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Reflections
What is the goal of any business? The bottom line. Generate a profit and then increase that profit margin. Produce and sell more goods. Over time then become more efficient in producing goods at a lower price and enlarge your distribution channels and network. That in a nutshell what the bottom line is all about. Without it businesses would falter and eventually shutter operations.
I grew up in small-town America. Blue collar, agricultural, and no hype. The local economy was tied to farming and ranching. One of the main industries in town was the meat-packing plant and livestock auction. Not much in terms of recreation and certainly not a tourist destination (not until later on when a casino opened).
What draws us to bikes? The same can be asked of coffee. While we may love the fitness that comes with mountain biking or the pick-me-up that coffee delivers in the morning, what ultimately draws us in is the lifestyle. The "scene," the friendships and camaraderie, events and races, and the overall culture of mountain biking is what we want and love to be part of. It lands us in a "tribe" or family.
I find that spending a day at the coast is what it truly takes for me to slow down and rest. On my mountain bike day trips and outings I feel as though I’m fighting against the clock. Get up early, pack up my bike and gear, drive to the trailhead (usually a 60-90 minute drive), hope the crowds aren’t too insane (which is why it’s essential to leave early), ride hard, pack up, and then head home (stopping for a meal on the way back). When I’m on the trail it’s about going fast. If it’s a loop or specific route I’m usually then trying to beat my previous times. But a trip at the coast? I just sit and watch the waves …
I like to create and start things. Maybe it's because I started off university studies as an art major. Art is about creating from scratch. A blank canvas is where it begins. However, I'd say that for me even beneath the surface of all of this is a natural curiosity. I like to create and start things because I'm curious.
I feel as though I'm always poking and prodding topics that, while they are near and dear in the world of coffee and bikes, don't always garner the most attention. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of people talking, writing, and doing these things. They just don't snag the headlines like when Trek releases a new frame, Marzocchi drops a new fork, or the latest happenings in the DH World Cup. Don't worry, no conspiracy theories harbored here and like you I love reading about all the latest happenings in the mountain bike world.
