All beauty is fleeting, none moreso I think, than that of white bartape (and probably saddles, too) on a bicycle. I took the Rambouillet out for a relaxed 50 miler yesterday in the beautiful spring weather and, in defiance of entropy, selected a route that included just a bit of dirt trail. It's only a mile or so long, not at all technical, but it is scenic, and it happens to connect two paved roads making for a fun little shortcut/change of pace.
It holds particular relevence for me, as it's a bit of trail that, on a whim, I took with Anne on our then-new tandem when we were out for a road ride. She'd tried mountain biking a few times with me and found it a bit nerve wracking, but as a stoker, with the steering and picking the way stuff left to me, she really enjoyed it. Many soft exclamations at the beauty of the woods and trail ensued, followed by prompt googling once we got home to plan trips around similarly non-technical trails in the area that we could try. Believe me, you haven't lived 'til you piloted a tandem on 1.75"X26" Paselas through a sandy patch at the bottom of a fast hill! But I digress--here's a pic of the Rambouillet and trail: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40738...@n08/4512828650/ A little green popping up here and there is nice to see! The real challenge to our white accoutrements, though, came later in the ride when I got the first flat of the year, a back tire deflation that emptied the tire in seconds with a sharp, telling hiss. By virtue of a handy park bench to prop the bike against, some careful chain handling, and judicious application of a wet wipe once the deed was done, the white bartape remains unscathed and grime free! I now have two wet wipes in the bag, though. You know, just in case... Steve Frederick, East Lansing, MI -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
