My neighborhood is not exactly car-friendly, but I’ve been managing for the past few years either driving or walking everywhere I need to go. A few months ago, though, my husband convinced me there was a better way – biking. He had purchased a bike for me years ago that I’d ridden all of twice and he offered to fix it up for me – change the handlebars such that I could ride upright, add some baskets – really make it a neighborhood errands type of bike. He embarked on this project, and after a lot of time and effort, I had a great bike that I was thrilled to ride around.
But of course, fate (and a little bit of our own stupidity) struck. We store the bikes in our condo building’s garage, which we’d thought was very secure. People left their stuff lying around all the time, and they (and we) rarely locked up our bikes when they were in the garage because we thought they’d be fine – we knew our neighbors would never take them. But a group of people broke into the garage one night, stealing, along with our bikes, a couple of motorcycles and someone’s fancy, shiny, expensive tires.
I was very upset. I’d finally gotten to a point that I was riding my bike regularly, only to have it taken from me. Not to mention, we’d put a lot of time and effort into fixing up my bike, and I hate that it was taken away just as I was beginning to enjoy it! But, looking at the bright side, my husband pointed out that the bike wasn’t perfect. He said that I’d probably want to replace it in a couple of years anyways, and though we were forced into the situation, it wasn’t all bad. Therefore, we started looking online for the perfect bike. And I fell in love.
It took weeks for my Civia Loring to arrive at the store – it was a special order because no one really carries it in the store. I originally wanted it in a light green, but Civia sent the black by mistake. While the store was determined to fix it, I decided that I actually really like the classic look of the black and am keeping it!
We have ordered a bamboo crate to go on the rear rack, so I’ll have plenty of storage space. While the front rack is great, it won’t hold more than a small purse and a small bag of library books. The bamboo fenders are also a nice touch, meaning I can ride around while it’s wet without having to worry about getting splashed. And notice the wonderfully secure U-Lock that sits behind the seat (which is a Brooks leather saddle, one of the best out there). I’ll definitely be locking this baby up.
I absolutely love the upright riding position of the bike, and the step-through frame means I won’t have a problem riding it while wearing a skirt or dress! It’s such a comfortable ride and is beautifully constructed. I will never say that I’m glad my old bike was stolen, because that is such a frustrating and upsetting situation, but my gorgeous Civia Loring certainly helps ease the pain!
Welcome! I’m Swapna Krishna. By day, I'm an editor and book reviewer, and by night, I review books on this blog. Feel free to browse my 
What a beautiful bike! Carl rides his bike around our neighborhood, but he can’t ride it anywhere because the road that goes to “town” is narrow and has no shoulders.
What a beautiful bike! Carl rides his bike around our neighborhood, but he can’t ride it anywhere because the road that goes to “town” is narrow and has no shoulders.
Really nice bike. Enjoy!
Really nice bike. Enjoy!
Oh, how cool! It must be a treat to ride that around. Congratulations, and enjoy!
Oh, how cool! It must be a treat to ride that around. Congratulations, and enjoy!
Hmmm…you have succeeded in making me want this!
Hmmm…you have succeeded in making me want this!
what a gorgeous bike, I am planning to buy a bike too, lets see how it goes.
what a gorgeous bike, I am planning to buy a bike too, lets see how it goes.
What a great looking bike! I live in a rural area and unfortunately can’t ride my bike to run errands and the like, but would love one of these to ride the country roads!
What a great looking bike! I live in a rural area and unfortunately can’t ride my bike to run errands and the like, but would love one of these to ride the country roads!
Awesome bike! It’s so great (for you and the environment) that you’re biking.
Awesome bike! It’s so great (for you and the environment) that you’re biking.
I love the black! And I love your bike. I was telling Mr. BFR about it and now he is craving one too. Sadly, it is *not* a great bike for our area, which is not urban enough for running errands on two wheels.
I love the black! And I love your bike. I was telling Mr. BFR about it and now he is craving one too. Sadly, it is *not* a great bike for our area, which is not urban enough for running errands on two wheels.
Oh wow! What a gorgeous bike! I see now why you were so excited about getting it!!
Oh wow! What a gorgeous bike! I see now why you were so excited about getting it!!
I love it and wish I lived in a place that was more bike-friendly.
I love it and wish I lived in a place that was more bike-friendly.
Your new bike is gorgeous and I hope that you get a lot of enjoyment out of it! I need to get one like that!
Your new bike is gorgeous and I hope that you get a lot of enjoyment out of it! I need to get one like that!
Wow, that is one gorgeous bike! I love it, and want one
Wow, that is one gorgeous bike! I love it, and want one
Very pretty!!
Happy riding!
Very pretty!!
Happy riding!
Beautiful bike! I admit that I’d like to ride a bike more often, but I’d probably kill myself (I’m not very graceful), so I tend to walk everywhere instead.
Beautiful bike! I admit that I’d like to ride a bike more often, but I’d probably kill myself (I’m not very graceful), so I tend to walk everywhere instead.
what a wonderful bike reminds me of the bikes used see round oxford when I visited years ago ,all the best stu
what a wonderful bike reminds me of the bikes used see round oxford when I visited years ago ,all the best stu
what a wonderful bike reminds me of the bikes used see round oxford when I visited years ago ,all the best stu
what a wonderful bike reminds me of the bikes used see round oxford when I visited years ago ,all the best stu
That is SO beautiful! I love the crate at the front – very classy.
That is SO beautiful! I love the crate at the front – very classy.
How fun! I haven’t ridden a bike since I was a kid, but I love the classic appeal of them. And the idea of riding one to the library and storing books in the basket is seriously adorable to me. So sorry your first bike was stolen (that completely sucks, actually), but at least you got a great replacement.
How fun! I haven’t ridden a bike since I was a kid, but I love the classic appeal of them. And the idea of riding one to the library and storing books in the basket is seriously adorable to me. So sorry your first bike was stolen (that completely sucks, actually), but at least you got a great replacement.
What a good looking bike. I hope you are enjoying it.
What a good looking bike. I hope you are enjoying it.
What a very cool, vintage looking bike. My daughter got a similar looking bike in green a few months back (not sure the brand though).
What a very cool, vintage looking bike. My daughter got a similar looking bike in green a few months back (not sure the brand though).
I am coveting that bike!
I am coveting that bike!
This is a bike with personality! I love it. I never saw such a neat looking bike. Enjoy it!
This is a bike with personality! I love it. I never saw such a neat looking bike. Enjoy it!
What a gorgeous bike! It’s terrible that your last bike was stolen, but at least something so nice came from the situation.
What a gorgeous bike! It’s terrible that your last bike was stolen, but at least something so nice came from the situation.
Happy riding
Happy riding
That’s one beautiful bike! And you look so sporty riding it
That’s one beautiful bike! And you look so sporty riding it
I had no idea what a hipster you are!
I had no idea what a hipster you are!
Oh my gosh, what a gorgeous bike!! I hate your other one was stolen, but it looks like maybe you got the best end of the deal!
Oh my gosh, what a gorgeous bike!! I hate your other one was stolen, but it looks like maybe you got the best end of the deal!