RIDING THE MOTOBECANE INTER CLUB

The next day, even though it too was not all that great weather wise, I gave the bicycle an inspection, pressurized the tires and off the two of us went.  Blaa!  The bicycle was a pig.  Of course and in all fairness, I had only regular road bicycle rides to compare the tandem to.  I accept the fact that my evaluation of the ride might be biased.  After all, this was a bicycle built for two.  With that romantic thought foremost in my mind, I put the bike back into the Old Shed and waited until my wife got home from work.

Excited at the idea of she and I riding together, I was practically bouncing when she pulled the Pontiac Sunfire into the driveway.  I had placed the bicycle in a prominent position for her arrival benefit.  It was my belief that the surprise would be well received.  I wanted to capture her attention the moment she got out of the car.  Filled with the hope of selling her on the idea of doing the bicycle thing together on a "Bicycle Built for Two", I started in with the pitch.  She was not impressed and never even so much as swung a leg over a saddle.  Motobecane Tandem for sale!

A day or two later, I called my riding chum and asked if he would be interested in taking the Inter Club out for a spin.  He said absolutely and an hour later we were gone.  I must admit that the experience was different but pretty much unrewarding.  I guess that bicycle riding, for me anyway, is a solitary experience.  I might add that my chum found little to be impressed with either, since he felt uncomfortable riding behind my behind.  And he commented on the fact.  Perhaps my wife knew something that I didn't.

I decided to list the Motobecane on Ebay and managed to sell it in short order.  The individual who purchased the bicycle did so, intending to spend quality riding time with his daughter.  The Motobecane found a new home.  However, it was then that I discovered how difficult it is to pack and ship a tandem bicycle.

I sometimes wonder.  Would have been worth keeping the Inter Club?  It was a very interesting bicycle even though it seemed to be a cacophony of mismatched components.  The brake system best punctuating that statement.

All in all, the Motobecane was a neat bicycle and one of several specialty bicycles that I have run across in my bicycle hunting activities.  I suppose that if a Canadian made tandem were to surface, I might consider another purchase although I am not sure why.  I do know where there is an near mint Mikado tandem, but it is not for sale.  At least it wasn't the last time I visited the old fellow who owns it.