Aristotle is said to have defined friendship as a soul abiding in two bodies. A long overdue introduction to Rob’s other bestie on this ride – his bicycle. So in his own words – here is the story of how Rex joined the family.

Meet Rex Le Trek

I think it is high time I introduce Rex, my trusted steed that has performed so flawlessly over these many miles.

Early June 2020, I first saw Rex. I was two months into retirement, with COVID raging, Julianne and I headed to Cape Cod National Seashore to isolate and spend some time on the sand.

Unfortunately, the beach was not open for us to be able to drive our RV onto the sand, but we were content to spend the month of June in the Race Point NP Parking Lot.

Most days we walked down the dune path to relax on the sand. After a few days, I noticed this old bike in the bike rack with two flat tires and it was unlocked.

Everyday I walked by feeling sorry for this early 1990’s Trek Mulitrack hybrid mountain bike that was just rusting in the salt air. With each pass, I noticed that this old Trek had many of the attributes of a worthy touring bike – chrome molybdenum steel frame, appropriate brazed on rack fittings, 700c wheels, and good ole Suntour components.

So after a few weeks, I decided to pump up the tires. Was the ole rig worthy of a spin around the parking lot? YES! The fit was perfect.

When Julianne and I headed home on June 30, the bike came along as my salvation project. Once I got him home in my basement shop, I gave him the once over with new handlebars, cables and wheels – and even rebuilt the wheels – giving my salvation project a new outlook.

A worthy cross country bike was pulled from the ashes – Rex Le Trek.