Sold My Vintage Mixte.

I made the decision to sell my 1983 Centurion Le Mans Mixte (Rose). I just didn't have the time to devote to restoring her, and it was a shame to have her sitting in my garage collecting cobwebs. Sadly, I was in over my head. I had one session over at Bikerowave with the bike, and the more work I did, the more I realized how much work (and money, frankly) it was going to require. The wheels were dodgy and were probably going to need to be replaced. I tried to true them but it is apparently an art that I don't have a talent for. The cables and housing needed to be replaced, new tires, new chain, new brake pads, new saddle, etc. etc. It was just too much for me and I had to admit it.

I sold it to a gal who lives in Downtown LA who was going to fix it up for a friend of hers. That's a good friend! I wish her well and hopefully she will send me some pictures when she has it restored.  She seemed to know what she was doing, and I know she'll do a better job than I did!

Pashley is Getting a Makeover Today!

via Pashley

Before.

My Pashley Princess Sovereign is out getting a makeover today at LA Brakeless.

via leatherbicyclesaddles.co.uk

I am replacing the Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires that come with the bike with Schwalble Delta Cruisers in cream with reflective sidewalls. So many of the blogs I follow recommend these tires and the bike looks so lovely with cream tires that I just had to try them.

via Brooks

I also bought Brooks leather grips that match my saddle to replace the old school plastic ones that come with the Pashley.

I also felt that my gears were slipping a bit, so they are checking out that problem as well. LA Brakeless is the bike shop that is closest to my home - I can walk there. It's kind of a hard core fixie shop and my Pashley felt a bit out of place there, but the staff was very friendly and the gentleman who helped me said he knew how to fix a Sturmey Archer hub, so I believe she is in good hands!

I can't wait to see her all made up!

Po Campo Freebie!

Last week was Bike To Work Week in Chicago. To celebrate, Chicago-based bike bag company Po Campo did a give away on facebook yesterday. If you posted a picture of yourself biking to work, they'd send you a free reflective pin. Sign me up! I had a friend at the office snap a picture in the afternoon. (Sans make-up. Ugh!)

Speaking of Po Campo, I have been seriously considering getting their "Loop Pannier" bag. It seems like a great bike commuting bag and it's way prettier than my current Bontrager Grocery Panniers.

photo via Po Campo

Loop Pannier in Chartreuse Poppy Treated Acrylic

photo via Po Campo

Loop Pannier in Umber Waxed Canvas

photo via Po Campo

Here's how it looks on a bike.

I'm having a heck of a time deciding between these two colors. How about I put it up a to vote?

(There is a poll embedded in this post. Please visit the website to vote.)