The Seduction of the Mountian Bike

This past weekend I was given a mountain bike by my friend H, who is almost impossible to beat at Scrabble. Apparently it was an ex-boyfriend cast-off deal. The bike is battered, but has a functional rear aluminum-rimmed wheel, perhaps the most difficult item to find in tag-sale and donor bicycles. The wheel will give me a chance to dive into my pile of “waiting for that one part” bikes and revive a particularly choice $5 tag sale bike – a great old Y-framed rock hopper – which was missing its rear wheel.

Here’s the thing though – I hate riding mountain bikes. They feel like tanks, they have loud drive trains and loud wheels. The newest models also look increasingly dorky – as if they had motor-cross envy. In many ways I consider them to be the SUVs of the bicycling world, lots of useless functionality.

However – I have been introduced to a new bicycle trail which is absolutely gorgeous and completely unnavigable by any of the other bicycles in my stable.

So tonight will find me greasing cables.

Comments

[ambimb]

Oh man, how typical -- the poet is a roadie! Elite snob in letters, elite snob on a bike.

I'm just teasing! Although in my youth I scoffed at and scorned roadies vehemently, I've wanted a good road bike for a few years now -- ever since I really road one for some serious miles and learned what a joy it can be to fly on such a purpose-built machine. At this point, I want one (at least) of every bike. Have you seen the Townie from Electra? I'm guessing it wouldn't appeal to you, but I'm all about increasing bike use in cities, and this bike looks like a great way to do that -- a nice compromise between upright and recumbent.

Anyway, let us know when you're feeling well enough to hit that trail. Oh, and be careful where you go to law school -- a move to urban living may not be so easy if you have a garage full of bikes and bike parts. I had something of the same thing before coming to DC, which is one reason I've been less than thrilled with being here, but that's another story....

[gwadzilla]

DC is not the most bike friendly town
perhaps it is all the lawyers
lol
actually we live in a not so bike friendly country
and this city is no different, but it is a great city for the cyclist as it is surrounded by various multiuse trails

sorry....

I view lawyers like I view cops...
I hold great distain for them until I need them
and then I am quite thankful to have them around

road vs. mountain

my feeling....

no one needs a road bike unless they are riding more than 30 miles
and if you want a road bike for the city....well, then a cyclocross bike with the canti-lever brakes and some Paul's cross levers (the levers costing more than you were looking to spend on your bike) would do the trick

cycling is soulful
no better way to live in the city
the sites, seasons, and smells of the city
awesome
and no hassle finding a parking space!
well, rarely a hassle
sometimes you need to share the space with another bike in front of the bar
but, hopefully they will be respectful enough not to scratch the paint

gwadzila out
cyclist
racer and commuter
but all mountain
even if I do own and ride a road bike on occassion