Simple cycling
My ride in today was perfect. Around 20 degrees, so I wasn’t hot or cold, little or no wind to slow me down, and it seemed like almost every traffic light was in my favour.
All of this is out of my control. Some days it’s the complete opposite.. Freezing cold, or boiling hot with a strong head wind and having to stop and start constantly at the lights. It’s nice when things just work out though. Gives you a real big boost for the day!
One thing that is in my control is the bike that I ride. For those that know bikes, it’s a Haro Mary SS. In it’s standard form it’s a 29er, but with smaller tyres for commuting it’s more like a 28er. I run carbon forks on it too for a bit of forgiveness over the bumps. The most important thing though, is that it’s a singlespeed. I first made a singlespeed about four years ago when I wanted to start riding to work in the city. Back then I spaced a 9-speed hub with one cog and did it the cheap way just to try it. Within one ride I was convinced… The best way to commute is on a singlespeed (assuming it’s relatively flat for your commute). Since then I’ve had four singlespeed bikes.
The simplicity is awesome. You’re never in the wrong gear, your chain never comes off, it’s quiet, you get better pedalling efficiency, and it requires much less maintenance and just makes you feel more in tune to the bike. You’ll find within weeks you’ll be much stronger in the legs too!
To quote the great man Sheldon Brown:
Riding a singlespeed can help bring back the unfettered joy you experienced riding your bike as a child. You don’t realize how much mental energy you devote to shifting until you relinquish your derailers, and discover that a whole corner of your brain that was formerly wondering when to shift is now free to enjoy your surroundings and sensations.
I’ve got great tyres on my bike too. Continental CountryRIDE’s. I’ve pulled all sorts out of these tyres now, and still haven’t had a flat. Usually saying that sort of thing is bad karma and you’ll get a flat on the ride home, but I know I won’t. This helps even more with commuting, when you’re not thinking 100% about the riding. It’s less of a concern if you ride over some glass or a three corner jack.
It’s taken me a long time, but I’ve learned that the trick to commuting on a bike and enjoying it is to set yourself up on a simple bike. Make it comfortable, sure, but keep it simple and it will reward you in more ways than one.
Ride on.