The highlight of my trip…
….thus far has probably been just laughing deeply at something on TV with Maxx and Melissa. But I take that friendship and laughter for granted. Almost expect it. The highlight after that, probably one of those rare moments when I’ve felt strong on the bike. Just gotten into a meta-groove and churned the pedals fluidly. But those moments have been fleeting as my out of shape body struggles just to maintain a plodding cadence.
So the highlight was picking up my wheels from Kulshan Cycles the other day when I had them trued and dished. The employee who fetched them for me recognized them as the unusual items they are and waxed into flattery, “Wow, forty-eight spoke wheels, you don’t see those much anymore.” Later, “I can see you guys are looking at these bikes, and if you have any questions, please let me know. But, you know, obviously, with wheels like that, you know what you are talking about.”
Now, I had ordered the spokes and hubs and rims and nipples and tape and tires which make these wheels. And I had choosen the pattern and laced them together myself. So they are, in a way, a reflection of my tastes, my knowledge, and skill. Part of me glowed in the attention. At the same time, these are products I have bought. Products which are good for their purpose, and which I bought because they are good for their purpose. And so, it brought home to me a sense of my attenuated existence, that this is my highlight, to be praised for the product I have bought.
Posted: August 15th, 2009.
Tags: dish, Kulshan Cycles, laughter, Maxx Fanucci, Melissa Miller, true