1982 Miyata 1000.

I first bought my Miyata (blue) as an eighth grader to replace a Schwinn Varsity (red, incredibly heavy ten-speed). It cost every cent I had. I rode it 40 miles a day back then and in a few triathlons.

Last Winter, I decided to start riding again seriously. I got the bike tuned up started to commute to work (16 miles each way in San Francisco and Marin).

I decided early on that I wanted to do 700cm wheels, so I had a frame guy move the canti bosses, then had the frame stripped and wet painted at Cyclart. It was so beautiful!

Since then I have steadily upgraded as I learned more about how the bike rode. Silver shifters (barcons) from Rivendell, Tektro Aero levers, Mavic Kyserium wheelset (much lighter and very strong, I am 230 lbs). Suntour Cyclone Derailleurs are original and rebuilt, as are the cantis, which I love. New Campy bottom bracket and Comp triple up front and Shimano cassette in the back. Pedals change almost every week. And topped with a Brooks b17 and a Nitto rear rack.

This bike drives like a dream, and it has brought me back to riding all over Marin.

mattroche@mac.com