This morning, one of my colleagues played the audio stream of the announcement from The Holy See. The College of Cardinals announced "habeamus Papam Benedictum XVI" and I heard and understood the Latin. Then the radio commentator burst in with an analysis in Italian, and I was lost (my knowledge of the vulgar tongue drops off after the 14th century).
I was never a Latin nurd, though. I blame Virgil and his bees.
After losing the second Dutchess, I've been trying out the Kogswell (photos to come) and the Bianchi Pista (photos to come).
The Kogswell, a beautiful buttercream colour with a matching honey Brooks saddle. The geometry is classic, 80s 10-speed: luxuriously long chainstays, gentle steerer tube, and a beautiful rake on the fork. The concession to modernity comes in the rear fork ends, which are track-style (but with two sets of eyelets, for fenders and a rack!). Unfortunately, I picked up a 58cm frame, which is a little uncomfortable with stand-over (I'm shy of six foot). I think I can remedy this by cutting the steerer down (it's stacked with spacers presently), and putting a shorter stem on it. The kogswell is a looker, too, and t'ain't none like 'er in the area.
As for the Pista: Whoah nelly. I have the earlier chrome model, which features the tricolore decals. This bike is not meant for commuting! it's for the track. Or for long stretches in Golden Gate Park. Riding it with a brake seems wrong, although I'd be foolhardy to do so on the streets. It's a smooth, quick ride, but not yet comfortable over long distances. I even saw some kid riding one while I scooted down to the bus this morning -- though he had a noisy freewheel and two cool-kid 'cross brakes. No love, no recognition: everyone's got one of these bikes.