»In which we sing the Internationale

Two of my colleagues stood outside my office, poring over the bicycle parked in front. They finally came in and commented on "What an international bike you have!" 'tis true: an American-designed, Chinese-built frame hung with a French chainring and crankset, Japanese cog on an American hub laced to a much-beloved French wheel (with an Italian tyre in the rear, French on the front). The pedals are a Japanese copy of the classic Italian track pedal, with French leather straps. My California panniers mount to a gorgeous lightweight German rear rack. The stem and bars are a mix of Italian and Japanese components, mounted on an American headset. The corks stuck in the handlebar ends are American and French. And the saddle is, of course!, English.