Thursday, July 12, 2007

On Missed Anniversaries

So I'm wholly expecting my bike to do something evil to me one of these days...because I missed it's anniversary! It was July 5, 2006, which was my introduction into this great sport of road cycling! Prior to July 5, I didn't even OWN a road bike (unless you count the sporty 10 speed Trek I got when i was 12, and promptly grew out of by age 15 or so--and YES, that was a LONG time ago).

It was actually July 3 when I decided to look into buying a road bike. I had been running a lot, and I was a little worried about my running volume and what it would do to my knees/ankles in later life. A few of my friends had been talking about riding up into the hills surrounding SB, and I was in decent shape, so I thought that sounded like fun. I went into Dave Lettieri's shop to "look at bikes." I had a price range in mind, and Dave was cool about it...he let me ride lots of bikes around for as long as I wanted. I had no aspirations of racing, nor did I really even know what racing was all about! I just wanted a bike that could climb those hills...I bought a racing bike. I will admit that I bought the one I bought because of the way it accelerated out of corners...maybe my subconsious liked going fast even then.

So on July 5, my bike and I got together. And now, one year later, and maybe 8000 miles later, we're having a superb relationship. The bike has had some changes, like a new crank, a new bottom bracket, 2 sets of new cables, a new cassette (just HAD to have that 11-26), and new pedals. I now own backup wheels, training wheels, race wheels, aero wheels, a TT bike (ok, so i made a good deal for that one). If someone had told me a year ago that I'd have 4 wheelsets and 2 bikes, I would have told them they were crazy! Just goes to show you how much I know! The bike has gotten me through a bunch of races, 2 victories, many nice placements, an impending upgrade to Cat 3, and cherished new friends associated with this amazing sport! I can't believe I haven't given him (or even a gender...until right this moment) a name! Maybe I should take a poll...

So, happy anniversary! My sweet bike, you have brought me so much joy, brought my fitness up to a level never previously achieved and given me back the fighting competitive spirit that challenges me to climb the next peak, chase down attacks, beat someone to the line, and just enjoy a fine Saturday morning playing with friends. You can't really ask for more than that.

Ciao!!

6 comments:

Itinerant Rick said...

Hpp Anniversary. But, will the bike be more upset that you forgot, or that you have been unfaithful, bringing in that other bike as a consort? And only two? Where is the track bike? The dedicated hill bike? ... soon you will need more space to hold them all ;-)

Unknown said...

Its fun thinking about when we first started riding. My father used to make me and my sister join him and my mother on "the loop" every sunday. It was painful and I hated going. In fact I even through mild fits in protest. As I look back im so grateful for those sunday rides. Id give almost anything to get to go out and ride with my whole family once a week... It doesnt get much better than that

Kimberly (aka. DrKim) said...

Cyclistrick: Well, my 'office' is now a 'bike work room'...all the bikes and tools and associated stuff now fill what was once an actual usable room in my house! I'm thinking it gets a lot better use now...but you should see some of the comments I get when people see it! Might be worthy of a blog post. And if there was a track closer than the LA velodrome...id be all over that!

Chester: I know what you mean about those 'family activities.' My family also had 'sunday family day' where we'd do something as a group. I, too, hated going, but now I look back fondly. Strange how that works.

dr-nitro said...

Typical woman, forgetting the important dates with loved ones. May the bike give you a few inopportune flats to repay you for the neglect.

Kimberly (aka. DrKim) said...

dr-nitro: funny...its nice that i can laugh at myself... the irony is not lost on me!

Unknown said...

okay so I think you should name your bike 'Flower'.