In the early 1980s I saw a mountain bike (MTB) for the first time and I bought it immediately. It was great fun, at least theoretically. But there really was nowhere near me to ride it to take advantage of its rugged design, so after a few years I sold it. In the years that followed, mountain bikes became more
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After the paper route (yes I actually delivered newspapers by bike), my first job with a boss that I could see was as a bike mechanic for Jim’s Bicycle shop. I can proudly say that I was Jim’s first mechanic (thanks Jim!). I was a clueless, arrogant, road bike snob. Old people would come to the shop (in their 20’s
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I’ve gotten used to people reacting in amazement when they learn that I’ve ridden my bike some distance. Almost any distance seems to be enough to cause disbelief; “You commute every day on your bike to the bike shop… and on Harrison Ave.!?!” or, “You rode 80 miles this morning before you opened the shop!?!” or, “you rode 50 miles
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Bicycles can change the world? Yes! They already have. I’m not kidding. In the US, so many people were smitten by the allure of freedom and self-powered speed that the bicycle offered—even in its early, awkward forms—that they were able to work together as a positive force to get municipalities to pave roads that had previously been rutted dirt tracks,
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My friend Rob is a genius, but he just doesn’t get it. He can’t imagine paying $2000 for a bike. “My first car cost less than that!” Rob exclaimed. I’m sure he’s not alone in this mindset, but I’m not sure it’s at all logical. Not too many people “need” a $2000+ bike, but not many people “need” a $20,000 car
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