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I cant remember the exact date but its twenty years since I bought my Zaskar.
I'd always hung around the now sadly defunct Mike's Bikes in Cambridge like a bad smell and when the money came it was time to turn that unsavory pong into the smell of money.
It was the RTS frame that I bought first...
RTS slung over the shoulder, I scoured the bike shops of Cambridge for a decent set of built up wheels... Could I bloody find any? Damn nice red Pace Team frame though in Ben Haywards...
So, after a few hours it was back to Mikes and I was looking at the Aluminium O fully built up, but then there was the Zaskar... Badged as an 'LE' with full M73* series XT and a shiny golden pair of RS Mag 21 I was smitten. The bike was reduced from £1800 down to £1450, that plus a purchase of Shimano SPDs and shoes left my back pocket a lot thinner.
I didnt drive then and the trip home seemed like a trip to the edge of the Universe so it was on the bus with the wheels and the frame back to home. I can still remember the excitement. It was straight round to the local LBS for a box of Venhil blue anodized bolts and an hour deciding on what 'upgrades'.
The first ride was electrifying. I'd gone from a so so Claud Butler lugged 531 frame with MAG 20 to a low level borrowed steel GT taking a hap hazard collection of used parts with me so had been gasping for a better frame for a good few years. POW as I accelerated off, squishy new Smokes scrabbling for grip. ZING went I as a newly post teenager blitzed the old trails.
KERPOW as I went head over the handle bars for the first time. OOOF went I as I did my first camping tour. CRUNCH went the walnuts between the cheeks of my nubile young ass as riding took over from drinking. UGH went the women of the day, somehow I was STILL not attractive to them despite a liberal dowsing in Lynx Oriental...
Anyway, its 20 years since I was walking across Parker's Piece with the RTS slung over my shoulders...
Its been stolen and returned, sold and returned and the frame has now covered a ludicrous amount of miles since.
I'd always hung around the now sadly defunct Mike's Bikes in Cambridge like a bad smell and when the money came it was time to turn that unsavory pong into the smell of money.
It was the RTS frame that I bought first...
RTS slung over the shoulder, I scoured the bike shops of Cambridge for a decent set of built up wheels... Could I bloody find any? Damn nice red Pace Team frame though in Ben Haywards...
So, after a few hours it was back to Mikes and I was looking at the Aluminium O fully built up, but then there was the Zaskar... Badged as an 'LE' with full M73* series XT and a shiny golden pair of RS Mag 21 I was smitten. The bike was reduced from £1800 down to £1450, that plus a purchase of Shimano SPDs and shoes left my back pocket a lot thinner.
I didnt drive then and the trip home seemed like a trip to the edge of the Universe so it was on the bus with the wheels and the frame back to home. I can still remember the excitement. It was straight round to the local LBS for a box of Venhil blue anodized bolts and an hour deciding on what 'upgrades'.
The first ride was electrifying. I'd gone from a so so Claud Butler lugged 531 frame with MAG 20 to a low level borrowed steel GT taking a hap hazard collection of used parts with me so had been gasping for a better frame for a good few years. POW as I accelerated off, squishy new Smokes scrabbling for grip. ZING went I as a newly post teenager blitzed the old trails.
KERPOW as I went head over the handle bars for the first time. OOOF went I as I did my first camping tour. CRUNCH went the walnuts between the cheeks of my nubile young ass as riding took over from drinking. UGH went the women of the day, somehow I was STILL not attractive to them despite a liberal dowsing in Lynx Oriental...
Anyway, its 20 years since I was walking across Parker's Piece with the RTS slung over my shoulders...
Its been stolen and returned, sold and returned and the frame has now covered a ludicrous amount of miles since.