Last year for my birthday Tom gave me the promise of a new bike. At the time I thought I’d get one from Mamachari in Wellington but their service was sketchy at best so I decided to go out on my own.
I spent ages searching different options online and thinking about what was best for me. I knew from biking Tom’s Dad’s old bike around that I didn’t have the leg power for a bike without gears. I also don’t have the patience to stuff around with repairs but wanted a bike that had a vintage shape and that was probably black.
In the end (and after hours of online stalking) I headed down to Avanti in Wellington and got this beaut. The service was friendly and useful, I got to test ride it round and they fitted me out with a helmet, basket and lock too. My new bike is a dark cherry red, has three gears and has something I didn’t expect – suspension, which makes biking along gravel roads and crossing fords a lot easier. The seat is also super comfy, which is more incentive to ride for longer.
I’ve been biking round Featherston and have taken it out on a couple of country bike rides, which are really working me hard. My circuit is 8.5km long, which is the right length for now and includes the special country features of a ford, gravel, silage smells and stand-still head-on winds. My goal is to be able to go for a ride and then complete the ride up the hill to our house without dying.
Good for you Em. Once you’ve walked the incline you can aim to ride it next – 10km up but then the joy of 10km down!
Great looking bike, is that first pic taken at your front doorstep/
Yes – since I’d done some gardening I thought I’d make use of the backdrop.
Wow! It’s a beauty!
Love it! we need to chat about pimping your ride…Emma Makes Style….so many ideas, options and potential!
She’s beautiful! Very nice vintage styles with the convenience of a few modern additions to make cycling more comfortable – I think I need this bike.
Highly recommended – start saving. I was astonished how much bikes cost these days (I say like an old person).
What brand and model is this and how much did you pay?? I’m looking at the raleigh bikes retroglide and Copenhagen 3 and 6 but not sure
My bike is Avanti Metro 2 and was the 2011 or 2012 model (I think 2011) and was $799. Here’s the link: http://avantibikes.com/nz/bikes/path/comfort/metro-2-0/
I am a little jealous that the bike is your new wandering partner. I just can’t compete with such a beautifully dressed and quiet soul!