Out with the old...

Yesterday, I bade farewell to an old friend: my 2005 Red Giant NRS. For those of you in the dark, that's a bike. Some would say that is silly to become attached to what amounts to a hunk of alumninum with some fancy attachments, but attached I am! It can't be denied that many of the tenets of a good friendship were present: I often offered my bike encouragement, and I took care of it when it needed it. We have spent hours and hours playing together and been through thick and thin. I even neglected it for days on end, as is the case with most of my living breathing friends (a big hello to you lot!). I know people who even go so far as naming their bicycles. That's where I draw the line because deep down, I know it is just a tool.

So with that thought, I look to the bright side: I have a cache of shiny dollars safely stowed in my savings account where they will hopefully make lots of interest between now and when I get a new friend, a Giant Anthem Zero. Plus, because of the generosity of Sweet Pete's cycle shop, I actually got back every dollar I paid for the NRS except for $82 and some tax. I'd say that's a pretty good return on a hot bike that served me well.

Giant NRS, I salute you. Here's to many more happy trails.