tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306946217995521362.post3160592449065453555..comments2023-06-01T08:39:31.363-07:00Comments on Veloquent: Too Many Options?Kent Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01607372827627527450noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306946217995521362.post-50955558840573675582009-02-19T21:06:00.000-08:002009-02-19T21:06:00.000-08:00Once I went to fixed-gear, I found myself paying l...Once I went to fixed-gear, I found myself paying less attention to the machine and more to the world it was carrying me through--it became a "vehicle" in a larger sense of the word. It augmented me, amplifying my power as a walker in the same way--legs move faster to go faster; legs move slower to go slower. I still use a brake for the occasional emergency or steep downhill.<BR/><BR/>Riding about 600 miles a month lately, most in heavy LA traffic, some in hills, all fixed. Some of those miles are indeed slower than they would be on a road bike. I like it that way. Get to see more of life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306946217995521362.post-5817231410122854822009-01-26T16:36:00.000-08:002009-01-26T16:36:00.000-08:00Hey, Dr. Codfish, excellent points! I think maybe...Hey, Dr. Codfish, excellent points! I think maybe we agree. My point is that we (most of us) already have the options before us. Making a choice to eliminate some of these that serve as distractions might allow us to focus on things of greater value.<BR/><BR/>For me, television was a time-consuming curse that was difficult to resist. Eliminating television from my life has promoted better serving others. Others might not have a television issue, but maybe one with work hours, or buying stuff,...or riding a bicycle. Maybe there is something to be said for building extra defenses against personal weaknesses. Maybe that is one way to respond to the options that are already there.Ponderohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16042079750126434523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306946217995521362.post-21189702050418067342009-01-26T11:13:00.000-08:002009-01-26T11:13:00.000-08:00"I wonder if the same disciplined approach to remo..."I wonder if the same disciplined approach to remove options in other areas of life would build in me a stronger character and make me a more skillful friend"<BR/><BR/>With all due respect, not to be argumentative, just being philsophical here, other caveats as appropriate, consider this:<BR/><BR/>How does removing options build a stronger character? With no choices, no options, there are really no temptations to test your character. <BR/><BR/>Does the person with only bread and water in the cupboard have a stronger character than the person who chooses the bread and water over the marzipan, tendeloin, cheetos that sit along side the bread and water?<BR/><BR/>It's not the options that lay before you, but how you respond to them that define your character. <BR/><BR/>Just sayin'<BR/><BR/>Yr pal Dr CodfishAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306946217995521362.post-25524330830271202982009-01-13T18:05:00.000-08:002009-01-13T18:05:00.000-08:00It would be interesting to extend this question of...It would be interesting to extend this question of too much choice to those who work in the bike industry:<BR/><BR/>1. How many of you ride single-speed or fixed-gear bikes as your primary bike?<BR/><BR/>2. How many bikes do you own, and how often do you ride each per month?<BR/><BR/>Just curious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306946217995521362.post-13609002655299581292009-01-13T08:54:00.000-08:002009-01-13T08:54:00.000-08:00LOL, Christopher, funny how cows are never impress...LOL, Christopher, funny how cows are never impressed, no matter how fast you go or how nice a bike you have...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306946217995521362.post-55621590198606665212009-01-12T14:45:00.000-08:002009-01-12T14:45:00.000-08:00Yes,Craig,I hear you.I'm old and mostly ride rural...Yes,Craig,I hear you.I'm old and mostly ride rural roads.As much as I try to flaunt the fixed-wheel fashion,the cows are not impressed.Maybe It's my brakes.Ponderohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16042079750126434523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306946217995521362.post-23797596302952567242009-01-12T13:03:00.000-08:002009-01-12T13:03:00.000-08:00This article reminds me of a saying my friends and...This article reminds me of a saying my friends and I have "Single Speed, Single Mind"<BR/><BR/>While I whole heartedly agree with simplicity, I have to say removing the option of coasting on a bike has always made me nervous. Now, don't get me wrong, as an old track racer, I think a fixed gear has it's place, and I pedaled many a mile in training on my old track bike on the road. Not to mention countless hours going in circles on a track.<BR/><BR/>However, this new trend of fixed gears as being fashionable (not that I'm accusing you of this, just something I've noticed in the city the last few years) is something I could never wrap my head around. <BR/><BR/>Riding in traffic on busy roads, without the benefit of brakes or coasting seems like taking simplicity a little too far. On the track or a training ride out on the highway where everyone in the group is on a similar ride makes sense. But I've always appreciated having the ability to slam on the brakes and go sideways when needed in traffic. Now, I suppose you could do this on a fixed gear if you were good, but more likely you may just end up going over the handle bars...or into that door opening in front of you.<BR/><BR/>For me these days, I ride a single speed coaster brake bike. I guess I've added two more layers of complexity over a fixed gear, but I appreciate them. Or maybe I'm just getting old?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306946217995521362.post-49408420522606497302009-01-11T06:29:00.000-08:002009-01-11T06:29:00.000-08:00Yes, Crosius, I think so. I quickly scanned the a...Yes, Crosius, I think so. I quickly scanned the article and plan to study it closer. Thanks for the link. Maybe the goal is not convenience and comfort. Maybe service, for example, is a better direction.Ponderohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16042079750126434523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306946217995521362.post-88217386018887323862009-01-10T21:07:00.000-08:002009-01-10T21:07:00.000-08:00You might be talking about the "tyranny of choice....You might be talking about the "tyranny of choice."<BR/><BR/>Discussed in this article (<A HREF="http://www.swarthmore.edu/SocSci/bschwar1/Sci.Amer.pdf" REL="nofollow">PDF</A>)<BR/><BR/>The gist: Too much choice becomes a source of stress, diffuses our energies, limits our ability to achieve and reduces our happiness.<BR/><BR/>Ideas pop up everywhere when they're ripe, it seems.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17769109433092224549noreply@blogger.com