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Day’s Verse:
A good life gets passed on to the grandchildren;
ill-gotten wealth ends up with good people.
Proverbs 13:22
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Please help me raise money for the MS Bike Tour Cape Cod Getaway. Donate today on my MS Participant page.
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Here are some things I saw on my Fourth of July bike ride, which took me around the Wachusett Reservoir (shown at the top), into Princeton where I accidentally rode on a portion of the Longsjo Classic course and where I later took the middle picture on Route 31. After a 60-mile ride, the saddle on my rented bike had turned into a torture device. “Rented bike?” you say. “Yes,” I admit, “I rented a carbon fiber bike from my bike shop because my other bike is on its way to Seattle. Scroll down to read more about it.”
The bike was a Trek Madone 5.2 WSD, my first-ever time riding a carbon fiber bike. I loved the feel of the carbon fiber frame — it smoothed the road, responded quickly and smoothly, and most of all was incredibly lightweight. Once I adjusted to its incredible responsiveness, I hugely enjoyed the feel of riding the bike. The bike was built for speed, and I took great pleasure in riding a bike so single-mindedly built for going fast. I didn’t like the gearing, the shifting components, or the saddle, so I had no trouble returning the bike. I came away appreciating why people love carbon fiber frames: Because they are freaking awesome. Even so, I can’t wait to get back on my own bike.
Yup. Joe thinks his carbon frame is both freakin’ and awesome.
I, myself, have become quite attached to the hand-me-up steel frame “Poppy” that you sent me last Fall. She and I have made a wonderful team through many a rough ride and nasty rainstorm. I must admit, however, that I do occasionally drool jealously over a triple when I am grinding rather than spinning up a hill – and even more so when I have resorted to walking up a particularly steep stretch. I comfort myself with the knowledge that Poppy is a cyclocross bike, so I should expect to do some carrying and pushing of my rig!