Yes, grasshopper, to bring balance and harmony to the garage, bikes must all be level. But what of sloping top tubes? Or full suspension? For the bicycles to be level, this must require multi-configured racks hung at differing levels in various places upon the wall!
And yes the racks are at different levels and configurations. Reflect not on the task but the journey.
The journey?
Up top: what once was. Hung from rafters close to the wall and slightly behind the row below.
Ah. So the Bike Shui honors our beginnings...
Next level down: Most recently replaced mountain bikes. Racks are level for old style level top tube.
...and gives rest to these hard workers...
Bottom level: Most recent purchase. New full suspension mountain bikes. Sloping top tubes. One main triangle is so small, with rear shock it couldn't accept a rack with two pieces of wood inside. Had to put one on top tube and cradle the second around the seat rails. All padded with closed cell foam so the bikes rest on cushy arms.
...and so reflects our journey from what was to what is in our cycling life! All is harmonious! But, what of this--
On the opposite wall is the dark side of Bike Shui.
There is a dark side to the Shui?
The oldest bike, first mountain bike, hung with a single hook through the rim. Oh, the indignity! At the end of garage: The big beast. The old Cannondale tandem. Hung from two hooks over work bench.
But Master! Does not the past deserve better for all it has taught us? Let us hasten from this room!
Inside is the Merlin Viewing Room (when pressed, laundry can be done here). Two road Merlins on wood racks with hand rubbed oil finish. Round cut-outs on rack arms are lined with closed cell foam to gently cradle the most revered bikes (and because Merlin runs their cables externally along the top tube).
Externally-run cables? How is one ever to decipher and apply this Bike Shui with so many top tube configurations? It is indeed complicated.
Not complicated. Challenging!!!
My aspiration is to one day rise to this challenge.
...again,TOB can't take credit for this -- italicized portion is part of an email sent by an honorable biking buddy!
- TOB's wishing you Shui
4 comments:
The comments from the novice initiate really make this. I love it! I can only hope to attain bike shui. My garage is a place of shame.
you are so creative! you are one hip old bag, lady.
oh jeanne, please write my scholarship essays for me. i'll just pirate them off of your blog ok? ok!
Hi Jen! Probably shouldn't be pirating your essays -- you're a great writer! See you soon.
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