I picked up my Ritchey BreakAway yesterday from Veloce over on Hawthorne. I’ve been waiting a while as Ritchey was backordered on the bike. I was surprised to get the call because I ordered it two months ago and they told me it wouldn’t be available for six months. Anyway, the cool thing about this bike, other than the fact Tom designed it, is that it comes apart at the seat-post and the down-tube, plus the cables disassemble and the whole thing will fit into a suitcase. You can literally fly it around for free. I was getting dinged a hundred bucks either way with the other bike, and so I wasn’t taking it anywhere, obviously. So in time, this bike will pay for itself. But even though it’s a travel bike, it is stiff and responsive. It’s a ti-carbon combo. The rear triangle is carbon (save the down tube) and everything else is ti. It has the same group as my I.F. so it feels right. I took it for a ride around Portland tonight and the bike felt fine. My I.F. may get lonely this winter.
One of the reasons I bought this bike is because when Tom comes to town we usually go out for a ride and it’s always embarrassing because I didn’t have a single Ritchey part on the I.F. So now I have the whole bike. Besides, in supporting Ritchey Bikes, I also get to support Project Rwanda, and that’s worth it. Anyway, that’s what is new around here.
Cool. Come ride in the Hotter Than Hell 100 next summer here in Tejas. I’ll buy your ticket. Maybe we could get some of the Tyler folks together & invite some of your R:W brethren along too. I’m still riding a 20 yo Bianchi (step up from the mt. bike I rode in Waxahachie! LOL!) but hope to upgrade to something new & fitted for me soon. Seriously. Think about it!
Even twenty years ago Bianchi was making a great bike. I’d love to do the hotter than hell. Great to hear from you, Mike. I hope to see you next year. We can jump in the Guadalupe when we’re done.
Dude, the cat massage KILLED me!!! I nearly wet my pants! Oh, and love the new bike. Congrats.
Congrats Don that is one nice looking bike. Looks a lot better than my 20 year old Nishiki. Got it just in time for Halloween Critical Mass!
Cool… I will stay in touch.
Just clicked on your underlined links. I coughed Diet Coke through my nose when I hit “felt fine”. Thanks a lot.
How do the tires fit in a suitcase? I’m fascinated.
hey Don. I just finished Through Painted Deserts and was sad when it ended. That’s when you know it was a great book. Thanks.
yes, bikes are indeed neat.
Don,
The world is best left explored on a bicycle. Don’t know if you take the time to read other blogs, but I thought I would forward a post to you from my own writings about my bicycle. Actually there are a few stories in the archives about my cycling adventures, but I thought of this one after reading your post: http://timbarr.blogspot.com/2008/07/childlike-faith.html. As for me, I just hooked up a new Giant TCR C2. It’s a dream to ride and if you are ever down in San Diego, e-mail me and I’ll show you some great rides–now that you have a travel friendly bike that is.
No politics for our next few breakfasts, just biking and relationships. See you Tuesday!
I spent the afternoon coming up with reasons that validate even the dream of a bike that collapses into a suitcase. How fantastic is this?! Hope you have many enjoyable miles on this sweet ride.
Don,
I just want you to know that you, and your friends, have inspired me to start riding my bike around campus and here at home in Houston. I have a slight problem though, as I only have a mountain bike, and that gets a little troublesome when trying to do distance travel. Can you, or anyone else reading this, suggest a good starter road bike?
Also, I passed Blue Like Jazz on to my Dad, and he loves it and is considering basing a weekly discussion about it with his peers. Keep up the great work! You’ve changed my outlook on life.