A Family Clementine
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Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!
Jul 9, 2019, 1:54:44 AM7/9/19
to RBW Owners Bunch
Dear Friends,
In 2015, my husband needed a new bike. Providence would have it that Rivendell was making something totally new, and very affordable: their now-famous and highly-acclaimed Clem and Clementine. My husband got one of those lovely creamy blue Clems, and when his mother heard about it, she asked me to order her a Clementine. “I’d like it in burgundy,” she said.
“It doesn’t come in burgundy,” I said. “You get aqua.”
“Ok,” she said, “Tell them I want burgundy.”
With that squared away, I asked her what kinds of accoutrements she’d like her Burgundy Clementine to have. “When you call them, tell them I want everything. Just get everything,” she said.
This is just classic. She does nothing halfway, and when she said she wanted everything, she meant it. This was accomplished via phone in a conversation that lasted 2 hours. I had to read every product on the website over the phone to her, and put it in the cart at her direction. It was a large order, and it was right before Christmas, if I remember right. I think I even put a note on the order that said, “No, this is not a fake order.” It was done and now we had the excitement of waiting for her new bike, which I would not get to see until summer. In her determination to go whole hog, my MIL found Rivendell’s website and decided to call the elves there herself. She made another order. A huge order. And when 6 months later we arrived at her house, she had Rivendell swag for everyone! All four grandkids wore their Riv caps. Reflective triangles galore. Clem Smith tee shirts in several sizes. Water bottles, pins, bandanas. We had it all and we wore it all like Dobby the house elf from Harry Potter, and we were the fanciest family cyclers in all of Beltrami County. We rode to ice cream, rode around the lake, hit the local parks. We took photos, greeted the neighbors, zoomed over bridges and pedaled through the cute little business district in town. My MIL never pedaled but with a giant grin on her face and *always* on the wrong side of the road.
We had 2 really great summers of riding together before it all went wrong. Just two. I wish I had taken more photos. I wish we had ridden more miles. I won’t go into details here, but my fun-loving, zany, whimsical mother in law is no longer herself. She now resides in assisted living and will never be able to ride her pretty Clementine again. Her Clementine has sat in her garage since May of 2018. On my Annual Great Northern Road Trip this summer, I drove up to see her, and while I was there, I rescued her Clementine from it’s life sentence to the garage. But for two blemishes on the head tube and one fork blade, the bike is mint. Well, it’s aqua, but it’s MINT.
Since getting it, I’ve decided I LOVE the Clementine. I love every single thing about it. Everything. I love that this bike belonged to my MIL first and that we set it up together. I love the memories we have on these bikes. There should have been more.
I always wanted a bike with Rivendell’s latest philosophy (fat tires, chainstays for days, etc). It just hums - HUMS - along the road. I shall fear no gravel, as it has no power over my new super tires. It just oozes charm and class and the shape of the step-through frame is exquisite. It’s got those fun thumbie shifters and even has Brooks grips - how in the world did she ever find and order a pair of those?! Also, everyone loves the “burgundy” (read: aqua) color.
Sincerely,
Leah, who suddenly has the strangest urge to ride on the left-hand side of the road...
In 2015, my husband needed a new bike. Providence would have it that Rivendell was making something totally new, and very affordable: their now-famous and highly-acclaimed Clem and Clementine. My husband got one of those lovely creamy blue Clems, and when his mother heard about it, she asked me to order her a Clementine. “I’d like it in burgundy,” she said.
“It doesn’t come in burgundy,” I said. “You get aqua.”
“Ok,” she said, “Tell them I want burgundy.”
With that squared away, I asked her what kinds of accoutrements she’d like her Burgundy Clementine to have. “When you call them, tell them I want everything. Just get everything,” she said.
This is just classic. She does nothing halfway, and when she said she wanted everything, she meant it. This was accomplished via phone in a conversation that lasted 2 hours. I had to read every product on the website over the phone to her, and put it in the cart at her direction. It was a large order, and it was right before Christmas, if I remember right. I think I even put a note on the order that said, “No, this is not a fake order.” It was done and now we had the excitement of waiting for her new bike, which I would not get to see until summer. In her determination to go whole hog, my MIL found Rivendell’s website and decided to call the elves there herself. She made another order. A huge order. And when 6 months later we arrived at her house, she had Rivendell swag for everyone! All four grandkids wore their Riv caps. Reflective triangles galore. Clem Smith tee shirts in several sizes. Water bottles, pins, bandanas. We had it all and we wore it all like Dobby the house elf from Harry Potter, and we were the fanciest family cyclers in all of Beltrami County. We rode to ice cream, rode around the lake, hit the local parks. We took photos, greeted the neighbors, zoomed over bridges and pedaled through the cute little business district in town. My MIL never pedaled but with a giant grin on her face and *always* on the wrong side of the road.
We had 2 really great summers of riding together before it all went wrong. Just two. I wish I had taken more photos. I wish we had ridden more miles. I won’t go into details here, but my fun-loving, zany, whimsical mother in law is no longer herself. She now resides in assisted living and will never be able to ride her pretty Clementine again. Her Clementine has sat in her garage since May of 2018. On my Annual Great Northern Road Trip this summer, I drove up to see her, and while I was there, I rescued her Clementine from it’s life sentence to the garage. But for two blemishes on the head tube and one fork blade, the bike is mint. Well, it’s aqua, but it’s MINT.
Since getting it, I’ve decided I LOVE the Clementine. I love every single thing about it. Everything. I love that this bike belonged to my MIL first and that we set it up together. I love the memories we have on these bikes. There should have been more.
I always wanted a bike with Rivendell’s latest philosophy (fat tires, chainstays for days, etc). It just hums - HUMS - along the road. I shall fear no gravel, as it has no power over my new super tires. It just oozes charm and class and the shape of the step-through frame is exquisite. It’s got those fun thumbie shifters and even has Brooks grips - how in the world did she ever find and order a pair of those?! Also, everyone loves the “burgundy” (read: aqua) color.
Sincerely,
Leah, who suddenly has the strangest urge to ride on the left-hand side of the road...
Message has been deleted
Tom M
Jul 9, 2019, 8:55:00 AM7/9/19
to RBW Owners Bunch
I’m sorry for your loss, because that’s what it is, but what a lovely tribute to your mother-in-law.
Take care,
Tom Milani
Alexandira, VA
Take care,
Tom Milani
Alexandira, VA
Wayne Naha
Jul 9, 2019, 10:13:07 AM7/9/19
to RBW Owners Bunch
A beautiful and moving tribute to your dear Mother-in-Law. She sounds like a beautiful soul.
...
Message has been deleted
Deacon Patrick
Jul 9, 2019, 2:57:00 PM7/9/19
to RBW Owners Bunch
Och, Leah! What a beautiful celebration of life and living it with wild abandon and of the end of one chapter and beginning of another, with its own unexpected challenges and delights. May you and yours always breathe with wild abandon!
With abandon,
Patrick
With abandon,
Patrick
RichS
Jul 9, 2019, 4:56:04 PM7/9/19
to RBW Owners Bunch
Leah, what a lovely tribute to your mother in law.
You were both fortunate to enjoy such good times
together. Thank you for sharing your experiences
with us.
You were both fortunate to enjoy such good times
together. Thank you for sharing your experiences
with us.
Best,
Rich in ATL
Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!
Jul 10, 2019, 9:31:18 AM7/10/19
to RBW Owners Bunch
Thanks, Everyone. I was extraordinarily blessed when my husband’s parents became my family. “In-law”was never an adequate name for who they were to me; I always shuddered using it to refer to them. My father in law was the stuff of lore - the most wonderful man who was generous with anything that was his; his affection, his time, his prayers and his resources. He poured them out on his family and loved us all to pieces. He was a brilliant man who could tell a story like no one else; he was pee-your-pants funny, He died unexpectedly at 62, 9 years ago.
I have often wondered why such good folks have to be taken away at such young ages, but I think it’s the wrong question to ask. Maybe the better question is, how did I win the lottery when I got assigned to my family?
I have often wondered why such good folks have to be taken away at such young ages, but I think it’s the wrong question to ask. Maybe the better question is, how did I win the lottery when I got assigned to my family?
Joe Bernard
Jul 10, 2019, 10:27:51 AM7/10/19
to RBW Owners Bunch
Your family won the lottery with you, too 🙂
Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!
Jul 10, 2019, 10:33:50 AM7/10/19
to RBW Owners Bunch
Aw, Joe 🥰
Pondero
Jul 10, 2019, 9:06:27 PM7/10/19
to RBW Owners Bunch
Wonderful story! Poignant reminder!
Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas
Ray Varella
Jul 11, 2019, 7:35:01 AM7/11/19
to RBW Owners Bunch
Leah,
When my Brother in Law (my brother is what he was to me), passed away suddenly, the priest officiating over his service said something that really resonated with me.
He said Stephen was here temporarily as a gift to us and had been called back home.
When my Brother in Law (my brother is what he was to me), passed away suddenly, the priest officiating over his service said something that really resonated with me.
He said Stephen was here temporarily as a gift to us and had been called back home.
Peace to you and your family.
Ray
Leah Peterson
Jul 11, 2019, 10:28:06 AM7/11/19
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I’m so sorry, Ray. And you’re right; that is so good. ✝️
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islaysteve
Jul 13, 2019, 8:19:08 PM7/13/19
to RBW Owners Bunch
Just beautiful. Thank you.
in Dallas nick
Jul 15, 2019, 12:36:03 PM7/15/19
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Thanks for sharing this story Leah.
With so many negative stories in the news its refreshing to hear of loving family relationships and times of joy even in the midst of health issues for some of the family members.
Please keep sharing as you have opportunity.
I expect most on this list find your posts helpful, sometimes funny, sometimes inspiring, and encouraging.
Adding my prayers for your mother in law.
Safe pedaling
Paul in Dallas
Leah Peterson
Jul 15, 2019, 2:25:04 PM7/15/19
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Paul,
Your words are heartwarming and your prayers appreciated. Thank you for brightening my day,
Leah ❤️
Sent from my iPhone
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