(Re)Cycle

Yesterday, as I was riding into work, I bunny-hopped the same old massive crack that I bunny-hop every trip into work. The only difference yesterday was that I hopped right onto a rock.

The bike handled funny after that, and not in a take-my-wife-please way. Once I got to work, I saw the wobble. Later on, I saw the snapped spoke.

I was crushed and disappointed. I still have time, but I'm cutting it close to get my 20 rides into work this summer.

I'd just like to add that when you dearly love your bike, and love riding, and can't... you notice everyone else riding. They ride past you, mocking you. And I swear that a few of them flicked boogers at me, too!

Anyhow, it's painfully obvious that I need to take Moyo into the shop this weekend, and I hope like hell that she can be fixed right then and there.

I know, I know... I hear you out there asking: "What about Shtiya? Your strength and mechanical savior?"

I hear ya, brutha.

My beloved Shtiya has been sitting in the basement for about a year now. Neglected and sad, she bravely grew cobwebs and scared away dust bunnies and dirt beasts.

So I took her out to see the light of day. And she was happy.

Both Moyo and Shtiya needed a washing, so I carefully and gingerly wiped them both down. I put Moyo back together, and hung her in the garage to await the trip to the bike shop.

Shtiya, on the other hand, got herself some new tires and tubes. I was set to make her shine.

But as I wiped Shtiya down, I noticed her scars and scrapes. The poor girl - like me - had lived hard. I never knew that she had so many scars. It actually saddened me quite a bit. After all... she is in her twilight...

It got me to thinking about some of the amazing times we had together. Like riding through the Alaskan mountains, and over the Rocky Mountains... the rain-soaked trip into Helena, MT via 6,000+ feet.

Ahhh, the beautiful, melancholy memories.

I also found myself wondering how it will be when I bid my final farewells to Shtiya. Sheryl will never demand that I get rid of her. It will be all my decision when it is time.

I'll get a decent ride on Shtiya this season, yet. And I'll try to keep her from getting too old.

But one thing for sure is that I can always say that we had one helluva ride (my first 100 mile ride!).