Author Archives: 16incheswestofpeoria

About 16incheswestofpeoria

Former bicycle mechanic, current peruser of books, feeder of birds.

Questions for the reader awheel

When you look at a bicycle, what catches your attention? The orange frame, the shiny cold-forged cranks, or the red panniers just slightly smaller than Rhode Island? When you ride a bicycle, are you more interested in the twisty gray … Continue reading

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Waving between eyeglass prescriptions

Details. I miss more of them the older I get. It’s not a matter of inattention—not for the most part—it’s the eyes or the glasses, or most likely, both. It seems progressive vision means progressively worse. Clap if you can … Continue reading

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Why to shift gears without electricity

The way I understand it, pushing a button to initiate a wireless gear change is like squirting ketchup out of a plastic bottle: the signal travels between shifter and derailleur in a straight line. My understanding, of course, is based … Continue reading

Posted in Becoming a bicycle, bicycle, Equipment, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

What’s your line?

Ride around the block and you soon find yourself retracing your journey. Not exactly, of course: a single-track vehicle cannot help but make two tracks in the snow, the track of the rear tire crossing and recrossing the track of … Continue reading

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This essay has way too many exclamation points. Go ride your bike!

People on television put a lot of effort into selling prescription drugs—and their side effects. Go ride your bike! In the United States, some believe there are two sides to any issue. Others disagree. Go ride your bike! Serious people … Continue reading

Posted in bicycle, Read and roll | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment