My brother joins the cycling flock. His first road bike is christened. But will it ever ride again?

Over Thanksgiving weekend I threw the BMC in the back of the Bronco and headed down to small town USA. I haven't had a chance to ride that beauty since moving to MA, so I couldn't have been more excited taking it out of storage and getting it ready to roll. The reason for this wonderful occassion...my brother's first road bike.

He recently traded his old 76' Bayliner boat for a 2001 Trek 1000. The carcass, I mean boat, had been sitting dormant for about a decade so on the surface the deal appears more than fair.

2001 Trek Alpha 1000

I woke up early and was greated by some seriously cold air. I aired and lubed the bikes and got them ready. I threw on my Ritte fleece lined long sleeve jersey and my Ritte thermal lined track jacket. Both purchases I couldn't love more. My brother on the other hand tried several combinations, some of which included jeans and roadside safety vests, before settling on my sister's sweatpants, a Paul Bunyan sized hoodie, and a ski cap. His outfit would have been fine for a quick spin to the grocery store...but not terribly efficient for the 25mile ride I was about to surprise him with.

The ride started out fine. I could tell he was slower than me, but I expected that. I had the benefit of a better bicycle and an affinity for cycling. He only had youth....which as anyone who knows anything about cycling isn't always an asset.

An interesting side note about my brother. He's a survival nut. He's one of those guys who thinks the world could end at any moment. He's always preaching about how prepared he is. This plan of his includes an evacuation route involving a bicycle.

After 20 minutes into the ride....I told him that he's going to need a new plan. During those first 10 miles to my father's nursery Joshua had to stop several times to catch his breath and have some water?  Was it the blistering pace?  Hardly.  I was crawling along at 15mph and was pulling away from him with ease. I'm guessing he was averaging about 8mph. Joshua is always the jokester...so I expected him to be messing with me. Turns out, he was just slow.

The best part of the ride for Josh was when it wasn't happening. All in all it was a really great morning. I was reminded of how much I love riding that BMC, we got to see our father, we selected  xmas trees and burned off some thanksgiving day calories.

When I finally returned home, I saw the boat sitting in the driveway. I was reminded of the many years that boat sat there unused. My mind immediately flashed to Josh...who was still somewhere out there struggling to get home, cursing with every pedal....and wondered. Will the Trek ever ride again.

Moments before I swear some girl on a big wheel blew past him.

Our destination

Still looks good, despite the chips I took out of the paint and carbon during the move.

No doubt, my brother was discussing the horrors of the bike ride with my father.