Pragmatic cycling

[geocycle]

Ive just read a book that might interest forum folk.  It's called Just Ride by Grant Petersen. It debunks some of the mythology behind cycling. I don't agree with all he says but there are some interesting points of view. I liked the comment that a bicycle is the only form of transport where weight is stated without including the engine!

[Danneaux]

Hi, Geo' and All!

Thanks for flagging this for us.

In the very best of ways, Grant Petersen remains an original in an industry that seems to become more homogenized by the year. He has never been afraid or reluctant to go his own way, and this was reflected in his product designs while at Bridgestone and later at his own venture, Rivendell Bicycle Works. I was a charter member of the iBOBS after Piaw Na started the list and I seem to have one of the last remaining physical repositories of the old Rivendell Readers, house organ and sometimes business and personal diary Grant has published over the years since starting Rivendell. 'Even have a number of the old, original BOB mailings and paper newsletters, thanks to a long-ago kindness by talented artist Tim Mitoma who used to occasionally produce artwork for Grant. Sheldon Brown borrowed my summary of "What a BOB is". I wrote it as the welcome for new iBOB members and Sheldon posted it on his site under a different title, as he did several of my works in whole or part: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/whatthehellisabob.html If you're interested in the remarkable coincidences that can arise from listserv and forum connections, a related story is here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4295.msg19887#msg19887

Many of Grant's ideas are insightful, nearly all useful to a degree, and I can almost guarantee a few will have you shaking your head in wonder and amazement (both good and bad; just as Grant would likely wish it...means his readers and customers are *thinking*). He puts a great deal of thought into things himself. Sometimes the outcomes are spectacularly good...other times not so much. What they are is interesting and thought-provoking and well-intentioned, and we surely need more of that in this world.

I've never agreed with all Grant has to say, but I've picked up a few gems from him along the way, and his is a badly needed voice in the industry. I think pretty much everyone in the industry recognizes his value in that way, and appreciates him for it. He's made a real contribution to bicycling over the last 25 or so years and is a very interesting fellow.

Those who have not yet purchased his book can pick up some of the flavor by reading the last couple Rivendell Readers, available online for free for the first time as online and downloadable PDFs here:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BzehUKAztnO8YjJiNWY0OGItY2ViNS00MDE5LWFmOWUtZTdhMDIyZDAxMDU0
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BzehUKAztnO8ZjdhMmY3YmEtZmM0Ny00OTY0LThiOTItMjEzNWZlYjMxOTIx

If this is your first-time using GoogleDocs, you may need to sign-in with your Gmail or other Google ID, but there is no fee. A good read awaits.

Best,

Dan.

[George Edward]

Well It is interesting post . well i think that he has more focus on the the using bike rather than bicycle when i not agree with him because bike is more dangerous during riding as compared with bicycle which he has mentioned in his book named " Just ride" . People who have written might also throw light over his views in his book .

[triaesthete]

Thanks for flagging those links up Dan, I really enjoyed the Rivendell readers, paticularly on Beausage and field repairs. Opinionated gold and all the better for it in this age of shallow advertorial.

Cheers
Ian

[RobertL]

The Brooks flyer prompted me to buy the book which I am enjoying. The discussion on clothes really clicked for me. I am certainly tending to revert to normal clothes and flat pedals despite a 20 mile ride. A merino base still makes sense, and may invest in a pair of work style bike city trousers - but will definitely try and lay off the lycra. Also stick to merino wool gloves in the cold. This may allow me to use just a zipped roll (Carradice) and not carry a bunch of non bike clothes in a large saddle bag. The philosophy of making sure you can use the bike without the ritual of changing into bike clothes is very refreshing. The short chapter mode is also good, well written - clearly a lot of thought went into editing the book down. Dan thank you for posting the other links.

[Andre Jute]

Ah, Dan, I knew your name was familiar!

I love Grant Petersen. I probably won't ever have any of his bikes, because of the cost of getting them here, but what he says all alone often makes so much more sense than ten thousand voices thoughtlessly chanting the conventional cycling wisdom.

What's not often mentioned about Grant is that he has excellent aesthetic sense. Not his commitment to lugged frames even at this late date.

Andre Jute

[JWestland]

I went from Dutch style cycling (heavy roadster, normal clothes, flat pedals) to more UK cycling (SPDs, a fixed wheel along with the XTC, and wearing normal trousers but a cycling top for work).

Once I got a singlespeed and noticed how less drag it had compared by my 20 kg child carrying roadster something tweaked. To go fixed you need toecages/straps or SPDs. I got hooked to SPDs...and now use mountainbiking shoes/pedals.

There you go. I still think bikes should be able to carry things, be not too nervy and refuse to break down when used for commuting purposes.

So, I don't see myself giving up the XTC any time soon as you can take it anywhere (for people that have the cash I would recommend a tourer over a hybrid) and the Dutch utility cycling blood is still in me.

With a bit of UK culture

[il padrone]

The discussion on clothes really clicked for me. I am certainly tending to revert to normal clothes and flat pedals despite a 20 mile ride. A merino base still makes sense, and may invest in a pair of work style bike city trousers - but will definitely try and lay off the lycra.....

....The philosophy of making sure you can use the bike without the ritual of changing into bike clothes is very refreshing.

This is what I have been doing for the past 8 years on my 10 km each-way commute. When I get to work I have a quick wipe down or sparrow bath (depending on the season) and change my cycling shoes for regular shoes (I can't do without the cleated SPDs these days  ) and then put on a jacket or jumper if it's a cool day. I use the merino for a nice base-layer that prevents too much perspiration and pong in my shirts, and wear either Ground Effect Ranchsliders, Showerspass Hybrid Zip-offs or Rapha City  Trousers - each of which has advantages and disadvantages for cycling. I most love the Showerspass Hybrid Zip-offs for comfort, wearability and a surprisingly good look, as told by a number of other non-cycling colleagues.