"It's A Clean Machine"

Sometimes you just HAVE to clean your bike. Last weekend, I noticed that my chain was noisy -- a bad sign, particularly with the humidity on the Eastern Shore. So this morning, I grabbed my Pedro's Bio Degreaser and my Finish Line wax chain lubricant and got to work. The truth is, I like cleaning my bike -- it looks better, it rides better, and since it's my favorite possession (OK, I'd put my iPod and my car right up there with my bike), the IF deserves it. I also put on a new seat -- same as the old seat, a Terry Fly, because it's the most comfortable seat I've had.
So tomorrow's ride should be silent and smooth. We're on the western shore this weekend, so no ride report.

My Bikes

If I'm not riding one of my bikes, the next best thing is talking (or, in this case, writing) about them.

My #1 ride is an Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel, black cherry metallic color, with black/white/clear decals. Functional sculpture. IF makes custom bikes, and around seven years ago I splurged. The IF fits like it was made for me, because it was. The shop took measurements like for a custom made suit, asked about how I rode, and put it all together. It's a racing frame, but the shop lengthened the chain stay and slackened the headset angle to make for a less "twitchy" ride. The frame is steel -- "steel is real" still for me -- with carbon fork and handlebars and a full Ultegra drivetrain. After many, MANY thousands of miles -- three RAGRAIs, numerous Sea Gulls and other centuries, etc -- it's still my dream bike. Check out IF's website -- www.ifbikes.com.

Some of you may say, carbon is lighter, why not go with something modern? When I bought the IF, I test road the Trek Postal Service team bike. A bit lighter, I suppose, but the ride was sterile compared to the IF. So, I decided that if I was worried about the extra pound and a half, I SHOULD LOSE WEIGHT !!!

My #2 bike on the Eastern Shore is a late 1970s Basso road bike that I assembled myself, with parts I bought on eBay. Cherry red metallic; down tube shifters; chrome fork, lugs, and chainstays; all Campy/Cinelli. It's an old school steel racing bike -- narrow cassette 10 speed -- which makes it rough on hills but perfect for the (flat) Eastern Shore. This is my "styling" bike, which I use for shorter rides.

Sometimes, folks ask me, "How many bikes are enough?" The answer: "One more."