I love the shape of it. Aroma of it. The way it feels to be around it. It will catch my eye from across the way; I will be powerless to resist taking in its form and perhaps allow my hand to graze its surface. The source of such beauty and harmony, it is a fountain of unspeakable happiness.
It offers me companionship when I need it, solitude when I want to be alone. It distracts me when I’m trying to focus and focuses me when I am trying not to be distracted. It inspires me to take chances, and reminds me to be patient.
It breaks me down when I’m overconfident, it builds me up when I’m insecure. It brings me pain to remind me I should become a stronger man.
I love it when it’s flawless, but I love it more when it shows signs of wear; our time together has changed us both indelibly for the better.
It is no wonder the French and Italians refer to the bicycle in the feminine form, for all these things embody what it means to be a strong woman.
Women are made to be loved, not understood. -Oscar Wilde
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Bikes are pretty awesome, yes. They have brought us all here together, haven't they? Like @scaler911 said in another thread, all these bikes and this website have brought around some people I'd call friends over the past year.
However, I think I'm more in on the side of non-fetishizing the bike, sort of as ChrisO described. I certainly 'love' my bikes, but I see them more as tools. And while I take great care of my bikes, I am also not afraid to get them dirty, take them of the tarmac, and otherwise accept my current #1 isn't my first bike and won't be my last.
And while I take great pains to keep it nice and have curated what I think is a very nice riding and look looking, if budget, ride - I'm not going to exactly be sad when it comes time for an upgrade either.
What I do find interesting in this sport, however, is the link between man and machine, both in the physical and emotional sense. If something is off in this link, you'll be having a hard day in the saddle, that's for sure.
@Nate
I was going to mention Santa Cruz, but most of their crazies are far and away more grounded than those in Berkeley.
I think one of the things that really ties us to our machines is that they are all - to a great extent - customized. Many may have begun "of the rack" but have been tweaked, upgraded, and most importantly, set up to fit just one person. This isn't just shifting a seat forwards or backwards and adjusting a rear view mirror, these are the mechanical equivalent of a custom-made suit. It fits only one person and no-one else. If someone messed wih our bkes, we would know it instantly.
Most of us could, if pressed, give a component-by-component breakdown of each of our rides. We feel close to our machines because they reflect us to an incredible degree - our likes, preferences, body geometry, financial status, and level of commitment.
Collin is spot on and the guy who loves his car does so because it can't tell him how it really feels about that bumfluff thing on his upper lip.
I have a love affair with my helmets. And would like to start dating this new one named Gage.
Right on.
Today I rode to work and have worn faint a smile all morning due, in no small pert, to the scent of chain lube that graces my office and the occasional glance over my right shoulder to my steed. The anticipation of taking 'the long way' home tonight barely needs mention.
(Thankfully, my stinky shoes are in another part of the building. After too many closely spaced Rule 9 rides, these shoes have taken on a powerful funk as none have before. Do the assembled have any good advice on how to address this? Sometimes Rule 5 is not enough.)
@Jamie
Take on a second pair of shoes and rotate. Change the foot bed.
@The Oracle
Whoops,typo. By "CX" I mean, "XC." I love my XC rig, in all its dual suspension, 120mm travel, 26lb goodness.
I don't have a CX, because adding a CX would get me KO'd by the VMH.
@Jamie
Try dumping a bunch of baking power (Arm & Hammer) in them and leaving them overnight, then dump out the next day and shake out any excess. That may help to absorb some of the funk and excess moisture.
Also try replacing the insoles if they are removable.
@Jamie
I agree with what @versio said about changing the footbeds. If you can't take a second pair of shoes, this will help heaps. If your shoes are like mine and not fully real leather, you can just toss 'em in the washmachine with your kit (make sure spin cycle is on) after your last ride before a rest day. Leave 'em fully open for at least a full day (preferably near warmth) and they'll be good as new after.
(BTW, I wash all my clothes in cold water.)