Global Versus Local

I recently decided to fully embrace the NorCal, outdoorsy-male stereotype that I was already the walking embodiment of, and went out and bought my very first real-deal mountain bike. I spent an embarrassing amount of time researching my new steed. Oh, there were dilemmas. Hardtail or full suspension? The number of gears I’d need took some serious thinking. The color? Huge decision. Tire size? My god, the mindbendingly-hard choices never ceased. When the box containing my new bike showed up at my door, a buddy and I cracked a couple beers and spent a boozy afternoon assembling the thing. While threading