Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Arsbars
01-31-04, 08:53 PM
I've never been so sad to think about taking a bike apart, and watch it sit as a frame before. Don't get me wrong, this bike has been in that naked state before for months at a time. This time is different, I don't exactly understand why, but it is.
My trusty friend is a steel, Campy clad, Raleigh International, I bought as a training aid about 3 years ago for the winter. If you race and are sponsored you know the deal. Every January you receive a new bike which you train/ race on through the season, after the season you turn it in for a new one. You don't grow to love the bike, or form a relationship. It is simply a tool to get you over that finish line. It's not your friend, it doesn't call to you, or make you want to ride a little bit longer before it gets dark.
That is what my Raleigh has turned into. Tons of memories of cold long winter days, or quick runs on it to the Post Office. It has been my bike to beat up, ride in the rain and snow, and simply ride. It doesn't have high end Record or Chorus parts on it. Is weighed down by the lights for commuting, and heavy duty wheels for training in the winter. But it's my bike that will never leave my side, never need to be turned in, or given up.
A month ago, I broke down and purchased a new frame. A shiny gold, Orbea Altec. It's so smooth looking, I know simply by looks it has to go faster. The weight is lighter than paper, and the ride is going to be butter. It is hanging up, calling my name everyday at work, wanting and crying to be built and ridden. This bike will soon be turned into my friend. The bike I will roll out the front door every morning to goto work and ride until its dark in the middle of the summer.
The sad part of all this is I can't ride both bikes at one time. I won't ever share the amount of time I share with my Raleigh now, with it ever again. I'll ride it in the winter, and when it's nasty weather.. but the memory making will be less and less. I feel like a 5th grader, with two best friends. One with all the memories, that I have to leave behind. One with no memories at all, but is just waiting to make some.
My trusty friend is a steel, Campy clad, Raleigh International, I bought as a training aid about 3 years ago for the winter. If you race and are sponsored you know the deal. Every January you receive a new bike which you train/ race on through the season, after the season you turn it in for a new one. You don't grow to love the bike, or form a relationship. It is simply a tool to get you over that finish line. It's not your friend, it doesn't call to you, or make you want to ride a little bit longer before it gets dark.
That is what my Raleigh has turned into. Tons of memories of cold long winter days, or quick runs on it to the Post Office. It has been my bike to beat up, ride in the rain and snow, and simply ride. It doesn't have high end Record or Chorus parts on it. Is weighed down by the lights for commuting, and heavy duty wheels for training in the winter. But it's my bike that will never leave my side, never need to be turned in, or given up.
A month ago, I broke down and purchased a new frame. A shiny gold, Orbea Altec. It's so smooth looking, I know simply by looks it has to go faster. The weight is lighter than paper, and the ride is going to be butter. It is hanging up, calling my name everyday at work, wanting and crying to be built and ridden. This bike will soon be turned into my friend. The bike I will roll out the front door every morning to goto work and ride until its dark in the middle of the summer.
The sad part of all this is I can't ride both bikes at one time. I won't ever share the amount of time I share with my Raleigh now, with it ever again. I'll ride it in the winter, and when it's nasty weather.. but the memory making will be less and less. I feel like a 5th grader, with two best friends. One with all the memories, that I have to leave behind. One with no memories at all, but is just waiting to make some.