Custom Orlowski Workhorse

In use

Bit off topic but I'm curious about something... I was working in a bike shop, doing lot's of commuting and also delivering food on my bike and I noticed that I was getting a bit bored of it and couldn't really be bothered to go for rides in my time off anymore. I see you work in a bike shop, go racing and still go touring and all that, do you never think it's too much and get sick of it?

Interesting question and something I’ve actually pondered quite a lot. In the past I consciously tried to keep the mojo, to make sure the riding and training was always fun.

These days I just do what I’m in the mood for and if I’m drifting away from cycling - that’s ok, I always tend to find my way back. I also tend to stop serious cycling (training and racing) mid summer and just enjoy being fit and cycling.

With framebuilding - it’s a craft and a job. It’s making things well and improving skills that makes me happy, it just happens that the things I make are bikes. Though making bikes for myself/friends/family definitely helps strengthen the connection and get me excited.

Also my social life has nothing to do with cycling. My girlfriend (despite my best efforts - that pink Shand ^^^ is one I made for her) isn’t a cyclist and neither are most of my friends so I don’t really talk about bikes or cycling. That’s why it’s cool to come on here and share projects 🙂

Tempelhof and Hasenheide?

Tempelhof and Gleisdreieck

The life of my long suffering Orlowski hasn't been any easier since my move to Berlin: it's done 20km daily commute and easily 90% of my training miles and general riding. In near two years it's had a dyno powered front light, few new chains, sprockets and brake blocks but other than that, zero maintenance and it's still trucking on!

I just finished its successor and now I'm not sure what to do with it - don't need it, don't really want to sell it...might post it to my parents to enjoy retirement with them, then I'll always have a bike to ride when I'm visiting them.

With the new build almost done and a sunny 4 day Easter weekend I thought I'd load up the old Orlowski and head out on one last hurrah. Coronavirus measure stated that I couldn't cross state lines but that we were allowed to be "underway by bike" so I made a route just skirting Brandenburgs northern border using forest tracks and forgotten cobblestone roads and headed out. The nights were bitter cold but then days were super clear and sunny. Barely a soul out, just me cruising through the eerie, empty countryside.

Great stuff, don’t sell as you’ll get an amount that will never reflect what it means to you - retire it gracefully/gracelessly

Didn't have anything to say in the thread for the new bike that someone else hadn't already said but this is a nice little story.

It's cool that, given the circumstances, you will always remember this last ride on this bike that you got so much use out of.

Def don't sell the orlo. Times change and in a few years you might want to get back to track cycling. Keeping it at your parents is also a great idea

Learnt from experience?

100% hold on to it! That's just too much sentimental value to let go. Why not build it up a bit differently so that it's not fulfilling the same function as the Fern? Bang some risers on it, remove racks and skid fuck out of it for example.

Yeah you’re all right, it would never be worth in money to someone else what it’s worth to me. If the world re-opens anytime soon and I can see myself visiting my parents I’ll send it there if not - risers, flats & straps and I’ll use it for the odd bimble around town.

Def don't sell the orlo

Couldn't agree more. Also dibs.

Just read this start to finish. Amazing. Great bike and great story. I might re-read it again later.

:) I think I might too

Just did the same. What an amazing journey! Funny how you can read some stories again and again and again without getting bored...

Aye it’s funny...my life story over the past few years told through my connection with a bicycle. From tourist to racer, courier to framebuilder, London to Scotland and onwards to Berlin

In the interim I've had this built up with a 150mm stem, huge swept back bar, flat pedals as my city cruiser (never took photos of it in the guise though) but recently visited my parents and took it with me to leave there. I had an amazing few days reliving my younger years blasting round Suffolk's little lanes and punchy climbs on the fixed, was great! Already looking forward to the Christmas period for more of the same!

More from the Orlowski's farewell tour:

Glad you still have this!

Me too!

8 years later and it feels like the other way around. sold mine a while ago and your current setup let me think about a new one

Full circle! Haha, still not done tinkering with this though, would like to bring it back to 700c at some point…

Looking good. I'm also in the 'don't sell' camp.

lovely!