#monkbicycleco

[hizokucycles]

Reposted from @bicyclecrumbs I think everyone want to be perceived as successful, and because of this social media is a fantasy world on how people want to viewed by others. Its not reality… even though I’ve always tried to be as honest as possible with crumbs, When we moved to Portland 5 years ago we were honestly struggling and I was afraid to admit that. So many new adjustments and the cost of living out here was drastically different than the mid west. Because of this I sold a few bikes, not because I wanted to, but simply because we needed the cash. My @monkbikeworks ranks near the top of my all time favorite bikes. But sadly it was one of the ones that had to go at the time (it wasn’t the most practical city bike). I actually traded it and sold the bike i brought in. This is one of, if not my biggest bike sale regrets. My custom @francobikes grimes is a similar story. Monk was so far ahead of the US in what they were doing. Huge tire clearance good quality steel, I believe this thing was right around 22lbs and was first built in 2015. It was also a super fun ride very agile. I always hope to see this bike in the road again but it hasn’t happened. The larger point here is it’s ok to struggle and it’s ok to talk about that with your friends. Cycling for me has always come in waves. Some years I’m super serious and “train” for events, more recently I could be categorized as a “destination cyclist”. Meaning mostly ride to get somewhere to do something. I do hate how that term is somehow derogatorily used. To me that’s where bikes shine. It’s so rad to hop on a bike with a friend and pedal to a beer bar for a few drinks. I did this today with @fartstorm and it was great. How ever you ride, don’t let anyone make you feel it isn’t the right way. Road is cool, gravel is cool, mtbs are cool (though downhill is a wildly problematic world of cycling) and commuting is cool as shit. More bikes = less cars. Anyway, someday I’ll get another one of these in my hand. If I remember correctly @gordonseriously shot this photo of my bike years ago. #bike #bicycle #cycling #gravel #gravelbike #650b #industry9 #portland #pdx #monkbicycleco #bicyclecrumbs #hizokucycles https://www.instagram.com/p/CTf7X-upvxz/?utm_medium=tumblr