The title of this blog would make you think of two negative situations.  But actually, one is negative, and one may not be - depending on how you look at it.

This issue came up at the Alleycat on Friday when a racer asked another how many bikes they owned.  The rest of the weekend I had that question rattling around in my head.  As I lay in bed, awake at 1:00am, I thought about my situation - and my number of bikes I owned.  I started counting; ok - road bike, TT bike, CX bike, late 70's fixie…  1, 3, 6…..8.  I was able to stop at 8.  I can say however, that none of my bikes are the truly expensive buggers that you would commonly see at an Ironman, or Cat 1 road race.  Working in the industry has it's perks, and my ability  to ride bikes that snobby riders might scoff at, also makes by fleet seem innocent.

So, is this a Sickness or Illness?

Sickness would be the negative way of wanting more of something than you need, or going off the deep end and thinking you could possible find time to ride 8 bikes yourself.  I understand the "sickness", and where that claim could come from as a bystander sitting back counting all the frames stuffed in a garage (and other places).  Webster's definition of SICKNESS is as follows:

sick·ness

Pronunciation: \ˈsik-nəs\

Function: noun

Date: before 12th century

1 a : ill health : illness b : a disordered, weakened, or unsound condition
2 : a specific disease
3 : nausea, queasiness

In reading the definition, you see the word "ILL", as in ill health or an illness.  When I hear the word ill, my first thought is of the Beastie Boys.  As a teenager, they had an album (I will call it a cassette, as that was the only form of playback I had for this new group of tracks).  "Licensed to Ill".  Ill being used, as according to the Urban Dictionary:  

Ill - Adj. Having great skill or skills with respect to particular endeavor.

So, armed with the definition of both words.  The question is still at hand.  Having many bikes - A sickness or illness?  

Any outsider of our great passion (bikes), would look at it as a sickness - an over doing of something - a gross state of excess.

I have to look at this as an illness.  Having skills with respect to this particular endeavor - enjoying my rides.  As any seasoned rider knows - or to put in laments terms - as any carpenter understands - EVERY JOB REQUIRES A PARTICULAR TOOL.  Yes, I can build an entire home with a rock as my hammer.  It will get the job done, it will take a bit more time, and possibly make me quite frustrated at moments - but I will eventually finish.  I can take a step up in the "hammer" tool line, and trade in my rock for a $10 cheapie hammer at Walmart.  Works a lot better than my rock, and my frustration level has dropped greatly.  Now, as in all things, there are the "Cadillac" version of hammers.  The $120 titanium head, graphite shaft version.  Vibration being dampened, the head easier to swing around, the claw having greater ease of removing nails… etc.  Frustration level WAY down, and quite possibly finding joy in the event of building the home.

Everyone reading this post, has used a hammer.  Now think about the mountain biker riding along a winding single track.  Maybe a front shock equipped mountain bike.  Think of all the curves, the drop offs, the log climbs.  Man, what a joy to ride.  Now take that mountain bike on a 20 mile gravel road ride.  That lovely little bike that worked so perfectly in the forest turns out to be a pig, a heavy anchor dragging down your ride.  That tool, perfect for one job - might not be quite geared for your ride, light enough, and possibly frustrating.  Enter the cross bike, or the 700c wheeled hybrid bike with 34mm tires.  That same 20 mile gravel ride just got a whole ton easier, and way more enjoyable.  Maybe even a rack over the back wheel with some panniers.  Life is great.

NOW, take that cross bike, and go race a crit, or a road race… Or do a triathlon.  Anyone seeing some frustration level rising?  Every job requires a particular tool.  I consider myself having "ill" bike skills, and I love riding all conditions.  Those differing conditions make having a few different bikes a worth while situation.  NOW please remember - I AM NOT A BIKE SNOB!!! I will never look down on someone riding a bike for any reason and have anything but positive things to say about their effort, or their choice of steeds.  My favorite winter bike is a late 80's Mongoose fix mountain bike - worked over with love from my favorite LBS.  To me, the thing in priceless.

I am sure I am preaching to the choir on this issue, but that question on Friday really struck a chord with me.  I questioned myself - and wanted to figure out if I had the sickness or illness.  I know guys who have the sickness - serious 106 degree temp get me to the hospital sickness.  I would have to say, I have a bad case of illness.  Mad skills illness.  Now, me building a tricked out track bike, hoping I could find time to get up to Blair, MN - to race at the velodrome - might be a little sick.  But hey - I haven't pulled the trigger on that, YET.  So, I am still ILL. 

Readers, I am not asking you to also take stock in your bikes lives, count the frames, or question yourself.  Leave your life stock alone.  If you got a little sickness in your system.  Cure it.  Get out, ride those stinkin' bikes, and get ILL.