It's a Slippery Slope, Mr. Cyclist

Maybe you began riding, as I did, on a three-speed with fenders and chainguard. Somehow--maybe it was Breaking Away, maybe it was Greg Lemond or Lance, or a local crit--you saw a race bike and had that Mr. Toad-style ephiphany. Racing bicycles! People race them, and, and, they're beau-ti-ful! No fenders, skinny tires, clicky-clicky!





Then, over the course of many years, a lot of rides in showers and over unexpected gravel, and as your body grows less flexible, race bikes lose a little bit of their luster. But, what's this? Jan and Grant and Sheldon have just the answer! Old designs that are more forgiving and maybe even more beautiful than your race bike. A revolution begins.

So here we find ourselves again, riding with fenders, fat tires, lights, racks and bags. Sure, it's all so very comfortable, safe, and practical. Just like a pair Dockers, right? And how does it all end?



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