Freedom

The real truth lies here.

Modern society is pretty much fucked. The world is made up of vacuous, self-centered morons brainwashed by the internet and mainstream media, who in turn are no more than puppets of .ooo1% of the population who own 99% of the wealth and pull the strings of every major government, bank, business and institution. 1984 is a reality, we just don’t realise and acknowledge it, because if it was made that obvious then we might just say “wait a minute, they’re fucking us!” We are made to believe we have freedom, whereas, in reality, all we actually have is the illusion of freedom.

Cycling may be the only real freedom we have, and even that is surreptitiously controlled for us, and is controlling us. We are told we need the latest carbon frame that looks like dog shit and rides not much better, while a 30 year old steel bike does exactly the same job, which is: to move us across the earth and put a smile on our face, yet we are convinced that we won’t be happy unless our new standard bottom brackets constantly creak and need fortnightly servicing. Mountain bikers are now being cajoled into believing that an extra 6mm of width on a rear hub will change our lives. It’s enough to make me go back to a hardtail. With a longer fork, slacker angles, wider bars, shorter stays, bigger wheels, fatter tyres, less gears, naturally.

Of course, advancements in technology do make a difference to our rides, especially for mountain biking. Road, I’m not as convinced. My Bosomworth, while heavier, with less gears and slower shifting than my Jaegher, is still a great bike to ride and would no doubt make me stronger if it was my only ride. Suspension and dropper posts for the MTB are pretty much essential and improve the experience, but if I lost the rear shock I’m sure I’d still be able to ride most of the terrain I do now, maybe with a bit more discomfort and a little less control, but wouldn’t that put the emphasis back on me to sharpen my skills and pick my lines a little more carefully? Thinking? No, we can’t have that.

Same can be said with the choices we think we make in our everyday lives: we aren’t making them, they are made for us. We don’t need all that shit they are selling us. We have the freedom to think for ourselves and make our own minds up, yet still just go along with the status quo, what the tv tells us to buy, what the corporations tell us to consume, what the 000.1% want us to do. Be good little happy consumers and shut the fuck up. Or go ride your bike, any bike, and use the time to think about what’s real and what we’re told is real. Don’t be afraid, set yourself free. It’s the only truth we can really believe.

Now head over to The Gear page and buy some shit.

Brett

Don't blame me

Next Guest Article: Anatomy of a Photo - The Look »

Previous « Dress Like An Onion: The Art of Layering

View Comments

Matt says:

Nov 12 2015 at 11:40 am

I love mountain biking. I absolutely cherish it. But the sport is in full-on Bitch Mode right now.

*End slightly off-topic, nonconstructive comment*
brett says:

Nov 12 2015 at 11:41 am

@Gianni

@brett

Secondly, even if you put tires on that MBK, you will discover how harsh those wheels are. I have the same ones on my steel steed and they are cruel. Put some 25s on and lower the pressure a bit, that’s your only hope.

There's a set of Mavics on the other bike he picked up, can give those a run. He also found a front Shamal in a rubbish pile, a couple of dings in the rim though.

@wiscot

Yep, the saddle is going, I've got a Flite somewhere I'll take over for it. Some black fizik tape, couple of 25c's and it's a goer!
frank says:

Nov 12 2015 at 1:35 pm

@brett

That's not super record, but that's an amazingly gorgeous bike, matey.
Mikael Liddy says:

Nov 12 2015 at 2:53 pm

@brett

It’s the “won’t someone think of the children” mob who have condemned the planet to its inevitable death, driving the gas guzzlers, powering the cruelty industry, burying their heads in electronics and teaching the little shits that they are the most important thing.

Could this be one of those you were referring to?

@senharv

@Ron

Really, a “fucktard” what is that ? I know you on the far side of the pond have great difficulty with the English language, ie speaking it and being understood, but that word stretches way beyond that.

Not only is it somehow offensive but, it does not really exist,is neither descriptive nor imaginative and renders the opinions of anyone who who would choose to use it null and void.

Grow up and consider those of us who read your foul utterings………..

?

Kudos to taking the time to register, just to complain about a word that is "somehow offensive"...if you'd taken the time to read a few more of the articles around here you'd be well aware that, not only has fucktard been in use on these pages for quite some time, but it's barely scraping the surface when it comes to things that might, somehow, offend someone.
azryder says:

Nov 12 2015 at 3:11 pm

Were you referring to stuff like this @Brett? You mean we all shouldn't run out and buy a dozen of these! Balderdash! I say!
The Pressure says:

Nov 12 2015 at 3:15 pm

@Barracuda

Why pay him Tuesday when you could give him a hamburger today??
Barracuda says:

Nov 12 2015 at 4:24 pm

@brett @frank @gianni @all.

My Thursday night FREEDOM

Roads were quiet, shadows were long, legs were turning, wheels were rolling.
hawk says:

Nov 12 2015 at 4:37 pm

who in turn are no more than puppets of .ooo1% of the population who own 99% of the wealth and pull the strings of every major government, bank, business and institution. 1984 is a reality, we just don’t realise and acknowledge it, because if it was made that obvious then we might just say “wait a minute, they’re fucking us!” We are made to believe we have freedom, whereas, in reality, all we actually have is the illusion of freedom.

Great to see some writers here wise on the JQ ;)
Oli says:

Nov 12 2015 at 6:03 pm

@senharv

Hey you fucking loser fuckhead, fucktard is perfectly acceptable so fuck the fuck off!
Oli says:

Nov 12 2015 at 6:04 pm

(Too much?)