I'm not going to attempt to take credit for the term "expedition speed", but I'm going to do all that I can to propagate it. Dario and I first heard Salem mention it last Thursday whilst we rode slowly through the beautiful and shotgun filled Glastonbury Meadows.
If I understand correctly, expedition speed is another way to say that you're going slow. However, unlike regular going slow, you must have an intent look on your face, gritted teeth and an inflated sense of importance. You probably should wear some wool for good measure. It's perfect for riding this time of year.
A nice thing about expedition speed is that you don't even have to go very far if you believe that you life is part of an ongoing expedition. Thus, my ride to work this morning as well as my mountain bike ride at the reservoir yesterday were all part of the same expedition. The same went for my ride with El Prez and Dario on Saturday, the snowy powerline ride last Tuesday, the hike I took on Sunday with Johanna and the trip across the street today to buy a sandwich. Heady and philosophical, right? I mean, I have no idea where I'm going.
Also, unlike an expedition, expedition speed doesn't require you to carry camping gear or ride a Surly Big Dummy. That'd be totally inconvenient.
I think this may be a little bit like Rapha and their epics, but we do it mainly in color and have mountain bikes. I'd gladly switch to black and white if Rapha started giving me some free clothes. I think my cell phone camera even works better in black and white.
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Unrelated, but two observations:
1) Those of you who frequent the reservoir are probably familiar with the very rideable two foot drop on the blue trail about midway along the ridge. Well, the big winds and falling ice (or something) has fell two trees right there, so you can't ride up the hill on the other side, they effect made a 50 foot fence. I'm wondering if a chain saw will be needed or a log stack can be made. Any thoughts those of you who are good at trail maintenance? Should I start being a CT-NEMBA trail ambassador around here? Do they have enough of them?
Drop off in the background.
Fallen trees.2) The NYT's Spokes blog is generally lame (like the beat bike blog), but they had a very interesting post today about the history of bicycle clubs in the US. I guess the League of American Bicyclists did a lot to maintain the color barrier in cycling (though they have apologized)... sort of like how they want to make cycling in Connecticut seem terrible.
any real expedition would have a surly big dummy!
ReplyDeleteI like that term. I have been a casual pacesetter for years and welcome any new term for slow.
ReplyDeleteThe League of American Wheelmen were too afraid of getting their asses whupped by Major Taylor.
While I think they already named the corner after someone, it'd be cool to name the corner of Blue Hills and Albany after Major Taylor, because he raced at the velodrome that used to be there.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that tree is in the way now too.
ReplyDeleteSnapped some photos of my 29er on it. Next time I'll muster the courage to ride up onto it and down the tree a ways (heading south on the blue trail).
Personally, everytime I ride in the reservoir I get frustrated of how wide the trails are getting and all the 'shortcuts' people make. I have taken kind to riding north from rt44 up the metacomet. It is less traveled, albeit an out-and-back, still fun. You should join me. I keep meaning to ride it with Salem.