More than Riding
As you get familiar with the bike community you will find quickly that one thing cyclists like more than cycling, is talking about all their gear, gadgets, and technical specs of their bikes and gear. If you were to ask a crowd of cyclists to tell you about their favorite or most essential bike items you would get a lot of eager responses…
However, after spending even more time in the bike community, you will find that what cyclists like more than cycling or talking about their gear, is giving advice about your gear.
And that’s where I get into trouble. Because I am not interested in gadgets or memorizing technical specs.
Mostly I just bike to work. But so far I haven’t lost my balance because of my lack of knowledge. I do just fine.
I tell people that I just ride a bike, I’m not a bike rider.
Yes, my gearhead tendencies sometimes tend to overwhelm the core or heart of cycling, guilty. I try to resist. But, hey, is that humpback whale thing real? Can you post a link?
I am rather guilty of this. I am a bike nerd. I love reading about the gear and all that. I am an engineering graduate student so I also get really into the technical side of a lot of bike components. Of course, being a grad student means I can’t afford too much of the fancy stuff.
That is what works for me though. I always say, the absolute best bike, saddle, helmet, etc for any given rider is the one that will get the on the bike the most. The rest really doesn’t matter from there.
Hey no fair making fun of baguette holders! The obscure gear I’ve been dreaming of lately is a big, flat rack that I can carry cakes and pizzas on!
I’m making fun of myself too. I’ve been seen with a baguette sticking out of a pannier- once even on a long road ride (I mean what if I got hungry? What am I going to put the cheese on?) And there definitely needs to be a way to transport cake. Had that come up recently.
Last time I was in San Francisco, I bought myself this recipe booklet for bike basket pies. Basically, they are tall galettes that you bake in muffin tins and they work awesome for porting on a front or rear rack, or in a front basket, as intended.
Also, I’ve totally bungee’d a Dutch Oven and a few cheesecakes to my front rack while on my way to various parties. It’s usually fine, but I never seem to enjoy the ride because I’m always worried about a mishap with the food.
Ouch. This one hits a little too close to home.