A Replacement Ride
Some weeks ago, my longtime partner in city transportation was taken. Locked up in the Marina, Justin’s outing with out-of-town friends ended with the theft of my seven-year-old hybrid bike — a grey Trek 7200 FX purchased with the first $400 paycheck from Kryptiq.
That bike was more than a commuter. It carried me through Portland’s weather extremes: flooding, 80 MPH winds, power outages, nails through tires. It handled the urban gamut from Zoobomb and west hills trails to construction sites and freeways. Its real mission, however, was simpler — getting me around without a car, to school, to Friday work shifts, and to Aikido in the rain.
A motorcycle has since taken over the daily route, cutting my commute to 20 minutes — not far off the bike's pace. But the trade-off is tangible: the ritual of jacket, helmet, and gloves stands between me and the open road. So yesterday, a newer acquisition arrived via Craigslist: a spotless 7.3 FX with that fresh-from-the-factory scent. It’s quiet, shiny, and fast — and it’s good to be moving again.
