CYCLING #2

Not the early sun, not the water, the grace of late light, nor the departure of dawn,
but the wind I create from my own movement, my world turning round.
--- Laura David

In July 1991, I went to Maine to visit my daughter Erika who is a cyclist. She warned me ahead of time that we would go cycling on an island off the coast. Since I had not been on a bike since I was a teenager, I was naturally a bit apprehensive. I also smoked heavily at the time, not an activity that goes well with high aerobic activity like pumping bike pedals!! Well, the cycling trip was a huge success, and so much fun that when I returned to Charlottesville I went right out and bought a bike! It was a nice red Bianchi hybrid which served me well for three years.

However, my expanding needs soon outpaced the Bianchi's ability to deliver. It was heavy and its wide tires slowed me down. I wanted more speed and ability to ride longer distances. My friend John is an experienced cyclist, and he knew exactly what I needed. He took me to a shop that had a TREK 1420 with a much lighter aluminum frame, and bar-end shifters. It's a great bike, and I've ridden over two thousand miles on it.

A road bike is lots of fun for going fast on paved roads, but I eventually wanted to go offroad as well. One Sunday after a ride with my friend Rick we went shopping. He had been wanting a mountain bike too, so we egged each other on relentlessly. He resisted that day, but I came home with a SPECIALIZED Rockhopper Comp FS. A week later he finally relented and bought a different model. Frankly, I haven't ridden this bike much, but its nice to have the option of riding offroad when needed.

In June 1995, I stopped in a bike shop in Ocomomowoc, Wis, my hometown. What should I spy but a SOFTRIDE! I had been eyeing that bike in the mags for a long time, and I had been wanting a bike that was more comfortable to ride since I was planning a 100 mile ride. It could only be fate! I took one for a test ride and it was so much fun I rode for more than an hour. They didn't have the model I wanted in stock, but they placed a special rush order so I could get one before I planned the return trip to Virginia. It was quite a trick to get two road bikes plus luggage in the back of a Honda Civic, but we prevailed. A few months later I upgraded the drivetrain, brakes and wheels. After many miles on this bike, I am more than ever convinced that it's the right bike for me. I don't think that I will ever want any other bike... but that's what I thought twice before!

Well, all good things must come to an end. The Specialized bike proved to be too heavy for extended riding. I discovered the Trek Y-Foil and had to have it! It's carbon fiber frame is much lighter than the steel Specialized, and the components are top rate. It's not quite as comfortable, but does very nicely. I sold the Specialized to brother Jon, and have now turned the old Trek1400 into more of a hybrid with wider tires. I added a comfy seat and shock abosorbing seatpost for more casual riding on a trip. I didn't use the mountain bike much, so I sold it. Now I have only two bikes!

CYCLING in Wisconsin with brother David,
Oconomowoc Lake, Summer 1995
First long ride on the Softride.

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Last modified: April 26, 2002

	However, my expanding needs soon outpaced the Bianchi's ability to deliver. It was heavy and its wide tires slowed me down. I wanted more speed and ability to ride longer distances. My friend John is an experienced cyclist, and he knew exactly what I needed. He took me to a shop that had a TREK 1420 with a much lighter aluminum frame, and bar-end shifters. It's a great bike, and I've ridden over two thousand miles on it.
A road bike is lots of fun for going fast on paved roads, but I eventually wanted to go offroad as well. One Sunday after a ride with my friend Rick we went shopping. He had been wanting a mountain bike too, so we egged each other on relentlessly. He resisted that day, but I came home with a SPECIALIZED Rockhopper Comp FS. A week later he finally relented and bought a different model. Frankly, I haven't ridden this bike much, but its nice to have the option of riding offroad when needed.
	In June 1995, I stopped in a bike shop in Ocomomowoc, Wis, my hometown. What should I spy but a SOFTRIDE! I had been eyeing that bike in the mags for a long time, and I had been wanting a bike that was more comfortable to ride since I was planning a 100 mile ride. It could only be fate! I took one for a test ride and it was so much fun I rode for more than an hour. They didn't have the model I wanted in stock, but they placed a special rush order so I could get one before I planned the return trip to Virginia. It was quite a trick to get two road bikes plus luggage in the back of a Honda Civic, but we prevailed. A few months later I upgraded the drivetrain, brakes and wheels. After many miles on this bike, I am more than ever convinced that it's the right bike for me. I don't think that I will ever want any other bike... but that's what I thought twice before!
Well, all good things must come to an end. The Specialized bike proved to be too heavy for extended riding. I discovered the Trek Y-Foil and had to have it! It's carbon fiber frame is much lighter than the steel Specialized, and the components are top rate. It's not quite as comfortable, but does very nicely. I sold the Specialized to brother Jon, and have now turned the old Trek1400 into more of a hybrid with wider tires. I added a comfy seat and shock abosorbing seatpost for more casual riding on a trip. I didn't use the mountain bike much, so I sold it. Now I have only two bikes!