Footnote: Dominique and her bike

Dominique is well known to everyone who reads this blog. Her bike is known by few. Except for David and the mechanic Mrs. Bürgin from VeloGellertTeam. And me, who is occasionally called upon when a small problem occurs. And of course Dominique herself.

The bike is a white trekking bike from the Swiss company Cresta. Everything is designed to be light and fast. Even a few grams were saved on the hub dynamo. Bought after the Juratour and several Alpine crossings. It was challenging with the old Villiger. It was love at first sight and the bike is worth every franc. In city traffic, Dominique, whether in jeans, skirt or dress, whether in everyday or high heels, reaches top speed with just a few pedals. If you want to follow her, you need good local knowledge, physical fitness, and perhaps a similarly fast bike.

On bike tours with the new bike in Denmark, Germany, Sweden, France, and Switzerland, the previous roles remained the same (I slightly ahead, Dominique slightly behind), but on flat ground or on gentle descents, she closed the gaps with a smile without much effort. Two years ago, Dominique came up with the idea of ​​taking a tent with her in the future. Until then, I believed that I deserved a good accommodation after a hard day of cycling. The additional luggage changed the situation on the road. Now Dominique rode ahead with her beautiful bike, relaxed and satisfied, and I was content to follow at my own pace.

The intimacy of the relationship between Dominique and her bike has intensified even more. At home, even small spots or scratches on the bike caused almost physical pain. Dominique and her bike suffer on poor road surfaces. 'My poor, poor bike. I suffer with every stone', she says. Dirt on the bike and chain is to be avoided or removed immediately. The correct tire pressure is of enormous importance to the bike and Dominique. Small rust spots on the sprockets lead to horror. When a strut came loose from the mudguard, Dominique was near despair.

When everything is back in order, they are a perfect unity on every road and in every country.

And sometimes, but really extremely rarely, Dominique's love for her bike is greater than her love for me.