Rode up to Everett last weekend on the Interurban Trail with my two buddies. We were planning to connect with some other riders in Snohomish, but got delayed when we heard the distinct whine of escaping air. Turns out both my tires had been punctured and were going down fast. Must have hit a blackberry on the path.

An emergency patching session and replacement tube for my front wheel and we were back on track. Made it to the BBQ in time to share dinner and beers with everyone. The pump that I purchased could barely get pressure back to normal, and we broke a stem, so I will be looking for a new one that has a connecting hose.

My happiest childhood memories are from the seat of a bicycle. When I was 5 my birthday present was the shiniest cherry red bicycle any little girl could hope for, this bike was somethin'.

My mom and her best friend Jeff went scouting at the junkyards the fall before. That winter his garage was off-limits to me and since I wasn't expecting a surprise I didn't think twice about it. My birthday is August 8th. Hot summer in Wisconsin, running around in my snoopy swimsuit it came time to "open presents". I remember recieving my own softball bat, a new glove Jeff would later teach me how to break-in, a softball and then a pause...where's my mom? Just minutes later she wheeled a bright red, white banana seated beauty out our front door! Oh my, they had taken a few different bicycles, stripped them down and rebuilt them into one glorious beast. The only new parts were the white grips on the super tall bars and the banana seat. They had painted it red and clear-coated it to a hi-gloss finish. My mom finished it off painting a dancing snoopy on the chainguard with the words "Niki's Snooper"! She also painted Woodstock as the head badge. It was the sweetest ride on the block!

My luscious Casati is now one month old. I've been taking it out almost daily to break it in. Rolling up the miles and looking forward to each new day...

Casati Laser Frameset - Campagnolo Chorus Group with Record brake upgrades - Easton EA70 Bar - ITM Quill Stem - Chris King Headset - Mavic Open Pro Wheelset - Hutchinson Team Series Quick Step Tires - Selle Italia ProLink Gel Seat