Scratching an Itch
Nope, this isn't another post about road rash, although I could make it one if you'd prefer.
Rather, this is about consumerism, specifically as it relates to me and bikes.
When I found a crack in my rear carbon wheel, I contacted John Neugent to see if I could get a replacement rim. I also inquired idly about getting another rear wheel, just in case this happened again. Then I checked Amazon and eBay for other options. Then I did a Google search to see what the going rate was for various manufacturers and models. Then I checked various US and UK sites to see if there were any significant sales going on. The results were then cross-checked with various review sites and entered into a spreadsheet so that I could make an informed decision about a wheel I don't really need.
I have a set of Cane Creek carbon tubular wheels that are my race spares. I have a front Zipp 404 tubular for my TT bike that is a quick release away from being called into service. I have a Chinese carbon rear wheel that carried my bloated ass to two recent sprint victories. I have a reasonable expectation that my race wheelset will once again be whole before the Tour of Anchorage kicks off.
I have a problem.
I've wasted hours shopping for a new computer with adequate processing and graphics capability to run Zwift for me next winter while I sweat in the garage on the trainer. To put this in perspective, this expensive piece of technology will have no other purpose than running a program so I can sweat in a virtual world 60-90 minutes a day, 6 days a week, 6-7 months a year. Otherwise it will sit idle. No child will compose the thesis that will ensure a full-ride scholarship to an ivy league university on this device. No work, shopping, interweb surfing, or communications with long-neglected family and friends will tax its CPU. Not even porn. Nope, this will be dedicated to nothing but the honorable and worthwhile purpose of making me marginally less-sucky at a sport that has never brought me much more than additional debt and the odd endorphin rush.
After reflection, I've been able to resist scratching these itches. Maybe it's because I am spending more time actually riding than I am thinking about riding. This and my usual behavior patterns don't bode well for when the snow falls, but maybe the application of sound reasoning and a conservative fiscal policy will prevent me from putting my great-grandchildren further in debt.
At least I hope so, because nothing feels as satisfying as scratching a persistent itch.
Rather, this is about consumerism, specifically as it relates to me and bikes.
When I found a crack in my rear carbon wheel, I contacted John Neugent to see if I could get a replacement rim. I also inquired idly about getting another rear wheel, just in case this happened again. Then I checked Amazon and eBay for other options. Then I did a Google search to see what the going rate was for various manufacturers and models. Then I checked various US and UK sites to see if there were any significant sales going on. The results were then cross-checked with various review sites and entered into a spreadsheet so that I could make an informed decision about a wheel I don't really need.
I have a set of Cane Creek carbon tubular wheels that are my race spares. I have a front Zipp 404 tubular for my TT bike that is a quick release away from being called into service. I have a Chinese carbon rear wheel that carried my bloated ass to two recent sprint victories. I have a reasonable expectation that my race wheelset will once again be whole before the Tour of Anchorage kicks off.
I have a problem.
I've wasted hours shopping for a new computer with adequate processing and graphics capability to run Zwift for me next winter while I sweat in the garage on the trainer. To put this in perspective, this expensive piece of technology will have no other purpose than running a program so I can sweat in a virtual world 60-90 minutes a day, 6 days a week, 6-7 months a year. Otherwise it will sit idle. No child will compose the thesis that will ensure a full-ride scholarship to an ivy league university on this device. No work, shopping, interweb surfing, or communications with long-neglected family and friends will tax its CPU. Not even porn. Nope, this will be dedicated to nothing but the honorable and worthwhile purpose of making me marginally less-sucky at a sport that has never brought me much more than additional debt and the odd endorphin rush.
After reflection, I've been able to resist scratching these itches. Maybe it's because I am spending more time actually riding than I am thinking about riding. This and my usual behavior patterns don't bode well for when the snow falls, but maybe the application of sound reasoning and a conservative fiscal policy will prevent me from putting my great-grandchildren further in debt.
At least I hope so, because nothing feels as satisfying as scratching a persistent itch.
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