If something gets in your way, turn

Above is an amazing image I came across the other day while scouring the internet in an attempt to reacquaint myself with the fixed gear and single-speed bike culture. Those of you who have relied on a bike to get you from point A to B can appreciate this: the determined rider, the fact that a map doesn't necessarily only belong in a car, a simple mechanism working incredibly well. Here we have the most legitimate form of transportation in my opinion. I am one less car.

If you've been following along with me in blogland you'll know that while in Chicago I prowled the city streets to and fro in all sorts of weather on a beat-up Schwinn LeTour that was converted into a fixed gear. Wait, let's have a look at her...



..aah, memories. She sleeps in my parent's basement. This bike got me where I needed to be when I needed to be there. Flat tire, fixed it on S. Michigan Ave, made it to work on time. Back wheel loosened up a bit causing the chain to lose tension, flipped the bike over are retightened on the corner of Division and Ashland, made it home in time to catch the first pitch on WGN. If it broke I fixed it, usually without the help of anyone but little old me, all part of the beauty. This relationship I forged was put on hold when I packed up and moved abroad. I don't like to admit it but I've been a bus rider for the past 3 months. I don't like it. I don't like it one bit.

Last week something in me snapped. It seriously only took the temperature to slightly increase and one minute of peeking around Fixed Gear Gallery for me to decide that I'm back in the game. No, I don't have a bike here yet but I'm back into it. I'm planning and plotting moves. The cranks in my head are turning, not coasting, continuously spinning. I'm sweating again. I'm out of breath again. I'm leaving the house early just to have extra time to ride and take in a beautiful morning. I feel this.