ode to my bike..

[spin-up]

Last week my husband totally suprised me with a new bike for my birthday. It's a fancy Giant, Campagnolo gearing, it's 3 pounds less weight, a real beauty in black & yellow.

But now the moment has come to say goodbye to my old bike.. and I CAN'T. It's been sold, today we go for our last ride, the bike and me.. and I am so sad. Thinking of everything we went thru together. Every cliff we nearly fell off but he saved my life by not slipping and countersteering (all by itself!). I remember all the times when I was exhausted, almost dead, going to give up - and than my bike spoke to me and said: .... you rest for a little, I will do the riding and take you... And then when I recovered I took over again and won the race!

All the cute noises that irritate my husband - but for me they are like music, beautiful, so familiar. I would recognise my bike with closed eyes from a million others, the way he feels below me, steers, takes the lead, or follows me. I have taken care of him and he took care of me. We are very intimite. So how can I say goodbye?

Anyone had something like this? You got over? How long did it take? Anyone ever bought his old bike back?

Well I'm going for that ride now and tell the bike. He doesn't now yet. I haven't had the courage so far... This is a black day I wish it was over.

[like2bike]

Dear Spin-up:
When I was a teenager, my father (who is now deceased) surprised me with a brand new 10-speed. I rode it like it was going out of style, year after year, mile after mile, and i loved that bike not only because of the fun it provided, but because it was from my pap.

The sad time came, however, when it was time for a new bike that was more efficient, more light-weight, better designed, etc. But I did not sell my old bike: I just couldn't do it. I held onto it for years. Eventually, after I made peace with the death of my father, I was able to give it away. But not until then. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't sell old faithful if you don't have to. Hold onto it. Keep it until you feel you are ready to let it go...and that just may be never, but I'll bet in a few years you'll be ready.

No need to rush saying goodbye to something you love. Keep it! And ride it every once in awhile for old times sake!

All the best,
Lori

[gerard]

Selling your old bike, what a cruell thing to do! :cry:

Last year I decided to get myself a new bike, did not knew what or when.
My old bike got slowly used to the idea: next week my frameset is coming,
rest of the stuff will be bought around Christmas, building it together in january, first ride in februari and then I will not sell my old bike. Never say never but as long I'm able to build little sheds in the backgarden, I will never sell my old bikes.
Imagine: piles of bikes, raceshoes, bikejerseys, waterbottles and helmets.
For every occasion, for every season.... :D

It's a cruell thing, to buy somebody another bike. :cry:

[megale3]

I thought to myself Da ja vous -been there done that own the XL sized tee shirt. I thought of a couple of days ago. I saw a friend here at work that I sold a bike that I rode before I owned the bike I have now. He says he's going out this week end and going to go where he's never been. What would really be sad is for a bike to sit and wait for us to get melancholy and take it for a ride. It could be out finding new roads and being useful. So for me it’s like this- you have kept your bike in good shape it is still good let it have a second use and may be even a third. Its ok its going places. How cool is that?
Megale

[bill a]

I kind of agree with megale3 and all I can add is this quote. I am not sure it fits, but it sounds good!

"If you love something, set it free; if it comes backs it's yours, if it doesn't, it never was."

bill

[Legspeed]

Spin-up,

I completely understand your sentiment towards your tried and true friend. I pray that the following advice does not come to you too late.

Without question, your first action should be to divorce your callow, uncaring husband. His insensitivity to the strong emotional bonds you have developed over the years is reason enough. However, that he would deign to replace your ride with a TROPHY bike is an indication of future troubles. How could he possibly think that this lightweight, perky machine could deliver the steadfast consistency that years of commitment have established??? Oh sure, the new bike might be more "responsive" as long as the road is smooth. And yes, it will certainly turn heads when you squire it around town. But how will it treat you when the inevitable bumps in the road come? Will it be a sincere helpmate when you most need it?

I sense that you know, deep in your heart, that this trophy bike will always desire younger, stronger, and fresher legs to drive it. Sell this pretender, remain true to your first love.

[megale3]

Leg,
That old bike was cheating! You know the signs like coming home to a flat tire and you haven't even ridden it for a week :x not to mention it had strange clete marks on it. The huffy!
I had a cheating bike once too and it was a Schwinn! I came to find out that my yonger brother had been riding it when I was gone! Seems his bike had a broken spoke and couldn't go out. I was young, nieve impressionable. But it had effected me greatly and to this day I still lock up my bike (but not in a kinky way :shock: ) So I say hit the road baby and don't let the garage door hit you in the kick stand on the way out.
Megale :?

[spin-up]

Lori your story is heartbreaking - much more dramatic than mine!

Gerard wish we could keep all our bikes... you should see the barn, 10 small & large bikes, you can never get yours out without lots of bikes falling on you... No room for the sentimental bike..

Meg, Bill you guys are wise, my oldie can serve someone else (as long as it's not a WOMAN - I'd be DEAD JEALOUS!!! :evil: )

Legspeed you went straight to the heart of the problem!! Of course I should have divorced my husband, get rid of the black&yellow racemachine & live happily ever after with my old bike, my true and only love (beautiful said!)

But although my relation with this bike is extremely intense, somehow I can't get him to warm my side of the bed..

Anyway... your advise came too late. This is what happened.

It's over. We broke up.
My bike went to his new owner. His last words: why didn't you upgrade me? (I pray the new owner wil take good care of him, be gentle with the left gearing handle, that you have to twist a little. Oil him regular. Renew the tires, clean him after every rainy ride..)

So there we were. Mr. Black&Yellow.. and me. I ignore him. But he stares, shiny, black, very very present. And I hear the deep voice whispering... C'mon baby.. jump on! Let's go for the fastest and toughest ride you ever had. I'll take you to heights you've never dreamt of.. Let's go!

My HR went up 20 beats. My legs were trembling.. Would it be just as great? Better?

I'm sorry. I committed adultery. We went for the ride today. It was heaven.

[megale3]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::
::::: RIDE BLACK & YELLOW :: LIVE STRONG :::::
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::

Megale

[Bike4ale]

Spin-up (with thanks to everyone who contributed),

Classic post! I read this for the first time last week. My wife and I both lost it.

We need an update. How's Black & Yellow treating you a few months later? Is the honeymoon over? Does he still bring you flowers.....sing you love songs?

[spin-up]

Oh yeah... he kept his word allright! We've been to places that were absolutely out of reach for the old bike & me. The relation is still exiting, new, every corner we make we try how far we can bent over. Every mountain that seems impossible to take for my exhausted legs.... he takes me. He's strong, reliable, powerful.

So. We peak more than ever. Skyhigh. But.... Mr black & Yellow is a pretentious guy. He wants favors in return. Extra care. Attention. If I don't give him all that extra nursing and nutricion and time andsoon.... he'll get moody. Makes grumpy noises. I hear a SNAP and think NOW WHAT? I just went over all your bodyparts! See I never had this with my old bike.

Also, he's less gentle. My butt hurts. We've tried a change of positions... But still, I'm sour after every ride.

All together.. it's still honeymoon Bikey. With a few ups and downs just like in any relation. But there are no regrets. It's truely madly deeply.

(forgot the smilies again, imagine them - they're all over)