Hells Yeah

Courtesy of How to Avoid the Bummer Life, which I hope one day to contribute to.

In non-print news, I fell victim to one of the dangers of bicycle commuting today: I left a crucial article of warm weather clothing in my truck. There I was, staring twenty minutes of cycling in near-freezing weather in the face without my trusty wool arm warmers.

I swear, lately I'd forget my head if it wasn't stapled to my body. Earlier this week I had a scare when I thought I left one warmer in the mall. I was actually sad! I'm attached to the little guys.

Luckily my hands seemed to have lost feeling after five minutes or so and my arms warmed up due to internal combustion shortly thereafter. I didn't realize my hands were numb until the warm shower water made them feel all tingly. Guess I'm getting tougher. Or more easily distracted from physical discomfort, which is probably the same thing.

A friend o' mine texted me last night and stated he was thinking of bringing a spare bike of his over for the ride on Saturday morning, saying, "...thought you may want to try some gears..." Gears, meaning more than one. I don't know how I feel about this.

It's sorta like asking a hardcore industrial music fan to listen to some reggae. Yeah, they're both music. Yeah, people can and do like both. But I'm hesitant. I'm content with what I got. It's fun and challenging. Does reggae have it's merits? Yes it do. But that don't mean I gotta like it. Although, I'm not one of these fans that's going to punch you in the face or ralph at the mere mention of straying from their current object of obsession. I guess we'll see.

I haven't seriously ridden a free-wheel bike since I got hit and had to buy a new one. I tried a comrade's clipless pedals and some pathetic BMX forays, but both were on the sidewalk. Otherwise it's all been Isabelle.

One problem for me is the loss of complete control that I've come to instinctively rely on. What would cause nasty surprises and discomfort for other riders has become home to me: The constant motion of the pedals, the ability to slow the bike with the legs, track stands, skip stops, etc. There are all tools I've come to use on a daily basis. Taking them away would seem to take something away from my experience as a rider.

Besides, having to reach for brake levers is a pain in the ass.

But before you label me a trendy hipster fixed-gear zealot, I figure one day I'll have to start riding geared/free-wheel bikes. I want to do some of these cycling camping trips I've heard about, as well as century rides and the like, and while I'm sure it's physically possible to do them on a fixed-gear, I don't know if it's possible to enjoy it.

Time will tell.

Lunch time!

- David