laughable…  I mean would such a spindly thing carry panniers and all the other toys that Nellie has shouldered over the past 3 years.  And it wasn’t a step thru – I mean how is a granny going to throw her leg over??

I might do some research…  I did want a step-thru, but research revealed that there were little options.  Step-thru’s are coming back in fashion, but aren’t too serious – low gearing options, not that long lasting for the kms I wanted, so maybe Granny is just going to have to toughen up. 

Suggestions from ‘those that know’ came up with a nice looking stead, but when checked out it was too high-geared – I still need granny gears – and so eventually I ended up back where I started. 

And so Maggie was born – she came a week earlier than promised – but that’s not unusual, been there before!  

So, despite the cool weather and threatening rain, we headed north – now with computer set up.  Can I really be skimming along so fast?  I stopped in at Cycle Obsession to see if they had any handle-bar bags, but nothing there.  Oh well, will go for a bit of a spin to Nudgee beach, that should let me know how comfy Maggie is. 

I did made it out to Nudgee, where I had a bit of a break.  Whilst munching on some carrot cake, I was visited by a rather cheeky magpie, who checked out the chances for some crumbs and checked out the new bike.  and so the name for this bike was found!  

Resting at Nudgee

A few issues to iron out I think.  Got the seat the right but I think the handle bars are too low now.  So we shall be going back to TK, to see if we can get that right.  Otherwise, Maggie is much more manoeuvrable, lighter and zippy for sure – but we shall have to see how she goes once she starts carrying a load!  Nellie is pretty relaxed about it all (I hope) and is keeping an eye on the new kid on the block!