I guess I should first explain that when I got my new bicycle last year, a Trek Madone 5.2, I wanted to give it a name worthy of its sterling qualities. Black with white lines and lettering, it is lightweight and rather intimidating. Unlike its rider.
Sometimes I choose food or animal names based on the bike’s color scheme; I fondly recall the pearlescent Italian bike I dubbed “Gelato.” But in this case, neither “Licorice” nor “Skunk” seemed adequate somehow. Brent and I stood in the garage staring at the Trek and waiting for inspiration.
On a seemingly unrelated note, one of my favorite movies of all time is Chicken Run, the claymation feature produced by the “Wallace & Gromit” geniuses. One of the characters is the grim, coldhearted chicken farmer, Mrs. Tweedy. She is ridiculously thin; lightweight and rather intimidating.
Hmmmmm…..
“I think I’ll call it ‘Mrs. Tweedy,'” I announced.
“Eh?” Brent blinked at me. Brent never says “Eh?”
“Because she’s lightweight and intimidating,” I answered his implied question. “Besides, there’s a bicycle in the movie. Well, a tricycle.”
“Right.”
So Mrs. Tweedy and I put in mile after mile last summer. I did the pedaling; Brent did the tune-ups and other maintenance.
Then, last month, we were both browsing around our local bike shop, B&B. Brent pointed out some cool padded handlebar tape and reminded me that my original black tape was getting worn and loose. “Would you like to try another color?” he asked.
I looked over the boxes of poufy tape, each roll visible edgewise; that is, turned so the side showed through the little windows. The bright pink caught my eye. Why not? “Ooh. How about pink?” Done.
That same evening Brent had my handlebar re-wrapped. He called me out to the garage to see his handiwork.
Looking at the face of the tape rather than the edge, the pink was not quite as bright as I had thought. It’s a pretty color, but just softer than it looked in the package. And the new tape is more padded than the old. Thick, poufy, soft pink. . .
It looked like. . . bubble gum.
And somehow, the colorful, poufy road-bike handlebar shape started reminding me of a swept-back hairdo. The sort of hairdo, in fact, that you might find on a female character in a “Wallace & Gromit” movie. (I still laugh about the woman in Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, whose hair looked like a giant Cheez Doodle.)
Now that it’s had a chance to grow on me, I think Mrs. Tweedy’s new ‘do looks sort of majestic. Even if it is the color of Dubble-Bubble.
Thanks for reading!
Tailwinds,
Jan
PS: I am linking up with Jen and the Soli Deo Gloria sisters.
Also, come join me for coffee with Rachel Anne and the Company Girls. Hey, Company Girls, I promise I will write about some thing serious soon. Well, you know… pretty soon…
jj
Jan C Johnson, Author 
You have very creative names for your bikes…how fun and I love Mrs. Tweedy and Dubble Bubble…it also looks a bit like Pepto Bismol pink to me. Have a great Monday!
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Hi, Dionne–
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I’m also glad that the “Pepto Bismol” connection didn’t occur to me! Thanks for taking time to comment. Your post today means a lot to me, BTW.
Jan
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What a fun story! I love it! I haven’t seen that movie in a long time but I remember the wife:) Next time I need a name idea, I’ll know where to come for inspiration. Blessings to you!
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Yes, call on me any time… “corny” is my specialty! Thanks for visiting! Jan
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You crack me up! I love the pink, it makes you unique, in which, from what I can see unique bike/unique gal. I love it! You keep riding while I keep running, we’ll make it or kill ourselves trying~ha!
Have a great day!
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Thanks, Marlece! I like the sound of “unique” … so much better than “dorky!” Blessings!
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I can always come here for a dose of smiles! I love how you find joy in so many things!
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Hi, Jen! Glad you enjoyed it… Thank you for the encouraging words.
You’re a blessing.
Love ya,
Jan
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Chicken Run is a cute movie. The title says it all for me. A stomach flu was going around and I just happen to spend a lot of time in the ladies room at the theatre. Yes,I saw bits and pieces Of Chicken Run as I was dashing back and forth to the little girls room!
Jan,can I watch the ENTIRE Movie at your house someday?
Thanks,
Kathy
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Thanks, Kathy! Yes, you can come over and I’ll watch the movie with you!
Love you,
Jan
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As much time as one spends on the bike it deserves a name. I even name my cars.
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Hey, Greg, Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I usually name my cars, too.
BTW, Brent told me about your fitness / weight goals, and I was interested to see your Sunday post about plateauing.
Best, Jan
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Cracking up!! I agree – it looks a lot like bubble gum, but totally fun!!
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Hi, Ashley! Glad you enjoyed it; thanks for the visit!
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Things do sort of have a personality of their own. I love the pink tape; even Mrs. Tweedy deserves a nice color boost to make her happy!
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Hey, Diane, Yes, Mrs. Tweedy does seem easier to get along with…
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I love that you named your bike. Its totally something that I would do, you know, if I ever got a bike to ride… Her hairdo looks great!
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Thanks for the comment! I name lots of stuff, like my car and such. I’m glad you like her hair. Now for the handlebar-tape hairspray!
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Too funny! Thanks for making me laugh…The bike looks great!
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Aw, you’re going to give Mrs. Tweedy a big head. 😉 Thanks for commenting!
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Love it! 🙂 We are taking the training wheels off of a hand-me-down that we got for Melody, so hopefully we can all ride together in the near future. The 3yo is awesome on the Strider, so maybe we will need another 2-wheeler for her as well. I haven’t ridden a bike in so long. First, we have to buy bikes for us. Any recommendations for casual rides?
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Hi, Joyce! It sounds exciting at your place. I’ll ask Brent about specific bikes. Are we talking paved roads, or do you think you’d also do trails? Thanks for stopping by!
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Thanks Jan! Probably just paved roads. 🙂
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