I'm a fuel-injected suicide machine!
Brownie points to whoever can cite the movie reference in the title.
Went on a night ride at Theo with Shad and Mara last night. I'm so glad I finally have a decent, reliable light system. I intend to get full use out of it now that the first day of fall is here. It's nice to know that I can see well enough to ride just as fast at night as I can during the day.
Fall, as most would agree, is just a great time of year for riding. Crisp, cooler air, changing leaves ... what's not to love?
Of course, as group rides go conversation was in abundance, one reason I keep saying I'm going to do less group riding and more solo riding ... it often means the difference between a 3 hour ride and a 1 1/2 hour ride. Yet, I digress.
The topic of the night was technology, one of my old favorites. I've always been more pro-technology than not. Mara, on the other hand, is much more in favor of limiting technology (heck, she almost exclusively rides her SS rigid On One now). But, I think we both understand each other. Shad said he's pro-technology as long as it's not used for evil. OK, a bit needlessly metaphysical, Shad, but we'll get back to that one.
As with all significant matters, the question of technology, it's use, abuse and meaning for humanity is explored only about one level down by most. I would guess a good 80 percent of the populace really only thinks about it to the level of "I think technology is good" or "I think technology is bad." Off-road cyclists have a unique understanding of the issue, however.
You have to be more intimate with technology if you want to be good at the sport. There are the eternal debates: hard tail vs. full suspension, singlespeed vs. gears, aluminum vs. steel, 26 inch wheels vs. 29 inch wheels. Pick any physical aspect of a bike and you'll find a debate about it.
The really interesting thing, of course, is that we test all our theories every ride. A bike technology debate on the MORC forums can be one of the most informative, reasoned and practical discourses anyone will ever see. Anyone can have an opinion on something, but you can really know something when you back up or modify your opinion based on real-world testing.
In that, all of us are true practitioners of technology. We use and understand the technology of biking because it's what we work with. Because of this, few of us end up being "stuck" on a ride because we've brought tools with us to fix whatever mechanical problem we've encountered. We are empowered by our technology yet are also in control of it. We're not held captive to it.
Technological abuse is a side-effect of technological ignorance. When someone uses a tool they don't understand, that tool will be misused resulting in damage to the tool or the environment around it. If you are ignorant of your front brake accounting for 80-90 % of your braking power you'll abuse the rear brake, causing you to skid out-of-control and add needless wear and tear on the trail. If you are ignorant of how your suspension works, you'll believe your bike can "hit" anything, so your suspension will constantly bottom-out, your frame will be over-stressed and you'll risk serious injury when your head tube snaps in two.
If you are ignorant of trail design, sustainability and the whole process by which trails are built you are at the mercy of others. You are not in control.
Get involved. Be informed. Test your theories and understand your technology. Otherwise, you're stuck 15 miles from home with a flat tire and no spare tubes.
Went on a night ride at Theo with Shad and Mara last night. I'm so glad I finally have a decent, reliable light system. I intend to get full use out of it now that the first day of fall is here. It's nice to know that I can see well enough to ride just as fast at night as I can during the day.
Fall, as most would agree, is just a great time of year for riding. Crisp, cooler air, changing leaves ... what's not to love?
Of course, as group rides go conversation was in abundance, one reason I keep saying I'm going to do less group riding and more solo riding ... it often means the difference between a 3 hour ride and a 1 1/2 hour ride. Yet, I digress.
The topic of the night was technology, one of my old favorites. I've always been more pro-technology than not. Mara, on the other hand, is much more in favor of limiting technology (heck, she almost exclusively rides her SS rigid On One now). But, I think we both understand each other. Shad said he's pro-technology as long as it's not used for evil. OK, a bit needlessly metaphysical, Shad, but we'll get back to that one.
As with all significant matters, the question of technology, it's use, abuse and meaning for humanity is explored only about one level down by most. I would guess a good 80 percent of the populace really only thinks about it to the level of "I think technology is good" or "I think technology is bad." Off-road cyclists have a unique understanding of the issue, however.
You have to be more intimate with technology if you want to be good at the sport. There are the eternal debates: hard tail vs. full suspension, singlespeed vs. gears, aluminum vs. steel, 26 inch wheels vs. 29 inch wheels. Pick any physical aspect of a bike and you'll find a debate about it.
The really interesting thing, of course, is that we test all our theories every ride. A bike technology debate on the MORC forums can be one of the most informative, reasoned and practical discourses anyone will ever see. Anyone can have an opinion on something, but you can really know something when you back up or modify your opinion based on real-world testing.
In that, all of us are true practitioners of technology. We use and understand the technology of biking because it's what we work with. Because of this, few of us end up being "stuck" on a ride because we've brought tools with us to fix whatever mechanical problem we've encountered. We are empowered by our technology yet are also in control of it. We're not held captive to it.
Technological abuse is a side-effect of technological ignorance. When someone uses a tool they don't understand, that tool will be misused resulting in damage to the tool or the environment around it. If you are ignorant of your front brake accounting for 80-90 % of your braking power you'll abuse the rear brake, causing you to skid out-of-control and add needless wear and tear on the trail. If you are ignorant of how your suspension works, you'll believe your bike can "hit" anything, so your suspension will constantly bottom-out, your frame will be over-stressed and you'll risk serious injury when your head tube snaps in two.
If you are ignorant of trail design, sustainability and the whole process by which trails are built you are at the mercy of others. You are not in control.
Get involved. Be informed. Test your theories and understand your technology. Otherwise, you're stuck 15 miles from home with a flat tire and no spare tubes.
posted by Chris Druckenmiller | 8:23 AM
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