P
Prairie Roots
Guest
At long last I have a bike. I've been wanting one for a long time and finally today, after all the
fanfare, I went out and got exactly the one I've been pining for for more than a year. It's last
year's model Bianchi Auto-Milano, which means I got it for a song. Here's a link to a picture for
all you bike fans: http://www.bianchiusa.com/auto-milano.html Last year's model came in Celeste, not
brushed aluminum. Celeste is Bianchi's signature color, kind of mint green with red accents--handle
grips, seat, and red-wall tires. Very chic!
It's a 7-speed bike, just right for the commuting and recreational riding I intend to do. The
coolest part is that it auto-shifts, like an automatic transmission on a car. All I do is pedal and
the bike senses when I need a higher or lower gear, shifting automatically. Some might think that's
cheating. But I can imagine that having one less thing to think about while dodging traffic will be
very nice indeed. I can turn off that function if I ever want to feel like a real bikie.
I'm having a fender package installed as well as front and rear lights (not just reflectors) and a
very soft seat. I bought a neon lime jacket, size S (I still can't believe that!), bike chain and
lock, reflective helmet, and ordered a back pack for commuting. The bike comes with a small rack on
the back and they'll give me straps when I go to pick up the bike on Tuesday. I'll hold off on bike
shorts till warmer weather.
I've only ever had bikes from a discount chain. When I test rode the bike, I couldn't believe how
smooth and easy it was to pedal. I'm so excited. Becoming addicted might not be such a far-fetched
idea after all.
Don't know that I'll ever ride a century, but I'm sure looking forward to riding around the lakes.
Prairie Roots
fanfare, I went out and got exactly the one I've been pining for for more than a year. It's last
year's model Bianchi Auto-Milano, which means I got it for a song. Here's a link to a picture for
all you bike fans: http://www.bianchiusa.com/auto-milano.html Last year's model came in Celeste, not
brushed aluminum. Celeste is Bianchi's signature color, kind of mint green with red accents--handle
grips, seat, and red-wall tires. Very chic!
It's a 7-speed bike, just right for the commuting and recreational riding I intend to do. The
coolest part is that it auto-shifts, like an automatic transmission on a car. All I do is pedal and
the bike senses when I need a higher or lower gear, shifting automatically. Some might think that's
cheating. But I can imagine that having one less thing to think about while dodging traffic will be
very nice indeed. I can turn off that function if I ever want to feel like a real bikie.
I'm having a fender package installed as well as front and rear lights (not just reflectors) and a
very soft seat. I bought a neon lime jacket, size S (I still can't believe that!), bike chain and
lock, reflective helmet, and ordered a back pack for commuting. The bike comes with a small rack on
the back and they'll give me straps when I go to pick up the bike on Tuesday. I'll hold off on bike
shorts till warmer weather.
I've only ever had bikes from a discount chain. When I test rode the bike, I couldn't believe how
smooth and easy it was to pedal. I'm so excited. Becoming addicted might not be such a far-fetched
idea after all.
Don't know that I'll ever ride a century, but I'm sure looking forward to riding around the lakes.
Prairie Roots