I've been there, Leah. New bike, winter/awful roads. What I ended up doing was putting the bike in the back of my car and driving to a covered car park 20 minutes from home. I know they have security camera's, but I road around for 10 minutes and then left. That was better than nothing!
I was wondering about the bars and the tilt, I'm guessing you'll end up tilting them down a bit, but I'm sure you'll figure that all out - enjoy. On Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2:21:01 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > You may be right, Joe. But Melanie is making sure I have a beautiful > bottle cage! She’s bringing it to the Philly Bike Expo. 😍 I was going to > order the dumb German mirror but that will have to wait since Riv is sold > out. Gives me more time to look online for alt options. I’ll tell you all > if I find anything better. I don’t have a bike computer but the club riders > who do have a nifty beeping feature when a car comes rushing up behind us. > I wish my phone did this. > > Meanwhile, here is the state of things. > [image: image0.jpeg] > Charlie is in the mudroom, the scoundrel. There were a lot of jokes about > having Charlie in the house between my husband and me. Don’t worry, Charlie > doesn’t get to stay there; I was changing out black zip ties for neutral > ones, putting on his Bananasax and admiring him. I have looked longingly > outside every darn day, hoping for a break. Haha, said Michigan, look what > I can do! Black ice everywhere. High wind advisories. Plummeting temps. > Rain and snow at the same time. All since Feb 26, the day I got Charlie. > > I have so much to test and evaluate on Charlie. I don’t know if the saddle > height and angle is right - just came this way from the shop. The bars > might need angling down. I have new-to-me gearing and am curious if I’ll > like it (it’s a much bigger front ring). I have to develop the knack for > mounting him after having all these mixtes. Two RivSisters got their > Charlies built and have been enjoying rides. They say this is a fast, easy > bike. They also worry about adding accessories and weighing down the > Charlies. > > Ok, back to looking at accessories. What else am I gonna do in this > weather? > Leah > > On Feb 28, 2025, at 11:29 PM, Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com> wrote: > > You may be stuck with that German mirror. I've tried a ton of mirrors and > always end up wishing the dang thing was German as the Good Lord intended. > > > Joe Bernard > > On Friday, February 28, 2025 at 11:20:31 AM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! > wrote: > >> Johnny, >> >> I do feel conflicted about the RR shifting. Not sure it will be a great >> benefit to me, either. Seems less ergonomic because I’m used to having the >> lever pushed forward and it’s better for the thumb. We’ll see. >> >> I dragged the bike into my mud room so I could stare at it and see how I >> should go about setting up accessories. This bike won’t have a rack and >> large bag, as all my Platys do. I have a gray BananaSax I put on the saddle >> today. Looks ok. I need a stem bag (I really can’t live without a Randi Jo >> Bartender Plus bag) and maybe a mirror. I hate to put that big old German >> mirror on the bike again, but does anyone have any better suggestions? >> >> Also thinking of a bottle cage for once because I need extra water on >> long rides and will have nowhere to store it on the bagless-Charlie. I hate >> the compromises one makes on a road bike. >> >> This is fun, I remind myself. Stressful fun. >> Leah >> >> On Feb 27, 2025, at 6:16 PM, Johnny Alien <johnny....@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Love the look of the anodized choco bars. Curious to hear your thoughts >> on them once the weather gets in line and you can spend some time with them. >> >> >> (I never really fell in love with rapid rise like Grant did but I don't >> hate it either. Just never got enough out of it to warrant my brain >> confusion) >> >> On Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 3:59:19 PM UTC-5 oldandin...@gmail.com >> wrote: >> >>> awesome build!! >>> >>> Nick >>> >>> >>> On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Ryan <ryte...@mts.net> wrote: >>> >>>> What is the rear hub.?..can't remember if you mentioned what it was >>>> >>>> On Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 1:20:52 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>> Ding! wrote: >>>> >>>>> Thanks, everyone! I am just dying to try it out! It’s cold and drizzly >>>>> and I was taking pics and wanting to throw a leg over, even just for a >>>>> bit >>>>> and then felt myself skid on black ice as I was having the thought. Nope >>>>> nope nope. I’ll have to wait for it to be just a bit warmer. The rear hub >>>>> is so quiet and the bike is so cute. In love over here! >>>>> [image: image0.jpeg][image: image1.jpeg][image: image2.jpeg][image: >>>>> image3.jpeg] >>>>> >>>>> On Feb 27, 2025, at 10:01 AM, Sally Bidleman <3mu...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Outstanding!! >>>>> >>>>> On Thu, Feb 27, 2025 at 4:00 AM Ryan <ryte...@mts.net> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> That turned out great! Now you and Bill L have to get together on >>>>>> your CHGs for a ride when he comes to Michigan. Can't wait for a ride >>>>>> report and pictures in the sunlight. Although, I have to say, even in >>>>>> the >>>>>> cloudy conditions, the gold frame pops! And looks good with the NL parts. >>>>>> >>>>>> You go girl! >>>>>> >>>>>> On Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 11:30:14 PM UTC-6 JAS wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> There aren't enough superlatives in the dictionary to describe this >>>>>>> bike, but I'll start with exquisite! Unsurpassed creativity, certainly. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 8:17:50 PM UTC-8 Joe Bernard >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The bars and rims are INSANE. I love this bike! >>>>>>>> On Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 5:39:12 PM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle >>>>>>>> Ding Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I got to go to Washington DC, and on my last day there, which was >>>>>>>>> yesterday, my favorite mechanic texted, “Charlie H. Gallop, first of >>>>>>>>> his >>>>>>>>> name, is complete.” >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I came home last night and today made haste to go see Charlie and >>>>>>>>> bring him home to live happily ever after with me. M, my favorite >>>>>>>>> mechanic, >>>>>>>>> is off today. A letdown! But I left him a card that will make him >>>>>>>>> very >>>>>>>>> happy when he gets it; he deserves everything, he is that good. But >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> other guys were there to chat about the NLC with me, which is half >>>>>>>>> the fun >>>>>>>>> of picking up a new bike. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> This bike looks *little* compared to the lengthy Platys that >>>>>>>>> inhabit my garage. >>>>>>>>> [image: image2.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> Isn’t it cute? It’s the 53, so it has lighter tubing, too. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> There was not one ray of sunshine today, making most of my color >>>>>>>>> dull. Only the rims catch the light and twinkle at you. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I asked the shop to hide the dyno wire and showed them an example. >>>>>>>>> I think I’ll snip their black zip ties and add my gray ones. These >>>>>>>>> are >>>>>>>>> Ultradynamicos Cava Race tires in 38 mm. >>>>>>>>> [image: image3.jpeg][image: image4.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> The galloping horses on the chainstays really do it for me. Here >>>>>>>>> is the RapidRise Grant set me up with. I have no idea if that’s a >>>>>>>>> thing >>>>>>>>> I’ll like; it’s a thing I wanted to *try. *I don’t know what the >>>>>>>>> fuss really is, except that in the event of a derailleur failure, I’d >>>>>>>>> be in >>>>>>>>> a more pedal-able gear. M said, “RapidRise? Are we going to use it >>>>>>>>> though?” >>>>>>>>> He was not convinced. R from the shop said he gave it a test ride, >>>>>>>>> rode up >>>>>>>>> a ramp was shocked when he went to downshift and ended up in a higher >>>>>>>>> gear. If I hate it I’ll just swap it for the normal kind. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> [image: image5.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> Some of Ashley’s excellent anodizing can be seen on the luscious >>>>>>>>> Silver3 cranks and chainguard. I cannot convey how wonderfully the >>>>>>>>> cranks >>>>>>>>> took color. They drip with NL charm. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I chose this Spurcycle bell in a moody black and blue. It fits the >>>>>>>>> disposition of this bike - northern lights are never static. >>>>>>>>> Wondrous, >>>>>>>>> elusive things. Moody. >>>>>>>>> [image: image6.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> You can see the Silver shifters did not take color well. They had >>>>>>>>> a flaky finish that came off in anodizing and they look like blue >>>>>>>>> metal >>>>>>>>> now. I heard they frustrated the junior mechanic helping M. “There’s >>>>>>>>> no >>>>>>>>> directions to reassemble these! It’s just a schematic!” he was >>>>>>>>> rumored to >>>>>>>>> have said. There’s a scratch on one of the shifters and I do not at >>>>>>>>> all >>>>>>>>> care because I know they were a bear to reassemble. Mark at Riv had >>>>>>>>> taken >>>>>>>>> them apart for anodizing. Will said he’d mash it if he tried, it’s >>>>>>>>> hard to >>>>>>>>> do. I told the guys we could send them back to Riv but they took on >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> project themselves. In fact, if these shifters got ruined in this >>>>>>>>> process, >>>>>>>>> I will not be shocked. We’ll see how they perform. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Here you a see I did do a little matching. I chose gold housing >>>>>>>>> and a gold headlight. You’ll notice gold valve stems on the wheels. >>>>>>>>> [image: image7.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Again, the new Silver3 cranks in the shorter length (165?). The >>>>>>>>> pedals are oil slick (not NL) but I’m getting away with it somehow. >>>>>>>>> [image: image8.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> The spokes! 😍 >>>>>>>>> [image: image9.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> My bars are showstoppers but they look dark without sun. It’s a >>>>>>>>> nice and muted look in cloudy weather, and will be dreamy in Michigan >>>>>>>>> golden sunshine. They are Chocos, which I bought because I thought >>>>>>>>> they >>>>>>>>> looked sporty on someone else’s bike. 🙄 >>>>>>>>> [image: image10.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Even the Paul levers had to be pulled apart for anodizing. They >>>>>>>>> always take color well, but again, you’ll have to wait for sun to see. >>>>>>>>> [image: image11.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> The weather was 30s and sleet today with black ice on the road. >>>>>>>>> One of our surgeons spent a whole day fixing all the broken bones >>>>>>>>> from >>>>>>>>> falls on the ice recently. Test rides will have to wait, but just >>>>>>>>> from >>>>>>>>> handling the bike I can tell it’s light and nimble. It steers easily >>>>>>>>> with >>>>>>>>> one hand guiding it and it looks compact and quick. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> “Just think if Leah had a road bike,” my club riding friends said. >>>>>>>>> This bike will not be what they meant when they said that. But I love >>>>>>>>> my >>>>>>>>> Minimal Compromise Northern Lights Golden Charlie. (First of his >>>>>>>>> name, you >>>>>>>>> know.) >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> It’s the road bike no one wanted me to have but exactly the one I >>>>>>>>> needed. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Feb 24, 2025, at 10:12 AM, Doug H. <dhansf...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> That is an amazing audio setup! So cool to see what people can do >>>>>>>>> with their bicycles. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I've ridden in bicycle groups and gotten into pretty good shape >>>>>>>>> but could never average 18 or more mph. I think 16 was my max average >>>>>>>>> on a >>>>>>>>> carbon Felt Z6 road bike. I was never dedicated enough to road >>>>>>>>> cycling to >>>>>>>>> really work to improve though so I was satisfied with my slower >>>>>>>>> group. >>>>>>>>> These days I ride solo mostly. >>>>>>>>> Doug >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Monday, February 24, 2025 at 10:04:42 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle >>>>>>>>> Ding Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> ***Sorry! Noticed the video cut off the rest of my message. Here >>>>>>>>>> it is, below: *** >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Despite the prejudice, I have found that my non-traditional bikes >>>>>>>>>> keep up in the road rides I do, and when they (ok I) don’t, I’ll >>>>>>>>>> just go >>>>>>>>>> down a class. The fastest group I go with advertises 16.5-17mph, led >>>>>>>>>> by a >>>>>>>>>> couple on a tandem, isn’t that wild? I like that we are moving but >>>>>>>>>> not >>>>>>>>>> getting to that level where you’re gasping and wishing to be done. >>>>>>>>>> My >>>>>>>>>> women’s group goes 16, and that’s the sweet spot for chitchat, which >>>>>>>>>> I >>>>>>>>>> love. There is a group that goes 18, but it’s a bunch of dudes and >>>>>>>>>> I’m not >>>>>>>>>> brave enough to ride with them. But I have ridden with their leader >>>>>>>>>> on a >>>>>>>>>> different ride that he said would be slower and it was SO HARD. We >>>>>>>>>> had a >>>>>>>>>> mad-hilly route and this guy just always averages 18, regardless of >>>>>>>>>> what >>>>>>>>>> the ride is supposed to be. I couldn’t even hold a conversation and >>>>>>>>>> he >>>>>>>>>> said, “Just think if you did this every week, you’d be so fit!” No >>>>>>>>>> thanks. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> The RivSisters who went to HQ rodeo the Charlie and reported it >>>>>>>>>> was so spritely and lively and fast. I guess we’ll see if it makes >>>>>>>>>> any >>>>>>>>>> difference compared to my Racing Platypus. Maybe I *will* try >>>>>>>>>> the scary 18 mph dude class with the rumored fast Charlie. >>>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Feb 24, 2025, at 8:52 AM, Leah Peterson <jonasa...@gmail.com> >>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Despite the prejudice, I have found that my non-traditional bikes >>>>>>>>>> keep up in the road rides I do, and when they (ok I) don’t, I’ll >>>>>>>>>> just go >>>>>>>>>> down a class. The fastest group I go with advertises 16.5-17mph, led >>>>>>>>>> by a >>>>>>>>>> couple on a tandem, isn’t that wild? I like that we are moving but >>>>>>>>>> not >>>>>>>>>> getting to that level where you’re gasping and wishing to be done. >>>>>>>>>> My >>>>>>>>>> women’s group goes 16, and that’s the sweet spot for chitchat, which >>>>>>>>>> I >>>>>>>>>> love. There is a group that goes 18, but it’s a bunch of dudes and >>>>>>>>>> I’m not >>>>>>>>>> brave enough to ride with them. But I have ridden with their leader >>>>>>>>>> on a >>>>>>>>>> different ride that he said would be slower and it was SO HARD. We >>>>>>>>>> had a >>>>>>>>>> mad-hilly route and this guy just always averages 18, regardless of >>>>>>>>>> what >>>>>>>>>> the ride is supposed to be. I couldn’t even hold a conversation and >>>>>>>>>> he >>>>>>>>>> said, “Just think if you did this every week, you’d be so fit!” No >>>>>>>>>> thanks. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> The RivSisters who went to HQ rodeo the Charlie and reported it >>>>>>>>>> was so spritely and lively and fast. I guess we’ll see if it makes >>>>>>>>>> any >>>>>>>>>> difference compared to my Racing Platypus. Maybe I *will* try >>>>>>>>>> the scary 18 mph dude class with the rumored fast Charlie. >>>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in >>>>>>>>> the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/alDVSkXugYY/unsubscribe >>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email >>>>>>>>> to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c8a19ffe-d621-461a-8f15-98a1385b5e12n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c8a19ffe-d621-461a-8f15-98a1385b5e12n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c00627bf-753b-45e9-9fb6-64767de1d6c3n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c00627bf-753b-45e9-9fb6-64767de1d6c3n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>>>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/alDVSkXugYY/unsubscribe >>>>> . >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> >>>>> To view this discussion visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CABey9MWKDeAGd2CLCXUrz%3DRc%3DiVhrTH3Ry8S%2BA-vFk8iUGu27A%40mail.gmail.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CABey9MWKDeAGd2CLCXUrz%3DRc%3DiVhrTH3Ry8S%2BA-vFk8iUGu27A%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>> >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>> To view this discussion visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/0f203653-a914-49d5-bccb-5c9b9cfe19c1n%40googlegroups.com >>>> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/0f203653-a914-49d5-bccb-5c9b9cfe19c1n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/alDVSkXugYY/unsubscribe >> . >> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >> >> To view this discussion visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/03eb0d27-0102-46a3-9ab0-1584fc50ae46n%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/03eb0d27-0102-46a3-9ab0-1584fc50ae46n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the > Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this topic, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/alDVSkXugYY/unsubscribe > . > To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to > rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. > > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/83788889-6cdf-418e-8534-c58ac6afbe85n%40googlegroups.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/83788889-6cdf-418e-8534-c58ac6afbe85n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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