Today was supposed to be the happy day that I revealed the name I had picked for my lovely blue bike, but alas, I had much sadder news to report. It appears that my bike will be moving on to ride around on the big streets in the sky, because sadly, she has given out. I went for a ride on Sunday and was greeted by a very loud (and unpleasant) noise everytime I hit a bump. I wasn’t sure what the problem was, so I didn’t ride to work either Monday or Tuesday, just to be safe. Then my Dad and I took a look at her on Tuesday night and determined that the shocks were giving out, causing the fork to scrape against the moving front wheel.
My Dad took it to a few repair shops and determined that it was not possible to put new shocks on it, because the frame was incompatible with the new shocks. We tried taking them apart to see if we could breathe some new life into the elastomer bumpers, but they were reduced to a puddle of goo. My options were either: 1) put a fixed fork on for $100, or 2) put my bike to rest. Being as the shifters are also on the cusp of going out, I decided that it would be best to salvage the new parts I put on and just buy a new bike. I only fixed enough the first time around to get it in riding condition, and am afraid that I may be fighting a losing battle with restoring her to mint condition.
So it is with much sadness that I have decided to retire my beautiful blue bike. I’m just glad to have found a suitable name for her, thanks to Penny: Grace Hopper. I think naming my bike after the woman who invented the first compiler and discovered the first computer bug is fitting, don’t you?
I’ll be saving up for a new bike, but in the mean time, my brother has kindly offered to let me use his bike so that I can continue my commuting antics.
So farewell Grace Hopper, I’ll miss you and the fun times we had together. I’ll never forget those years on campus: that time I rode into a tree (ouch!), and the time I skidded on some sand, and fell off, crushing my laptop in the process (double ouch!). You never judged me for being the uncoordinated clod that I can be, and I thank you for that. And although I will get a new bike, know that I will always remember you as the first and most loyal bike I’ve had. Rest in peace.
Awww! That makes me so sad! But I’m really glad that she passed on with a name; you made her complete just in time.
So sorry to hear of her untimely demise:(
Oh that’s a bummer!
Beautiful (and only mildly nerdy) name. Sorry for the sad news, though! :(
Awww, that sucks. May your faithful bike rest in peace.
A moment of silence for Grace Hopper…
I’m glad that you are carrying on with your bike commuting though.
Isn’t our disposable society great? It’s cheaper to buy something new than fix it.
Goodbye Gracie, we hardly knew you.
Oh no big time bummer! May she be popping wheelies on that big bmx track in the sky! I’m glad you are continuing the bike commute. bike & knit on!
So sad that your bike died…She lived a good life, she was just too old! We won’t forget her because you left her tired old bones in our garage! I’m sure your dad will break her down and reuse her parts here and there! We could flip her upside down and bury her in the back yard with her tires sticking out of the ground. Didn’t someone do that to a bunch of old cadillacs in Texas??? Love ya~
So sad! But at least you know what happened to her, versus having her stolen (the fate of several of mine!). Do folks sell good used bikes in your parts?
Goodbye, Grace… I’m glad your brother’s helping you continue your commuting!
Alas poor Grace Hopper, we hardly knew her. She has gone to a far better place, where bike paths are wide and all downhill.
I hope you find a new bike that will serve you as well as Grace did.
Bummer! May she rest in peace.
Try searching eBay for used components, btw. You can find some great stuff. :)
sorry about the bike
but just to let you know your awesome laptop bag pattern is inaccesable
also if you wouldnt mind would you tell me what size laptop you have (if by some rare
chance we have the same size i wont need to measure for the bag!) pleaze email me in your spare time- thanks!