【BIKE Of The Week!!!】Ritchey OUTBACK

Anywhere, to the end of the road

There is an ancient proverb that says "all roads lead to Rome," but when I was a little boy, I used to wonder just how far the road in front of my house went. The first thing I did when the training wheels came off my first bicycle was to ride down that road as far as I could possibly go. I ended up getting lost and causing a huge commotion, but I still remember it. The pavement eventually ended and turned into a long, continuing gravel road. It might be an exaggeration, but I can still feel the sensation of the bumpy path pushing up against my backside.

When I ride a bike, I realize I haven't really changed much since those days. Once I swing my leg over the saddle, my field of vision suddenly opens up and my range of action expands. The changes in the road surface, the feel of the slopes—nothing has changed from what I felt back then. If anything has changed, it’s just that my lower back has been hurting lately, and I’ve become a bit more timid about things.

This Ritchey OUTBACK makes me feel like I can go anywhere because it fits wide tires. It handles gaps in asphalt on my commute with ease, and if you stick some wide handlebars onto its plump lower half, it will take you to scenery you’ve never seen before, waiting just beyond the singletrack.

Add some SimWorks by Honjo fenders to it, and you have an all-road, all-weather bicycle. I’m telling you, it’s just so plump and capable.

A bike that makes you want to go forever needs a comfortable ride. The OUTBACK is built with a nice long rear triangle, which creates a stable ride and a mild flex—perfect for someone like me who has grown a bit sluggish and given up on trying to ride fast.

After playing outside all day, what could be a better day than having some delicious mushrooms, taking a warm bath, and hitting the sack?

For all of you with a wandering spirit who just want to drift from place to place—this is a truly great bike.