I just said goodbye to a good friend forever. 

When I met Jen she was still sporting a sock and jersey tan from riding the MS150 her second time. She rode a 20 year old steel Bianchi and when I bought GRIMACE she really felt she could use a new bike. For Christmas we had decided that we weren’t going to spend more than fifty to one hundred dollars on our gifts to each other. Well of course I didn’t stick to the plan:

I drove to Austin and bought her a new Bianchi. She was mad excited. She rode the MS150 on it this last time around and loved it. We also brought the bikes with us to Big Bend and Marfa where we had to call the cops for a ride home. Eventually Jen decided that she wasn’t a cyclist. She would rather enjoy her bike ride than worry about stats and power output. So The Bianchi was handed down to me after she bought her Dahon. After riding my KLEIN it felt light and fast as heck, so naturally I rode it more. Now I’m attached. Like everything though, nothing is permanent or forever. 

Two days ago I got an email from someone very interested in seeing the bike. I invited the guy over and he was pretty much taken by the bike. He made an offer so I took it. I’m sad and ashamed to have sold the bike. I’m sad because it was a part of us. I never understood how people would get attached to their bikes, but I get it now. The novelty of change is still something that I have to deal with. I hang onto things. This should help with that. I’m ashamed because it has always truly been Jen’s Bike. She said it was OK but I still feel kind of guilty. Also, she’s mad sexy in that picture.

Before I dropped the bike of I gave it a long look and thanked it. I hope this cat takes care and appreciates it as much as I did.