Our New Bicycles

After the knee op earlier this year it was suggested for Mark to get on a bike.  We borrowed some from friends while in Japan and it was decided, due to his unusual size, a custom folding bike would be best.  A search on the internet found the ideal bike, made by Bike Friday. Of course it is a bit pricey.  Anyway after some debate we bit the bullet and ordered it right before we left Japan, to be delivered to some destination later to be determined in Alaska.  It is geared and tired like a mountain bike and the frame is heavy enough to allow for further expansion (i.e. if he becomes a couch potato and puts on 60 pounds) but is really a road bike.

Pauline, on the other hand, didn't grow up on bikes and was a bit leery of getting a fold up bike.  So we paid a visit to the local bike shop after Mark got his bike together and realized he needed a kickstand anyway.  The lady at the bike shop was incredibly helpful and being the end of season had some discounts for us.  She realized Pauline's lack of confidence on a bike and suggested starting with a good but cheaper and simpler bike.  She was a good salesperson and even though we went in for a kickstand we came out with a full size bike for Pauline.  She is gaining confidence daily and has made a couple of 8 mile runs and one closer to 12 miles.  How do we know that?  Well that would be the new bike app that is in her iPhone!

Anyway, Mark's bike folds up and disassembles to fit into a suitcase.  The suitcase option also has a trailer kit so the suitcase can double as a trailer.  Great for going to town with loads of laundry, groceries or getting jerry jugs of diesel.  So we took two pics on our last trip from the laundry.  Here they are below.

Pauline after an 8 mile ride to do Laundry

The Bike Folded and disassembled into the suitcase.  It takes about 20 minutes to re assemble.  Though the first time was several hours.