The Tranquil Plan

Irwin's Bike and Sport was a bike store/shop in Johnston, Iowa where we now live. Irwin's closed in 2010 when the owner retired. I did not know it was going close at the time. Charlotte was only two months old then, and I was pretty preoccupied with that. I did try to buy a bike tube from Irwin's the next spring, and I was sad to see that the space was empty. 

I enjoyed the atmosphere in Irwin's. The staff was friendly, and I didn't feel like I was being judged when I asked questions. One of the mechanics was an ex-student of mine from early in my career. He was a tall, quiet guy who would sometimes nod at me when I entered the store.

Irwin's was located in a strip mall near the Hy-Vee grocery store. One warm, summer morning I was standing in the Hy-Vee parking lot. I had just gotten out of my car when I spotted that ex-student riding his bike on the sidewalk that led to the grocery store. This was before Irwin's had closed and CarX had torn out the sidewalk to make room for their building.

I began walking towards the store, and he passed me on my left. He was about ten feet from me, but he could have been a mile away. His finely tuned bicycle was completely silent. He was sitting upright in the saddle, and pedaling slowly. He had his left hand on the handlebars. His right arm hung by his side. His open, right hand leisurely rotating as if he was petting a dog or conducting an orchestra. 

Instead of stopping at Hy-Vee, he continued past the store's loading dock, turned the corner, and disappeared into the neighborhood. 

I have never seen anyone look so relaxed and content on a bicycle. The word that describes him best is tranquil. 

I don't get jealous very often. I'm more than happy with what I have. But on that morning I was jealous of him. I wanted to be that guy. I guess that is why I have never forgotten that moment.

Time has mostly erased the details of his face, the color of the bike, and what he was wearing. I clearly remember the bicycle's upright handlebars, his easy pace, and that hand waving in the air as he rode.

That's what I was thinking of when I brought home yet another bicycle.

I think what drew me to the thrift store Peugeot was its handlebars and stem. This is what they looked like right after I pulled the bike out the back of my car.

That's set too high for me, but that is a cockpit that will allow me to sit straight up. The newest plan for the Peugeot is to see how comfortable and quiet I can make it. 

I want to see if I can be tranquil, too.

I'm not in love with this saddle. It's not very cool looking, but the springs make me think it might be easy on the backside. We'll see.

I've replaced the headset ball bearings that were in retainers with loose bearings seated in grease. I also did the same for the bottom bracket. They both seem to work more smoothly now.

Every original part of the Peugeot has been removed, cleaned, lubed, and reinstalled (well, not the handlebar grips). Up next are the new parts. I already installed the new chain. Now I have new shifter cables, brake cables, and the new cantilever brake pads to install. Apparently the style of brakes that are on this bike are supposed to be really frustrating to work with... great.

I knew it wouldn't go fast when I bought a bike project in early December. Our garage is not heated, and Iowa winters are not conducive to quick accomplishments. That's okay. The idea is that this bike is going to help me to take it slow. Stressing about getting it finished defeats that purpose.

I think I might have a shot at achieving tranquility. Look where the bike was originally purchased: