Just last week, I wrote about loving my bike and making some modifications to enhance the performance so that it can go Sea To Sea. Now I mentioned how several trusted friends who are real cyclists suggested that this wasn't the bike to do this venture on, today's trip to the bike shop brought the reality home.
I met with a nice young guy, Tim at Cyclepath. I told him what I was doing and what I wanted to upgrade. He flatly said, "This is a very good bike but it's not the bike you need for this type of trip." He pointed out all the good things about my bike but there are significant things that just won't work for Sea to Sea(weathering, sealed bearings, his says I should even consider moving up a size) They can make most of the modifications that I want but the trip would put so much demand on the mechanics that I would wear this bike out and have to get a new one afterwards anyway. Not what I wanted to hear. Tim assured me that I had a very good bike but it just wasn't built for what I wanted it to do. I told him that it wasn't the first time I had heard this before. He replied "Well, doesn't that tell you something?"
It reminds me of a friendship that I have. When I first met this friend, they seemed really cool but then there was this nasty turn and we parted on what was not the best of terms. We crossed paths a few months later and realized we had behaved badly and had the wrong impression of each other. We decided to put the past behind and move forward with new perspective. But that has been harder than I thought. It's hard to change your mind. To have the grace to move forward on the right path and not harbour resentment or to feel judgements- constantly paying for the sins of the past. Letting go, seeing a-new, listening to what is right when it goes against what you have experienced is hard. Friendship needs the right base, an open mind and heart and tons of acceptance, forgiveness and grace.
I need to have an open mind and heart for this trip too or I will never make it. I need to listen to those who care about me and know about cycling so that I am equipped for the task. As my friend Tracy said "At least by getting a new bike, it will be built for the job even if your body isn't!" I love my bike and I don't want to destroy something I love just to prove a point.
So the cost of outfitting the current bike about $400. The cost of new bike already outfitted $600( It's not a Schwinn, it's not red but it is comfortable and well built). The guys at Cyclepath in London are willing to negotiate some discounts and stuff as they know this is for charity.What do I do? Give me your insight, your advice.
Adding insult to injury- my new friend Tim was taking my name down to get back to me on some stuff and asked if I had a son. I said no. He said" Oh, just wondering as I went to school with a guy who had the same last name." I looked at him-"You think I'm old enough to be your mom? How sad is that?!?!?" Brian(the owner) started laughing and said he would put him through some sensitivity training! Tim tried to save himself "I'm not that old-How old do you think I am?" I replied "I'm hoping you're a cycling prodigy, about 5yrs old."
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6 comments:
Think about going directly to the bicycle manufacturers to see if you can get any "charity discounts" from them. I know how much you love your Schwinn with the basket but I'm glad your seriously thinking about taking the advice of a "professional" - even if he is very young. I'm thinking you should find a good bike shop and work closely with them to get everything you need, build a relationship - you're good at that, and you do have that birthday coming up - a registry is a good idea. And maybe Bon Jovi will kick in a few bucks if you promise to name it after him!!! (the bike I mean) ~H
Your love of the Schwinn and your commom sense will prevail. Get the bike that will help you succeed in your quest.
Your beautiful bike with its trusty basket will be waiting for you to take the first ride to work upon your return from the Sea to Sea.
And like you and I, it will declare "I may not be perfect, but I am built for the job I am supposed to do!"
Baby, I'm going to put this in terms you understand. Shoes.
You love your Stuart Weitzman's, you look sexy in them and I know they cost more than your Schwinn. They are great shoes but I have yet to see you hiking in them-although I'm sure you can do it-and you wear them riding to work but it's not like you want to put cleats on them. It's not the shoes that are sexy-it's you and you will look just as hot on any bike you ride. Love ya, Mook
Your e-mail and blog have given me something to look forward to and an interest where I have had none. SO.........your venture has blessed me and probalby others as well already. Thanks!
Hey Gayle, I was just at First Cycleworks on First st, just north of Dundas. If you want to cruise the continent in an easy chair, you could stop there and check out their recumbent bikes. They've got a couple that are priced pretty fair, for a recumbent.
Still, that price from Cyclepath sounded not bad either. Is that for a bike with shocks? Disk brakes? (I've got disk brakes on my new bike and I love them! no more panic when the rims get wet!)
best,
...art
I SO want a recumbent! More specifically...a tadpole style recumbent with full fairing. They're great on straight roads but I hear they are a beast on any kind of hill. But comfortable and very aerodynamic!
- Eric
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