Jim Peoples

Just look at that picture.  I’m not the kind of person who will ever be seen wearing one of those “Life is Good” smiley faced stick guy t-shirts, but something about the above photo just makes me feel all gushy inside.  Could be because we helped a person with a little direction.  Could be satisfaction taken in building a good product. Could be this dude just looks like he’s lovin’ life. Yeah, that’s it. But enough of my mumbling, stumbling and bumbling.  Kitties and cats it’s time to hear it straight from the man of the hour, our good friend and new Bacchetta family member, Mr. Jim Peoples.

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I’m 64 years old and started mountain biking after Katrina in 2005; I loved the trails and kept a spare bike with street tires for Saturday’s when the trails were too wet.  Finally decided I wanted a real bike, tried a high end Trek Hybrid (7500) and it was OK but no love.  Tried a Trek road bike- fast but too uncomfortable.  Tried a new 29er, added cyclocross tires and found I really loved this setup the most, but rides over fifteen miles were really starting to hurt me.   One day I saw a couple of recumbents on the River Levee Trail here in New Orleans, talked to a couple of the riders and they sounded really satisfied.  Bought a ten year old RANS Rocket off of Craigslist in August, totally rebuilt it and have loved it except that it’s too rough on the New Orleans roads; it’s great on the paved trail but not on the streets.  On smooth roads it was the most fun on a bike I’ve ever had but the spooky handling began to scare me.  I then tried a Bacchetta Giro 26 at a dealer and found it much better.  I also tried a Bella but it wasn’t as much fun as the high racer.  More research, more riding the Rocket.  I was becoming convinced that no one should be riding a regular bike, as comfortable as these recumbents are.  Decided at my age I should go for the pure comfort rather than the high bottom bracket and ordered a Bella from Bacchetta.  Now, 64 year old men shouldn’t get so excited over a bicycle, but when I received it, which was only four days after I ordered it, I couldn’t believe the beauty and quality of this bike; from the wheels to the exotic looking brake noodle, to the exquisite Mango paint!  I work in a large mechanic/machine shop and everyone that looked in the huge box had nothing but good things to say about it, even though most didn’t know what it was. That night I played with it, fitted it, put on the lights and rode it a few miles.  It was outstanding.  Went to the local bike store on Saturday, bought red lights, computer, carbon bottle holder, etc. had to help the wife at a church affair that day but still rode it 18 miles at dark.  I just couldn’t stay off of it.  The next day, Sunday, I rode my first half century in my life- 52 miles and I’m not lying!  My butt had a little stinging but no pain, and the old legs were a little tired, but I have never felt like this after a 30 mile ride, much less a 50.  I look forward to upgrading and riding this beast, it is beautiful, smooth, and comfortable and I can’t thank you and Jeremy (Massey) for all the help in picking the right bike with the right parts: Thank you.   By the way; I’ve already allowed two total strangers to test drive it, they couldn’t believe how easy it was to just get on it and ride.  Jim Peoples- Destrehan, La.

originally posted on bacchettabikes.com on Nov. 3, 2010.