I celebrated New year's Day by skipping the official "First Ride" and instead I rode a few miles in a screaming downpour to meet a friend over coffee. I rode my Rivendell LongLow, a custom frameset that was built for me in 1999.
Through two wheel rebuilds (soon to be a third rear rear, as the rims tend to crap out sooner in rainy climates), two used rear derailleurs and soon-to-be three front ones, two and a half sets of fenders and a couple of different handlebar configurations, and even a little fork re-straightening (!) this has been one helluva nice ride. When I ordered the bike in 1998, I explained to Grant that I wanted a frameset that would see me out (and yes, those were my words), because I doubted I'd ever have the opportunity to order another custom frame in the future. He worked with the frame builder and a year later, I took delivery of a frameset that was, in Grant's words, "of cockroach durability". After a cup of coffee that lasted three hours, I put on my not-quite-dry rainwear, saddled up and rode the three soggy miles home, still feeling a little beat-up by the previous night's festivities but happy that my bike responded so readily under my legs (and hey, at least the ride home was with a tailwind!). Riding a really good, strong bike that fits so well is like putting on your favorite pair of jeans, the ones you like so much it doesn't feel like there's ever an inappropriate day to wear them. Beth http://bikelovejones.livejournal.com http://veloquent.blogspot.com --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
