Ode To My Trek 520.

I love this bike. I found it one Saturday morning in the metal bin at the dump. From the get go, its been great. Whatever I'm game, for it's game for. Whether its commuting in any weather conditions, being pack fodder at the local cyclocross races, or weekend rides with the family to the local farmers' market. It just smiles back and says "I'm in."

For its latest incarnation as a winter commuter, I have added fenders and panniers. The panniers are the small Avenier models. They are great! Between the two I have plenty of room for a change of clothes, my lunch, the newspaper, etc. They also have handy outside pockets for my tools, extra tube and the like. For lights I have one of those Minute headlights. For such a little light, its great. I also use a 10 watt light on my helmet. Between the two of them, I have no problems seeing even with traffic coming towards me. I go with three blinkers in the rear and reflector straps around both ankles - better to be seen than sorry. Because my heels would hit the paniers with the traditional rack, I use a seatpost rack to raise the paniers up higher. The one I have is only designed for 25 pounds. That isn't much but is more than adequate for my commuting purposes.

I have another bike that I'll post a picture of. Its a traditional road bike. Its a sweetheart too, but is too much of a thoroughbred to ride in anything but nice weather. I can't see using it for any of the things I do on the 520.

That's why I like the 520 so much. I can ride it in the cold, rain, and snow. I can badly mis-judge a corner in a cyclocross race, go down in a heep, and jump up pissed because I lost half a dozen other rider, not because I scratched the paint. I can leave it at the train station and not be worried that it will "wander off" (I am no fool, however, I have a very good lock).