The Butter

(Eighteenth in a series of stories about every bike I've ever owned.)

This bike, covered in the "My Miyata" series of blogs I wrote starting last fall, is probably my favorite.  Like children, I love all of my bikes equally but in different ways.  Don't tell my other bikes, but this one rises to the top of the list.

First of all, it's a Miyata.  I love these Japanese-built bikes from the 80s and 90s.  The steel tubing, the lugs, the geometry - all of them speak to me.

Second, I built this bike.  I bought a frame, put a bunch of parts on it and now I ride it around town as if nothing could be more natural.

Third, although named for its buttery yellow color, butter also describes the super creamy smooth ride this little bike offers me.  I can't help but sigh "oh butter" while riding it.

Fourth, it has a twin.  Yes, two of the same rare bike actually riding around Portland!  It's pictured above, behind my Butter is its doppelganger, a margarine-colored other Butter bike.