I have a story similar to Grant's that always makes me smile. Prior to getting my first Riv., most of my road riding was done on a Ritchey Road Logic w/Roll-y Poll-ys, Brooks, Nitto bar & H2O cages, Grip Kings and a Baggins Banana Bag. Not a Riv but very Rivved-out. Anyway, I was riding with a friend on his lovely steel I.F. in the hills above Malibu. The penultimate climb on this day was up Stunt Road. No matter my level of fitness, it is always a tough climb. My friend and I were about 3/4 of the way up when we were passed by a group/team all in matching kits on carbon bikes, etc. They were not going much faster than we were and in fact, once they passed we easily stayed right off the last riders wheel.
Once we crested the climb and took a breather, a couple of the guys were having a look at our "antique" bikes (their words). They wistfully recalled when they used to ride steel but left it behind when they got "serious". Apparently it was lost on them that we rode the same hill at the same pace as they did on our antiques. Now, I'm not out to set any land speed records but the perception that I am being held back by my choice to ride a more versatile bicycle is simply based on ignorance and the belief of media hype. Yesterday, during my second ride on my fancy new Riv custom, nearly the exact thing happened. I was passed by a team on a climb and easily hung with them 'til the top. There was one notable exception. Despite being on a much fancier bicycle, nobody said a word. It was as though I was invisible. Ride it and enjoy it!
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