I finally found the dream bike I am looking for!
#1
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I finally found the dream bike I am looking for!
I perused the ads all the time. Every free chance I was on Craigslist or Offerup. I was chasing that carbon fiber dream machine , the one with the perfect geometry, mathematically perfect frame flex, precise gearing, dream like handling and incredible glossy paint. Most important my 25 mile ride would be like a glide and a slide, and painless and euphoria filled.
Took me a while- three years- to find her, but i dont give up easily.
This past winter , I discovered her.
She was in my garage, covered with mud and paint chips. My trusty 2014 Giant Defy, my daily ride.
I finally realized that dream bike was in my mind, and I was lucky.
No matter what bike I ride, nothing is going to make my ride a glide or a slide, it is what is. I would have to pull on two layers and a jacket on a wintry rainy day and just churn and churn.
The fresh rain in your face is still going to taste the same and that last hill before my house is always going to hurt.
.No bike is going to make the knot in my stomach disappear just before I start my ride and no bike is going to make that peaceful bliss I feel when I'm done feel any better, or the taste of a cold bottle of water.
It's all in my mind.
Took me a while- three years- to find her, but i dont give up easily.
This past winter , I discovered her.
She was in my garage, covered with mud and paint chips. My trusty 2014 Giant Defy, my daily ride.
I finally realized that dream bike was in my mind, and I was lucky.
No matter what bike I ride, nothing is going to make my ride a glide or a slide, it is what is. I would have to pull on two layers and a jacket on a wintry rainy day and just churn and churn.
The fresh rain in your face is still going to taste the same and that last hill before my house is always going to hurt.
.No bike is going to make the knot in my stomach disappear just before I start my ride and no bike is going to make that peaceful bliss I feel when I'm done feel any better, or the taste of a cold bottle of water.
It's all in my mind.
Last edited by AJW2W11E; 02-05-23 at 09:41 PM.
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#2
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Giant Defy - the bike most of us probably should be riding if we were honest about our ability and biking needs. Enjoy!
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no pics? ;-(
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Riding a significant number of different bikes can be eye-opening, if that's the thing one is trying to see.
There are many reasons to ride fine bicycles, exercise is one of them.
It has been long established that the best bicycle in the world is the one being pedaled.
There are many reasons to ride fine bicycles, exercise is one of them.
It has been long established that the best bicycle in the world is the one being pedaled.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 02-06-23 at 12:27 PM.
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@Wildwood - Like the picture. I will have to line mine up and capture them for future viewing and memory teaser. I will add two more to the mix, Colnago and Bottecchia.
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Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
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No, thank you. I prefer to keep lying to myself. World Cup bike with a Solo Cup motor...just the way I like it.
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"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
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"Giant Defy" has quite a range: like $2K-$7K. I found my perfect bike 22 years ago. And yes, its "ride would be like a glide and a slide, and painless and euphoria filled." That's exactly how I felt the day put it together, and still feel. I'm an addict, nothing to be done.
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Results matter
Results matter
#10
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@Wildwood - I will add two more to the mix, Colnago and Bottecchia.
2nd owner of nearly all-original '72.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
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I’ve always had the perfect bike. Presently have two perfect bikes. A 26” wheel LHT and a ClemSmith Jr. As I’m slowly getting into better shape the other two bikes are starting to show some brilliance I totally missed but they will not be perfect for awhile.
I had a Bottechia in the early ‘80’s, that was a perfect all rounder road bike.
I had a Bottechia in the early ‘80’s, that was a perfect all rounder road bike.
#12
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What we ride and how many rides we have is a personal decision and one part of the enjoyment of the sport.
Just recently I read a quote from Eddy Merckx:
"Don't ride upgrades--Ride Up Grades."
Just recently I read a quote from Eddy Merckx:
"Don't ride upgrades--Ride Up Grades."
#13
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I bought a used full-Campy Legnano in '63. I loved that bike, rode my first century on it, solo, around Cayuga Lake. Rat traps, straps and tennies, half-step gearing.
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Results matter
Results matter
#14
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My favorite bike: The one between my legs at the time. ❤️
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Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...