If I count the miles I pedaled going to and from yesterday's ride, I did about 45 miles all together--on Tosca, my fixie.
Of course, I've cycled many more miles than that in one ride. However, it's been a while since I've ridden that many miles on a fixed gear.
Today I rode only a few miles, albeit on a fixed gear. Notice I said "a fixed gear" as opposed to "my fixie." A few months ago, I fitted a fixed gear to Marianela. However, I don't think of it as a fixie: I think of it as my commuter/utility bike, which I just happen to be riding with a fixed gear.
I think the difference in the way I think about each of them has to do with the fact that Tosca is a bike that's made to be used with fixed gears, while Marianela started life as a late '70's ten-speed bike.
Anyway, Marianela seems to have this thing for sunsets. So after a brief late day ride, I found myself having a picnic in Astoria Park. The food consisted of a hero sandwich from Sal, Kris and Charlie's of Astoria. It's one of those old-school Italian-American sandwich shops that seemed to be everywhere in the NY Metro area when I was growing up. You probably wouldn't want to go there if you are a vegetarian. I might become one, some day. But not tonight. I ordered something called "The Bomb." (I mean, how could I not, with a name like that!) Let me tell you, it was worth every damn calorie, gram of sodium and whatever of cholestrol I downed. I didn't order it with mustard or mayo, but I did get oil and vinegar, which were perfect on this sandwich!
I almost feel guilty for not having shared, even if these people were enjoying each other's company:
After eating that sandwich, I probably could have attached a chain to my bike and pulled this train into the sunset all by myself:
The light inside that train alone would be worth the ride. Heck, I wouldn't even mind being inside the windows of that building underneath the trestle, even if it is a water treatment plant. But I got the best view of all--after riding my bike.
Of course, I've cycled many more miles than that in one ride. However, it's been a while since I've ridden that many miles on a fixed gear.
Today I rode only a few miles, albeit on a fixed gear. Notice I said "a fixed gear" as opposed to "my fixie." A few months ago, I fitted a fixed gear to Marianela. However, I don't think of it as a fixie: I think of it as my commuter/utility bike, which I just happen to be riding with a fixed gear.
I think the difference in the way I think about each of them has to do with the fact that Tosca is a bike that's made to be used with fixed gears, while Marianela started life as a late '70's ten-speed bike.
Anyway, Marianela seems to have this thing for sunsets. So after a brief late day ride, I found myself having a picnic in Astoria Park. The food consisted of a hero sandwich from Sal, Kris and Charlie's of Astoria. It's one of those old-school Italian-American sandwich shops that seemed to be everywhere in the NY Metro area when I was growing up. You probably wouldn't want to go there if you are a vegetarian. I might become one, some day. But not tonight. I ordered something called "The Bomb." (I mean, how could I not, with a name like that!) Let me tell you, it was worth every damn calorie, gram of sodium and whatever of cholestrol I downed. I didn't order it with mustard or mayo, but I did get oil and vinegar, which were perfect on this sandwich!
I almost feel guilty for not having shared, even if these people were enjoying each other's company:
After eating that sandwich, I probably could have attached a chain to my bike and pulled this train into the sunset all by myself:
The light inside that train alone would be worth the ride. Heck, I wouldn't even mind being inside the windows of that building underneath the trestle, even if it is a water treatment plant. But I got the best view of all--after riding my bike.
I don't recall you ever discussing how Tosca's build differs from what it would have been as a multigear bike other than derailleur hangar.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I saw nothing as spectacular as that riding this weekend, so thanks for taking me along for the ride via this post. Oil and vinegar on a Bomb... that sound so good.
ReplyDeleteSteve: Tosca has a somewhat tighter geometry than Arielle or Helene. I can notice the steeper angles because I'm bent over a bit more than I am on Arielle, even though both have the same handlebars and stem, set up at the same height from the steerer tube. Also, I am more forward on the saddle on each one, and each of them uses the same seatpost and saddle.
ReplyDeleteSue: It was worth every calorie and every gram of sodium and fat. At least I'm not going for blood work this week!