The Story of James

I find that bikes cause some strange things to happen in my life, sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse.  One encounter would be the story of James, who I met on Caltrain sometime back.  

James commutes by train and bike, and as such I would often see him on the evening Caltrain.  He rides a lovely old lugged steel fixed gear, and we got to talking when he noticed my Trek District one day.  The story was, as James explained to me, that his girlfriend would never ride with him because she hated getting bike grease all over her (I kept my mouth shut about how more often than not I'm covered with grease whether or not I've been riding that day, and she should get over it) and thought that a belt bike would be the perfect solution.  We ended up trading information, I saw him on the train a few more times after, and that was that.

Then a few weeks ago I got an e-mail from James asking for my help with a bike - specifically, asking me to meet him at a local coffee shop with the intent of me helping him with a bike.  So I show up, and he's there with a first generation Trek District.  

Specifically, this bike.  Though before all the orange was added.  

It was entirely stock except for the wheels, which are generally an orange deep V type on these bikes.  James said he needed my help - he needed me to take this bike, swap some parts, and clean it up for his girlfriend's birthday.  He wanted it to be a complete surprise, which is why he didn't take it to a shop (didn't want a phone call to give it away), and he said I was the only person he knew that could tension a belt and do everything he needed while communicating via e-mail.  He offered to pay for all parts and for my time, so I agreed to help him out.

The bike was in fine shape as it was, though he wanted different pedals, different handlebars, and some orange and black added to it (as his girlfriend is apparently a huge Giants fan).  So I went to work, ordering parts as per his request and sending him photo updates. 

The last thing I needed from James was his girlfriend's shoulder width so that I could get the proper handlebars and get a good setup for her.  He said he'd see if a buddy could drive him home at lunch to measure her favorite jacket.

I didn't hear from James for a few days.  Then I received an e-mail.

Apparently, James' return home at lunch to get a shoulder measurement resulted in him walking in on his girlfriend with another man.  In the e-mail, he gave me a colorful description of what he thought of her, where she could go, and what she could go do.  He told me that he was moving out, and to keep the bike.

I have since heard back from him - he does indeed not want the bike back, and gave it to me as payment for parts and my time.  

He told me he would never date another girl who made up excuses not to ride.  
Words to live by, James.  Words to live by.  

So...now I have this.

Orange bar wrap, SRAM TT levers, and orange cabling.  Mm, Halloween.

Also orange pedals with Fyxation staps. 

It's pretty fun to ride. 

Belt, with a chainguard.  This will be a poor weather commuter, after I get some fenders.

At least there's never a dull moment.