New Bike Story - With Pics

[Marquise]

I sold my first road bike a few weeks ago because I wasn't riding it since getting a second road bike, so I guess I should have known a new bike was just waiting to happen. Here’s the story:

My condo has an underground parking garage, where another couple has a bunch of bikes stashed in their space, most of them gathering dust. Among them is a cute Bianchi women’s cruiser in classic celeste. I don’t think the bike has moved since the owners moved in several years ago. I told my husband a few weeks ago that I’d like to have that bike. We took a closer look and a little research indicated it’s probably a 2006 Milano with a few scrapes under the all the dust. Sent e-mail making inquiries – no response. Left a message on car – no response. Last weekend driving into the garage we encountered the guy coming out on a bike so we chatted. He rigged the cranks to accommodate what appears to be a slight disability and she doesn't want to part with the bike. Not surprised but a little disappointed.

So I did a little more searching online and found a new 2009 that looks pretty much the same, has some upgrades over earlier models, and was offered as a closeout, but only available in store. Ah, but the store is only 80 miles away and it was Sunday afternoon. Perfect time for an impromptu road trip! Called and they had only one women’s model in white but had the full range of men’s sizes in celeste. The one in my size on the floor had a few scrapes but they had scrape-free one at another location five minutes away. So now I have a Bianchi Milano 8-speed cruiser.

I’m planning to start commuting when the weather permits at least a couple of times a week and I was going to use my road bike but now I think I’ll use the new bike instead. Should be a good way to get some miles on both bikes, because I definitely don’t want to ride the road bike any less. My husband said he’s worried he won’t ever see me now, but I’m hoping he’ll buy a cruiser one of these days so we can go for coffee and run errands on the bikes.

[jyyanks]

I love your bike! Congrats!!

[Savra]

Those are lovely bikes. I was drooling over one in a bike store one day and was so distracted by the bike I ended up falling flat on my face and spraining my ankle something fierce. The bike was really pretty though. Of course, I couldn't ride for the next three months so I had no use for the bike at that point.

[Maye]

That's a really nice bike!! Congrats and enjoy it!

[Braveheart]

What a beautiful bike. Enjoy!

[Penny4]

Congrats on your new bike! I think that couple owes you a few bucks towards the new bike, since they made you fall in love with it!

[Koronin]

Nice bike, congrats!