RE: [CR]JRA (Just Riding Around)

(Example: Bike Shops)

From: "Roman Stankus" <rstankus@mindspring.com>
To: "'Chuck Schmidt'" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>, "'CR RENDEZVOUS'" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: RE: [CR]JRA (Just Riding Around)
Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2006 08:08:06 -0500
In-Reply-To: <59D6E530-C880-4605-AE46-2C8BF6D3E731@earthlink.net>
Thread-Index: Acckxob5L7Mo2qS/QqiW4+fHfOMOlAAOKk5A


We must have a different definition of "just riding around" if JRA is defined as riding a fixed gear 48x16.

Riding with gears would be my preferred JRA and the modern stuff is easier, safer, etc. from a user standpoint - but JRA is rarely a long endurance event so practicality has little to do with it in the end. It comes down to the image you want to project to those that will be seeing you - bike fashion if you will (ie: fixed gear 48x16). Ride what makes you feel good! That's what it's all about. It's all subjective stuff. I find that my persona adjusts to the bike I'm riding so we'll be "in sync".

Roman "multiple bike personality" Stankus Atlanta, Ga USA

-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Chuck Schmidt Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 1:09 AM To: CR RENDEZVOUS Subject: [CR]JRA (Just Riding Around)

A friend wrote me this today...

"Bikes improve, but they were nearly perfect by the end of the century before last... and these improvements have been mainly in the

"gadgetry" like the shifting and stopping. Not in the JRA (Just Riding Around) where 99% of the cycling experience happens. Look at a 34 year old (Colango) Super as the case in point. In fact the JRA has had to suffer for those other advances!!!"

Strikes a real cord with me because my daily riding these days is done mostly on three 48x16 fixed gear bikes; those or my mid-70s road

bikes (my Ergo and STI equipped bikes languish unridden for years at a time)!

Déjà vu all over again? Preaching to the choir? Comments?

Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, CA USA
http://www.velo-retro.com (reprints, t-shirts & timelines)