A Bounty Of Bikes

The bike fleet

When we arrive in Brunswick, we only had one bicycle, my folding bike Ms Moneypenny.  She's a light weight, 16" (wheels) folding bike - think circus music.  Tom wanted to get a bike as well and started dutifully checking Craigslist for one.  Every time a candidate would come up, he would call the seller to find he had just missed out. 

The new 20" next to Ms Moneypenny

Inquiries with others around the marine soon found Tom the new owner of a used 20" folding bike.  It has some rust, shifts gears (sort of) and usually on it's own when it feels like it but rides really well.  Soon we were biking here, there and everywhere together.  Big fun and handy for runs to Central Hardware and The Grog Shop.  I found I had to peddle pretty fast on my 16" to keep up with Tom on the 20".

Rusty - the latest addition to the bike fleet

Several weeks went by when fellow dockmates got new to them folding bikes.  He had a full sized, older folding Dahon bike.  "Rusty" had gotten him many places but was getting very.....rusty.  They purchased a set of folding bikes so he no longer needed Rusty.  I asked what he was going to do with Rusty.  "Why?  Do you want it?  I was going to throw it in the dumpster."  I thought for sure that Tom would be interested so he said he would gladly give Rusty to Tom but was worried about all the rust on Rusty.  I assured him it was fine that Rusty had rust.  Did you follow all that?

It must be Xmas

Tom was like a kid on Christmas morning when I told him our dock neighbor was gifting Rusty to him.  They were "tickled Tom could use and enjoy it."  Next thing you know, the top of our dock turned into a full bicycle shop with our dockmates and Tom all tinkering with bikes.  By the way, we think of the rust on Rusty as a barrier coat, protecting it from getting stolen.  And it adds character.    

Rust - a new type of barrier coating

A quick run to a local bicycle shop and Wal-Mart netted us some vital parts (like a bike seat) along with some spares and a kewl FOLDING basket for the front of my bike. 

Off to The Grog Shop

So now we have THREE folding bikes.  I have taken to riding the 20"- yet to be named.  It's easier to ride however it's heavier to store so I am not sure if it will go with us or Ms Moneypenny.  Tom is riding Rusty exclusively.

Sweet ride

But for now, we are enjoying the bounty of bikes.  Total investment on the latest additions to the bike fleet - $50.