DON'T READ THIS BLOG!

Hi. My name is Ruby. I am Dan's bike. We've been together for about a year now, and up until this past week I thought we had a really good relationship.

Sure, I would sit in the garage for several days between rides, and when he would take me out, he often left me on top of the car while he went to work. But once I was off the rack and on the trail, every moment we spent together was absolute sweetness.

He would take me on trails through forests, over mountains and across streams. Sometimes we went with other riders. But most of the time it was just the two of us. I thought we had a really good thing going. I guess I was wrong. Last week I heard him start talking about a "Riders' Club," whispering about a "Trail Crew," chatting about "Specialized," and even mentioning another bike: the "STUMPJUMPER." And when we went riding, it was like his mind was somewhere else, wanting something new, something better.

I don't think I could live if Dan started riding another bike. I'm sure he would tell me we can still be friends, and still go riding together once in a while. But it will never be the same. We'll look at each other, knowing what has happened, then turn away. Him to his new bike. Me to my dark corner of the garage. Our visits will grow less and less frequent, until eventually I am nothing but a faded memory with a rusty chain.

Please, if you can do anything about it, don't let this happen. For me, for him, for us, don't tear down what we've worked so hard to build together.