Before the training for my first triathlon even began, it was necessary (?) for me to get a road bike. Luckily, my Dad had been planning for this event for the past 8 years.
Somewhere along the line, he flew across the continent with a first officer who just so happened to be in possession of a Bianchi Campione Di'Italia steel frame bicycle (mid-90's). It was his wife's, actually, which she used to ride while on the cycling team at Purdue University. Most unfortunately, the first officer trashed the bike while pulling into his garage with the bike attached to the top of his car. For his wife, the bike was damaged beyond repair.
My dad, a longtime cyclist and junk collector, saw an opportunity. He knew the first officer to be a tinker and a collector of old machinery. He just so happened to be in possession of a non-operating snow blower (early 90's) and presented the first officer with the idea of making a trade. The first officer agreed and so, 8 years ago, my dad drove from St. Louis, MO to Terra Haute, IN to pick up a damaged Bianchi. "It's yours whenever you want it," he told me. At that time, I had no interest. Regardless, he re-habbed the bike and hung it in our garage.
As soon as I told my dad about my plan to train for a triathlon, he reminded me about the Bianchi. "You've already got a beautiful bike just waiting for you. Bianchi green, all Campagnolo." I had no idea what this meant, but by this time I had done a little research and discovered that Bianchi's were high-end, and I was ready to start riding. We debated about how I was going to get the bike to Chicago and, fittingly, my dad thought it would be best for him to drive it up in the back of his giant pick-up truck, which he did last week.
I think he drove in from another era, sometime before the mid-90's. On the road, he listened to the music he used to train with (symphonies!). Along with the bike, he brought the following items:
- A stand to lift the back wheel of the bike (I have no idea how it works)
- A stationary spin so to attach the bike for stationary cycling (I have no idea how it works, but I do remember him using it to cycle in our basement when I was a kid)
- 2 tire pumps (both broken)
- His Cannondale multi-tool for adjusting the bike (I have no idea how this works)
- His racing shoes (supposedly so that I could see the cleats)
- A plastic bag containing WD-40, a bottle of Rock N Roll Lubrication ("the King of Lubes"), a tire lever set, 2 tire patch kits, and a pair of custom tire valve caps shaped like dice (these are for a mountain bike, he instructed me)
In my parking lot, he propped up the bike and showed me all of its gears and how to shift. He pointed out all of its parts (Campagnolo) and stressed that the bike had a high "cool factor." He tried to explain the physics and the mechanics of the bicycle, but ultimately, it was up to me to ride and figure it out for myself. I drove it around the parking lot and couldn't even get my feet into the peddles, much less brake or steer. I told my dad it was like giving a Ferrari to a kid who doesn't know how to drive. He agreed, and then we went to Lou Malnatti's for a late pizza dinner.
We talked about triathlons and training and how it was for him, back in the day. The next morning, after an early breakfast, he drove back to St. Louis. Before I left for work, I stopped into the bike storage room to take a quick peak at my new prize. I am so excited!!
