Straight handlebars

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

I had ridden nothing but mountain bikes for most of my 14 years as an "adult" cyclist, until last year when I bought my first road bike. Last month I traded up to a Bianchi Volpe which has a more upright frame, but drop bars and it is GREAT! My biking mentor, who was 73 when she went to Russia with us in '97, always swore by her Schwinn Paramount touring bike with drop bars and skinny tires. (She passed away in '02, but I know she is smiling at me now. )

Prepping to go back to Russia, I have read/re-read Mark Jenkins' "Off the Map; Bicycling Across Siberia" and Dan Buettner's "Sovietrek-A Journey by Bicycle Across Russia" and I found it interesting that both teams decided to use moutain bikes modified with drop handlebars. As I said elsewhere in the forum, I think a lot of it is the rider and the bike fit. Used to be you could not get me off my mountain bikes; fat tires and low riser bars with bar ends. Now, I ride the Volpe every chance I get!

Like Bob Seger sings in his new song, "Wait for Me":

"I will answer the wind
I will leave with the tide
I'll be out on the road
Every chance I can ride"

Ride safe,
Hans

Minnesota Backcountry Trails
www.wintersnowtrails.org