I have certainly done some things I should have been shot at dawn for over the course of a long and avidly hedonistic lifetime, but ridding myself of all my tubular stuff hardly qualifies. I found that the ritual seasoning by hanging tires on rims and gluing the dratted things onto wheels (One is reminded here of Aldo Ross's' great line about Tubasti on the cat) was an irksome and messy chore that just sucked the enjoyment right out of cycling for me. I found life sufficiently complicated without intentionally making it more so. So what if tubulars have a somewhat better ride? I ride bikes that have a superb ride and find that entirely adequate without tubular tires. I ride to enjoy myself. Those things that detract from that enjoyment hardly seem worth such an investment in time and frustration. I have no quarrel with those who choose the more difficult route.I have done so in many things. Not Cycling. Well maybe not cycling: I do enjoy swimming against the current tide of public opinion in things from fixed gear to my love of Paramounts, and my overwhelming enthusiasm for North American built bicycles.
I guess those who would shoot me at dawn could at least offer me the courtesy of a last meal.
I will be available for such feting, preferably at the Carolina Brothers Bar-B-Que, during Cirque. Go ahead and fill me with ice cream (to those plying me with ice cream, I promise to show you something very cool that is somewhat bike related, and that you will not rest until you acquire!) and 'que. I promise to allow you to fire away tomorrow. Screw the bilindfold!
Tom Sanders
Lansing, MI USA