This will come as a surprise to you, I’m sure, but I am something of a curmudgeon. Show me a silver lining, I will show you the black cloud that envelops it. Remember your Arthur Schopenhauer (as interpreted by Ed Abbey): “A pessimist is an optimist in full possession of the facts.”
That said, today I had a reason to smile. It didn’t quite hurt my face. About 10 days ago, after some back and forth via e-mail with hoops-master Rich Lesnik at Rivendell Bicycle Works, I had ordered a set of handbuilt touring wheels — LX hubs, Velocity Synergy rims, DT Swiss 14/15g spokes, nickel-plated brass nipples, the works.
Rich was patient and helpful in answering a series of silly questions, which is always nice for the person asking them. But when the wheels arrived today, I found I’d scored a couple bonuses despite my reputation for being able to transform every molehill into a mountain with a single well-honed groan.
First, I was awarded a discount, which I had not sought and did not expect, the economy being what it is. Second, I received a membership and subscription to the Rivendell Reader (issue 42 includes a couple of good Maynard Hershon reads, Samuel Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan” and some tips for remounting a dropped chain without mucking up your mitts).
And finally, the box that the wheels shipped in was ornamented by a cartoon drawn by the fabled Pineapple Bob himself. Go ahead, try not to smile. I dare you.
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Sweeeeet, Pat. At least he’s not going to out do you in the cartoon field. I read Maynard’s book “Tales from the bike shop”. I really enjoyed it. Have fun with the new wheels. You motivated me to get off my fat ass and break in one my new “Fat Guy” jerseys the other day. My old ‘cross bike is still groaning from the strain.
Oh my god! It’s a trend! Sure it starts out easy and simple, a bigger cog on the back, a smaller chain ring up front then maybe a triple and wheels with more of spokes. Denial is part of the game – oh this is all because winter isn’t over and the trails are in terrible shape.
But the darkness of the edge approaches with a seemingly innocent flirtation justified as business- I’ll just do this one tour, really what harm can that be and they are going to pay me. Just to blend in the helmet matches the rims.
But eventually the siren’s call is too strong. Oh Patrick has it come to this? Custom touring wheels and a subscription to Rivendell Reader?!
Just as I am getting in to cross. Is this were that road leads, stuff’d paniers, 36 spoke rims and brass nipples?
Oh the humanity!
Old racers don’t die, they just tour away…
WOW!! PB working at Rivendell….who woulda thunk it? I wonder if he still rides cross. If memory serves (and this may need to be aided by some other source) but he was a serious legend in these parts “back in the day.”
Oh, and awesome O’G that you have some wheels.
I wonder though about the thought process: “New wheels, new MacBook?”
Cross & Pin-up Legend!–Pineapple Bob graced many a Bridgestone Catalog and advert…good to hear ’bout him agin, ever notice how you never see Grant and Bob in the same room at the same time?
Doug, keep on keepin’ on. Trust me, the first ton is the hardest. And yeah, I remember Maynard’s bike-shop days. That was some good reading. I don’t have a copy of that one, but do have one of “Half-Wheel Hell.”
Ben, K, you need not fear. Today I took the Nobilette ’cross bike out for a two-hour ride that included the Fountain and Bear Creek trails, some single-track in Bear Creek West, Gold Camp Road (both paved and unpaved) and the descent of North Cheyenne Cañon followed by a road climb on 21st/Cresta, a quick zip through Bear Creek East and the Fountain Creek trail home. No granny ring, no panniers, and 32 spokes only.
James and rustlust, Pineapple Bob is indeed at Rivendell and still racing ’cross, if the staff directory is accurate. And the thought process re: wheels v. MacBook went like this: 13-inch MacBook, $1,159.99; new touring wheelset with 11-32 SRAM cassette, $370. It was a no-brainer. Laptops I got; touring wheels, I no got. Until now.
I gotcha Patrick. But I was think more along the lines of “shiny new techy thing” vs. “shiny, new soon to be dirty thing.” Nevertheless the choice was a good one. I love how the Riv is so old skool that they even have Tom Ritchey’s kid (?) working there….nice. And if you NEED a copy of “tales from the Bike Shop” just drop me a holler.
Lucky dog! I’m stuck with step-above-big-box wheels on my only running bike at the moment. Eventually I’ll get the touring bike back together and do some 200 km round trips to have lunch someplace that isn’t my kitchen.
The Hershon books are great reminders of the old daze when cycling was NOT “the new golf”.