To The Core

Chapter 1: The Inexplicable Fixation

In the hustle and bustle of the modern city, where bike messengers ruled the streets with their fixed gear bicycles, there lived a man named Arnold Stirling. Arnold was an ordinary man with an extraordinary obsession: fixed gear bikes. His entire world revolved around the sleek frames, minimalist designs, and the mesmerising spin of the cog.

Arnold’s love for fixed gear bikes bordered on the absurd. He spent hours meticulously polishing his frame, adjusting his gear ratio, and debating the merits of different handlebar tape colours. His apartment resembled a shrine to fixed gear culture, adorned with vintage posters of iconic bike races and shelves lined with specialised tools for bike maintenance.

But Arnold’s fixation didn’t end with the bikes themselves. He was also captivated by the subculture surrounding fixed gear riding. He attended alleycat races religiously, cheered on his favourite riders at velodrome events, and even dreamt of one day embarking on a fixed gear pilgrimage around the globe.

One fateful day, while browsing the depths of the internet for the latest bike components, Arnold stumbled upon a peculiar advertisement. It was a cryptic message, promising an otherworldly adventure to those brave enough to pedal into the unknown. Intrigued and fueled by his insatiable curiosity, Arnold clicked on the ad without hesitation.

Chapter 2: The Enigmatic Expedition

The advertisement led Arnold to a clandestine group known as the “Ramen Riders,” a secretive society of fixed gear enthusiasts who claimed to have unlocked the ultimate cycling experience: tracklocross. According to the Ramen Riders, tracklocross was a mystical discipline that combined the speed and agility of track cycling with the adrenaline-fuelled chaos of cyclocross racing.

Eager to uncover the truth behind this enigmatic sport, Arnold reached out to the Ramen Riders and expressed his interest in joining their ranks. To his surprise, he received a swift response inviting him to partake in an initiation ritual that would test his mettle as a fixed gear rider.

The initiation took place in the dead of night, beneath the shadowy canopy of an abandoned velodrome shrouded in secrecy. Arnold arrived at the designated location, his heart pounding with anticipation as he approached a group of hooded figures clad in denim and flannel and with neon-colored cycling caps.

Without a word, the Ramen Riders presented Arnold with a fixed gear bike unlike any he had ever seen. Its frame was forged from a mysterious alloy that seemed to shimmer in the moonlight, and its components were adorned with arcane symbols that hinted at its otherworldly origins.

Chapter 3: The Perilous Pedal

With trepidation coursing through his veins, Arnold mounted the otherworldly bike and prepared himself for the unknown. The Ramen Riders led him to the starting line of the velodrome, where a makeshift tracklocross course had been carved out of the overgrown grass and crumbling asphalt.

As the starting signal echoed through the night, Arnold surged forward with a burst of adrenaline, his fixed gear bike propelling him into the heart of the velodrome. The tracklocross course proved to be a formidable challenge, riddled with obstacles that tested his agility, endurance, and sheer determination.

Arnold navigated the treacherous terrain with a mix of skill and daring, deftly weaving between obstacles, bunny-hopping over barriers, and powering through mud pits with unwavering determination. Every pedal stroke brought him closer to the elusive goal of mastering tracklocross, but with each passing moment, he felt the weight of exhaustion settling in his limbs.

Chapter 4: The Revelation

Just as Arnold’s strength began to wane and doubt crept into his mind, he stumbled upon a hidden chamber nestled beneath the velodrome. Intrigued by the mysterious entrance, Arnold dismounted his bike and cautiously made his way inside, his heart racing with anticipation.

What he found inside took his breath away: a vast underground cavern illuminated by a dazzling array of bioluminescent fungi that carpeted the walls and ceiling. At the centre of the cavern stood a towering figure adorned in ornate cycling gear, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.

The figure introduced himself as the Ramen, the legendary founder of the Ramen Riders and the guardian of the fixed gear universe. He revealed to Arnold the true nature of tracklocross: a sacred ritual that transcended the boundaries of time and space, connecting riders to the primal energy of the earth itself.

Enlightened by the Ramen’s wisdom, Arnold realised that his journey was not merely about mastering a sport but about embracing the essence of fixed gear culture and connecting with a global community of like-minded individuals. With a newfound sense of purpose, Arnold pledged to honour the legacy of the Ramen Riders and spread the joy of fixed gear cycling to every corner of the earth.

Epilogue: The Endless Adventure

And so, armed with his trusty fixed gear bike and the teachings of the Ramen, Arnold embarked on a never-ending adventure that took him to the farthest reaches of the earth and beyond. From bustling city streets to rugged mountain trails, he pedalled with unwavering passion, spreading the gospel of fixed gear cycling wherever he went.

Along the way, Arnold encountered a colourful cast of characters: eccentric bike mechanics, intrepid alleycat racers, and wise old velodrome veterans who shared his love for the open road and the thrill of the ride. Together, they formed a tight-knit community bound by a common bond and a shared passion for all things fixed gear.

And though his journey was filled with challenges and obstacles, Arnold faced each one with courage and determination, knowing that the true joy of cycling lay not in the destination but in the journey itself. For in the world of fixed gear cycling, every pedal stroke was a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human heart and the unbreakable bond between rider and machine.

And so, dear reader, let Arnold’s story be a reminder that no matter where the road may lead, the adventure never truly ends for those who dare to chase their dreams on two wheels. So pump those pedals, embrace the thrill of the ride, and join Arnold on his epic quest to discover the true meaning of life.