Cycling
August 26, 2023
Just four months in, I was already making real progress toward turning cycling into a daily habit. In August, to celebrate my birthday, I picked up my second bike, a mountain bike. I wanted something that felt different from my Verve, something with a little more edge. I started browsing online, and that’s when I discovered Bianchi. That signature celeste color immediately grabbed my attention. Still, I knew I wasn’t ready for one of their sleek road bikes. They are too small for me and my endurance wasn’t there yet. But then I stumbled on their mountain bike lineup and quickly ordered a Bianchi Duel 29S.
The delivery, however, was a bit of an adventure itself. It somehow got shipped to the wrong address in another state and took weeks to finally land at my local shop. But when I picked it up, it was absolutely worth the wait.
Although most of the trails near me are paved, there are some decent off-road paths to be found. Truthfully, I’ve only taken my Bianchi off-road a handful of times. Over time, I swapped in faster-rolling tires and started using it more like a hybrid than a dedicated mountain bike. It’s definitely on the heavier side, but it’s durable and turns heads. What’s even more interesting to me is that in the U.S., this model is quite a rare sight. I’ve never seen anyone else riding the same one, and I rarely spot a Bianchi in the wild. But in Japan? I saw Bianchi bikes everywhere.
Like any true companion, my “Italian stallion” and I have had our ups and downs. I’ve dealt with my fair share of broken spokes and punctured tires. Recently, on a short ride home, a seemingly innocent, soft stick managed to puncture my tire clean through the center. This was on a set of Bontrager Sainte-Anne tires (would not recommend) with less than 60 miles on them. Thankfully, I’ve since upgraded to Continental Cross King tires, and they perform fantastically. They even make a unique roaring sound when I lean into turns, sounding just like a TIE fighter taking off.
Because I ride this bike so often, it’s been responsible for forging some of my most memorable cycling moments and for keeping cycling a consistent, invaluable part of my life. I’ve stopped mid-ride just to watch deer cross the trail, photograph birds, or catch the way light filters through the trees. It might not be considered a “special” bike to a longtime cyclist, but to me, my Bianchi is absolutely irreplaceable. It’s the one that’s carried me the furthest so far, and I’ve even got a few upgrades planned for it down the line.
