As soon as I finished putting together my fixie I took it out for a spin in the parking lot of my apartment complex to get a feel for the new riding style. It was a strange feeling, almost nostalgic. Isn't that what a six year old will do when he or she gets a new bike for christmas or birthday? I'm not saying that I felt like a kid again, it's more like I felt different. I've never ridden any of my other bikes around a parking lot. When I bought them I rode them as briefly as possible because I don't like people watching me ride (ironically) and didn't even try to get it properly adjusted. So why did I enjoy myself so much in my own parking lot? Is it a territorial thing? I could accept that if I didn't end up riding through the neighboring lot as well. Fewer eyes on me that know exactly what to look for? That makes sense as well but the residents that were out coupled with the fact that I know exactly what to look for cancles it out. So what is it?
I pondered this thought briefly before I accepted the explination that the feeling came from riding something I made myself. I wanted to ride it. In fact the next day I even changed out of my pajamas just to go out and ride it around some more. I haven't left the lot yet, but I haven't really felt any sort of need to. Sure I could be scared of traffic and pedestrians and not being able to stop or dismount in any sort of attractive way yet. But that didn't stop me when I got my first real road bike and clipless pedals, I still wasn't accustomed to the integrated shifting yet.
This is an extraordinary phenominon that isn't explained because so few people even find themselves in a similar situation anymore.
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