the path to 100

chainring detail

I’ve been obsessed recently with the 100 Thing Challenge. I don’t think I’ll ever actually make it down to 100 — home ownership means you accumulate stuff like crazy — but I’m trying my damnedest.

Every time I post in the “for free” section on craigslist and watch someone come take yet another Thing away, I’m lightened and exhilarated. Truly, it’s amazing.

If you want to play along at home, you can periodically check in on my flickr set that shows what I’m giving away: alex’s for sale.

Today was a bittersweet day in my quest. I saw a beautiful fixie for sale and I couldn’t resist. The $350 asking price seemed a bit steep so I turned my creative juices on, and proposed a trade: I gave the guy 3 of my bikes + $100 cash in exchange for the new bike. The two cruisers I traded were great bikes, very unique, but surprisingly, the hardest bike to give up was a hidden gem.

Trading away my venerable Trek 7600 commuter makes me wistful. I’ve put 7,200 miles on that bike since 2001 and she’s never treated me wrong. She was the ultimate commuter, outfitted with a great light kit, rack, panniers, burly 700x35c puncture proof tires, an Alex rear wheel, SPDs with a platform on one side for sandal riding, and a corncob rear cog that was perfect for zooming around town. I’ll miss you, milady.

And now? I’ve got a new yellow fixie that’s heaps fun to ride. And a realization that a man does not need 6 bicycles. (He only needs 4.)