Bygone Bicyclist

… in many ways.

As the trip nears, I continue my regiment of tour journals, cycling forums and reminiscing over past trips. Last night I decided it was time to clean and grease the machine, so I tore it apart to do so. After getting it apart, I came to a conclusion that something needed to be for it. Much paint has chipped off over the years, and it is clearly showing now. Luckily, as the family runs a Corvette restoration shop, I happen to know a plater! Today I glass-beaded (much like sand-blasting, but with glass sand) every piece of the disassembled bike and took it to our platers. Much to my surprise, the ‘head’ of the cycle is stamped for Kennedy – who wants that covered up anyway! He tells me Saturday I will see my friend once more, in a new, shinier nickel finish. I’m terrifically excited.

The constant downpour has tried to put a hamper on my planning, but I won’t allow such a thing. As each day closes, the desire to get back out there grows more. I want once more to be the bird that can fly anywhere, and decides to do so.