Porteur Féminin: Deirdre’s New Polyvalent

My wife Deirdre got this Velo Orange Polyvalent Mk3 bike as a Christmas gift two years in a row. The first year, it was thoughtfully given as a frame in a box; this year, I finally finished the build, and presented her with a complete rider. She jokes with her friends about how many bicycles I’ve given her as “gifts”. Last Sunday, we renewed our tradition of riding our bikes to Baja Cafe for an early breakfast. Deirdre pulled on her new kilt (won at the Bicas art auction) and we rolled down the cycle path along the Rillito River on a chilly 39 degree morning toward a couple of plates of “Wolverine” eggs benedict, hot coffee, and a blueberry walnut struddle pancake for desert. 

Deirdre likes her bike, and secretly, might be a little proud of its handsome looks. I even caught her admiring it once. It is practical, comfortable, and speedy enough.  Highlights of the build include: Frenchy Rustines brand gum grips, Sycip wonder bar, German Edelux dynamo powered light, Shimano LX dynamo hub, Soma Grand Randonneur Tires, Velo Orange porteur rack and bag, 9 speed Dura-Ace downtube shifters, 105 rear derailleur, and a Brooks Cambium saddle. I did the whole build with one exception. Duncan Benning of Transit Cycles wired the dynamo light. He did a much better job than I did–it shines many lumens brighter than it did with my wiring job.