Not Yet, Ed: Why I Didn't Replace My Bike Before a Cross-Country Tour

"My Specialized Diverge had served me well for over 20,000 miles-maybe closer to 25,000-but it was never designed as a pure touring bike. I'd been eyeing a Surly, the kind of bike built from the frame up for long, loaded journeys. A real workhorse. Something that could haul gear, chew up the miles, and shrug off the punishment of the road."

"A rag got pulled into my derailleur. One small mistake, and suddenly my tour plans were sitting on the shoulder with me-a ride-ending breakdown in San Diego. The kind that makes your stomach drop, because you can feel a dream slipping away in real time. Standing there beside my disabled bike, I called my wife. She didn't hesitate. "Keep going," she said. "If you have to buy a new bike in San Diego, then buy a new bike.""

"I looked at my Specialized-Ed, I call him, after the last two letters of "Specialized"-and I didn't see a broken machine. I saw a companion. A partner. We'd been through too much together: climbs, heat, cold, wind, early mornings, long days. I couldn't just abandon Ed in a moment of weakness. He deserved better than that. Instead of feeling excitement at the prospect of something new, I felt a fierce loyalty to my old friend."

"I didn't want to replace Ed-I wanted to fix him. I wanted to give him the chance to ride again. Even if it meant delaying the tour, even if it meant waiting weeks for a repair, I couldn't walk away from the bike that had carried me so far. A new bike might still be in my future. But not yet."

Before a San Diego to Las Cruces tour, the rider considered buying a new bike built for long, loaded journeys. The Specialized Diverge had over 20,000 miles but was not designed as a pure touring bike. A rag pulled into the derailleur caused a ride-ending breakdown in San Diego, threatening the tour. The rider's wife urged continuing and even suggested buying a new bike if necessary. The rider instead felt loyalty to his Specialized, viewing it as a companion and choosing repair over replacement despite potential delays. The bike was repaired in about two weeks and rides resumed.

Read at Theoldguybicycleblog