The Great Plan

I am good at making those...

I have decided that I am getting rid of some of my bicycles, namely, my Jake the Snake and my old Specialized S-works.

Turns out that I never ride the mountain bike and rarely if ever ride the cyclocross bike. The mountain bike beats me up too much and my Kona Sutra has effectively replaced the cross bike for what I was actually using it for while being more comfortable in the process. I also don't care anymore about going fast.

Comfort.

Hmmmmm...

I have been making jokes at work and elsewhere about how full suspension enduro / trail bikes are old man bikes. I have also been joking that I am now an old man.

I am ok with that.

I figure that if I am ok with replacing my cross bike - which was used on road and trail - with a slower, heavier, and much more comfortable touring bike, that the same logic should apply to my off road experience.

I miss riding off road. It is fun. There are a lot of people at the shop who love to ride off road. We want to ride together.

So, all I have to do is sell off two bikes and a few bits and pieces for what I can get for them and I will get a slower, heavier, and much more comfortable mountain bike: a 2016 Kona Precept 130 or 150, depending on where the wallet takes me.

With any kind of luck, I will be hitting the trails on my new steed as the leaves are turning and the forest becomes extra gorgeous.

a busy few days

It has been a busy few days.

On the surface, not much has been going on. I have gotten up, gone to work, returned home, worked some more, and slept. Rinse, lather, repeat all week long.

But a few things came to an end this week, ushering in as they did some new beginnings. Firstly, the Friday I have been waiting for finally arrived.

the new bike leaning against one of my daughter's many book cases

I was finally able, after long last and much saving, to pick up my 2013 Kona Jake the Snake cyclocross bike. This thing looks to be a beauty, and I am really very much looking forward to riding it. Lots of pictures of it and a mini review will come later when I can get to it. It is still very salty outside - left overs from winter - and I refuse to ride it outdoors until the salt is washed away.

The pick up of the new wheels happened on Friday.

Saturday, I had a pile of errands to run, a birthday party for my nephew to go to, a birthday party to drop my daughter off at for her friend, and a visit with a friend of mine. We went out walking for a bit around Uptown Waterloo and I shot a couple of pictures.

sign outside a local restaurant

inside a local bike shop

Besides a very good coffee and some light refreshment, one of the things that was accomplished was that my friend picked up his new bike.

There is a lot of that going around it would seem.

He needed a new commuter, and settled on a pretty sweet basic Brodie to help him cart his carcass around the city. Nice bike. Good colour. And a very happy friend. I don't have a picture of it yet, but that is, I assure you, coming. You see, this friend of mine wants to do more biking, and wants to use the new wheels as a car and we can both foresee our collective families getting together for many rail trail rides this spring and summer. Should be good fun.

Today? Busy as well. More work, a bit of play, and some furniture moving.

I almost look forward to getting back to work tomorrow so things can settle down a bit.

2013 Kona Jake the Snake

Photo Credit: konaworld.com

All I will say so far is that it is hanging on a hook at my LBS awaiting me to come over with the rest of the money for it. I was not planning the upgrade right now, but since Kona is out of stock and the store isn't, my plan for an April/May purchase went out the window. I came very close to getting caught out like that last time I went to buy a 'cross bike, and don't want it to happen this time.

Thankfully, my LBS likes me and is willing to hold it for me.

The bike is lighter, stiffer, and on the surface at least much nicer than my current Jake the Snake (a 2005) model which is wearing out and getting tired.

I am looking forward to spring now more than I was before if that is at all possible.

After I ride it a bit, I will indicate what I really like about it, and what I think might need work.

In the mean time, it is ORANGE!!!  *big grin*