One of the greatest joys about being a cyclist is not actually riding, but thinking about riding, dreaming about that next new bike, congering up, linking routes, honking up alpine climbs, and replaying rides and races with great friends in your head, dabating the pros and cons of 172.5 v's 175mm cranks, 42cm or 44cm road bars, flat or riser mountain bike bars and how much of a rise, deciding whether half a kilo of beautiful brooks leather on that new lightweight frame is a good idea, or whether two pairs of shorts will continue to do, short or long mudgaurds, goretex, e-vent or paramo, where the next proper tour is gonna be and how the hell do I take 3 kids on a bike holiday anyway, etc, ad-infinitum? "What are you thinking?" Tanya will often ask. After 14 years together, she knows exactly what I'm thinking, this question is just a reflex, from the insecure early years, times when she imagined I might have been thinking about other girls I suppose. It's our 12th Anniversary today and therefore very bad timing, but I have to admit to having had several love affairs [with bikes of course], the latest being with my new Sabbath Silk Route. Yes the Thorn and Rohloff sadly is going, albeit to a great home and an equally obsessed bikie (Terry). Anyway, the Silk Route is a lovely frame and should build up to be much more of an enjoyable ride on the road (although one which will demand more time and care), with the ability in theory to eat up more miles with less effort. If the grass turns out to be not so green on this side of the fence afterall, not to worry, the best combinations of titanium and the amazing Rohloff hub are already brewing...
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