Rain & shine

It’s a life on two wheels.

I’ve collected various parts of this bike at the way stations of a quarter century’s living. It’s been rebuilt at different iterations of Ye Olde Bike Shoppe.

The frame was adopted from a Memphis bike shop while I lived in West Plains. I befriended a bunch of bits and tools while I lived in Springfield and convinced them to move in and migrate to Florida. In Tallahassee a whole generation showed up: a replacement fork, used Ergo levers, that refurbished front derailleur, upgraded double-pivot brakes. These parts make a whole.

Accoutrements tell a story from a time and place. Ball bearings, for instance, travel in Hiland Dairy yogurt cups (Quality Chekd!) purchased from the Dillon’s grocery (the yogurt, not the bearings) at National and St. Louis in Springfield. That’s right down the street from Korea House; oh what I’d give for an order of Han’s chicken.

For the longest time I called this the Rain Bike as contrast to the Cloud Bike. It’s supposed to be taken out for rides in the rain. You know, to keep more beloved bikes clean. The truth is, though, I don’t like to ride in the rain.

I will ride it nowhere fast on my indoor rollers and sweat all over it without compunction or care.

It’s not all new, shiny, expensive, Italian bike stuff that gets me going.                                                                                            

Sometimes it’s old, shined up, no-further-cost, Italian bike stuff.