[CR]Re: now: what now? Bike limiting: a Jerry McGuire approach

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot)

From: <"richardsachs@juno.com">
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2005 22:02:39 GMT
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re: now: what now? Bike limiting: a Jerry McGuire approach


the short answer:
I'M OVERWHELMED BY EXCESSIVE CONTENT.
e-RICHIE
chester, ct


-- r garni wrote:


> hindered by holding
> on to so much of my past.

Dear RS,

I am not sure what you mean by this ... do you mean financially, in terms of attention devoted to, or one's ability to be overwhelmed by excessive content (of anything)? Or that attention to the past is prohibiting you from bikes of the present/future?

Off Topic Aside (please forgive me): I read an article on Brian Eno some years ago and was surprised to discover that he only owned two keyboards: a mini moog and AKS synthesizer. His theory was that there was more to be gained by devoting one's attention undivided to a few things than scattering it among many upon many; also, in his words, "there isn't enough time in life to master one instrument, much less a bank of them."

Granted, a surplus quantity of bicycles doesn't prohibit one from being a better rider. Nor should a builder devote his life to one frame. But I am lately of the mind (probably very unpopular on this list) to explore the idea of having a limited number of complete vintage bikes (I have far fewer than most anyway) and a cache of parts that could be used among if not all, at least a good number. This of course flies in the face of period correct, particularly if you are dealing with a particular bicycle that was fitted with very specific parts (for example PX 10s) but I wouldn't probably switch that out anyway. Is this financial sour grapes? Sheer laziness? (quite possible that one) If I were rich, would I just damn the torpedos? I don't know, but I do seem to think that there can be a law of diminishing returns on ownership, particularly with bicycles, that require maintenance and of course lovin' (sorry, riding.) Financially, too, I like the idea of making an annual event of switching out frames, considering the bicycle a modular device rather than one that is complete and unalterable unto intself and the year of its conception.

It's a way of always having the ability to have a new "bike" without always buying one (I tend to forget rather quickly) and also a way of not spending virtually every cent on trying to maintain those bicycles that I do have (the kids keep on nagging me about having to eat, slightly annoying.)

Anyway, a sacriledge, perhaps, but not my only sin today. I mean, I am at work, I should be working!

Ricky Garni Carrboro, NC

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