For the last several months, I’ve ignored my other bike, a 2010 Jamis Aurora Elite, named Condor after Anne Mustoe’s bike.
The last time I rode her for any significant miles, was our ride across Missouri on the Katy Trail.
To make up for my lack of attention I cleaned, lubed and polished her. She looks beautiful again. I love the frame, 631 Reynolds steel, and the color, Blue Smoke. Reminiscent of some of the classic steel frames of the late 80’s/early 90’s, it reminded me of my first road bike, a 1987 Trek 560 Pro Series.
I bought her in early 1992 for $200.00. She was a tad small for me, but in pristine condition – and much cheaper than I could buy anything comparable to her (Reynolds 531 tubing, Shimano 105, nice wheels). Plus, I had been riding a Schwinn Hybrid and as my rides got longer, the more I longed for a road bike.
I loved riding my Trek, putting lots of miles on her until June 5, 1995 when an idiot kid that had just had her drivers license for two weeks ran a stop sign and hit me/her. The girl’s insurance company paid to replace my bike (considered her totaled). That was an ordeal since I had only paid $200 for my Trek, they wanted to give me $200 towards replacement. I fought them explaining I should get a bike with comparable frame and components and ended up getting $1500 replacement cost towards a new one.
Condor reminds me of my Trek, different color blue, but quality steel frame. Nice and smooth ride. Beautiful.
