kirkcudbright | bike wank, part 4

2002 Bianchi Volpe cyclocross/touring bike. The Italian stallion, baby. This is the one I rode across the country in 2003. Out of all the bikes I've had, this is the second I've bought new (the other being the mountain bike). (Hmm, both were bought with specific bike tours in mind.)

This is the bike that does it all. It's been on the interstates and dirt roads, in the sun, rain, and snow. It climbs mountains, and descends at 50 mph. And all with the factory componentry. It has 3 chainrings in front, 9 gears in the back, and oh-so-modern STI brake-shifters (as opposed to the (cough) 3 bikes with oh-so-retro downtube shifters). It's also steel, though welded rather than lugged and brazed, or fillet brazed.

Yes, I'm riding two different tires. The back one is 30mm, and the front is 28mm, different brands, both left over from the cross country ride. I didn't plan to outfit it that way, nor did I start the trip that way, but that's what I ended up with, and there's really nothing wrong with it.

The thing on the seat post is the hitch receiver for the Trail-a-Bike.

I used to despise the Bianchi "Celeste" green, but it's grown on me, and it's so much better than what they've got on this year's model, which is called (I kid you not) "gang green". In fact, when I had to re-tape the handlebars after the tour, I found Bianchi green cotton tape from Rivendell (it came with synthetic tape, in black to match the frame).

So if this is the perfect bike, why did I get two more after it? One wasn't my fault, and the other was...well, you'll see.