It's a question that we get all the time. My annual eye exam was today, and was making small talk with the .....what would you call her.... Occular assistant? Anyway, when the topic of my chosen line of work comes up she says "why are bikes so expensive?" My response to her was "They're not". I've gone to this eye doc for years, and I'm sure that there are many in town that are less expensive. I go to this one because of the service, and quality of care. Your money buys more bike now than it ever has. So why do people think bikes are expensive? The price of everything around them goes up in price, yet bike prices should stay the same? Not logical. I think the real issue is the way people view bikes. They're considered toys. Go and try to find one in one of the big box stores. Know where they are? Right next to the Barbies. A well made bicycle is a joy to ride, will work as (or better than) you expect it to and last a...
So, Kev and I lit out this morning for our semi-regular Saturday social ride. As we made our way around to Perimeter we saw another cyclist in the distance. My first thought usually would have been to try to chase him down. I let it go as we were having a nice leisurely ride. Then we started gaining ground. Uh oh. Now, catching him isn't the story......because we did. It was what we saw. It was an older fellow. Cycling shorts? Yes. Jersey? Yes. Helmet? Of course. Magna? YES. Magna. That staple of the mega marts. It was a girls bike. It was way too small. I said my "good morning" as we rode past. It was obvious he was having just as much fun as we were. And I say good for him. Ride on!
I want to start by saying, I like the Tour. I like most bike racing really. From the 1 day classics to the lunacy that is the greatest 3 week reality show on television. It is a testament to what professionals can do on a bicycle. I do tire of this idea that because we may want to make our bicycles a little more useful with a rack, fenders, bags or even (god forbid) a basket we are somehow "fringe". Do you know what is fringe? Bike racing. Of all of the people in all of the world, bike racers are the minority. Don't forget it. Just a little perspective during the first week of the greatest show on Earth. Have a great 4th. Ride on!
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