Personal Essay: Memoir for a beloved bike

by MAX STEINBAUM

Contributing Writer

I love my bike. My bike’s name is Barney because he rides like a friendly dinosaur trucking over the chunkiest trails imaginable or stumbles over them like the drunk Barney from the Simpsons.

I bought Barney in May 2020, right before the bike industry crashed due to supplier reluctance during a tumultuous time. I built him up myself in my garage, and today, Barney looks nothing like he did four years ago, with parts being replaced due to damage or personalization.

I have been biking for as long as I can remember, from a tricycle and two other bikes, but Barney is something special. Instead of needing constant repair work like my entry-level Bianchi, Barney faced whatever came before him with a brave face while I was piloting him with a grin from ear to ear.

From 40-mile days along the C&O canal or crushing 100 miles during finals week with a single gear, Barney has been there for me, and I have been there for him whenever he needs new tires, brake pads or just some TLC to get him back up to greatness again.

I recently got a call from Zach at Bike Works telling me that Barney has a cracked chainstay. I don’t know what caused it, but the reality remains. I am working on Barney’s warranty to see if they will give me a new frame or if it can be welded. Luckily , my new warranty frame is on the way, and Barney will make a recovery. I need to extend my thanks to my friends Zach, Dre and Josh at Bike Works and Helen, Jan, Jamie, Brian and the whole Bikenetic crew in Falls Church. 

Looking back on my time with Barney, I am thankful for what he provided me. As a cooped-up teenager during the pandemic, he enabled me to get miles away from the house on incredible adventures with mechanical assistance from my friends at Bikenetic in Falls Church. He helped me bring those ideas of independence to UMW and enabled me to explore every nook and cranny of this campus. He helped me explore the local community and become a local trail association board member. He helped me get from my dorm to a class across campus in five minutes. He helped me exercise all while getting the thrill of bombing down a staircase or flying down a rough descent.

Over the past year, other bikes have come in and out of my life and I am lucky to have them in my fleet. Barney holds a special place in my heart as being the bike I spent hours on trail, road, commutes and everything in between.