Bike Stuff

 Well, isn't that quite a name. "Waterford Adventure Cycle"  It was named back in the day when the meaning was somewhat different than today. It is a touring bike. So adveturing by travel. Not a gravel or bikepacking adventure.  But conveniently, this is exactly what I was looking for. Why a touring bike The question you may be asking is "why do you want a touring bike?"  Not unreasonable. I just did a tour from Salzburg to Udine on my gravel bike and that worked fine. So, clearly it is possible. But that was 'credit card touring' not carrying sleep systems, shelter, etc. What a touring bike brings to the table is being a bike made specifically for longer days in the saddle, riding as efficiently as can be and carrying up to obscene amounts of cargo. The gravel bike was a bit racier (lower, longer) and was limited to two, smaller panniers or a saddle and frame bag. Fine for clothes, toiletries etc but could not have carried a tent, sleeping bag, cookin...

In nearly fully restored state (doesn't have the classic pedals on) Classic, steel-frame, Campagnolo gruppo Bianchi Nuovo Racing This is the keeper in my garage. I bought it back in 1982 to replace another 'racing' bike of mine that had been stolen from the house breezeway. At the time, I wasn't fully 'sold' on the Celeste color. I'd wanted the other colorway which was some sort of steel grey. But in hindsight, I am so very glad I did get this one. As my Mom used to joke: "The color grows on you... like mold". Celeste was and is Bianchi's brand color. But it's not as simple as that. First off, in the early 80's they were reportedly about to abandon the color. It wasn't selling well. Probably why this was the only one I could find in the Bay Area at the end of the year. But shortly thereafter, somebody at Bianchi got the idea to make a bit of a joke on themselves and promote the 'funny color' specifically. It took off. Everyb...