I was searching this group for a specific query when I stumbled upon this thread so excuse the revival here but it was very heartening.
Last week I brought my bike in for a stem swap (shoulder problem, need something shorter) and found out over the weekend that the old stem is frozen (among other issues). Given that I’ve had the bike almost 15 years, and haven’t had a proper overhaul in nearly as long, I was in a real funk about this all day. It’s a costly and time-consuming repair, and I may be sans bike for a few weeks. All day I thought: How could this happen? I’m responsible! I’ve worked in bike shops! I maintain the fine things in my care! Then I read the accounts in this thread and it made me feel a lot better. This is a bike I paid for in installments, it is the first truly fine bike I’ve ever owned. And in the ensuing years I’ve ridden it daily in all manner of weather, left it out overnight after having one too many on too many occasions, and put it through a litany of errands and adventures. It’s like the Argo or Washington’s axe: I’ve replaced things here and there, it’s had many different looks and set-ups, but always the same great ride. And ultimately, this is the point of having a great bike: it’s fantastic every time. So thanks everyone for inadvertently reassuring me that a seized stem isn’t the end of the world (though it sucks). On Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 7:38:42 PM UTC-5 Jason Fuller wrote: > I do like that sentiment. In the spirit of avoiding being too precious to > use the bike as much as it should be, I sold the Charlie Gallop because I > finally accepted that it was basically my other Riv(s) but I was just more > willing to lock it up (within reason). It wasn't a good enough reason for > the Hillborne or Bombadil to stay home. > > It seems like the Hillborne is the more logical equivalent to the Charlie, > but given the way I had the Charlie set up (as more of a city hybrid kind > of bike) I'm tailoring the Bombadil for the job - it's received a pannier > rack and some stickers; the latter probably doesn't do anything other than > signal to my brain that this is a modest bike, regardless of its pedigree > or value. It has also received some bike rack scuffs. > > On Thu, Nov 17, 2022 at 3:32 PM John Dewey <john...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Indeed, those Seven Sisters just up the hill. >> >> On Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 3:28:00 PM UTC-8 pi...@gmail.com wrote: >> >>> That is one gorgeous Rambouillet. Is the background that dam at the >>> bottom of Mt. Tam on the Mill Valley side on the way to the 7 sisters? >>> >>> On Thu, Nov 17, 2022 at 3:22 PM John Dewey <john...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> RBW, here's one that we've been riding daily for all its 18 years...and >>>> it's precious as well. Gratefully, we can all have our pie and eat it too. >>>> >>>> BEST / Jock Dewey >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 2:30:14 PM UTC-8 Joe Bernard wrote: >>>> >>>>> What a beautiful way to express it. >>>>> >>>>> On Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 2:11:24 PM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I was on Instagram this morning and saw a post that echoed the spirit >>>>>> of this thread. The user kindly translated it to English from his native >>>>>> Japanese, and it was so perfect that I can only imagine it was even >>>>>> better >>>>>> in the original language. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 1:18:05 PM UTC-5 JAS wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I'm like Roberta; I take care of my stuff and try hard to overcome >>>>>>> the desire to keep everything in like-new condition by "saving" items >>>>>>> for >>>>>>> special times. Sometimes I have to take a breath and have a little >>>>>>> self-talk when it comes to my Rivs. "It's OK, it's just a bike. It's >>>>>>> meant to get dirty. It will be fine on the bike rack." This was >>>>>>> repeated >>>>>>> many times when taking my dear Platypus on the rack for the first time, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> knowing I had a five-hour drive and Platy would be covered in road >>>>>>> grime. >>>>>>> This is even worse when the weather is snotty. However, I've figured >>>>>>> out >>>>>>> to cover the saddle and just live with the rest. Cleaning rags are >>>>>>> essential gear and besides, it's more important to ride the bike, dirty >>>>>>> or >>>>>>> not. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Theft is always at the back of my mind, especially when I found out >>>>>>> how easy it is to cut a lock. It has happened twice. I went on a >>>>>>> summer >>>>>>> camping trip and left the keys to my 1Up rack at home. A handy >>>>>>> camp-host >>>>>>> with a cordless grinder made quick work of it. Another time, I used my >>>>>>> OttoLock at the grocery store rack. The combination dial failed, so I >>>>>>> went >>>>>>> next door to the hardware store to borrow a bolt cutter. The kind >>>>>>> clerk >>>>>>> brought one out and cut the lock with one snip! Lessons learned....but >>>>>>> still, I lock it up with my new lock and smile broadly when I come out >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> the grocery store, see that beautiful design and relish the honesty of >>>>>>> humanity. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Joyce >>>>>>> On Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 5:34:12 AM UTC-8 Roberta wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> This got me thinking about most of my possessions. I take care of >>>>>>>> what I own and although careful, little is so precious that I won’t >>>>>>>> use >>>>>>>> something, even my Rivs. (There was a time I wouldn’t use something >>>>>>>> because >>>>>>>> it was “too nice” for everyday so I’d use it once a year or two, >>>>>>>> missing >>>>>>>> the joy on the other days of the year.) Still, I am careful. What I >>>>>>>> am >>>>>>>> more concerned with is theft and road salt. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 3:47:47 PM UTC-5 >>>>>>>> penne...@gmail.com wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Patrick, Dustin: don't worry too much about me. -20 and calmish >>>>>>>>> around here is much preferable to the alternative of, say, 5 degrees >>>>>>>>> with >>>>>>>>> 80kmh winds. One way or the other, Patrick is correct: it's dry as >>>>>>>>> can be >>>>>>>>> in these parts. My coldest-feeling commutes were living near Toronto, >>>>>>>>> where >>>>>>>>> it's much wetter. I'm also not that hardcore - my buddy Andrew in >>>>>>>>> Calgary >>>>>>>>> (hi Andrew, he's in the group) is twice as hardcore when it comes to >>>>>>>>> winter >>>>>>>>> commutes, and in harsh winter places like Edmonton and Winnipeg there >>>>>>>>> are >>>>>>>>> some real maniacs, I think. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> To your question, Patrick, I am large load capable with the Joe >>>>>>>>> but the basket/rack combo is pretty light, and the bags usually >>>>>>>>> aren't >>>>>>>>> full. Often just a big U-lock in the saddle bag and my messenger in >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> basket. Today, not joking, I lost traction and did a >>>>>>>>> slow-motion-almost-360-degree-pirouette/donut on a parking lot ice >>>>>>>>> sheet >>>>>>>>> and stayed upright, so handling is fine! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Anyways, blah blah blah, I'm glad to be riding the Joe when I >>>>>>>>> wouldn't have before. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Mack >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 1:20:41 PM UTC-7 >>>>>>>>> joshm...@gmail.com wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Imo one of the saddest things you can write in a FS post is >>>>>>>>>> "barely ridden" >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Sat, Nov 5, 2022, 6:15 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! < >>>>>>>>>> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Did you read Grant’s Blahg? He covers a lot of ground, but most >>>>>>>>>>> notable to me was the Please Don’t Be Precious About Your Rivendell >>>>>>>>>>> section. In sum, Grant is saying it saddens him to think of people >>>>>>>>>>> riding >>>>>>>>>>> beater bikes instead of their Rivendells to do daily, monotonous >>>>>>>>>>> tasks - >>>>>>>>>>> because those tasks make up a lot of real life. If one “saves” >>>>>>>>>>> their >>>>>>>>>>> Rivendell, it will not realize its potential, sit mostly unused and >>>>>>>>>>> then >>>>>>>>>>> pass to one’s heirs who will sell it in “near mint” condition on >>>>>>>>>>> EBay, and >>>>>>>>>>> how sad. What was the bike for? >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I have found myself both guilty and innocent on the matter. My >>>>>>>>>>> #1 favorite bike is my raspberry Platypus. I ride it all the time, >>>>>>>>>>> because >>>>>>>>>>> I bought it to ride it, but I also dread any harm coming to it, and >>>>>>>>>>> I do >>>>>>>>>>> guard it from that. I got a second Platypus that I dedicated to >>>>>>>>>>> shopping >>>>>>>>>>> and traveling with and promised not to be precious about it. But >>>>>>>>>>> now and >>>>>>>>>>> then I still am tempted to backslide. When traveling to the Philly >>>>>>>>>>> Bike >>>>>>>>>>> Expo I dithered about which bike to bring. I didn’t want my >>>>>>>>>>> raspberry Platy >>>>>>>>>>> damaged while locked up at racks and I feared it being stolen. >>>>>>>>>>> Roberta >>>>>>>>>>> said, “I don’t think you have a choice, Leah. That’s the bike >>>>>>>>>>> people will >>>>>>>>>>> expect you to bring.” And she was right, and I did. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Then, there is Pam. Pam is at the other far end of the spectrum. >>>>>>>>>>> Her bike is a model of beausage. Innumerable paint chips and little >>>>>>>>>>> spots >>>>>>>>>>> of rust cover her tiny Betty frame. Her Backabike bags are full of >>>>>>>>>>> holes >>>>>>>>>>> and the elastic closures are worn out. She locks it up and never >>>>>>>>>>> worries >>>>>>>>>>> about it. She did not obsessively stare out the restaurant window >>>>>>>>>>> to see if >>>>>>>>>>> it was still locked to the rack while we were at dinner (like yours >>>>>>>>>>> truly). >>>>>>>>>>> But she loves her bike, has real affection for it. She looked at >>>>>>>>>>> me, eyes >>>>>>>>>>> shining, and said exactly that. Ana, PurpleRiv, is another good >>>>>>>>>>> example to >>>>>>>>>>> us. She adores her bike, but has not spared it from hard work. Her >>>>>>>>>>> bike has >>>>>>>>>>> hauled obscene loads and taken her everywhere. I remember there was >>>>>>>>>>> that >>>>>>>>>>> one fateful camping trip for she 1. Posed it for a photo, only to >>>>>>>>>>> have it >>>>>>>>>>> topple and slide down the face of a boulder next to it. I believe >>>>>>>>>>> she said >>>>>>>>>>> she sat there and wept for 2 hours over her Joe Bell paint. And who >>>>>>>>>>> among >>>>>>>>>>> us would not do the same? 2. Same trip, another photo op, and the >>>>>>>>>>> bike fell >>>>>>>>>>> off a cliff. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> So, who truly loves their Rivendell? The one who lavishes it >>>>>>>>>>> with care and protection? Or the one who pulls it out of the garage >>>>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>>>> into all of life - the mundane and the adventurous? >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On one end of the spectrum we have those who will only take a >>>>>>>>>>> Rivendell out for special occasions so as not to spoil it, and on >>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>> other…well, we have Pam and Ana, who will give it a good thrashing. >>>>>>>>>>> (Oh, >>>>>>>>>>> don’t take it personally, friends, I’m being funny about both types >>>>>>>>>>> of >>>>>>>>>>> owners.) >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I find myself wanting to be precious but fighting it and >>>>>>>>>>> succeeding *most* of the time. I’m lucky that the raspberry paint >>>>>>>>>>> hides >>>>>>>>>>> beausage and dirt, so it looks pretty new. But a dent in the top >>>>>>>>>>> tube or a >>>>>>>>>>> large chip in the paint would really hurt my feelings. Heaven help >>>>>>>>>>> me. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Where are you on the spectrum? What words of wisdom might you >>>>>>>>>>> have? What strategies do you employ? Do you want to change? Or are >>>>>>>>>>> you >>>>>>>>>>> unapologetically staying put on the matter? It might be fun to hear >>>>>>>>>>> perspectives. >>>>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the >>>>>>>>>>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from >>>>>>>>>>> it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/2f5fe184-d6ba-46f7-bd7f-256f8563c16cn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/2f5fe184-d6ba-46f7-bd7f-256f8563c16cn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -- >>>> >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/fBVXpMqGxr8/unsubscribe >>>> . >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/895a1933-fce1-4506-a867-728a657c44c8n%40googlegroups.com >>>> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/895a1933-fce1-4506-a867-728a657c44c8n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/fBVXpMqGxr8/unsubscribe >> . >> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >> > To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/759b9686-6e07-44e0-bcba-21e624066330n%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/759b9686-6e07-44e0-bcba-21e624066330n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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