This weekend we paid a flying visit to my parents to see them, of course, and so the other half could chop up some of the extra big logs for their woodburner but really so I could have a go on Mum’s Paper Bike. It’s a splendid beast: the other half actually laughed when he saw it and called it a hot rod. He reckons it needs flame decals along the tubes, not to mention more chrome, although I’m not sure that’s entirely going to suit Mum’s general style. In fact, I didn’t actually get to ride it that much this weekend because when we took it out on Sunday morning, he co-opted it in preference to the Brompton, only letting me ride it for the bit through town as he felt the wicker basket somewhat let the side down. Perhaps we should have sprung for the Starship Enterprise-shaped rack after all, albeit in extra chrome.
I have to admit, I hadn’t really thought of the bike in those terms – but I have to agree, it is rather badass. This was my third go on a Paper Bike, and my first on one with gears, and I’m not sure there’s much I can add to my first impressions, but it undeniably has presence. The only way to ride it is bolt upright, nodding regally from time to time in acknowledgement of any admiring glances that come your way. Its fat tyres actually handle the muddy paths around Duns Castle surprisingly well and while it’s certainly a solid bike, with eight gears I didn’t quite feel the need to get out of the saddle (or even get off and push). We took it out for a little run along the country lanes around the town and it seemed just as happy on the open road although you do need to take a bit of a run at the hills and you certainly know all about them, uphill AND downhill. We didn’t actually have the nerve to try it, but I even think that it would have handled this ford (oh and Borders Council: what is the point of a ford without a depth gauge? Where’s the fun in that?)
It took Mum a little getting used to but she’s delighted with it now. I’ve a feeling she – and it – will become one of the sights of the town as she pedals around it in style. And if she should feel the need to make a few ‘vroom vroom’ noises as she speeds away from the lights,* well then, who could blame her a bit?
* if there were any actual lights in Duns which, in the interests of strict accuracy, there are not
Town Mouse 
Excellent she has that bike for fun trips. It will bring her joy.
It is a cheery thing isn’t it. My wife use to have a wicker basket but sadly now only has a metal one. we don’t know what happened to the wicker.
John
You didn’t actually have to cross that “ford” did you? It’s not Venice, you know.
You cannae run a red light then?
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The Paper Bicycle is in a class of its own, isn’t it. I took my late wife’s one out for a decent 9 mile spin a few days ago. It was the first time I’d done more than a short test ride on it and loved every minute. Ours has the 8-speed Sturmey Archer hub and every gear is needed in our lumpy corner of Somerset but I didn’t need to get off and walk. Much. It’s fair to say that I wouldn’t win any hill climb competitions with it – but I wouldn’t anyway even if I could borrow Wiggo’s machine – but it’s so much fun cruising along sitting upright and admiring the view over the top of the hedges. I think that I’ll be using it a lot more now, Assuming my daughter will let me, of course… 🙂 http://flic.kr/p/ddjTeq
Cheers all!
There was a footbridge to avoid the ford, fortunately. Didn’t fancy tackling it on the Brompton…