Posted on 05/22/2004 8:18:13 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
Nothing but the best for John Kerry
When the presumptive Democratic candidate for US president fell from his Serotta Ottrott at the beginning of the month, late-night chat-show hosts went into overdrive. Jay Leno said Kerry was fine because he fell on his wallet (Kerry's wife is super-rich).
It's likely Kerry's Serotta is paid for and owned by the Kerry family trust. And no doubt it's this trust which is insisting the carbon handlebar damaged in the fall is replaced with the exact same super-expensive model: the brand graphics match Kerry's orange-and-yellow frame and orange-and-yellow Giro helmet... As well as a guitar, Kerry often packs his Serotta on cross-country campaign flights.
And since the well-reported fall at the start of May - see link below - the slightly damaged handlebars have been replaced by Kerry's favourite bike shop, Belmont Wheelworks, "servicing the greater Boston cycling community since 1977."
Apparently, Kerry insisted that the bars were replaced with exactly the same model, the Modolo KX Carbon bars featuring the Curvissima design that features a continuous curved lower section to provide superior, ergnomic hand-comfort.
Kerry damaged his shoulder in a bicycle fall in 1992 and last year had surgery to fix a pain flare-up. He's found the Modolo bars to be the most comfortable he's tried.
For a pic of Kerry's Campy-equipped Ottrott see OTTROTT
There's also a close-up of the Modolo bars.
Thought this would be appropriate to compare Effin Kerry's bike mishaps to the spill that President Bush took today, which he recovered from easily.
Kerry's bike is ugly. Did he really pay over $7,000 for it? It looks like those old ten-speeds from the 80s.
Anyway, this Belmont Wheelworks sounds like it could use some FReeping.
Ronald McDonald's colors.
And some people want him making decisions regarding MONEY? OUR MONEY! Thousands for THAT?
The frame for the Ottrot is about $4500, and may cost as much as $5000 (if carbon-fiber seat stays are part of the package).
Then, the carbon fiber fork will add about $500 to the cost.
Add about $150 for a stem.
Add about $250 for handle bars.
Add about $150 for the seat post.
Add about $100 for the seat.
The head set will add about another $100 to the cost
Shimano Dura Ace Drive train and brake system will add another $2000 to the cost.
Then, a set of racing level wheels will add $700 to $1400 dollars to the price.
Finally, tires will add about another $100.
It is entirely possible with a bike like the Ottrott, that Kaptain Ketchup spent about $10,000 or more.
One feature this piece fails to mention is that Kerry, in an effort to reach the GBLT vote, has had the seat of his bike removed and the post replaced with simple blunt metal tube. "I insisted on a perfect ergonomic fit, so I had the post modified into the profile of a .50 caliber machine gun round. "I just love to ride rough and hard" said Kerry after his recent spill. Kerry explained "When I served in Viet Nam, it was a very lonely, stressful time. We all did different things to relax and unwind from the constant combat stress from the threat of chapped-lips and hang-nails. For me, slipping the muzzle of one of the boat's M-60 into the aft mount of my poop deck did the trick."
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