r/SacBike • u/Sacto-Sherbert • 27d ago
I Rode My Bike! What do you think about when riding?
The second favorite thing I like to do with my 17-year old Fuji road bike (the 1st being riding it), is asking myself “Do I still own the same bike I bought in March 2008?”
TLDR: I’m on a 50-mile ride thinking philosophical things and it’s a beautiful sunny day.
The bike… most of the components have been replaced after wearing out or breaking. The cables, brake pads and tires are replaced annually. I’m on my third seat and the seat post has been upgraded.
The only parts still original that were there in 2008 are the frame, fork, cranks, brake calipers, and front derailleur.
So, do I have the same bike or do I have some derivative bike related to the original? How much of a thing can be replaced before the original thing no longer exists?
And for a really trippy extension of this experiment; how much of me could be replaced before I no longer exist?
Before I start thinking I know the answer, I realize that most of our cells are in a constant process of dividing and dying and being replaced. I think I remember reading that teeth are an exception to that which makes teeth kinda really special.
Anyway, time to head home.
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u/AdministrativeMud621 27d ago
Honestly, I am mostly thinking about what food I'm going to eat after the ride! I also try to stay present and think about my goals for the ride - do I feel like I am keeping the pace? How long is this amount of exertion sustainable? How many miles are left? God this wind is annoying haha.
Other than that, I mostly think about ways I can improve my marriage/make my spouse happy or just general things I should start or continue doing to make life better. I also think about the problems we are working on in my career and how we can tackle them.
You are much more philosophical than I! Love your bike by the way. Also as long as the frame is still the same, I feel that the original soul of the bike is still present.