Jobst RideBike! book and Fanatyk Spokes are here!
Some days life can seem pretty ordinary, even boring. But now and again, each of us manages to break up the monotony with something heroic. Some more than others.
Last year, Tom Inskeep, from Maryland, bought a set of wood wheels. I sensed he was taking them for more than a decorative, restoration look. In fact, he had a wild scheme in mind: equip his bamboo Calfee with wood rims and race New Hampshire's legendary Mt. Washington Hill Climb. 526 starters. One on wood rims.
Well, he trained on this new rig and finished in the top third. Bravo! It's enough to climb the mountain. Doing it on a largely wood bicycle puts the achievement into another category of heroism. This is the stuff Tom's grandchildren will someday remember him for.
Take two bits of wisdom from Tom's exploit:
(1) Wood rims are genuinely functional. They're fast, smooth, and fun. Tom didn't deserve a handicap in the hillclimb. His bike and wheels were fully competitive.
(2) Make sure you're planning something heroic for yourself. What defines heroism? That's for you to decide. But grab something bold, unconventional, and memorable. Your life and family deserve the stimulation. If it involves wood rims, send me the story and a picture!
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