In July of 2006 a few of my friends joined me on an inaugural bike tour of West Virginia. I spent that winter planning a variety of routes through the Monongahela National Forest, and this would be our first of many weekend tours in the Mid-Atlantic Region. An early morning departure from the Pittsburgh area had us loading up the trailers high atop Spruce Knob . The starting point for this 60-mile mixed-touring loop was the Big Run/Allegheny trailhead off Route 112. Heading clockwise, we utilized forest roads, rail-trails, and paved roads. The reality of pulling our belongings behind us set in as we headed down the dusty and rolling forest road, quickly understanding why West Virginia is known as "The Mountain State." Soon we were treated to one of many mountain vistas. After rolling onto pavement (Route 28), we climbed over Allegheny Mountain and coasted into our campsite for the evening -- Island Campground , situated on the banks of the East Fork of the Greenbrier
Do cyclists need new technologies or is it the bicycle industry that needs new technologies so they can sell us new stuff?
ReplyDeleteThere's no reason to buy a new brake if mine was working perfectly fine, and that was the only style being produced. Now, if there's a better style, I MUST HAVE THE BEST. Even if it requires buying not just a new brake caliper and lever, but a frame, fork and hubs with disc mounts!
I love bikes and some aspects of the bicycle industry, but be leary of the hype. They're still capitalists!