Erik Schlimmer tells the story of how he learned to fastpack the Adirondacks, a grueling 110 miles and 19,000 vertical feet of climbing, in five days with only 11 pounds on his back.
When this issue hits the gyms and stores, the story that inspired this column will be old news, but I’m writing about it anyway because I think it raises some really important issues in the active community.
Want the truth about those new wheels? Be careful what you
ask for.
Bike SnobNYC, as we know him (or her) has been setting local cyclists straight on bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com since June 15, 2007. Now he (or she) answers our questions (kind of).
How did you get started in cycling? I’ve always been obsessed with bikes and riding. Apparently as a small child I used to mutter about them while sleepwalking, as my parents (yes, I have parents) love to tell me. When I got older I got into BMX. At first I mostly focused on trying to copy the tricks I saw in the magazines, but eventually I turned to racing instead, which turned out to be much more fun for me. I had some “lost years” after that during which I was busy with some of the standard temptations and vices teenagers become preoccupied with, but once that stuff (or at least some of it) got out of my system I started doing long rides and eventually started racing again. I now ride road, cyclocross, mountain and do the odd track race. I also commute by bike most days.
Do you race with a team? I do, and fortunately my membership is not contingent on my getting any results.
What prompted you to start the BIKESNOBNYC blog? Honestly there was almost no premeditation. At first I was just experimenting with the blog format. I wasn’t sure what to write about and then I realized that whenever I check the Craigslist “bikes for sale” section I wind up screaming at most of the sellers in my head. So I figured I’d just write that. It was fun so I made a point of updating every day. Then one day I saw I had some comments and thought, “Hey, people are actually reading this!”
Why anonymity? Partly it has to do with the fact that I started the blog on a whim and didn’t think things through, so it was just easier to make the default decision to have no identity. Also, I realized immediately that I was going to be writing pretty pointed stuff, and I think that kind of thing works better when you don’t know who’s writing it, because then you can envision the author any way you want. That way it’s funny (hopefully) instead of mean. For all anybody knows, I could be the exact opposite of the people I make fun of, or I can be the very people I’m making fun of. (In reality, in most cases I’m a little bit of both.) And finally, I’m a pretty quiet person in real life, so I didn’t want people suddenly paying attention to me at races or something. If I get attention at a race, I want it to be because of my riding. Fortunately that’s never going to happen.
Has the blog brought you a fame and fortune? The most rewarding thing about it has been the feedback I get. I get a lot of emails from people who enjoy the blog and that just feels great. I’ve also been contacted by people in the cycling world I really respect, and I’m honored by the recognition. The blog gets read in lots of different corners of the cycling world, and as someone who loves cycling that makes me very happy. The two things I love are cycling and writing, and I’m really grateful they’ve come together for me this way.
As far as a fortune, there isn’t one. The blog has reached a level of popularity where I could certainly be profiting from it more than I am, but wouldn’t do anything to compromise the site just for a few more bucks. There are already enough sites out there trying to sell T-shirts and fishing for free bike stuff. I’d love to be making a living from it and I’m open to opportunity, but right now the reward is in the readership.
Do you get hate mail? Believe it or not, I get 99.9 percent fan mail. When I first started, I just assumed I'd get all kinds of angry emails, but that never happened. Probably the most common type of email I get is people forwarding me goofy ads from their local Craigslist, but I get lots of other stuff too. I don't always have time to answer them all, but I always appreciate getting them.
How many hits do you average? Per week? On the blog or in person? No, seriously, that’s none of your business.
Is cycling what pays your bills? Or do you have another life on the side? No, I don’t work in the bike biz. I have a day job which is not bike-related.
What is your greatest cycling pet peeve? Belgiumkneewarmers.com asked me the same thing recently. Definitely whining and unwarranted bragging. I’m a big fan of modesty on the bike.
If you could make one rule that all cyclists in NYC had to follow, what would it be? If you’re not a personal friend of mine, GET OFF MY WHEEL!
What makes your dream bike? I’m against the whole notion of dream bikes. “Dream” implies that it’s unobtainable. Why should my cycling happiness be wrapped up in anything that’s unobtainable? That’s part of the reason I make so much fun of cycling marketing on my blog. It’s mostly based on convincing you that you don’t know true cycling perfection, but that it’s eternally around the corner and can be yours for just a few more dollars. Then you finally get your hands on it—just in time to find out they’re releasing a new and better model. Sorry, I don’t buy that. If it works and fits it’s a dream bike.
In your opinion, what is the most ridiculous accessory any cyclist could buy? A tuxedo. Because why would you even need that for cycling?
Is anyone safe from criticism? Well, there’s the obvious stuff like serious injury, illness and death, but otherwise no.
When you’re out riding, what makes you laugh? I never laugh
while cycling! Riding is a serious endeavor! If you’re laughing you’re not
riding hard enough! Actually, that’s not true. Cluelessness is always
funny. The guy I saw riding a brakeless fixed-gear the wrong way down 6th
avenue while trying to balance a box on his tiny chopped handlebars was pretty
funny—except for the fact that he was liable to die at any moment. The guy
working out on his time trial bike in full aero gear who bellowed at my friends
and me to get out of his way after we’d just finished a race was pretty funny
too. I guess it’s cluelessness mixed with self-importance that always
gets me.
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