Mobility
New bicycle, maybe
In the next couple of years, there will come a time when I won’t have enough space to store my Specialized AWOL and my Thule bike carrier. They simply won’t fit in my basement when I have to move them back to Amsterdam. What should I do?
I once took my AWOL to Abruzzo in Italy, a backdrop for many films, a region not far from the major movie studios in Rome. I kept the weight on my bike as low as possible. My Tarptent—they are based in Nevada City, California—weighs less than one kilo and even has an inner tent.
The Transcontinental Race—Europe’s longest single-stage, unsupported bike race from London to Istanbul—led me to buy my Specialized AWOL in 2014. One team rode AWOL bikes, and it looked pretty cool.
It’s an excellent bike: a steel frame, no frills, and rock-solid reliability.
On summer weekends, I am Absent Without Leave—below my bicycle and car in their natural habitat. I mainly cycle in North Rhine–Westphalia (NRW), a German federal state rich in forests. Most of the distance is covered either off-road or on small local roads designated for local traffic only, meaning they are not accessible to cars unless you live there or are driving a commercial vehicle.
My frugal city bike
My second-hand ex-MacBike rental bike has been going strong since 2007. Cost—excluding repairs—has been € 12,50 per year. I use it for my daily commute and much more. In summer, I don’t cycle straight home after work—I take a long detour through the polder north of Amsterdam. I park this bike in the courtyard of my Amsterdam apartment, or flat if you’re British.
Before my Specialized AWOL, I rode a BMC single-speed Goldsprint bike with some pretty crazy specs. Over time, I replaced the standard chain, hub, and chainring with Japanese Keirin racing parts that I bought on eBay directly from Japan. I owned this bike before electric bicycles were a thing, so I was often the fastest on the road. Even Wile E. Coyote couldn’t catch me.
The frame was a bit too small for me, and the only position I could ride the bike in was full racing mode—and no gears. I loved it, but eventually I wanted a bicycle that could carry bags so I could shop while cycling—mostly vegetables and fruit from local farmers, and carry a tent.
I’m considering buying a Brompton G Line. It would (almost) fit under my dining table in Amsterdam, fit into my car boot (or trunk), and ride better than a Brompton C Line or P Line.
But what about the color? I saw the Adventure Orange G Line in Manhattan, NYC, and its matte powder coating looked stunning. The Forest Green version, on the other hand, feels more understated. And then there’s Traildust White.
The green version—in combination with the bags and racks made by Dutch company Eerder Metaal—looks very appealing.
But the G Line is still quite big. Wouldn’t a standard Brompton be more versatile, since it fits into smaller spaces?
Side note: I tried the G Line in the store, and the handlebars felt quite low compared to the saddle. I briefly considered buying a basic A Line as a bike to sit between my AWOL and my ex-MacBike. It’s affordable, and you can modify it over the years.
But when I went to the Brompton webshop, I realized the white version has been discontinued. The new color is grey with turquoise—a very ugly combination. That settled it: I won’t be buying a Brompton for the time being.
The second problem I’ll face when I have to give up my father’s house is that I’ll have nowhere to cook outdoors anymore. The only budget-friendly solution I could think of was to buy a new, bigger tent and spend summer weekends at campsites—which I did.
I bought the Snow Peak Alpha Breeze, which is the perfect size for me. I also own a Snow Peak IGT table setup, a fully modular outdoor cooking system. But for all of this to make sense, I’ll need a car.
The Snow Peak IGT is flexible enough to create an outdoor dining space almost anywhere. For now, I’m using it in my father’s yard. Below a Snow Peak aspirational marketing photo.
