My journey began shortly after I made the decision to sell my Focus Mares CX. It was the race bike that I always wanted, but I don’t race anymore and it never fit quite right. I considered using the funds from the sale to finance a new build...something fun...something versatile.
Ultimately, I decided on a steel gravel bike.
Google searches yielded an abundance of useful information about the different types of steel, brake options, frame geometry, etc. Deep into my search I came across an article about a small shop in Point Reyes, California titled “The Black Mountain Cycles Road Might Be the Most Underrated Bike of 2017.”
The owner confirmed that the geometry on the 52cm frame was nearly identical to my Cannondale road bike. I was sold. Thus was the start of my passion project. No detail was spared...the bar tape, bottle cage, cable housing, brakes, tires and components are just as they should be.
This is the bike that would have belonged to my brother if he still lived on McKean Street in South Philly. He would have ridden it (in his skinny jeans) to watch the Flyers play at a local bar, then down to Gino’s for a late night bite to eat.
On Sunday, I will ride this bike for the first time at the Gravel Fondo and can’t help but think that he will cross my mind more than a few times.
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