G.A.S.

I learned this term from PJ, informing me that it's used in the musician community. Do you know what it stands for? Anybody? Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Buying more shit. And more. And more. I totally get it on their end. Musicians are known for buying more pedals, more amps, more cords, more boxes. You know, gear.

PJ accused me of having G.A.S., of the bike nature. The immediacy of the reaction shocked me. "Yeah, you're exactly right!". I buy shit, especially around this time of year in the birthday/Xmas zone. I think early winter is also the start of the "winter project" season, when you have time to analyze all the reasons why your gear didn't take you to new heights, notwithstanding the issue that fitness accounts for the other, oh, 97%. Many factors have contributed to my GAS, including a generous father, constant disappointment with my weight (which can be remedied with schwag, right?), the internet, RBW and BQ for fostering philosophies of GAS, bike shops who know a sucker when they see one, a consumer frivolity which seems to be encouraged. "Celebrate America. Go shopping!"

I came oh so this close to buying one of these a few weeks ago. I could have swung it barely, and hemmed



and hawed for several days, only to not do so. GAS. Ultimately, would I use the Pugs much? Do we have snow? Do we have endless sand? Do we have endless river flats? Yes, a river, but no flats. I didn't pull the trigger.

Golly Gee, it would have been cool!!

Instead of one big gassy purchase, I've been futzing with many smaller "improvements".  A new cassette and rear. Fenders here-n-there. New handlebars. Yet another set of tires. I spent numerous days debating having a custom rack for the IF made but quit slightly dissatisfied. GAS does that to you. The pommes frites go down yummily, but what do they give you?

And, BTW, I commuted today, some 14 miles or so. Finally. The good wife even needed me to stop by the grocery on the way home, so into the long Ute bag I put a gallon of milk, a 1/2 gallon of OJ, a six-pack of Schlafly's Winter ESB (#2 almost gone), berries, a salad, and a box of Cheez-itz. Great bike, the Ute.

Comments

Pondero said…
Of course the Ute is a great bike.

You can carry lots of new bike gear with it. Like a new patch kit, or a saddlebag, or a saddle, or brakes, a pair of wheels...

Or a Pugsley.
Kokorozashi said…
I believe that I, too, suffer from a moderate case of GAS -- at least where bikes and bike stuff are concerned (my musical GASsiness is limited by the fact that I can only fit one organ in my house -- but that's a valid excuse for buying a bigger house, right? :D).

Also, major +1 to Pondero's hilarious comment!
DerrickP said…
I hear you with the Pugsley envy. I had myself all geared up to buy a Pug when I went with the Troll instead. The Troll was just too practical compared to it's fat-tired brother. But, oh the joys of riding the Pugsley. They still haunt me occasionally.
Jon said…
Funny, I didn't see this until today. Great minds think alike, I suppose.

If anyone has G.A.S., it's me. Ten bikes, 20 guitars, somewhere over ten amps...

Lord help me, though. I am still looking at the Fatties...
Apertome said…
I definitely get GAS too, not as badly as you do, but I'm moderated a lot by a limited budget, made nearly nonexistent since I'm in school. Lately I've mostly had GAS for photography gear, I'm actually pretty happy with my bike setups right now, but that's easy to say when I'm hardly even riding lately. I *would* love a Pugsley, but I don't see one in my future, either. Too costly and not enough riding opportunities that call for it.

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