Pedals, Pruning, and Pitiful Performance

The morning air carried a crisp bite, cold yet invigorating, a quiet reminder winter still lingers. The sun stretched long shadows across the streets, painting the city in soft light. It was the kind of morning calling for movement, for motion, for momentum. I pulled Xanthos from the garage, my vibrant single-speed, my colorful companion for the day’s ride.

The route to Shibuya was a blend of winding backstreets and bustling main roads, a maze of familiar turns and unexpected detours. Somewhere along the way, I took a wrong turn, veering off course, momentarily lost in the city’s endless sprawl and narrow roads. But the ride was the reward, not just the destination. Tokyo’s pulse beats through its streets, and today, I was moving with it.

Freshly cut, feeling lighter, I pointed Xanthos toward a local bike shop. The single-speed simplicity has served me well and is insanely fun, but the thought of converting to a full SRAM Force setup has me curious. More precision, more versatility, more potential.

The shop visit was not just about mechanics, not just about upgrades, but about evolution. The city’s terrain shifts, from flat stretches to rolling inclines, from smooth pavement to sudden climbs. A geared system would open new possibilities, allow for longer distances, more variation, deeper engagement with the ride itself. I have not yet made a decision, but find the idea utterly intriguing.

Having spent the last thirty rides indoors, today felt different. The road’s unpredictability, the subtle changes in terrain, the constant engagement of body and mind all felt unfamiliar yet exhilarating. My heart rate was noticeably higher than during my virtual rides, despite indoor sessions often producing higher wattage. The data seemed contradictory, confusing, curious. Effort is not just numbers, not just stats, but sensation, struggle, and adaptation. The body reacts differently to the road, the air, the energy of movement unconfined by walls.

The streets whispered a truth I have long known. Virtual rides serve a purpose, sharpening endurance, refining technique, building strength. But nothing replaces the open road.

The wind against my skin, the city shifting in motion, the unpredictable dance of traffic and turns. Today was a taste, a glimpse, a moment of return. Soon, I will be back on the road where I belong.