On The Pedals

By Jason Giacchino

Out with the Old

While the cover page of MBT proudly boasts the phrase “welcome to the March, 2007 issue”, insinuating a breath of fresh spring like air, the truth of the matter is that this article is being assembled in the early part of February where the snow outside is nearly waist-deep and the daytime temperatures struggle to reach zero. It’s not exactly an inspirational time of year as far as going outside for more than twenty seconds is concerned. In case you haven’t had the joy of experiencing waiting for your car to warm up in the negative 30 degree wind, let’s just say these conditions aren’t very accommodating in terms of our test staff’s ability to log some miles in the saddle. While the entire continent finds itself smack-dab in the middle of an off-season it’s safe to say that some of us get hit harder than others. Be it in the form of simply shorter days and cooler temps or flooded trails and frosty mornings; rest assured that we feel your pain.

As a publishing firm we struggle with the annual flip-flopping that is the Western NY climate with a bag of tricks intended to lessen the impact of mother nature’s cruel intentions. It typically begins in early spring when we gather as many test-bikes and products to review as possible. The next three months are then spent out on the trails as often as humanly possible with a plethora of gadgets, gizmos, and do-dads in need of attention. Needless to say, as the snow melts away and the warmer air currents gently caress the soggy earth, we find ourselves immediately overwhelmed with assignments and activity. The lazy days of being cooped up while the icy wind rattles the windows are quickly forgotten as we are thrust back into outdoor life; an awakening if you will. Perhaps this is the same sensation bears experience as they come out of winter hibernation. Although they’re probably a bit hungrier.

Anyway, being that I’ve been editor in chief of Mountain Bike Tales for several years now, one would suspect that I would know all too well the reality that spring time means busy time for us. There are barely enough hours in the day to test all of the equipment that months of brutal weather forced us to neglect as it is; it’s hardly the time to be focused on breaking in new personal equipment as well. This spring I have the pleasure of attempting to pull it off as an impulsive late-fall purchase threw a curve-ball in my normally patient mid-winter routine. You see just after this past riding season came to end, I stumbled upon a season-end blowout sale that forced what little logic and willpower I claim as my own onto the back burner. I ended up getting caught up in a moment of passion, lust, and MSRP sticker slashing that resulted in the following phenomenon: 1) I purchased a bike that I knew very little about. 2) I purchased a bike knowing darn well it would sit through the long off-season before I could get out there to enjoy it.

The bike in question, in case you are wondering, is an 06 Iron Horse MKIII Sport in lovely olive green. I got it home and into my front porch/ workshop just as the weather began to change from foul to downright nasty. As predicted the Horse has been sitting patiently while low gray clouds roll in and dump their swirling snow outside the window. As if I really needed another reason for winter to drag on!

I also took the spontaneous purchase of my new daily rider as an opportunity to pass the proverbial torch on to my cousin and former webmaster, Mike Genovese. His bike was slowly degenerating over the years and I figured it was about time to retire my trusty Mongoose D60R anyway. I had been steadily upgrading parts on the ol girl all along and had just slapped a new RockShox Judy and Scott Strike riser bar on it. No question that although far from cutting edge, the Mongoose would offer a vast improvement in performance. On a chilly late-fall afternoon, after a few hours of tweaking the controls of my new Iron Horse, Mike came up and took delivery of his new bike. I felt a tinge of sadness as the Mongoose was loaded up and tied down for the final time in my stewardship. Reporting that the bike was good to me would be a massive understatement. But then again, upgrading without ridding my workshop on occasion would only bring me one step closer to owning a bike museum. The ‘Goose loved to be ridden and Mike assures that it will get its wish.

As for me, I’m still counting down the days until winter’s grip on the land is pushed aside by the warm days of spring. Not only are the test bikes piling up, but there is a brand new steed in the stable just itching to stretch its legs. I suppose I should take comfort in the fact that by the time you read this, March is almost here. Sure I would feel a lot better if it was nearly May, but I guess March is a start.