I finally gave up on ever getting my Schwinn Campus electric bike for $1600. The U.S. government is being a little overzealous in its protection of both myself and package handlers and, therefore, the shipment of the Campuses looks like it well happen on the 12th of Not-Any-Time-Soon.
Also, this past week, my transmission died. It seemed like the universe was trying to accelerate the schedule of my bike acquisition. So this weekend, I went out and purchased this…
It’s a “Mia” from Novara and I picked it up from REI for the seeming bargain basement price of $400.
You cannot tell how cute this bike is from the picture. First, it has flowers on the frame. Flowers. Secondly, I added chrome fenders. (Chrome!) Also, I have a rack in the back and, believe me, I am giving some serious consideration to adding a retro basket on the handlebars.
Above it’s very girly aesthetic (I can’t believe I am getting something this girly), it is beyond comfortable. The current trend for bicycles is to force you into a more aggressive posture, more forward over the handlebars. Well, I refuse to spend 40 minutes like I am the two-cycled version of a fighter pilot. I wanted my commute to be easy and relaxed. Voila! Mission accomplished.
All I have to do now is execute a test run and we”ll get this party started!
21 comments
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August 18, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Connie
I love that you and Curly decided to post pictures. It is nice to see your smiles along with your words to the wise or words from the wise…btw very lovely photo.
I am a SLAVE to my car…I LOVE driving the Boxster…also everything is so spread out…I might pass out on the side of the road and the crazy drivers here would blow their horns and try to run over me…excuses, excuses. I am totally impressed with the whole bike riding as opposed to buying a car and relying on gas etc. etc. You Go Girl!!!
hayden tompkins says:
Thank you!! I totally agree with loving the independence a vehicle gives you. I definitely like having the option of having Chris’s car in a jam.
As for the picture, I thought I’d show a little solidarity. My hair is different but I’ll get around to getting a more recent photo. Maybe one without crooked glasses!
August 18, 2008 at 5:53 pm
curlywurlygurly
you are lovely and have a great smile!! the glasses are a very cerebral touch–i took mine off for my pic. hee hee. you look different than the ‘hayden’ i created in my pea brain. isn’t that always the way? i imagined a much more “bookish” bloggess.
hayden tompkins says:
I am bookish! LOL, what did you think I looked like?
August 18, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Kip de Moll
At my new house, they have just rebuilt the road, adding a bike path as it connects Burlington with Winooski across the river. It is so great to see the constant flow of bikers and walkers in all styles passing by. It gives the area such a greater sense of vitality.
I admire your commitment.
too bad my job requires such a large tool box on wheels and a serious lumber rack!
hayden tompkins says:
LOL!
August 18, 2008 at 6:22 pm
froggywoogie
That’s a cute bike. Maybe it needs some protection over the wheels against the mud and rain or we will hear you swear badly if you stain your clothes.
Good purchase. Long way!
hayden tompkins says:
That’s what those sassy chrome fenders are for, baby!
August 18, 2008 at 6:42 pm
curlywurlygurly
lol..someone just said the same thing about me on my blog. i got all nervous and wanted to delete the photo immediately.
i didn’t imagine you to be an ogre or anything (hee hee)…it’s just that when i thought of you and your heritage that you mentioned, i just imagined you with more of a latin influence…
hayden tompkins says:
Believe me, that influence starts right below the neck!
August 18, 2008 at 6:44 pm
SanityFound
*does major partay dance* this is EXCELLENT!!! ooo AND with flowers how cool is that! When is the christening? You must of course name her so that the karma Gods know it is yours – tradition in some of the circles down here.
Oh boy how weird is this but I am really excited for you I could jump up and down!
Ok I just did whoohooo (straight jacket is back on)
hayden tompkins says:
…..name…. Hm.
August 18, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Lisa Natoli
you put your photo up!!!! Oh my God. YOU’RE GORGEOUS!!!!!! And, I love the bike. I want to go buy the exact same one. I CAN tell how cute it is by the photo. I can see myself riding on it. I love that it’s a GIRL bike. And with flowers. ha. That is great. Circa 1975.
hayden tompkins says:
Oh, gee, Lisa. If I could blush I totally would. I find it incumbent upon me to tell you that this picture is about a year old. My hair is shorter now and I have a less crooked set of glasses.
But thank you.
As for the bike, it rides like a dream.
August 18, 2008 at 8:27 pm
SanityFound
American’s don’t name there equipment? My friend had a funeral for her car the other day, she sold it so decided to have a farewell party. Mrs Berry had a great send off, she will be missed.
August 18, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Night Writer
I did a double-take when I saw the bike photo. It looks just like the bike my wife and I are thinking of buying the Mall Diva for her birthday, but we’re looking at a different brand. (She said she wants a “grandma bike” – but I want her to sign off on the bike before forking out the $$).
hayden tompkins says:
Please. Retro. (I will also accept ‘vintage’.)
You are totally right about having her sign off on it first!
August 18, 2008 at 8:58 pm
daffy
I don’t think there is a bike seat big enough for my ample behind!
)
Love your bike though….
and look at you pretty lady! Your picture keeps making me smile back at you!
*waves* ;o)
hayden tompkins says:
Hello!!
August 18, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Squawkfox
YIPEEEE! Now I can claim you as a fellow cyclist! Your new ride is super cute! But it’s your picture in the top corner which is super hot. You must do a post on your first bike ride.
I own a few bikes since I ride to work on my commuter, race on my road bike, and also have a mountain bike for the farm. All bikes are awesome. Congrats on your new wheels!
hayden tompkins says:
I’ve always been a trail rider, but I haven’t done any bike commuting in about a decade. I should’ve known you’d be a rider!
August 18, 2008 at 10:37 pm
mssc54
Okay first my nineteen year old daughter had to trade in her contacts for new tortis shell glasses last week. She developed an alergy to her contacts!
Secondly, that’s a lovely looking mode of womanly operated transportation. I especially like the way that the tires are so balanced that both of the valve stems are in the exact same place. Keep an eye on that closely. lol
Happy motoring!
PS: Did it come with the proper head gear?
hayden tompkins says:
At first I thought you meant some gear related doohickey on my bike. I finally got that you meant my helmet, LOL!
August 18, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Laurie
Your new bike rocks! What about equipping it with a cute horn and those fringy things coming out of the handle bars? That would be awesome!!
hayden tompkins says:
Laurie, will you think less of me if I admit that – yes – I considered the sparkly fringes for like a second? Yes?! Well, uh, that’s because, like, this was…totally hypothetical…totally.
August 18, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Night Writer
I’m down with “vintage” and “retro” but “grandma bike” were her words, not mine. Funny, I could picture exactly what she was talking about, though. (As with you, she doesn’t care for the doubled over, super-sport look).
As long as you don’t add a basket you’ll probably be okay. Ooops. Well, just don’t get one of those little thumb-bells for the handlebars! ; )
hayden tompkins says:
:mumbles: …it came with the bike…
:hangs head in shame:
August 19, 2008 at 2:01 am
Night Writer
No worries…the Mall Diva loved the photos so I bought the bike. She can’t wait…and she wants to get a basket! Perhaps the two of you can start a gang!
hayden tompkins says:
Grandma bikes of the world unite!
August 19, 2008 at 3:04 am
curlywurlygurly
i have an old-fashioned wicker basket on the front of my bike–and a chrome BELL that i ‘brrriinnngg’ with my thumb to annoy my neighbors. my bike’s green ‘beach cruiser’ type…with silver trim. i know i’m cool. lol.
hayden tompkins says:
Heck YEAH! Retro is always hip.
August 19, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Varmint
Cool bike! But not as cool as the one I’ve always wanted:
August 19, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Varmint
Oops, that would be this bike:
http://varmintbites.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/bike.jpg
hayden tompkins says:
Well done, sir! I know when I’ve been ‘out retro-ed’.
August 19, 2008 at 2:36 pm
mssc54
Varmit; WOW! That sure looks like a Saturday morning cartoon avenger hero’s bike!
August 19, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Night Writer
I can just see Hayden, CWG and the Mall Diva “cruising” the strip together. Bad guys DO NOT want to find out what they’ve got in the baskets!
Perhaps the bells can be a “Knights Who Say Neee!” thing, where you surround evil-doers and cause them to cower in submission.
hayden tompkins says:
I am, under no circumstances, letting my husband read this comment! He’ll be ‘nee’ing for a week!
August 21, 2008 at 5:48 am
Just Jonny
Ok, that thing begs to pop a wheelie.
hayden tompkins says:
Oh, helllz nah! That’s what my smoking MTB is for.