I sometimes impulse-buy birthday gifts for myself. This happened once in 2017 when I got a Seiko 5 dress watch, and again in 2022 with a classic road bike.

Do you ever see something and resonate with it immediately because of its color? I woke up one Saturday morning in the middle of August. And as I scrolled on Facebook, I saw a Facebook Marketplace listing for an attractive blue bike.

This wasn’t my first time seeing it online. However, with the headaches surrounding my Bridgestone Eurasia, I just wanted a fun, chill bike that I wouldn’t have to take too seriously.

The Riteway Sonoma was listed for P17,000, but sending an inquiry was free. I learned a couple of things:

• the specs were impressive;
• the frame was my size; and
• the owner knew the bike well and used it well, too.

Knowing those, I set out for Pembo, Taguig, to check the bike in person. I even brought my own MKS pedals—a sign that I was ready to bring it home.

The Sonoma looked good in photos and even better in person. According to the previous owner, this touring bike originated from Japan in 2011 before ending up as surplus in Cebu, where he had it shipped from.

Riteway Products Japan started out in 1996 as a distributor of GT Bicycles. Now, it also carries Felt and Bombrack, as well as its own brand Riteway. Meanwhile, Sonoma is the model name for Riteway’s steel touring bike.

The fact that the Sonoma is a touring bike means that it has versatility and practicality that you wouldn’t find on a normal road bike—comfort-oriented geometry, rack and fender mounts, and thicker tire clearance.

The Sonoma has an interesting mix of modern and retro specs. The bike was old, but not so antiquated that the components are a pain in the neck. This meant the parts were cheap and readily available.

The Sonoma already gave a striking first impression. But I was wooed even more as I took a closer look at the components.

These parts immediately stood out: the pretty Takagi Tourney XT crank, the Brooks B17 leather saddle, the 700c-by-40mm Maxxis Ramblers, and the Tektro cantilever brakes with Koolstop pads.

More than just bling, these parts provided sufficient comfort, gearing, and stopping power. I could tell they were curated for the purpose of bike-touring.

I didn’t intend on splurging on the bike. But I still spent on it after the purchase. The worn-out tires and brake pads were replaced, and I also changed the saddle, the pedals, and the front shifter to suit my preferences.

The paint was elegant, but not immaculate as the frame was adorned with scratches from good use. The overall build had a sense of harmony with a clean color scheme. What impressed me even more was that the seemingly minor components were all silver. Not a single piece was out of place.

The last price was P16,000. I didn’t bother haggling further out of respect for the thoughtful build. The deal was closed, and I now have another bike in my stable.

What makes the Riteway Sonoma a breath of fresh air is that it’s nothing like the recent bikes I’ve gone through.

It’s no cheap rat bike like the Foxter MTB I once had. But it’s not a money sink like my Bridgestone Eurasia. And it’s not a speed demon either like my Seaboard GR02. If anything, it reminds me of the Trek hybrid bike I rode in San Francisco.

The Sonoma sits in a sweet spot. I can take things slowly with the upright riding position. But if I want to get spirited and sporty, the bike isn’t a sluggish tractor. Plus, the combination of my Sack It bag and a front rack is handy for commuting.

My Riteway Sonoma doesn’t have to be the fastest, the lightest, or the toughest ride in my collection. All that matters is that it’s fun and comfortable (and it’s blue).

It acts as an antithesis—a reminder that despite my passion for bicycles, I don’t have to take them so seriously all the time. And this lets me enjoy my love for cycling even more.