As we know, and have proven on many occasions, music and bikes go together like peanut butter and chocolate. Like Malbec and smoked Edam, like pesto and sun dried tomatoes. Personally I think it is in the beat. The rhythm. The time signature. It is tribal, wild and hypnotic. You can add whatever you like atop a solid back-beat, be it baroque, classical, jazzical, rockabilly or punk. You can do it in 4/4 time or try to cram in sixteenths or thirty-seconds into every measure. You can syncopate or you can para-diddle, you can use a bongo or a djimbe, you can bang with sticks, your hands or mallets. Just mirror the heart. Beat, pause, beat, pause, beat-beat, pause. 1-2-3-4.
Work harder, beat faster. Drama? Add intensity. Hills? Whoa baby. Thumpa thumpa. Any wonder why the drum has been the instrument of choice for eons when leading the charge into battle? Or as Kurt Vonnegut gave as answer to the Army WWI billeting solution, they rented a tent, rented a tent, rented a rented a rented a tent.
Ah, the drum. And its percussive counterpart in melody, the piano. The 88s. Beautiful, heavenly, unlimited. And hefty. Hammers and strings. Wood. Big. Not the instrument of choice for marching bands.
But where there is a will there is a way. Check out this article on Mr. B. His joy-box rig weighs in at over 350 pounds. Try taking that tune up a 12% grade. He says you just have to slow down and relax. "You just have to gear way down, be really patient, and work through it". You will get there. Where have we learned THAT before?
I like his attitude.
I would play drums for this guy to help him up the hill.
Nice effort, Mr. B.
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