Ah, yes.
I’ve watched the flow of fix all summer from the porch. In the spring the fever pitch swelled in the air. The fix were overtaking the bike path: commuters, posers, shredders, even women on fix. Ah, to be on the bleeding edge of VT fix culture. The bike path lends itself to training for the neophyte fixer for sure. It’s an old railroad grade, making it flat as a pancake. Traffic is not so bad either. If I were just learning to ride fixed the bike path is where I’d go. Throughout the summer the number of fixed riders increased. It’s crazy for a city of officially 28,000 or so. The bikes and riders are everywhere. Makes me happy.
When I first moved here 3 years ago I was initially pleased to see quite a few fix here. That was in the fall. By winter, I discovered there were a sick, sick bunch of folk here who actually ride year round on ‘em. Damn. You have to be here on a blustery February morning to appreciate how ‘core that is. Anyway, they were out there. We have one LBS that heavily supports the fix clan with parts, advice and lots of converted fix/roadies for sale. They are cool too. You can check them out here. So anyway, at that time there were already a lot of fix here. The momentum was there and the fix tide was rising. Vermont is not cutting edge in many ways, certainly not bleeding edge, yet with fixing things felt pretty happenin’.
So to today. I find myself amazed that locals are now reporting that fix ownership is like having an iPod. At the college, you just ain’t cool if you ride but don’t have a fix. Now of course, this comes along with the faux-messenger look too. Alley-cat look-alike cards in their wheels with copy for alt-rock bands I’ll never hear of—nothing resembling the real thing—well, ok. I saw some that looked authentic. Maybe they have a summer job in a real city with real messengers? I do think the cards in the wheels look kind’o cool. Well, if you look the part anyway, which i don’t. Even my friend R. just got a fix. She’s young, strong, smart. I was really surprised one morning I was sipping coffee on the porch and I just saw her rip by. RAD! In Burlington, it’s just growing like crazy.
There are certainly detractors now who will say it’s just a fad or some new marketing ploy to sell more unnecessary swag. Calling us names, that’s all that is. I admit, I’ve never only owned a fix. So, if you’re one of the minimalists out there, you could say I got suckered into having [at least] one more bike than I needed by having a fix. Point taken. If you don’t want to be a fixed rider: don’t. You choose. Then be done with it.
All right. Off to WRUV. I’m doing a “traditional” jazz ballads show this term. You can listen live here. 6-9am EDT.
OK all, glad to be back.
G