QUESTION OF THE DAY - April 4, 2008
When did you first realize you have a fetish?
I grew up around pro bikes as my dad raced in Europe and some when we moved here in the late 70s. For as long as I can remember, I was always tinkering with them. I recall thinking how cool it was when the chain jumped from gear to gear as I played with the crank and shifters on the repair stand. I'll never forget the sound of the first crit race I attended (Morgul-Bismarck, then Coors Classic) when the riders rushed by. When a lot of my friends were off smoking weed by the ditch after school, I hopped on my Varsity and headed to the bike shop to hang around the back and see what would come in for a tune up or overhaul (well ok, I just didn't stay at the ditch that long). I would study the Masis and Colnagos and, although all I could afford at the time was the aforementioned Varsity for everyday and a Univega that I could "race" (I tried starting an intra-mural team in high school), the dreams were set in motion. I got up enough money (working in bikes shops, among other things) to buy a "used" Raleigh Professional. Still have it (the Univega and Varsity were eventually stolen, a couple more to add to yesterday's question).