2008 is basically a blur today. Where did it go? Wow… it’s over. Incredible. I’m pretty much amazed. It was a good year, it was a bad year. I could spend hours recapping the trials and tribulations over the past year, but where would that get us? Bored? Happy? Tear-ee eyed? Who knows. It is what it is. I think 2009 will be good. I really do.
On a more specific topic – I rode my fixie yesterday. Why am I so drawn to fixed gear riding? I don’t know, I just love it. The pure simplicity, the “freedom” from bull shizzle. I don’t know. I really enjoy it. I love track racing and all, but there is something so pure about climbing on a fixie and taking off on the road. The hills hurt worse – but you don’t need as small a gear. Just when you think you can’t pedal any faster… you can. That yearly “oops” when you forget and try to coast, your real wheel comes off the ground and you save it like nothing happened … Inside you feel like a total beginner… but you just ride like it didn’t happen. You feel stupid… but soon after, you are relaxed and in your zone – it doesn’t happen again for another year or two… never having to think about changing gears. Never caring … just pedalling. Your legs work … or float… it’s so simple. (for total clarification, on the road I have a fixie w/2 brakes and don’t feel the need to ever ride without them.)
Maybe it goes back to when dad built me my nishiki paper route bike, a 1″ pitch fixie … or my pre-trackie days when I fantasized about racing track… I don’t know. I love it. I’ve kind of taken a twist in my fixism… a unicycle. It’s sort of the ultimate in minimalistic cycling. No brakes, 1 wheel, a seat… If/when I master the unicycle, I will probably have to try the Ultimate Wheel. (think unicycle without a seat… just a wheel).
Ah well… hopefully my unicycle makes it to Georgia before the weekend so I can practice my new found insanity!
You all have a great night… and a wonderful 2009. Hopefully in the not too distant future, I can tell you about riding around on my unicyle!
Happy New Year!