Saturday, March 24, 2012

My Entry in the Bike Give Away


Well I did it. I entered  Bicycling's Bike Give Away  contest. I tried my best to limit my word length to less than 150 words. The gist: describe what my bike means to me, describe where it takes me, and why I need a new one. Winner chooses a bike reviewed in the April issue. I'm pining for the lowly Breezer, and I use the term "lowly" tongue-in-cheek, because ironically it happens to be the least expensive bicycle up for grabs. But it's the one I would take, should I miraculously win. Here's my entry:

Thanks for rescuing me from a neighbor’s sale. You gave me purpose, adding fenders, racks, even an orange flower to color my beefy black frame. I’m charmed you wrote your name in gilded Sharpie on my tubing. I know I’m not pretty; I’m buffed that you pedal with your son to his school or take me on dirt roads and Burlington’s waterfront trail. I know you desire curvy handlebars, a sexier finish, and less heft. I can’t compete with the Breezer Uptown. I know it’s your heart’s desire for a plucky yet retro-styled ride. But I’ll remain your soul mate for as long as you’ll have me. I’ll brood and shed tears of dust when I must go, but hope you donate me to Bike Recycle or to a lady that will love me as you have, anything but abandoned to the wreckage of another garage sale.

And shhh, don't tell my Ross what I'm up to. 

4 comments:

  1. As always, enjoying your posts. Good luck in the contest. Getting a new bike is so much fun!

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  2. If you win, you could pick the most expensive carbon fiber racing bike with the best parts that's under the prize limit, then strip off all the super-light expensive including the wheels, sell them on e-bay, and buy a Breezer Uptown or Infinity with the proceeds. With the remaining money from the parts, buy practical commuter parts, wheels, baskets, fenders, and a squeezy bulb horn, and put them on the expensive carbon fiber frame, thereby having both a very nice commuter bike and an ironic anniebikes bike.

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    Replies
    1. Oh John, aren't you the practical one! I admit I'd thought about it before I submitted my essay...but I'd be more inclined to sell the expensive bike for whatever I could get (one transaction equals less work) and then buy the Breezer.

      My idea was to strive for the bike I really wanted. I'm thinking that other entries wouldn't specify a particular bike. But I could be all wet here...

      As an aside, this was the only commuter bike that Bicycling recommended. Isn't that pathetic? Most were the expensive carbon fiber jobbies. I will not be renewing my subscription.

      Contest is open until March 31. I challenge you to submit an entry.

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  3. JRA: Good idears! :)

    Good luck in the contest,my friend,and good entry you penned :)

    The Disabled Cyclist

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