Thursday, I found a sliver of time in the early afternoon to take the Rivendell Appaloosa for a quick ride up the Minuteman, just seven miles, but that was enough to convince me that the bike was friendly and wasn't looking to kill me the first chance it gets. I just need to be broad-minded about its many eccentricities, which, after all, are not its fault.
By the end of the ride I fancied I had learned to ride this one. I had certainly learned to make myself at home on it, and was enjoying the combination of long wheelbase, fat, supple knobbies, and light steering. The upright riding posture will take some getting used to.
It's all subject to change, of course... just not this week.
rod