my ride

after much deliberation, i've finally named my ride. TAUNTO. it's a dual-meaning name, really. on the one hand, it's an ode to my home, new mexico, from where we both originated. ahhh the mexicans. gotta love 'em. right? maybe that's a judgement call. the other, and more cocky meaning - he's taunting you. that last part, well we'll just have to see. but we're both very hopeful. 

taunto is about 6 years old, all specialized goodness. shimano ultegra components. taunto has a flaming neon orange aluminum frame with hot silver writing and a black/silver checkered carbon fork. quick release tires. a white 'I heart LA' sticker adorns the top bar - the heart, of course is a bike chain in the shape of a heart - taunto expects the best. he has a black leather covered seat of which i'm no longer able to read the brand. the leather is missing in sections, showing its soft cushiony foam underbelly. taunto's right handlebar curiously curls just slightly to the inside. it's endearing. taunto has a bell on the stem, which used to have a picture of a unicorn. the bell no longer has the sticker, nor the ringer pull-lever mechanism. the only way to make the bell ring is to knock on it with another metal object. taunto has not one, not two, but THREE different bento boxes. one for just behind the stem, and the other 2 we switch out depending on what kind of load we're carrying that day. 

the story of taunto's coming to be is as interesting as his name. taunto was built in a land far, far away, most likely under the watchful and slanted eye of some asian. good work sir. taunto was then sent to a bike shop in albuquerque, nm. where it was quickly stolen. serial numbers, who needs 'em? NOT TAUNTO!!! shortly thereafter, taunto showed up at a pawn shop in my hometown of grand 'ole clovis, nm. my loving father bought taunto at quite a cheap price (don't worry taunto, you're worth so much more, i know, i know) in attempt to coax me into riding with him. didn't work. i didn't appreciate taunto at the time. taunto was just a bastard bike, a means to inflict pain on myself. but not anymore. oh no.

the taunto of today, well now he's all growned up. the nice folks at helen's spiffed him up. gave him new gray tape to bring out his silver undertones. he got a new cateye, which sometimes works, other times not so much. wouldn't expect anything less from taunto. some nifty front and rear lights for when taunto wants to give me a ride at night...*blush*

taunto is quite the quirky little fucker. he loves to go fast, especially downhill, but he tends to whine along the way. he doesn't much care for wet roads. he's yet to have a flat tire, well, unassisted that is. shout out to coach b. taunto loves to be cleaned, he shines with happiness when the white lightening comes out. 

up next for taunto: a new chain, especially after last weekend's 100 miler. and new tires. we were recently told that taunto's mighty fine spokes are too much so to carry his rider's fat ass for much longer. bummer. new aerobars, soon to be installed. and a few new stickers. 'i heart taunto' or 'taunto says fuck you' or 'taunto says back the fuck up'...those are just a few ideas being bounced around at the moment...

i have big plans for taunto, and i'm sure he has big plans for me. so long as he keeps me alive, i'll show him lots of good PCH fun. that's our deal, we've already agreed.