Do we need all this fancy stuff?

You like these fancy bike gimmicks?

Today as our crew rode in a steady Seattle drizzle we were totally comfortable.  I remarked to McWoodie, "What did we do before we had Gabba's?"   

The migration from 23mm tires to 25's then tubeless 25's then tubeless 28's may seem like a change in fashion, but the superior traction means safety and as members of the AARP demographic, safety matters.  

Our clothing, which again one could argue is nothing but fashion, keeps us warm and dry in conditions that make most people want to stay inside and drink coffee.  Looking at pictures from ten years ago, I recall cold, wet, Sunday morning rides that left me cold for three days. 

Hydraulic brakes and bigger gear ratios may seem like iterative improvements, but the difference is stunning.  I have sold bikes because I decided to replace them with disc brake bikes.  

For those who scoff at these advances, they can ride their lugged frame bikes with vintage brakes wearing soggy wool and leather.  They can do what all cults do and preach that their way is the only way and everyone else are fools.  I am sure the added suffering will build their character.  That is a good thing. Riding slow bikes when cold and wet requires a lot of character. 

I traded my character in on a new bike with hydraulic discs, a compact crank and Di2.