The sun is so bright – I should be riding!

I went for a lovely (but short) ride to pick up groceries.  I spent the ride thinking about what kind of bike I would buy next.  It’s pie in the sky; there’s no money at home.  Realistically, there’s negative money at home, since the next two paychecks won’t cover the bills coming in the next few weeks.  Still, it’s fun to think the about the ‘perfect’ next bike.  For instance, will I really be dropping off four-foot ledges?  Nope, and besides, I’ve got a bike that dying to do just that — it’s the rider that’s gotten cautious.  Likewise, there’s no need for a road bike.  My fifteen-year-old bianchi is up to snuff.

I made it to the grocery store staying mostly on a dirt path, with asphalt for the last little bit.  I’m using my favorite kicking around bike, one gear on a huge aluminum mountain bike frame from cannondale.  It’s a joy to ride and takes very little maintenance.  Probably needs more than it gets, since the brake pads are cracked and it’s getting hard to stop.  That will have to be a spring project.

Meanwhile, this is the category for the new bike:  trips short and long; sturdy and low maintenance.  The dream bike would be equally at home back on the continental divide as it would be hauling back groceries.  It’s still just idle thought, but it might be just the thing to get the next trip onto the drawing board!