And Kermit makes 7!

I got one.

I'm one of the Geeks.

I'm now the owner of a bike that I never.....ever....ever....ever imagined I would ride.

The freak wagon.

The midget wheels.

The Thing with no top tube.

What the hell IS that?

A Bike Friday.

It's bright green and I've named him Kermit.

I travel quite a bit for work and I always try to take one of my bikes with me so I can get away from my co-workers and explore the surroundings. Dutch Harbor, Alaska, was one of the better places I've explored. My Fat Chance and I rode out to the local landfill at 11 o'clock at night to watch dozens of bald eagles snack on mounds of garbage in full daylight. While it's a liberating feeling to be able to ride around once I get there, it's a serious PITA (pain in the ass) to get a bike anywhere. I pack it up in the big monolith bike box, get charged $60-100 each way, huff it around the airport terminal, then rent a huge vehicle to cart the box to the hotel. It's to the point where the logistics are so expensive and such a PITA that it's not worth it to bring some two-wheeled fun along for the ride. I thought about S&S couplings, which run about $400, but didn't have a bike in hand to sacrifice to the gods.

Then, Zack and I were talking about taking the train more frequently between Seattle and Vancouver, BC, so I could live up there part-time next year and the idea of having a car-free commute between the 2 cities was idyllic. A folding bike would make the commute that much easier - just ride to the train, fold it up, enjoy the scenery for a few hours, then unfold and ride away. No need to box it up or worry if the train would have enough bike space. Take control of your lifestyle and just GO.

We researched folding bikes quite a bit. We quickly discounted many of the cheaper models that are made overseas because we want to support local businesses as much as possible. That quickly narrowed it down to Bike Friday, which is made down in Eugene, OR, and the company runs on wind power to boot. The bikes are also made of steel so we knew the bikes would be completely bomber. Plus if you know Zack and I, we are devoted fans of steel bikes. We crash and we get right back up.

As for what model, there are several to choose from. We leaned towards the more tour-worthy bikes since neither of us has a real touring bike. We didn't need anything sporty or light-weight or for off-roading (yes...they can do the Continental Divide Trail!), so that narrowed it down to the New World Tourist, their most popular touring folder. And while we're at it.....throw in some custom sizing, componentry, our own name plates and frame color, cook for a month and it's ready!

We got them this week and it's been nothing short of pure childish FUN. Zack already took his up to Vancouver on the train with great ease and has been rolling around up there, his bike folded up next to his bed. I rode mine to work once and did more Show n' Tell than I have since 3rd grade. I stopped by Herriott Sports and Russell nodded in sardonic approval of my "Geek Friday", then proceeded to do wheelies around the shop. Punk. I also took Kermit to the track to hang out during one of my workouts and he was quite the hit. Jane thinks that I should put my WSBA # and some aerobars on him and show up in full kit to the start of a TT. The look on those bike snobs would be PRICELESS.

The most popular question is "How does it ride?". You'd really be hard pressed to know that you're not on a regular touring bike while tooling around. I've found it really nimble and stable in turns and it climbs like a mountain goat. A 20 mile commute was as comfortable as my road bike. The gearing is much lower with the 20" wheels so it's a dream to be able to spin up hills for once!

I'm off to New Hampshire next week with Kermit in tow for our first little adventure. The first of many!