Special post

Dzintra Cramerotti
June 1, 1998 – June 9, 2008
RIP

The end of an era.

The show must go on.

Seems the sick bb was too much for my little baby to handle. She succombed, with a fight, at the hospital in Sudbury.

She was a great companion. Sure there were some tough times, but overall, it was a great match.

As depeche Mode wrote once, “Let me see you stripped, down to the core”. Dizzie was an organ donor, so we stripped her of most of her parts and we'll find some good use for them.

Some of the parts ended up on the new bike – pedals, wheels, handlebar, rack, front pannier mount, and the seat.

It was weird riding the new bike in and out of town. It defiately took me a while to get used to it. With the new riser bar (stem) on the bike, my shoulders definitely felt something was different. Out of saddle is very different – is it the riser bar or is it the straight fork? Whatever it is, it took me almost 100 km to finally get used to being out of saddle and feeling fairly stable. Downhill is another thing – she feels a bit unstable (wants to shake more) – riser bar or straight fork?

The frame geometry is different too. The other was probably around 76 degrees, this is a typical 73.

The new bike. Sorry to say, but I am riding a Trek now. Trek 1.2, 2008, white, with few blue and black stripes. Alumininimum, with carbon fibre fork. Triple chainring. Damn, what the hell am I going to do with a triple chainring? I feel a bit embarassed actually.

The oddest thing about riding it is the shifting. I am used to knowing which gear I'm in, what's the next move if I shift gears, and where the “triggers” are for shifting. With this bike, I seem to be reaching with my middle or ring finger for the trigger behind the brake lever, but nothing's there. For 16 years, I have been using the same type of shifters. Now, I have to use my thumbs to shift – such an odd concept.

Our first night together was on the Island. I dont waste too much time – the bed wasn't even cold yet!

So, my new puppy doesn't have a name. I have two in mind, but I will open the floor to you guys and see if there's a name for the new addition to the family. She is not my new road bike, this only has the potential as my new touring bike. I still have to buy a new road bike (next year, I hope).

So, any suggestions for the new bike? You can post a comment and not add your name, and I'll see if I get to chose your suggestion.

I can't wait to read your suggestions.

Pierrot