Riding in the Calm Before the Storm; "Nice bike!"

[WETH]

As I write the rain is falling and the federal government, local governments, and school districts have closed for Monday.  All done in anticipation of the approaching storm forecast to deliver rain, sleet, freezing rain, and finally 6-10 inches of snow all by noon tomorrow.

  
However, earlier today the sun appeared, the weather was warm, and spring seemed to have arrived.  I spent the morning splitting wood to fuel my wood stove and then took my Atlantis on a ramble.  I wasn't alone.  I haven't encountered as many cyclists outside since November.  

The last rider in a large group that passed me yelled back, "nice fenders."  I caught up to him at a traffic light, and we spoke.  He asked about my wood fenders and then the Atlantis.  He had never heard of Rivendell or Grant Petersen but said he had been riding steel since the 1980s.  I mentioned Bridgestone, and he made a connection.  He really admired the lug work on the Atlantis and told me he had sold his last steel bike last year to help fund the titanium bike he was riding.  I admired his black titanium bike.  He offered it had taken a year to save the money.  He said it was light and rode smoothly.  We agreed that a bike one enjoys riding is worth saving for.  As we parted, he said, "I enjoy speaking with folks like you."  He was dressed in black cycling tights and a lycra  shirt.  I wore my blue jeans tucked into my wool socks, my flannel shirt, orange vest, and hiking boots.  It was an enjoyable and all too brief conversation.

Before my ride ended three other passing cyclists had called out, "Nice bike!"  I returned home with a bit too much pride in my bike and a renewed appreciation for friendly, passionate cyclists.

Now where did I put that snow shovel and why didn't I buy studded tires for my Atlantis after the last snowstorm?
To anyone experiencing or in the path of this storm, stay safe and warm.

Two pictures from today's ride:

[cyclotourist]

A lot of people have a real soft spot for lugged steel. I think they appreciate the beauty & craftsmanship, but nonetheless feel it's too heavy/antiquated/inefficient to meet their perceived needs. 

Glad you were able to enjoy your ride today on such a heavy/antiquated/inefficient bike!

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Tony DeFilippo]

Erl,

Great story! In glad you made it out while you could. I was perusing studded tires online last week as well thinking 'I should buy these when they go on sale in the summer!'...(I'm not sure that actually happens)

Anyway, I'm jealous of your ride as I didn't make it out myself. Thanks for sharing!

[Peter Morgano]

Glad someone got out to ride up here recently. Snow missed us here in upstate NY but it's 5 below out so not feeling super motivated to go on a ride....

[Montclair BobbyB]

Actually this weekend lucked out as a good biking weekend.  On Saturday I got in a nice long mountain bike ride (on frozen packed snowprints... like riding rock-gardens... tough work, but worth the effort).  Then yesterday before the (non)storm (as it would turn out), I snuck out for a quick road ride, and was even emboldened enough to kick over my old BMW motorcycle for quick cobweb-clearing spin... Made it home just in time before the light precip started...  

Can't say I'm the slightest bit disappointed the storm shifted South, missing us completely... I'm ready for a little Spring, thank you. But I have to say, the cold snowy winter has made me appreciate what many of you experience EVERY year (in Minnesota/Wisconsin, Upstate NY and Vermont)... 

BB

[Tony DeFilippo]

Erl, the more I thought of missing out on a ride yesterday the more I wanted to get out there... so I went for a short snow ride around the neighborhood.  Yesterday definitely would have been better. Still it was good to take the MB-5 w/ knobbies out for a quick one.  It allowed me to survey the walkable lunch options and unfortunately the coffee roasters (Swings) is closed in Del Ray so tomorrow morning is going to be coffee-less in my house :(

Thanks for the nudge!

Tony

 

[WETH]

Tony,
You are welcome. Glad you got to enjoy a snowy ride.
Has the Saluki arrived? Looking forward to seeing photos of the new bike.

[Tony DeFilippo]

No, the second planned CA trip didn't happen... I was waiting at the airport yesterday morning this time and still ended up coming home (long story).  I'm asking the owner to ship it as its become to difficult to try and pick it up in person.  Hopefully she can get it in the mail late this week and I'll have it next week.  There will be plenty of pictures and rides!

Tony

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/jNt0IQLKYqE/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.