Chris Harne rides a 1997 Diamondback Outlook. With affection, I refer to this bicycle as my Hoopty.

Chris Harne rides a 1997 Diamondback Outlook.

With affection, I refer to this bicycle as my Hoopty. This is my do-everything touring and commuting bicycle. Sometimes we take meandering sunny rides together. With camping gear and supplies, I’ve ridden north into Quebec. I’ve ridden over the Appalachians. This bicycle has taken me over the Ozark Mountains, the Rockies and over the Continental Divide at a dozen different passes. I cruised over the Cascades like they were pancake-flat. This is the bicycle that took me to work this morning. This is the one. This bicycle has spent time on the front rack of Septa busses, and on the tank of a tanker truck.

This bicycle has an inexpensive frame. I have chosen each part carefully. I’ve built several wheels and I’ve replaced every component numerous times - sometimes because it was worn out, and sometimes just for fun. This bicycle is a stoic companion of the most reliable nature.