The Bike

After months of looking and several false starts, I was ready to build a touring bike on a Specialized Rock Hopper. A lot of people these days are touring on mountain bikes and with the exception of the bottom bracket being a little high for touring (so I'm told), it a pretty good option. I came to this point after weeks of watching for a bike to come into the community bike shop at which I volunteer (we operate on donations of old bikes), and nothing ever came in that was my size or tour-able. I finally gave up and ordered a Pake cross frame, but it was back ordered. For just a little more, I was able to put in an order for a Soma Double Cross. A friend had toured Europe on hers and it seemed like a great option, but unfortunately, the fork that made the order within my budget was out of stock. I cancelled the entire order. Being a fan of eighties Schwinns, I joked to a few friends that I really wanted a Schwinn Voyageur, but I couldn't find mention of one for sale anywhere.

I finally decided to compromise getting a touring frame or a cross frame, and I contacted my old roommate who had a 1983 Nishiki International. It was at best a sport tourer, but it was in great shape, fit me, and she had mentioned being willing to sell it. I researched exactly how touring friendly an International was, what the tubing was made of, and some history of the company. But all of a sudden, she wouldn't return my calls (I would later find out that she was indisposed due to insane legal problems her ex-boyfriend created for her.) At this point, I found the Rock Hopper.

I have to admit I can be a little silly with how much I daydream about bicycles. I can be so silly that while visiting family in Louisiana during the holidays that I still look through San Francisco craigslist bike ads. Usually, nothing results from this other than me not getting any work done, but this time something unbelievable happened. I found an ad for a 1987 Schwinn Voyageur.

photo by Zoe Vivino

It didn't seem real at first, but once it sunk in I was terrified that it would sell before I could get back to California. Fortunately, ignoring my family to fool around on my laptop actually paid off, and ten hours after stepping off the plane in San Jose, I was on my way to pick up the bike.

It's in almost prefect shape, and with the exception of the pedals, I think it still has all the original componentry as the day it was born. I brought it home, put the Brooks saddle my mother got me for Christmas on it, and took it for a spin.

Heaven