cccorlew

Dear Road Bike,
You know I love you. I've loved you since the day I first saw you in 1987. Your Cannondale Black Lightning body, your matching parts, your golden highlights set my heart afire as they always have. Didn't I ride you 100K this weekend? Don't I buy you new tires at the slightest hint?
But I know you are wondering where I am during the week.
I confess.
That Red Cannondale F500 mountain bike you room with? Lost a lotta weight recently, no? The light wheels, the 1" Tom Slicks, the new 12-23 cluster.
I'm sure you noticed the new chain too.
Well, I guess you know who bought the chain. I guess you know who I've been riding to work every day.
It's not that things between us have changed, it's just that I've gotten older. I like -- maybe need -- a little suspension in the morning, in a way I didn't twenty years ago.
So, yes damn it, I'm riding to work every day, from now on, with Red. A cushy, quick, practical ride with a back pack.
But we'll still have the weekends, won't we? It's just that I have so many miles to give.
I knew you'd understand.
Yours forever,
Curtis

slvoid

Have you been drinking?

georgiaboy

Either that, or he needs to start drinking.

M_S

Can I use your cannondale during the week?

mrkott3r

well at least this thread is a little different

cccorlew

You ask that like it might be a bad thing...

DataJunkie

I have but this thread is plain odd...

modernjess

I've seen it all before. The willingness to try new things, the weight loss, the spring in your step. You project new found self confidence and a sense of well being. You've suddenly developed a happy go lucky, bluebird on your shoulder attitude (even when you're drinking).

It can only mean one thing. It's only a matter of time... and don't deny it. Your apologies are a thinly veiled cover for your real desires. You've got your eyes on another. Admit it!. A new favorite. The dream machine. The one that up until now was unobtainable but you've known all your life you were meant to be with and now you must have it. The custom build "where have you been all my life" bike.

Life is short. Go get it. Happy trails!

pinkrobe

Awesome post.

doraemonkey

Hey! That is cool!

I've never thought about writing a "dear John" letter to my bike, but I find myself in an uncannily similar situation.

My first bike, that I bought with my own money earned from mowing lawns was a '87 Cannondale team comp (mowing lawns didn't get me enough for the Black Lightning). It was my first mechanical love, and I still have it. All the parts have been changed through out the years, and it is antequated compared to today's carbonfibre steeds, but I still have a fondness for it in my heart. At the time, Aluminum was the way to go to get the lightest and fastest bike out there. It took me to high-school, and the priority was on getting there the fastest, and being the first up the hills. In college, it was the same bike that would take me through 100+ km races on Sundays. We trained together for 10 hours a week if we weren't to be dropped frome the peleton.

Fast was good, but it was twitchy and the thin tires got flats and the rims got bent. Now, the Team Comp is resting in the basement while, my other Cannondale, a F900 does all the work. Bought again, as the coolest thing that I could afford to get me over rocks, mud and trails, it is now bringing me to work everyday. Some 1.5 inch Schwalbe Marathons help get me there quickly and reliably, only one pinch flat in two and a half years. A son Dynamo hub and Schmidt halogen backed with a Cateye LD1000 light the way through the darkness and lead me safely to the place that pays the bills.

The arc of my love affair with bicycles so far has gone from sexy lust, to rugged and tough, to practical. Next stop midlife crisis...

RonH

A little suspension in the morning?? Now that's weird.

East Hill

Umm, I think most of us twenty years later have enough padding to make that 'suspension' unnecessary .

East Hill

turtleguy54

My Dear Curtis,

The drips of chain lube on the carpet as I read this are not drips of sadness, but drips of joy! Effie and I have been trying to find a way to tell you that--well, that we love each other. We love you too Curtis. Yes, you could say we are Bi-bikes.

It is great that you have given Effie a make over and now give her some ride. Hadn't you noticed how harsh I was with you at times. This was so you would share yourself with her also. So, ride her on those wet mornings (she was always the one that liked to play dirty). I will anticipate our time on the weekends when you pump my tires hard and ride me fast.

If you don't mind being kept by two lesbian bikes who also love you, we can have a beautiful threesome together. You have made us so happy our forks are all a quiver.

Your's and her's always
Blackie

n4zou

+1

rando

Best thread ever.

I-Like-To-Bike

Ya Think? IMO, 100% FOO-FOO FLUFF and Fodder for the Foo List. Though cross posting on the 50Plus list seems appropriate; many posters there like stuff like this.

roadron1

that is so cooool . may you three ride forever.