I’ve never felt confident on a road bike before. The hunched over posture felt awkward, the tendency for the pedals to have stirrups freaked me out and, since I stand tall at 5’2″, all of the frames I’ve tried made me feel like I was being stretched on some torture rack from the dark ages.
But Saturday the magical combination of a Bike World Warehouse sale, some knowledgable friends and a penchant for cherry-colored-sassiness-on-wheels changed all that! Meet “Lady G,” my new-to-me Terry Prism from the dawn of the 90s:
I’m smitten. This sweet ride feels different. If you look closely, you might notice that the front and back tires are two different sizes. We’ll get to that soon!
I lucked out because my friend Jake was working the sale and he let me know I should be looking in the 50 cm sizes, due to me height. (This ruled out the hot pink Bianchi, unfortunately.) Then in walked in my friend Lauren, who’s ridden RAGBRAI and knows a thing or two about bikes. She saw me checking out the Terry and gave me a little feminist cycling history lesson. Apparently this brand is the first designed by women, for women — and particularly for us petite cyclists! Feminist bike? Yes, please.
Before I allowed myself to commit, Joe and I stopped downtown to the Des Moines Bicycle Collective to see if they had anything else my size for comparison sake. But after taking a pretty nice Cannondale for a test ride, I knew we needed to go back for the Terry. (DO check out the Collective sometime, though!)
Luckily, no other shortie had snatched up my sweet bike! Jake helped me negotiate an even better deal by paying cash and Joe popped “Lady G” in the trunk. I was able to take her for a quick first ride on the Great Western Trail that afternoon — snow patches, be damned.
As far as accessorizing my new bike, this red bicycle print dress is going on the top of my birthday wish list!
(It must be meant to be, because they even make it in petite sizes!)
Now, back to this bikes for short women business. I think the front 24″ wheel is the secret for comfort. First thing when we got home, Joe started researching Terry bicycles and found this video, in which the company founder, Georgina Terry, explains the frame design and logic behind the two wheel sizes.
I watched the video, but also gravitated toward the stylish cycling clothes and cool Terry community. They’re even on Pinterest!
Their newer bikes are easy on the eyes, too. Isn’t this Terry Commuter “Burlington” fun?
I can’t wait for a Cumming Tap Taco Ride, or to hit the High Trestle Trail again some evening. Hurry up, spring!
OH! And speaking of cycling awesomeness, my amazing cousin Kelley just started a 6-month bike tour of South America with her boyfriend. How cool is that? You can follow their adventures on their blog.
