Do you give a name to your bike?
#26
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I don't name anything that doesn't breathe or have bowel movements.
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#27
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I just call the bikes by their brand and model.
Now my vehicle, however, are named by their function or color. The '97 Ranger PU is "Big Red", and the white SUV is called "the brick" for its aerodynamics, while the wife's Mercedes coupe was called "the white bullet". The SAAB Viggen was just called "the jet".
Now my vehicle, however, are named by their function or color. The '97 Ranger PU is "Big Red", and the white SUV is called "the brick" for its aerodynamics, while the wife's Mercedes coupe was called "the white bullet". The SAAB Viggen was just called "the jet".
#30
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Yes. Yes, I do.
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#31
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Another bike that got a fun name. Oh the horrors!
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#32
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I don't name my bikes. But twice I've realized that this bike had a name. Year two of riding my Peter Mooney I was riding and it just came to me that the bike was named Pete. Not Peter like the builder, my brother and uncle but just Pete. Years later and six years sober, I went to an "as-is" sale at a coop - bikes that were not good candidates for either sale or to give to kids. $20 to $40. No test ride, no refund. Picked up a ~1990 sport Peugeot, 501 tubing. Almost bare frame. It had been hit by an SUV. Tape measure suggested it would be a fun summer fix gear if it was ridable. Spent the $20. Knew if it was a keeper, it would wear "TEAM DUMPSTER" on the downtube if it ever got painted. (If I didn't plunk down that twenty, it was going into the scrap steel dumpster that night!) Bought a new fork, French seat post, spent $40 on brakes. $105 total, wheels and parts on hand and it was on the road. Fun! I hadn't ridden such a fun bike since my race bike 20 years before.
Two week later, I discovered both chainstays were about to break. I had some scrap carbon fiber on hand and boatbuilder epoxy so I fiberglassed the first several inches of the chainstays, the bridge and an inch up both seat tube and downtube. Turned the frame into the stiffest Peugeot ever. (I don't need the stiffness but it is fun to ride!) Two months later I was listening to a woman named Jessica speak of her life in addiction and recovery after. As she spoke, she was in her second marriage with a young child, was back in (welcome) contact with her ex (a small miracle knowing what she did), had welcome joint custody of their child and was a good mom and citizen. She talked of her darkest days where she screwed over so many people she expected many times to be found in a dumpster some morning. She said that and - click! Team Dumpster's name is Jessica. A year later Jessica got the same paint as the custom I was getting and her name on the top tube.
Three years later, I had put 8000 miles on Jessica. I knew I could never fully trust the frame because it had been hit so hard before I got it. It is also a complete pedal scraper. (Fix gear and the well known Peugeot super low BB.) I also was now thinking of the appealing idea of a road fix gear with a long horizontal dropout so I could ride flip-flop hub into the hills with very different cogs. Jessica had a short dropout and no way was I riding that frame down a 40 mph descent after torquing it hard riding up.
Started thinking - time for my third custom! Picked up the phone, called TiCycles and placed the order. Ti, geometry off Jessica except the rear end would be built around a horizontal dropout I would design with a slot long enough to use any cog from 12 to 24 teeth and a BB 10 7/8" off the road! And obviously, this bike was Jessica 2. (But Jessica 2? Naw.) Weeks later - Jessica J! J is my last initial. JJ or two. Works. Bike is bare Ti except the fork which is now painted fire engine red. Initially I had a script decal on the top tube, but I kept bumping it and knocking the letters crooked. Repainted the fork two years ago and she now wears Jessica J on her right blade.
Yes, long story. The three bikes that have names have been core parts of my journey after a major (and permanently life changing) TBI and my journey in recovery from addiction. The Mooney was my tool to stay sane and my spiritual connection. Those early years after I knew that death, jail or institution were never far away. Probably not a surprise, my addiction took off over the years when bike seats stopped working for me. Funny, three weeks after my first recovery meeting I had hernia surgery. Knew I had to get on the trainer. Knew also that seat wouldn't cut it! Went out and bought a Geometry Comp. I could ride again! Back in love with Pete! The Jessicas are the purist road bikes and closest link to the spiritual I have ever ridden. Pete is now fix gear also and right up there.
Two week later, I discovered both chainstays were about to break. I had some scrap carbon fiber on hand and boatbuilder epoxy so I fiberglassed the first several inches of the chainstays, the bridge and an inch up both seat tube and downtube. Turned the frame into the stiffest Peugeot ever. (I don't need the stiffness but it is fun to ride!) Two months later I was listening to a woman named Jessica speak of her life in addiction and recovery after. As she spoke, she was in her second marriage with a young child, was back in (welcome) contact with her ex (a small miracle knowing what she did), had welcome joint custody of their child and was a good mom and citizen. She talked of her darkest days where she screwed over so many people she expected many times to be found in a dumpster some morning. She said that and - click! Team Dumpster's name is Jessica. A year later Jessica got the same paint as the custom I was getting and her name on the top tube.
Three years later, I had put 8000 miles on Jessica. I knew I could never fully trust the frame because it had been hit so hard before I got it. It is also a complete pedal scraper. (Fix gear and the well known Peugeot super low BB.) I also was now thinking of the appealing idea of a road fix gear with a long horizontal dropout so I could ride flip-flop hub into the hills with very different cogs. Jessica had a short dropout and no way was I riding that frame down a 40 mph descent after torquing it hard riding up.
Started thinking - time for my third custom! Picked up the phone, called TiCycles and placed the order. Ti, geometry off Jessica except the rear end would be built around a horizontal dropout I would design with a slot long enough to use any cog from 12 to 24 teeth and a BB 10 7/8" off the road! And obviously, this bike was Jessica 2. (But Jessica 2? Naw.) Weeks later - Jessica J! J is my last initial. JJ or two. Works. Bike is bare Ti except the fork which is now painted fire engine red. Initially I had a script decal on the top tube, but I kept bumping it and knocking the letters crooked. Repainted the fork two years ago and she now wears Jessica J on her right blade.
Yes, long story. The three bikes that have names have been core parts of my journey after a major (and permanently life changing) TBI and my journey in recovery from addiction. The Mooney was my tool to stay sane and my spiritual connection. Those early years after I knew that death, jail or institution were never far away. Probably not a surprise, my addiction took off over the years when bike seats stopped working for me. Funny, three weeks after my first recovery meeting I had hernia surgery. Knew I had to get on the trainer. Knew also that seat wouldn't cut it! Went out and bought a Geometry Comp. I could ride again! Back in love with Pete! The Jessicas are the purist road bikes and closest link to the spiritual I have ever ridden. Pete is now fix gear also and right up there.
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#33
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My bikes have a name from the manufacturer who produced them.
#35
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I only own one bike, which is named "my bike." As in, "I'm going out to ride my bike."
#36
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I recently got a second CX bike. It is called CX #2, mainly for Strava purposes.
No problem with folks naming their bikes, 'tho...
No problem with folks naming their bikes, 'tho...
#37
Full Member
I don’t have names for my bike, boat, car, or motorcycle. Why?........
because I’m an adult.
because I’m an adult.
#38
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I once named a guitar. Scratch was a goldtop 1974 Les Paul Signature and my longtime partner in mayhem and debauchery. I have owned a great many guitars, but only ever named the one.
I have never named a bike. They're simply "the Raleigh" or "the Paramount." I briefly referred to a polished aluminum Cannondale R900 as "the Terminator," but that wasn't a name so much as commentary on its nature and general character.
I have never named a bike. They're simply "the Raleigh" or "the Paramount." I briefly referred to a polished aluminum Cannondale R900 as "the Terminator," but that wasn't a name so much as commentary on its nature and general character.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
Last edited by Fahrenheit531; 03-27-21 at 09:05 PM.
#39
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When I built up my MBK I was looking for references online for the right bar tape colour; the frame was team colours of the Lotto team circa 1991, so I clicked through a lot of pics of Museeuw, Bruyneel, Redant, and the late Claude Criquielion. When it came time to put in a bike name after my first ride on Strava, I chose “Claude.”
I also named the Yuba the Green Monster. My Cannondale Criterium is on Strava as “Dale.”
These names exist purely for Strava purposes, although I have referred to the Green Monster in polite company.
In my cycling club at school where I first got into the sport, one of the dads who would lead the rides had an ancient beat up beast of a bike named Blue. I cannot recall what brand, model, or year Blue was, but he was probably older than most of us riders. Ol’ Blue was one of the true club characters, and got through many adventures with us in the deepest darkest wilds of the Irish countryside.
I also named the Yuba the Green Monster. My Cannondale Criterium is on Strava as “Dale.”
These names exist purely for Strava purposes, although I have referred to the Green Monster in polite company.
In my cycling club at school where I first got into the sport, one of the dads who would lead the rides had an ancient beat up beast of a bike named Blue. I cannot recall what brand, model, or year Blue was, but he was probably older than most of us riders. Ol’ Blue was one of the true club characters, and got through many adventures with us in the deepest darkest wilds of the Irish countryside.
Last edited by Leinster; 03-28-21 at 09:41 AM.
#40
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
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#41
Senior Member
For those now thinking it might be fun to give their bikes names, might I suggest something like 'One Hundred Miles?' Then you could say, I rode One Hundred Miles today.
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#43
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#44
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"Green Fuji"
Red & Blue Raleigh
Only names I call them are written below them. "Which bike you taking?" "The green Fuji".
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#45
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Yep, I call it "FX-1'', says so right on the down tube...LOL!
#46
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#49
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Southwest Airlines (and probably others also) lets us name our trips when we buy tickets.... I'm not very imaginative so I just name them based on the destination: "Orlando", "Boston", "Las Vegas", etc.... My brother, on the other hand, flies for work all the time, always to the same destination. I'm not sure how he names them ("Monday"? "Tuesday"? etc?). I'll ask him if I remember.
Sometimes I order online from Chipotle and the website lets us name our meals. Again, I'm not very imaginative. Mine is always "Burrito".
Sometimes I order online from Chipotle and the website lets us name our meals. Again, I'm not very imaginative. Mine is always "Burrito".
#50
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Nope. I refer to my bikes by what the manufacturer/brand called them. They knew best anyway.
Sometimes I refer to one of them by its color or function (e.g., "the tourer", "the carbon racing bike", "the orange one").
Sometimes I refer to one of them by its color or function (e.g., "the tourer", "the carbon racing bike", "the orange one").