TAJ Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Before Christmas (on Ebay) a bought an old 1930s bike, rod brakes, no gears, but a great upright ride position. Having had a brief trip out on it and it not hurting my back (an issue I normally have cycling) I thought maybe I should be looking for an old fashioned upright bike and start cycling to work some days. I bid on a lovely Pashley bike on Ebay - just 1 bid a few hours before it finished - I made a deal with myself that if I got it I would ride to work at least one day a week (about 10 mile round trip)...and I got it! So now firstly I need to confess up at home, secondly await for it to arrive, thirdly check it is all working fine and then stick to the deal I made with myself to use it! Obviously I will be relying on my forum friends to be checking up on me and making sure it doesn't sit looking pretty in the garage! It is one of these (secondhand) http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/princess-sovereign.html in green and my frame size. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Congratulations it looks lovely. We'll keep an eye on you to make sure it doesn't gather dust in the garage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Beautiful! I like that style of bike as well, much easier on the back and the wrists. Mine has been sitting in the shed all winter though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 What a beauty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Gorgeous bike!! Come and join us on the fitness thread, there's lots of us there trying to get a bit fitter/lose some weight in 2012. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 Gorgeous bike!! Come and join us on the fitness thread, there's lots of us there trying to get a bit fitter/lose some weight in 2012. I guess I should I have read the thread, but not committed myself - I guess there is no going back now! Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Tracy, what a lovely bike. I have been looking for an upright because of back problems but it needs to be lightweight too and anything suitable has been too expensive to risk as I'm not really sure if it would be better for me. I miss cycling but had got to the point where even just a short ride out was leaving me unable to walk straight away after. I gave my bike away at Christmas as I hadn't used it for over a year. I am very looking at your new one. I hope it helps; having a bad back is so frustrating and when it stops you doing things you enjoy just plain miserable. Good luck sticking to your plan. I will be interested to hear how you are getting on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 That's a lovely bike Tracy - you go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 The thing to do is to start off doing little trips out on the bike and build up to the full 10 mile round trip. This time of year I just cycle to the local shops/ post office and gradually build up to the full cycle to work. Don't try to do the cycle to work straight off as you need to get your legs/ lungs etc used to the whole thing. Get some panniers or a basket and make sure you load the bike so it's evenly balanced. ladies cycle shorts are a big help too ( you can wear them under a skirt or jogging bottoms for a bit of dignity). I have been cycling for years and always get funny looks from the local yoof as I ride a bright turquoise Trek mountain bike ( with the tiniest frame) and travel at some speed ( apparently not the done thing for a 40 something lady in these parts!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Lovely. I now picture you as Miss Hubbard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 Lovely. I now picture you as Miss Hubbard. I think my family would view it more like the wicked witch of the west from Wizard of Oz! The cycle distance isn't an issue (I hope), it is just that effort bit when you are leaving the house at 7.30am on a winter's morning and leaving a perfectly good, dry, warm car in the drive! So I am hoping a lovely bike that is easy to ride will be the motivation I need - I have spoken to the Ebay seller and will collect tomorrow Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 The bike looks lovely, I can see why you bought second hand, very pricey otherwise. I used to cycle everywhere in my youth, my parents didn't have a car and all my friends lived about 5 miles away uphill, so I didn't have a lot of choice. I then used to cycle to work when I first left home until I had an incident with a cement mixing lorry at traffic lights in Chester where I lived at the time. It knocked my confidence and I haven't really ridden since. I bought a nice new bike about 4 years ago and I have only ridden it about 3 times. I will use you as my inspiration and make it my year for cycling to our allotment which is only about a mile away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Lovely looking bike, my DD has one similar that she bought in France whilst there for her working in France year at uni. Definitely join us on the fitness thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Looks Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 The bike looks lovely, I can see why you bought second hand, very pricey otherwise. I used to cycle everywhere in my youth, my parents didn't have a car and all my friends lived about 5 miles away uphill, so I didn't have a lot of choice. I then used to cycle to work when I first left home until I had an incident with a cement mixing lorry at traffic lights in Chester where I lived at the time. It knocked my confidence and I haven't really ridden since. I bought a nice new bike about 4 years ago and I have only ridden it about 3 times. I will use you as my inspiration and make it my year for cycling to our allotment which is only about a mile away. We might meet on the roads of Cheltenham! I have confessed to the purchase at home - the response was 'at least it hasn't got feathers' - I think that might relate to having too many chickens? ...or perhaps just the additional ex-bats I got last week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 That's a beauty! I've always hankered after a Pashley... I'm very Happy cycling!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 What a bargain! Lovely looking bike, ery interested to hear how you get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Now that's one beautiful bike Enjoy At least you'll look good out on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 What a lovely bike I have a Dawes Graduate bike which is very like yours, green with a wicker basket on the front, leather padded handle bars and a padded leather sprung seat. I bought a green tartan box bag for the back which is big enough to hold my uniform for work. I feel very regal when I am riding it and often think I should be wearing a floaty, flowery dress and a straw hat instead of a sweat top,trousers and cycle helmet. I suffer with back problems but my "old fashioned" bicycle is so comfy to ride. I will be riding my bike to work and back after the Easter holidays and to at least the October half term holiday. A journey of 4 miles each way which when I am fully into it will take me about half an hour, less going home as it is mostly downhill. We will have to encourage each other, it is too easy to just get in the car and drive if it is a cold,wet, windy day. You see so much wildlife when on a bike and I often just stop and look around for a while, and then have to go like the clappers to get to work on time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 14, 2012 Author Share Posted January 14, 2012 It is here it looks lovely - the seat has been adjusted and I have had a little ride around - not an excuse, but is bitterly cold outside today. It looks great and is lovely and easy to ride. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 You're making me want one now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 You're making me want one now. What's stopping you? Pashley are a brilliant bike company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 lovely bike! mine has been stuck in the shed unused for 12 months, i think once it warms up a bit i will have to go out on it. youve inspired me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 You're making me want one now. What's stopping you? £645. Actually, that's not true. What's stopping me is that I need to see and try one to get an idea of size and suitability (I have long legs/short body, so bikes are often uncomfortable) and then I'd probbaly look for a second hand one. I have emailed Pashley to see if they have a "showroom". Since this thread started, I've looked at a number of local bike stockists, and they can get them but don't stock them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 14, 2012 Author Share Posted January 14, 2012 You're making me want one now. What's stopping you? £645. Actually, that's not true. What's stopping me is that I need to see and try one to get an idea of size and suitability (I have long legs/short body, so bikes are often uncomfortable) and then I'd probbaly look for a second hand one. I have emailed Pashley to see if they have a "showroom". Since this thread started, I've looked at a number of local bike stockists, and they can get them but don't stock them. There is a big Pashley stockist in Stratford-Upon-Avon that also does bike rental, so you can not only try them, but actually go out riding for half a day. I am so in love with this bike - it is such a good position for me to ride - the bell is enormous and sounds like a house door bell (a loud ding dong). I was very lucky to get this one in my frame size and colour I liked, looking brand new, with all the accesories, paperwork, etc on Ebay, saving a few £100. I would say though it is a hand built frame, made in the UK with a Brooks (also UK) leather saddle, so whilst it isn't a cheap option I would say given it's quality it is value for money. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
