Trek 830 Antelope

It seems almost blasphemous that in a year and a half of blogging I haven't paid tribute to my Trek. I recently took it out for a pre-spring ride and marveled at it's lightness and maneuverability, its easy shifting and low 34 tooth freewheel. It's the best of my bikes in so many ways.

It was fall of 1986. We'd lived in Portland, Oregon for a year. Times were flush. Lots of job opportunities. Extra cash. Eating out with friends. Hikes and micro brews. Living the good life. Commuted to work on the Miyata—the only bicycle I owned. My guy and I were ready for the mountain bike craze. The upright ride.

These were the days of only a couple respectable bike shops in Portland. I know, hard to believe. Sales on bikes happened only once a year. A Halloween Sale. The catch: dress in costume and receive 10% off a bike. Hmmm. Picture my lanky husband dressed in a red union suit, homemade cardboard pitchfork, and hat with horns. A devilish partner. I still chuckle when I recall his costume. I've long since forgotten what I wore, but it was enough to score the discount.

We came home with a Specialized Rockhopper and the Trek 830 Antelope. Both were sweet bikes. Stable with upright attitude. Made city rides pleasurable, plowing through leaves, hopping curbs, riding the 11 mile Leif Erickson dirt road in Forest Park, Portland's fabulous west side wonderland.

Then, across Oregon on an organized week long ride. Up canyons, down passes. We rode the Seattle to Portland event—back to back centuries. And the culmination: riding around the world (see Monday posts) with racks and panniers. The Trek was my mainstay until 2008. That's 22 years! This bike can do it all. I'd venture to say I have 30,000 miles on the frame. Most parts have been replaced during it's lifetime. And I hope it'll keep on traveling with me.

I'm currently navigating Vermont's mud season, appreciating the bike's versatility once again. Go Trek!