Lisa and I met yesterday so she could take delivery of her new Boxer Bicycle. It is a 650b wheeled Porteur/Urban bicycle. The design was to accommodate somewhat narrow 650b tires, fenders and Lisa’s ever-changing cargo needs. For this I built a chrome-plated porteur rack, with integrated headlight mount and internal wiring. It is sturdy, without being cumbersome. The bike handles and rides so smoothly. As Lisa is a smaller rider, this frame was built with standard diameter tubing, 1″ top and 1.125″ down tubes, in a gauge light enough for a lively ride, while maintaining excellent durability.
At long last, Lisa was able to ride her new bike for the first time. We took a ride down to Seward Park, made the short loop around the park, then we rode back up the hill to the Othello Light Rail station. Neither of us had taken bicycles on the train before, so this was a new and pleasant experience. We left the train at the Beacon Hill station, which is about 160 feet below the ground. The elevator came almost instantaneously and brought us to the surface in just a few moments. Outside the elevator the sun was shining, even more than it was down on the lake and in the valley.
We took a few photos there and then returned to the station to ride the train back to Othello station for the ride back to the Boxer Bicycles shop. The return trip on the train took a bit longer than expected and the train had to go out of service at the Othello station, so all riders exited. Fortunately, we weren’t trying to ride it any further.
The photos I took while riding are less than excellent, but they helped to show the fit and riding position for Lisa on her new bike. It’s too bad that I didn’t get better riding shots, but that’s how it goes and Lisa was very accommodating of my shutterbuggedness. I am pleased with the tunnel station shots, which were fun to take. It’s a great station for such a small scale commuter rail, but Seattle will have a real live regional train with time.
Now the photos. Thanks for supporting Boxer Bicycles in its infancy stage, Lisa. We couldn’t have done it without you!
6 Comments
Great looking bike and I love the pic at the top of the entry… Seattle cycle chic all the way.
Thanks Martin. I’m glad we have the light rail in town. It’s going to be so great when it’s extended to the University. I can just imagine the full train cars!
I’m really into this bike, Dan. I wish I had more money to give you.
Jane and I got an opportunity to ride the light rail into the airport last week. It was very pleasant and only took 12 minutes to get there from SODO. I was impressed.
Glad you like it Robert. I really want a bike with a big ‘ole rack like that now, too!
Katie and I have taken the Light Rail a few times to the International District. In fact, our wedding rehearsal party took the Light Rail to the ID to have dinner at Green Leaf on 8th and King, last August. That was cool. This was the first trip on the train just for the sake of taking the train.
Dan, the bike looks great. I see bright things in your future.
Thanks Chris! Stay busy in MT, yo!