Goodbye 2020
Thu, December 31, 2020 
In the fifteen years I have been writing here on Dave’s Bike Blog, I don’t think I have ever struggled so much to come up with a suitable post, hence the delay. This normally would have been written last Monday.
The problem has been that the subject is pre-determined by the date and traditionally for the last article of the year I must write about my reflections on the outgoing year, and my goals for the New Year. But in a year as disastrous as 2020 how do I do that?
Well, at least we got though it, otherwise I would not be here writing this, and you would not be reading it, so there is a positive thought to begin. What is the big deal about New Year’s Eve anyway? It is just a changing number on a calendar or clock. I believe that time is an illusion, synchronized by mankind to bring some kind of order to this chaotic lifestyle that we have brought upon ourselves.
I find it interesting that the design and engineering methods that clock making brought about, started the Industrial Revolution. I often wonder if something that started as man’s desire to harness time, will end with some form of Artificial Intelligence that can nun this whole shit show in conjunction with Nature. Because it is clear to me that Human Intelligence is diminishing and cannot continue to run things as they are.
2020 was not a particularly good year, but one that will be remembered for sure. Many lessons learned, not only about my fellow man, of traits both good and bad, but lessons about myself too.
At the end of this year a book came my way, mentioned in my last blog post. Published in Belgium, and written in French and English.
I am not saying that this book changed anything in my life, but it did make me realize how my life had changed in the years I have been engaged in writing here.
What has changed is my thinking, my point of view. What a good thing this is, for if one does not change their way of thinking, they become stagnant and do not continue to grow or move forward.
The book titled, “Bike Inspired Creativity. Volume 2.” is a collection of different bicycles, and here is where my thinking has changed. Five or ten years ago I would not have given this book a second look, I would have dismissed it as a “Waste of time.” I have been critical here of recumbent bikes, mountain bikes, anything that did not follow the lines of a pure racing bike was of little or no interest to me.
I was never fond of bikes that were pure art objects, and even now I will go as far as saying I feel if one is building a bicycle that is meant to be ridden then it needs to be built straight and accurate. If something is pure art with no other purpose than to be looked at, it needs to be obvious that it is akin to a piece of sculpture, not a practical bike to ride.
One such bike is one made entirely of wood, not just the frame, but the chain wheel, cranks, pedals and even the chain. The bike was actually ridden on a velodrome and apparently holds the world record for an all-wooden bike. One can appreciate and admire the woodworking skills and the knowledge of different wood properties that went into the building of such a bike.
Here is a practical folding bike with full size wheels. https://www.kruschhausen-cycles.de/
Here is another with full size wheels where not only does the frame fold, but the wheels too. https://www.tuckbike.com/
I highly recommend this book; it will entertain you for hours. Learn more about the book https://velosophe.be/livre Or buy it here, postage is FREE https://velosophe.ecwid.com
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Reader Comments (2)
Happy New Year Dave.
This is one thing that has really impressed me about some of the Japanese custom bike builders. they make bikes that ride well and at the same time are artistically interesting.
I built a wooden bike once, it wasn't pretty but it was rideable. I was copying the sketch from one of Da Vinci's codex.
If I get to Europe this year I'll have to look for the book.
A Happy New Year to you and your family (and your readers too), Dave. I hope 2021 is better for you all than 2020 (though that's a low bar to clear).
I enjoyed your articles this past year, especially the ones about your bike building career and your approach to your health issues.
Best regards.