Karate Monkey
The Red Trek is in the shop for its annual wheel truing and brake adjustment. I have never been good at either activity, even when I did my own bike maintenance on a regular basis. For 35 dollars and a week of time without my roadie I am happy to leave her with trained professionals at Big Shark Bicycles, and look forward to being able to stop with confidence, and I am sure the neighbors will be happy to not have me squealing down the hill at 7 am. Being without my trusty road bike has left me with a tough choice. Do I ride the Easton mountain bike or my housemate's Surly cruiser, the Karate Monkey? Since I am not Landon, with superhuman abilities, and the constant desire, to jump off, over and on to just about anything, the mtb just isn't practical in town, so the KM it is. With only one speed (32x20), a long wheel-base, 700cm wheels, and a very relaxed seat-tube angle I feel like I am riding the Cadillac ElDorado of bicycles. Despite her lack of tall gearing and its non-aerodynamic riding position I have enjoyed myself quite a bit on her. She's not bad for the run to the washateria and she is far superior to driving a car to work, and to be honest, its kind of fun to just relax and enjoy a more sedate pace on the daily rides. I have noticed more details in the gardens and houses along my route than I have in the past, well worth the extra 5 or 10 minutes it takes to get to work, or to get home. Sometimes, slow is good. Bicycles Uber Alles.
posted by dr lothar at 10:03 AM
2 Comments:
I have been jonesing for a cruiser for that same reason, slow, laid back riding. Unfortunately riding has taken second seat to med school, which is likely no surprise to anyone. So, for now I have to be happy with thrashing the urban hucker (single speed chameleon) in five minute bursts and hope the campus security doesn't holler at me for trying to "break" the pop-up sprinkler heads. Yeah, they already tried to tell me that my 22 pound bike was likely to break these. I let them know that I was certain the 500lb lawnmower with spinning metal blades was much more likely to do the damage. If they really wanted to save the sprinkler heads they should probably go after the grounds keepers. Thankfully they stopped short of tackling me, though I was told that they were "watching me." Nice huh? Nothing like a couple of over eager police officer wannabees trying to strong arm the kid that is paying +30K to make sure they have a job. Okay, I'm done now.
Anyway glad the cruiser is treating you right. peace T
3:36 PM
Not sure where to post this but I wanted to ask if anyone has heard of National Clicks?
Can someone help me find it?
Overheard some co-workers talking about it all week but didn't have time to ask so I thought I would post it here to see if someone could help me out.
Seems to be getting alot of buzz right now.
Thanks
3:32 AM
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