The things we love

Everytime Karina and I have a ‘date day’ in Edmonton we enjoy a simple ritual. At noon we begin at our favorite restaurant, Sugarbowl, indulge in a premium craft cocktail, split a delicious brunch spread, and hang for an hour. 

Once we are satiated, and feeling happy, we amble next door to Redbike, my favorite niche bike shop, where I spend the next half hour drooling over a variety of unique, ‘hipster’ bicycles, while daydreaming about my next purchase. Despite having a full stable of mountain bikes, folding bikes and more, the desire for ‘new’ never seems to fully wane. 

One bike that has been teasing me for quite some time is called a mini-velo, specifically the Velo-Orange, Neutrino. This mini sized bike with bmx sized wheels, rides like a full sized bike, and is made for an adult. There is no logical reason why I should want to build this bike. It doesn’t accomplish a mission that I can’t already complete, nor solve any specific problem. In fact most of the bikes I already own will do the job better.  

It boils down to the joyful feeling I get when I imagine myself building, riding, or simply polishing the mini-velo. Maybe it's the fun colours, the cute size, or just something different. I am fully aware that when I do eventually buy one, my life will not improve in any meaningful way.

So for now I hold off purchasing, and instead keep imagining, internet researching and customizing in my mind. The heart wants what the heart wants, and no amount of reasoning will change this. 

• Now that’s a peak ethos.