I do.

This is Eliza

And, I love her.


I do.

This female human adores her bicycle. A good thing too, because of lately it has proven to be a right pain in the bum.. more literal than physical but after acquiring a brooks saddle for Eliza she was that as well.

Humph.

My bicycle saved my life. Literally. And also tried to kill me. She may plead manslaughter, but I don't know.

We are (the male human and I, that is) Irish (the northern variety..) immigrants to the BEAUTIFUL country of New Zealand - specifically the work-in-progress city of Christchurch.

We don't have a car - it was not something we could afford with $1,000 to spend on getting me registered for work with my regulatory authority. $400 of which wen towards proving I spoke the inglesh.

So. I lst 10 kgs in 2 months. Swiftly bringing me in under 100kgs. Which, at 5ft 9, would be better at around the 70kgs mark. Baby steps.

Eliza came to me through http://www.cycletrading.co.nz/. The physical shop is MUCH better than their website - it is a shop full of fixies, 3 speed commuters and vintage/classic style bikes. Out front was Eliza. I was very much a newbie at this and, as thus, the 3 speed shimano gear hub MYSTYFIED me. Fairy dust is how I rationalise it to myself to this very day o.0.

I have not had Eliza/a bike for very long...I have no other bikes (bar the male human's road bikes..) to compare her to. In the flat cyclist haven of Christchurch, we were as one.

I shall extend upon changes I have thus made at another time, and also into her issues. Which were very nearly mortal for me as I nearly became roadkill due to a defect at one point.

Every rose has it's thorns. Thankfully I am armed with clippers.