My Cycling State of Mind

With the looming economic crisis, our family, as I'm sure with most everyone else's, have started to really cut back on our frivolous spending. We're even going farther than cutting back on our spending, we're trying to rid completely all of our debt. Everything. Including the Mortgage. While it's a good looking plan, and it will come to fruition in the foreseeable future, there are definitely certain sacrifices that are being made in the in term. One of them being the amount of money being spent on non-necessities. In my particular case, bikes. I've got plenty of great bikes, and I pretty much have a decent bike for any type of riding that I may want to to. So why would I have to keep spending anyway? Well, like most bike geeks, there are always little tweaks here and there, new products to try and upgrades that can always be made to the collection.

All that is being put on hold for a while, and it's actually quite liberating. I'm finding myself forced to the parts bin more often to re-use old items, and quite often I'm surprised at just what I have in there. Stuff I've forgotten about for even years. I'm learning to make due with what's on hand, built from scratch other items and generally just using more of the stuff that I already have. It kind of makes sense.

Sure sometimes there are certain upgrades that make a big difference and you need to adjust this and that to find the right fit and function, but often, I change things for the sake of change. That's a little crazy. I don't know of a single bike or bike component that I've actually worn out (except for tires). I've begun to notice that I was devoting more of my time, researching, upgrading and fussing with bikes than I actually was riding them. It is obviously easier to spend more time thinking about bikes than actually riding them, but when is that ratio out of balance?

Does it make sense to spend hundreds of dollars changing a bike, countless hours working on it and tweaking it numerous times, and only a fraction of that amount of time riding the thing? I don't think so. I'm starting to tell myself, "Just ride the bike for Pete's sake." Bike tweaking and modifications shouldn't become the primary activity that makes up your cycling life should it? For me, it all comes down to this simple questions: What does a cyclist do?

Rides a bike. Simple isn't it?

Interesting concept

Osobike. Inexpensive, affordable single speed bike. What I like is the coaster brake on a road frame. Seems like a crazy idea you'd only see born of some dudes garage. Keep the clean lines, simple looks and eye appeal of a fixie, but actually have a brake that doesn't require more effort than pedaling. Cool.

Looks like something that I might have to try. I've probably got parts to build up 3 of these, so I wouldn't' buy one, even with their affordability. On the other hand, do I really need another bike project? With 2 on the go right now (and progressing slowly) it's probably the last thing I need. But, if it keeps me out of trouble.....

The Start of Something Great

Thus far this is the case.

Today was the first day of my new job. It's been a decade since I've had a new job. My wife kept asking me if I was nervous and I kept thinking why would I be? I wasn't.

The shop is 1 block from my house. Yep, my little town of 375 fine folks had room to employ me. Weird. I make the 3rd person that works there, so it's a really small little place, which is great. I walked home for lunch, and it took a whole minute (I didn't really time it, but that's probably what it took). Before we moved here, I was going home for lunch everyday, and I thought those days would never happen again. They are and I'm loving it. It's a very low key place, where all of the local farmers hang out. Literally. The boss puts on coffee, and there's always someone sipping, telling stories, or talking combines.

Want more close knit? The other employee is the mayor of the Village. What's more, he and I are both Lions members. Holy smokes.

Several years ago I decided I wanted to simplify my life, and I think I'm well on the way. I won't be driving more than 3 days a week (1 to Church, maybe two other times for groceries or dinner with friends). I've never had such short work days as I've got now. Not that I've ever disliked work, I actually really enjoy it, but man, 8 hour days?? What are they? Today I found out. Add to that zero time for getting to and from work, and I've got more time for family, house projects and bikes. Simple is good. I'm enjoying the simple. Enjoy yours.