It’s my birthday this week, although I’m not saying exactly when for fear of pesky egg & floor tricks. I’ve received the obligatory gifts (socks & tie rack), but my sister got all 21st Century with a great iTunes voucher (cheers Em) and my ten month old daughter managed to get hold of enough pocket money to buy her old man a cool cake. But I’ve also been graced with a 5* present: my 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert has finally arrived. Isn’t she amazing?!
She’s a thoroughbred whose bloodline can be traced back to the 2004 Specialized Enduro (great bike marred by obscene amounts of chain suck). I’ve riden all her predecessors and loved them but this 2007 version promises to be my new favourite. Specialized aficionados will notice she's a non-catalogue colour: it's test bike purple.
After being without a mountain bike for a couple of months (wasn’t too bothered as I've been training for a marathon) I now get the feeling I’ve found myself a mistress. After all, every hour spent with her will be one stolen from my wife and child. I will long to be with her when my mind should be on work or motorway junctions. I am already planning dirty weekends away together (Mr & Mrs Smith at Coed y Brenin). She will make me smile broadly and laugh out loud when I least expect to. She will make me feel like a teenager the moment I join her. I will take great care for her and spend as many hours as possible in her presence. It’s official, I’m having an affair - well, I will be after my marathon this weekend. We'll both have to wait patiently...
