My Favorite?

Which one of my bikes is my favorite? That's a really tough question. I have a Bushnell custom road bike that I have had for 17 years that fits like a pair of old blue jeans and that I race on and ride probably 75% of my miles on. I've got a slippery fast Trek Equinox TT bike that's a kick to ride, but being a TT bike, it doesn't get a whole lot of miles on it. Right now, I'm between mountain bikes, but although I usually have one, I don't really get all that attached to them or ride them very much.

I like all my bikes a lot, that's part of being a bike geek like me. But if I had to pick one favorite though, it would be the "ugly duck" of the flock. I put it together a couple of years ago to ride on the road early and late in the season when the weather is cruddy and the roads are sandy, wet, and slushy. Its heavy and slow, but when the temperature is in the 30s, less speed is a good thing because there is less wind chill. Its got fenders, a rack, and lights so its practical for wet weather and the shorter days of late fall and early spring. Its a 1985 Ritchey mountain bike that I got off of eBay for about $250. I added some drop bars and the proper stem to match my road bike position. Its long wheelbase and relaxed geometry make it nice and stable on slick roads and the fat tires help as well. Although its not my lightest, fastest, or flashiest bike, it is unquestionably the best suited to its respective task. As a bonus, I put flat pedals on it for the summer and use it for running errands around town which it does quite well. Is it my favorite? I don't know, but I'm awfully fond of it!