Wednesday, November 21, 2018

New Outside Column, And Also Happy T-Givz!

It's American Thanksgiving Eve:


If you're unfamiliar with American Thanksgiving, basically we spend the day fortifying ourselves with foodstuffs and sharpening our weaponry in order to do battle on Black Friday:


People are all bent out of shape over Amazon but the truth is online retail may be the only thing keeping us alive at this point.

Anyway, on this occasion, I'm pleased to present you with this cloyingly sweet candied yams side dish about single-speed mountain bikes:



That's right, even though I'm old and they're out of style I'm still riding a singlespeed-type bicycle:


I mean not all the time, obviously, but whatever.

Speaking of singlespeeds, not only is there apparently still such a thing as the SSWC, but by the looks of things it's bound for New York next year:


Looks like I'd better start training.

And with that, I wish you all a happy American Thanksgiving--unless you're in a country other than America, in which case I'm sorry for all we've been putting you through lately.

I love you,


--Tan Tenovo


38 comments:

hellbelly said...

Turducken podio! SSWC NY(C?) maybe I will finally ride in one.

wishiwasmerckx said...

Podium?

Adam Titley said...

Podium?

Jake said...

I am with you on no suspension for mtn bikes. I like to feel the earth beneath my wheels. But you lose me on single speed. You don’t wish for the ability to ratchet it down in a climb?

Anonymous said...

Must I get a tattoo if I am on top of the podium?

Phildefer said...

Premier!

dop said...

Thanksgiving Scranus!

JLRB said...

I hate to invoke the wrath of Ted K's robot, but PODIUM?

And now to enjoy a tasty read with my late lunch

Skidmark said...

Thank ya, thank ya very much.

O4fuxake said...

I love you too.

JLRB said...

Thanks for the yams.

Anonymous said...

I confess to having tried out the single speed mountain bike thing once. But around here, mountain biking happens in the mountains. I decided that if I was going to go hiking, it didn't really make sense to take a bike along.

huskerdont said...

Oh man, I was hoping for another post to while away the last two hours of the nonholiday day, but this one comes with bonus Outside time killing!

I wish I could justify a SS mountain bike, but alas, N + 1 = 8 and some of them are strewn about the basement in the way already.

1904 Cadardi said...

Just back from a 2 hour "lunch" ride only discover that most of the poor souls in my office that bothered showing up have already left. That means nobody to disturb me while reading Tan's musing and eating lunch! The day before a holiday is always the BEST day to work.

nscadu 9 said...

I probably benefited from the crash, since I got my used 26" Surly 1x1 less than a handful of years ago for less than a handful of bills. I'm with you on the single speed being my most fun bike and most who try it have a blast. Owning that thing even got me motivated enough to race a SSCXWC, which is by far the most fun race I've been in. I don't need a second one, but every time I see that Engin of yours, it makes me think about going custom or at least upgrading wheel size. and yeah, still surprising what can be done on it

Bunyip said...

Dude, you missed the mark by like 8 people, and an hour....

Drock said...

The chain on your ss is a little under tension. Just sayin’. And yes I was born this way and I can’t help it. Wrench’s UP.

Olle Nilsson said...

Almost regret reading that Outside article. Trying to figure out that White double-double made my head hurt (why not just get a two speed kickback hub and get either ratio whenever you want? )?

bad boy of the south said...

Happy Turkey Day,all!
Be safe in all your travels,be it two wheeled or four wheeled or by foot.

paulb said...

Thank you I'd never heard of a clutch derailleur.

Unknown said...

N+1 on the single speeders, I've got 4 mountain, and a surly steamroller for the road. Happy Thanksgiving,I love everyone, rubber down. Shiny side up.

Unknown said...

New York"gifted" the 2019 SSWC to Slovenia. Ugh.too far to drive, and too wet also,as I live in Michigan

Skidmark said...

@Drock is this way 9:02pm- you think it’s under tension now? You just wait.

Some guy from upstate said...

Singlespeed mountain bikes are uncool now? Apparently, I didn't get the memo. Singlespeed MTB's are ridiculous fun, the fastest way around on the right trails, cheap (or at least can be), and light. How is that not cool?

dop said...

Thanksgiving Dinner: Two of my relatives talk about their espresso machines. “It’s all about the PSI”.

Coffee Freds.

PS: He’s an avid mtb rider who loves his dropper post.

George Krpan said...

"....clutch derailleurs and single-ring cranksets run nearly as quietly and reliably as singlspeed drivetrains do...."

Dang right, clutch derailleurs are revelation.

Butt weight, there’s smores said...

After I had my derailleurectomy, I felt more loving and romantic, more adventuresome and had fewer worries.

Anonymous said...

is anyone running skinny tires on their fat bike?

Alexandra said...

I am with you on single speed, but you lose me on the rigid front fork unless it's a fat bike. Men's single speed category is the most competitive sometimes at races where I live.

Spokey said...

great video

i've always loved that bing/bowie rendition of drummer boy

i did go out once on black friday. wasn't bad at all. but it was lowe's and i was buying some repair part that i needed to fix right away. so it was probably the plumbinb dept / toilet area that i was in and pretty much by myself.

Spokey said...

1904 Cadardi @ November 21, 2018 at 4:11 PM

sounds more like the day before a holiday is the best time not to work. and not to get caught that is.

wishiwasmerckx said...

Spokey, I, too, prefer having the toilet area pretty much by myself.

BamaPhred said...

What kind of work ethic is this?

BamaPhred said...

Speaking of no work ethic, I was net surfing at work and ran across “1000 Miles to Nome.” Sorta like Iditarod, but on a bike

bad boy of the north,again,temporarily said...

Back visiting family in CNY. How'd all the snow get here,so soon?

McFly said...

I had a SS go cart when I was but a wee child, FLOOR IT.

wishiwasmerckx said...

Snob goes on sabbatical and the 3T factory is broken into and several valuable bikes are stolen.

Coincidence?

You may draw your own conclusions.

Look for an interesting review in the coming weeks.

I'm just sayin...

pbateman is also not happy to be back at work for lack of work ethic said...

all of my various bikes have many gears but i usually just ride one as florida is very flat.

in fact, i probably ride more moms than gears.

best new thanksgiving tradition ever this year: rent a hotel on the beach and drink tons of champagne and bang like an army of drum playing apes. no cooking, no cleanup.

my yellow bike still is sitting here unfinished but that may change soon. i'm still gonna give it 22 gears. cause i like decadence, sleaze and excess.

hey Snob, i hear the kardashian gals did some modeling and promoting of some bicycle attire? can you make our dreams come true and cover that news?