Squeals of Glee!

Yes, it finally arrived today. REI called me about 10:00 MDT to let me know my bike had arrived.  I stopped in at a co-worker's place and fixed a few computer issues after working 10 hours (had to beat everyone else in to do some server migration work). Then I went by REI and finished all the receiving paperwork and had the bike sized!

When I got home, I was so happy to have it, I did some work I needed to take care of and as soon as the temperature dropped below 90 degrees F, I dropped everything and took the bike out for a spin. I need to pull the accessories off my old bike and get the speedomiter calibrated, but other than that, I'm all set. It was so amazing how much of a difference quality parts make. I love my old bike for all the memories we've made together, but in the end, it's just a stiff, low cost department store bike. It served me well on flat land for over 10 years, and now, it's time for an upgrade.

The bike is the Novara Ponderosa, from REI. They had to ship it in from New Mexico because most of the stores and the warehouse are sold out of the large frame. It's discontinued and being cleared, so I got a good deal on it, and am so happy with the level of detail and precision it has. The shifters work perfectly, the gear ratios are like sipping sugar water, they make the ride so sweet, and the disk breaks are perfect for all the down hill I have planned.

I rode over to one of the largest hills near my apartment and made light work getting up and had a blast flying back down the other side on a dirt path. It was too easy! I rode around the bike bath that runs toward downtown until it got dark and I had to turn around. I pulled out my head lamp and attached it to my helmet so I could see where I was going and be seen by others. I don't plan on doing too much night riding during most of the year, but when it's this hot out, I can't help but want to go after dark. There's just a lot of bugs out around dusk, and I had little bits and pieces of tiny creatures splattered all over me by the time I got away from the bike trail (and the stream it ran along that attracted all the bugs).

Long story short, the bike was two weeks late being delivered, but now that I have it, I am happy that I waited instead of canceling.