For some reason I’ve become obsessed with the idea of having a Surly Cross Check. I don’t know why. I’ve always fantasized about my next bike project (I have three bikes, sigh), but this has felt especially all consuming.

In less than two months, I’ll be moving to New York City for university, and I can only bring one bike. As a result, I’ve been thinking a lot about what the perfect, do-everything bike looks like. My perfect, do everything bike used to be my Fuji (year and model unknown, lol), but due to my neglect and some unluckiness, it’s in bad shape. It’s also a little big and heavy to be a good bike in the city where rooms are famously small. Shrimp is the preferred option right now, but I’m anxious about having such an outwardly nice bike in the bike theft capital of the country. But also, lol, bike theft only really happens to people that are dumb: bike lockup rules.

Shrimp is nice and light, but I’m not sure I want to consign myself to a drop bar only life. Seems pretty antithetical to the whole slow is forever thing.

This lack of clarity invited in the fantasies. I could scoop up a cross check frameset and run it with upright bars with a little sweep and maybe throw some bullhorns on for when I want to feel zoomy. I could run it with a rear rack and a front rack, for ultimate bag compatibility. Panniers on the rear when I need them, and a 137 on the front for my Tunitas tote. The dual racks would make fenders suck less, maybe I could even run them all year round. It would have a dynamo wheel and some nice tires, ultradynamicos or rene herses. I could lock it everywhere and scratch the hell out of it and then at some point get it powder coated some big fun color. I would rock Gordos or ergon grips for ultimate comfort. It would have good feeling brake levers, VO grand crus or paul canti levers. I’d run it with cantis probably. Because I’m insane, I of course compiled a list in my dream bike mania, which I’ve uploaded to accompany this post: my derangement.

I can’t afford that fantasy bike right now, but I think I can get close with Shrimp. I’m thinking of ditching the drops for some flat bars with a little sweep. Velo Orange Postinos or something similar. I could throw some Ergon grips on there. Flat bars will let me finally replace the half basket with a 137. I can throw my stem caddy on the back of that, and live out my properly-bagged dreams.

When I told my partner about my Cross Check ideations, they told me that I need to do what I taught them to do a couple months ago: fall in love with my bike again. I don’t have to always chase something new. Loving what I already have can be an act of care for me (and the planet). I’m excited to cross the country with my Lightning Bolt. The perfect bike for me is the bike I already have. The end.

A boy full of joy. He has no needs or wants. Oh to be Atlas