spokesNspin

I recently emptied my bike stable for a group picture.

It’s crazy I know.  I have heard of people who have more bikes than I do but I don’t know anyone personally.  I know you all want to be introduced so here goes.  From left to right they are:

 ”Carrie” Cannodale T2000 touring bike.  She has almost 20,000 miles.  Carrie and I have been together about 7 years.  We have had some wonderful tours and adventures.   She even carried me on the 200 mile LOTOJA.  Her drive train has been replaced once.

Specialized Roubaix.  This is my most recent purchase.  I had been lusting after this bike for about 4 years.  On a regular basis I would go into the shop and stroke her.   She has a carbon fiber frame and Shimano 105 and Ultegra components.

“Tina” Trek 720 is next.  Tina is about 24 years old but our relationship just started last fall.  She came with down tube friction shifters, Sun Tour derailleur and gearing that was just a little too big for my daily commute.  I took a bike class and installed bar end shifters and new gearing on the back that includes a mega gear.  It’s a little better but still not quite as small as I would like.

I know she’s old and little over weight.  But she has such classic lines.  She is always there to smooth out the bumpy roads in life.  When all is said and done, she is my favorite bike to ride.  Yes, she is one sweet ride!

Not only that, but she is also civic minded.

Is that cool or what?

Schwinn Moab is next.  This is a mountain bike with street tires that was my commuter for about 7 years.  Right now there are no pedals or seat on the bike.  It needs a new drive train. I bought the parts last fall but haven’t installed them yet.  It was too cold in the garage to do the work during the winter.  Now that it is warm I would rather be out riding.

Last but not least is a Gary Fisher Aquila mountain bike.  I haven’t ridden this bike in probably two years.  I will probably get rid of either this one or the Schwinn.  But check out these bad boys:

That’s right, those are studded snow tires.  I installed those to give me more riding time in the winter.  I decided shortly after that maybe I was a little too obsessed.  Snow and ice days might be a good time to give it a break or should I say not risk giving it a break. 

But there is a certain pleasure in being the first to ride along the trail in the quiet with 4 inches of fresh snow.  It is so peaceful.

So what do my five bicycles and six children have in common? 

I never started out planning to have so many of either one. It just happened but I love them all.