Farewell Bicycle

The bicycle that I have used for more than ten years has met its end. The cycling shop that I use advised me to go ahead and get a new one instead of continuing to repair my old one more than a year ago, but I was determined to ride it until the end. The rear tire gave out on Thursday, and I felt like a pallbearer during the 45 minute walk home.

The bicycle came with me to various homes across three prefectures over the past decade. I purchased it in Kanagawa, replaced the rear wheel in Tokyo, and replaced the front wheel in Kyoto, so it had major parts from all three. It survived two accidents and had the scrapes to show it. I rode many kilometers on that bicycle and will miss it.

Today, I purchased a new bicycle and paid to have the old one disposed of properly. I look forward to riding the new bike to the mountains tomorrow to break it in properly, and I hope that it will last (at least) ten years as well!