Global Warming or Global Warning?
Ok, simply put we don't even need to bother answering the question...it is simply a title for an article or blurb or whatever you wish to call this...But with the weather twists and turns this year, it is becoming more and more evident even for the die hard "bushie" fans to deny what millions of intelligent educated individuals have been talking about for years and years and years. Global Warming exists. and naturally...i am concerned with the environment. always have been...and yeah, i have been frowned upon by the purists for actually owning a vehicle. A car! But sorry to say, I use it too. But it isn't a gas guzzling SUV or anything like that. I have a motorcycle I use during the summer months and have been using it to commute to and from work. Work isn't very accomadating to cyclist. But I do try overall to make a small impact. I could go on and on to validate and explain the various ways i do...but that isn't for this article. I will say this. My cousin was talking the other day about how if 25% of those that drove parked their car just one day a week...he had it figured out...but i can't remember all the numbers. But it was a good savings...anyways...
So on to cycling and how my fixie fits into this global changing environment...well, it is pretty versatile as we all are aware so when it snows and i venture out...i don't fret a clogged or iced up derailleur...in fact i do remember on several occasions tearing up cassettes due to riding them in cold weather on some of my past MTBs. The fixie is nice due to the simplicity...and i love my simplicity. In an age where too much technology crowds the crown on every closing second...it is nice to not have to think so intensely on occasion...by think. i mean to worry...i don't generally worry much with my fixie. i just get on and ride. Now, i have heard those folks state...well i don't think on my derailleur bikes either...it becomes second nature...remember once again my dear friends...i have always said. I admire anyone who sits their backside upon a seat...no matter what it may be. I have many bikes in my collection that share those lovely derailleur designs as well...i just enjoy the silent carefree "different feel" ride of the fixie on occasion. You need to try one and not just once either...to appreciate the joy of riding one.
So with the weather so up and down...i find myself without pause grabbing the fixie to head off for a quick spin in the rain...or the snow...or the hail...or the mud....something i hesitate to do with my prescious Bianchi adorned with Campy C-record...no no...you won't find her gracing the ground that is tainted with aqueous debris. So the fixie fits the bill perfectly...and it is easy to clean also. spray off...not as many nooks and crannies to clean and lube. I still lube and make sure she is fit...keep my everest chain running smooth. But it is just a little quicker and carefree...besides with a fixie. You can have a smooth running wheeled friend with low cost parts and low replacement value if you care to not care...i choose to care a bit. But i can tell you i would spend far more time on the campy c-record to clean than my fixie's ancient ultegra 600 road crank.
So with strange bizarre weather patterns that are emerging...a week of stifling humid 80s followed by 3 days of wintry mix...then temps hovering in the 40s at night while temps sky to 90 during the day only to be followed by waking to a morning of 3-4 inches of fresh powder...exaggerated....actually not. I took a look at my log from this year and basically summed up about a 4 week pattern from earlier in the year. With no consistency of weather...i find a day of road riding needs to be followed with fixie days due to the crappy road conditions that toss out icy slush where dry baking asphalt existed just 24 hours before...it is getting its use for sure this year, that beloved fixie!
So with the emerging changes that could possibly only get worse as the future progresses...is this the way of the future. Quite probable. If so, I can guarentee my cross bikes and fixies will thrive in these conditions and my road riders will continue to gather a small layer of dust in their stalls awaiting those rare sunny days. And of course there will be those days that the sun will come out...and stay out and out and out...for too long and too many days. It is part of global warming. I find after so many days of intrusive heat...i really dislike extreme heat....i find myself once again grabbing for the fixie. Why?
My fixie...my primary fixie is my 50s Dawes. It was a Dawes Red Feather club/path bike. I outfitted her with a set of 27 inch aluminum rims and some suzue hubs, nothing fancy anywhere on this bicycle. I placed upon those 27 inches a set of very lovely cross tires. They are the bomb. not too wide...not too narrow. They are just pleasantly perfect for me. So when the heat gets to me...i strike back by grabbing my fixie and heading off into the shade of the trails near my home. I am lucky enough to live near many many acres of shaded rolling logging trails and old cow paths on private property...rarely do I meet a single soul while cycling along...the same trails double as my hiking, dog walking , cross country skiing, and with a beautiful stream running all along the area, fly fishing and fishing fishing...kite flyin field...and all around fun. I am lucky!
Example...the other day upon coming home from work...where it seemed overly humid and stifling hot the entire day indoors...i came outside to find temps in the high 80s...in the sun at home, the thermometer was reading in the 90s. I wanted to do something without dying so i decided to take the pups for their walk amongst the trees...a quick little trisk to the creek...a nice refreshing cool drink for the 3 amigos and homeward bound for them...then i grabbed my fixie and ventured among those same trees along those same quiet trails. Just a short heavanly ride. Times like that make it all worthwhile. Days like that...i could put in a 4 mile ride that lifts tensions off my mind and feels like i just ran a marathon to lift my spirits. "This" is what it is all about for me. Quickly reminds me why i enjoy those simple pleasures and simple rides.
The humidity isn't quite as mind boggling among the cover and protection of the firs and trees. The breeze feels twice as nice when venturing into any open areas, and the paths themselves sometimes seem to channel the gentle flow of wind to give a cooling effect. The ground rolls over soft soil and some pine needles in areas muffling any sound, wildlife seems to have grown accustomed to me in this area anymore and scatters merely far enough out of the immdediate way then slows to the usual pace of picking and feeding on the forest floor. The sun flickers between the overhead branches...the overhead branches reach high to break up the glare and scorch from the sun...everything just seems to fall into place and it reminds me...nature has a way of adapting also!
So in one way, i fear days of old where i would venture out day after day putting in road miles in mild to moderate temps are coming to close and i really can picture myself putting in more and more of these simpler fixie journeys. I only fear because i know the weather patterns are changing not because of something positive "flowing in the air" but because our push for modernization in this world has pushed a bit too far and when man alters nature...that isn't good. I fear the change in nature but due to the changes...i will adapt as i can to accomadate those new surprises so i can still enjoy what i like most in life, the outdoors and cycling and hiking...and everything else i do. I hope nature will adapt as well...for it has been around for a great deal longer than man so with hope it can outlast that nuisance as well! in time!
Ride on! Be safe and Enjoy!