A Tribute to my Adventures with a 1982/Vintage Schwinn Deluxe Varsity Bike
Last summer, I bought a vintage Schwinn bike to see if I liked riding a bike. It was love at first sight. The fire-engine red frame, the chrome, the steel, the sturdiness. I put lots of work into it (actually, Saturday Cycles — Salt Lake City’s steel frame specialist — did for me) and I rode it everywhere, all summer long. The bike was my lover and my best friend, everything a girl could ask for. This is a tribute to my many adventures with this beautiful bike.
In no particular order:
Notice the beautiful saddle, the orange tape and chrome breaks / interrupter breaks. Oh and the reflectors. Amazing.
I strapped my computer bag with bungee chords and a cargo net.
This is what it looked like when I made it to work, the first time. Just beautiful.
Feels so shiny and new.
Hands down the cutest bike in the work bike storage. #win.
I put on some shorts and went on a ride at the Jordan River Parkway Trail.
Skirts on a bike? Not an issue.
New handlebars, new stem, pretty tape….and a gold bell made in Japan.
Hung the bike on a chain-link fence at the Pickle Factory, obviously. #summerparty
Attached a basket found at a thrift store. Cinderella actually had a sparkly clutch, in case you didn’t know.
The city feels clean this time of night. Just empty streets and me walking home to clear my head. And though it came as no surprise. I’m affected more than I had guessed. By what was said. If this loves not meant to be. If a hearts not ready to open. If the naked eye won’t see. It’s broken. It’s that quiet time before the dawn. And I’m half past making sense of it. Was I wrong? Should I think to give it all. In a world where not much ever seems to last long. If this loves not meant to be. If a hearts not ready to open. If the naked eye won’t see. It’s broken.
Late Night Alumni—Empty Streets
Vintage Flea Market, then some garlic burgers at Lucky 13. yummm.
Such a beautiful day with a beautiful bike. Can’t ask for much more. Ok, maybe a mimosa?
Don’t forget to wear your chuck taylors.
