I used to ride lots... a few years back. I find myself again on the bike and realized that my spin is gone. Ok, it's not gone, but it sure has disentigrated. As all intelligent cyclists know, the best way to get into circles is to ride a fix gear. God, I just hope I don't keep trying to coast like the last time.

Is there anyone in the L. A. area with a nice basic one? If you have something like a carbon frame, that would most likely be considered "trick" and pricey, I'm affraid I'm not interested.

I've been away from cycling for a while and I can't believe how people who can't ride out of their shadow seem to think that they somehow need to have the same bikes pro cyclists ride. And they're perfectly willing to choke 7 grand one of these silly looking things.

And what's up with all of the bike weight obsession? People are so anal about it. "How much does this one weigh?..... Really?... How 'bout this one...? Really? Wow, let me try that one...". I advised a guy that was doing this number to save 5 grand by getting a bike that's a few pounds heavier, loose 20 to 30 pounds, bag the idiotic flocked jersey and pick up a good book on cycling instead. I don't think he got my point. Actually, he seemed a bit irritated and let me know it. I suppose it didn't help that I also suggested colonic cleansing to "jump start" his weight loss program. Looking back, I suppose it was none of my business, but it's like a midget buying a "jumbo" condom.

Something else that seems to bother me since getting back into cycling is related to the bike weight thing. The mega-buck bikes I've looked at and picked up don't seem to be perceptively lighter that my 20 year old Colnago, which weighs in at 21lbs. I truly didn't feel the claimed five pound difference between my 21lb 'nago and and the particular bike I lifted. The only thing I could come up with is that the stated weight for these "superbikes" HAS to be based on the smallest size available, without pedals of course. And what's that about. Every shop guy I talk to blurts out the disclaimer: "this bike is the lightest road bike Specialized makes. It weighs 16 pounds without pedals." What's that about? Do they sell the bike without pedals? No? Then maybe they should say: "it weighs 1/2 of a pound without pedals, crankset, frame, wheels, tires, seat post, seat, handlebars, stem, deraillers, cables, levers, and bar tape."?

Next time I go to a bike shop I'm bringing my bike and my bathroom scale,
and I'll do a little comparative.