Sunday, March 1, 2009

Pair O' Country Bikes

Just after sunrise on Saturday morning, I walked into the kitchen for breakfast. Looking over to where I store my bikes (living room, of course), I noticed the light pouring in through the window. It was a pair o’ country bikes ready for service; one fixed wheel Kogswell P/R for simplicity and connectedness, and one Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen with more than enough low gears for hauling stuff over topographic humps. It was a lovely, heart warming sight.


They were ready, but I was not. My already excessive work week spilled over into the weekend. Before the weekend is over, I’ll be flying out of town for a few days. I’ll give you a hint, the travel is not for a bicycle tour. No riding for me for awhile. When I do have time to ride, it will feel like a fitness start-over…again. Until then, it will be simple frustration and perseveration.

Ironic, isn’t it? That which enables me to own this delightful pair o’ country bikes is the very thing that doesn’t allow me to enjoy them. They say that “time is money”. Well, I’m here to tell you that “money is not always time”.

2 comments:

  1. Any insight yet about comparative ride qualities? I certainly notice significant differences between the Bleriot and the LHT or the Crosscheck, but your 2 country bikes would seemingly be more similar. Or maybe not.

    And yes, what pays for the bikes keeps us from riding them. My meager tennis salary *does* help fund my fun, but today's 50F and sun held for a practice instead of a 20m commute home.

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  2. It's a little early to discuss in detail. I'll reply by saying that my intent was to have a pair of bikes that are very different so that I can enjoy the contrasts. The fundamental difference (besides gearing)was to be the low trail, front-loader approach of the Kogswell as compared to the higher trail, rear loader approach of the Rivendell. I absolutely can feel a difference and it is similar to that described by Jan Heine in Bicycle Quarterly. Still, I need more miles on the Rivendell and a few back-to-back rides to be more specific.

    In my ideal (over-simplified) world, I will be able to pick a favorite and pick one to keep. Somehow, that doesn't seem likely.

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