Bar Tape

I just re-wrapped the bars on my bike last night and I started thinking about this act. It’s almost a moment of zen – performing a simple task and trying to achieve perfection.

When I first started working in bike shops I was the only roadie in a shop full of mountain bikers. As such, I was the guy who built all of the road bikes. Building a road bike requires time and precision, and at the time, wraping the bars just made it a chore.

After a year at this shop, I decided I wanted to work at a more road-oriented shop, so I headed to one of the besthigh-end road racing shops in town and applied for a sales/jr. mechanic position. I got the job.  

Then I met Andrew. He was a cocky former track rider with a hell of a sprint. He taught me a lot about training, bike handling and race tactics. He was also a damn good bike mechanic. He took pride in wraping bars perfectly. 

It was fascinating how something as simple as wraping a bar with a strip of cork could be perfected into an art form. Most people don’t notice their bar tape, but when Andrew wrapped a bar for someone, they always commented on how great it looked. 

I watched and learned. Now wraping a bar is almost an escape for me. I don’t work in a bike shop anymore, so I only do it once or twice a year. I am sure there is a greater life lesson analogy in here, but I won’t pretend that it applies to everyone. For my personal journey, this seemingly mundane act helps me focus. It comes to mind when work seems like drudgery and helps me focus.