{"id":241874,"date":"2026-05-05T11:14:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T11:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/05\/humungous-fungus-among-us\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T11:14:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T11:14:27","slug":"humungous-fungus-among-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/05\/humungous-fungus-among-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Humungous Fungus Among Us"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Further to <a href=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2026\/05\/04\/im-old-enough-to-remember-when-i-was-old-enough-to-remember\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">yesterday\u2019s post<\/a>, in which I mentioned Specialized, here\u2019s a recent promotional video for their Levo line of e-bikes:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Paul Stamets on Nature, Mushrooms, and Creativity | Levolution\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lzXoHpX8vKw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Mushroom mogul Paul Stamets is a famous mycologist, which is the technical term for what is more commonly called a \u201cfungus Fred.\u201d  <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>He\u2019s self-taught and has a boundless enthusiasm for mushrooms, which he views as a panacea.  He also rides a bicycle, because \u201creally hard exercise stimulates the brain\u201d and leads to \u201cexistential bursts of creativity,\u201d and so the latest e-bikes from Specialized excite him nearly as much as fungi does:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"296\" data-attachment-id=\"42456\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2026\/05\/05\/humungous-fungus-among-us\/screenshot-2026-05-04-101814\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-101814.png?fit=1247%2C502&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1247,502\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2026-05-04 101814\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-101814.png?fit=736%2C296&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-101814.png?resize=736%2C296&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42456\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-101814.png?resize=1024%2C412&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-101814.png?resize=300%2C121&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-101814.png?resize=768%2C309&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-101814.png?resize=1200%2C483&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-101814.png?resize=600%2C242&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-101814.png?w=1247&amp;ssl=1 1247w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWhen I\u2019ve come to these hills in the past, on my other bikes, I\u2019d have to stop and walk them,\u201d he explains. Now, \u201cI can crest that hill. I\u2019m not defeated by the hill, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I push the envelope further than my own physical ability and I still have that sense of accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Wait.<\/p>\n<p>If really hard exercise stimulates the brain, wouldn\u2019t you want to ride a regular bike instead of an e-bike for maximum brain stimulation?  You\u2019d think so, but I guess the motor is a shortcut to the sense of accomplishment.  Sort of like how taking psilocybin is easier than meditating and training the mind.<\/p>\n<p>As the video goes on, he and his friends ride deeper and deeper into the moist forest.  The damp conditions as well as the riders\u2019 proclivity for the organisms that thrive in them raises serious questions and concerns  about what kind of chamois they\u2019re using, if any.  Alas, this is a subject the filmmakers do not address, but here\u2019s Stamets with a mushroom that will lower your blood pressure, resolve your childhood emotional trauma, cure you of alcoholism, and do your taxes:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"313\" data-attachment-id=\"42458\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2026\/05\/05\/humungous-fungus-among-us\/screenshot-2026-05-04-103816\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103816.png?fit=1241%2C527&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1241,527\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2026-05-04 103816\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103816.png?fit=736%2C313&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103816.png?resize=736%2C313&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103816.png?resize=1024%2C435&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103816.png?resize=300%2C127&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103816.png?resize=768%2C326&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103816.png?resize=1200%2C510&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103816.png?resize=600%2C255&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103816.png?w=1241&amp;ssl=1 1241w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>So is Paul Stamets truly onto something? Is he unlocking crucial wisdom and truth in the age of rapacious corporations and Big Pharma? Or is he just hawking supplements of debatable efficacy? Probably a little bit of both, though I know nothing of his work and am certainly not passing judgment either way. I\u2019m happy to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I admit I do check out when people with mustaches start soulfully playing wooden flutes in forests:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"367\" data-attachment-id=\"42460\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2026\/05\/05\/humungous-fungus-among-us\/screenshot-2026-05-04-103919\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103919.png?fit=1561%2C778&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1561,778\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2026-05-04 103919\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103919.png?fit=736%2C367&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103919.png?resize=736%2C367&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103919.png?resize=1024%2C510&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103919.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103919.png?resize=768%2C383&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103919.png?resize=1536%2C766&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103919.png?resize=1200%2C598&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103919.png?resize=1400%2C698&amp;ssl=1 1400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103919.png?resize=600%2C299&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103919.png?w=1561&amp;ssl=1 1561w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-103919.png?w=1472&amp;ssl=1 1472w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Regardless, I suspect this video will resonate strongly with the potential Levo customer, who a leaked internal memo* describes thusly:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>55+<\/li>\n<li>Mid-to-high seven figure net worth<\/li>\n<li>Lives in or close to nature<\/li>\n<li>Works remotely or is semi-retired<\/li>\n<li>Has lots of spare time to wander around and experiment with the possible physical and mental health benefits of mushrooms, despite already having a premium concierge health program, or possibly because having such a premium concierge health program insures they can get immediate treatment when they accidentally ingest a bad mushroom<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*<em>[Disclaimer: the \u201cleaked internal memo\u201d is fiction.  All of this is parody.  You can\u2019t be too careful, that flautist could be Specialized\u2019s in-house counsel.]<\/em><\/p>\n<p>I wonder if Specialized will continue in this vein with an \u201copening the <a href=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2026\/05\/04\/im-old-enough-to-remember-when-i-was-old-enough-to-remember\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SWAT door<\/a> of perception\u201d campaign:<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"396\" height=\"340\" data-attachment-id=\"24224\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2024\/02\/27\/risk-management\/npj-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/npj.gif?fit=396%2C340&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"396,340\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"npj\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/npj.gif?fit=396%2C340&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/npj.gif?resize=396%2C340&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24224\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Speaking of breaking on through to the other side\u2013or at least stepping over into it\u2013someone mentioned fat-tired mixte bikes in the comments on <a href=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2026\/05\/01\/sticking-a-fork-in-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this post<\/a> the other day, and clearly crotchal clearance is in the zeitgeist because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/features\/qa\/step-through-gravel-bike\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">look at this<\/a>:<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"631\" height=\"687\" data-attachment-id=\"42463\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2026\/05\/05\/humungous-fungus-among-us\/screenshot-2026-05-04-105810\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-105810.png?fit=631%2C687&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"631,687\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2026-05-04 105810\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-105810.png?fit=631%2C687&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-105810.png?resize=631%2C687&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-105810.png?w=631&amp;ssl=1 631w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-105810.png?resize=276%2C300&amp;ssl=1 276w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-105810.png?resize=600%2C653&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 631px) 100vw, 631px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Wait a minute\u2026<em>these<\/em> are the examples?<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"632\" height=\"570\" data-attachment-id=\"42464\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2026\/05\/05\/humungous-fungus-among-us\/screenshot-2026-05-04-105913\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-105913.png?fit=632%2C570&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"632,570\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2026-05-04 105913\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-105913.png?fit=632%2C570&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-105913.png?resize=632%2C570&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-105913.png?w=632&amp;ssl=1 632w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-105913.png?resize=300%2C271&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-105913.png?resize=600%2C541&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Uh, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rivbike.com\/products\/frame-platypus-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HELLO<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"981\" data-attachment-id=\"36729\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2025\/07\/29\/palming-it\/img_0430-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?fit=3072%2C4096&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3072,4096\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_0430\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?fit=736%2C981&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?resize=736%2C981&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36729\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?resize=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?resize=600%2C800&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?resize=300%2C400&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?resize=150%2C200&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?resize=1400%2C1867&amp;ssl=1 1400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?w=1472&amp;ssl=1 1472w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG_0430.jpg?w=2208&amp;ssl=1 2208w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rivbike.com\/products\/frame-clem-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HELLO, IS ANYBODY HOME<\/a>???<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"981\" data-attachment-id=\"35246\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2025\/05\/19\/field-tripping\/img_6184-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3024,4032\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_6184\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?fit=736%2C981&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?resize=736%2C981&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35246\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?resize=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?resize=600%2C800&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?resize=300%2C400&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?resize=150%2C200&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?resize=1400%2C1867&amp;ssl=1 1400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?w=1472&amp;ssl=1 1472w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_6184.jpg?w=2208&amp;ssl=1 2208w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Talking about step-thru \u201cgravel bikes\u201d and not mentioning Rivendell is like talking about lion\u2019s mane supplements and not mentioning Paul Stamets, or talking about litigious bike companies and not mentioning Specialized.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, Rivendell bikes are also made of steel, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/397516757_Numerical_Analysis_of_Bicycle_Frame_Using_FEM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here\u2019s an in-depth scientific analysis<\/a> of the relative properties of steel, aluminum, and titanium when used to make bicycle frames:<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"164\" data-attachment-id=\"42469\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2026\/05\/05\/humungous-fungus-among-us\/screenshot-2026-05-04-111150\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111150.png?fit=1784%2C397&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1784,397\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2026-05-04 111150\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111150.png?fit=736%2C164&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111150.png?resize=736%2C164&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42469\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111150.png?resize=1024%2C228&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111150.png?resize=300%2C67&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111150.png?resize=768%2C171&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111150.png?resize=1536%2C342&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111150.png?resize=1200%2C267&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111150.png?resize=1400%2C312&amp;ssl=1 1400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111150.png?resize=600%2C134&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111150.png?w=1784&amp;ssl=1 1784w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111150.png?w=1472&amp;ssl=1 1472w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Here\u2019s a chart:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"438\" data-attachment-id=\"42471\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2026\/05\/05\/humungous-fungus-among-us\/screenshot-2026-05-04-111434\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111434.png?fit=1258%2C748&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1258,748\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2026-05-04 111434\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111434.png?fit=736%2C438&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111434.png?resize=736%2C438&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111434.png?resize=1024%2C609&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111434.png?resize=300%2C178&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111434.png?resize=768%2C457&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111434.png?resize=1200%2C714&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111434.png?resize=600%2C357&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111434.png?w=1258&amp;ssl=1 1258w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>And the conclusion:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"664\" data-attachment-id=\"42467\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2026\/05\/05\/humungous-fungus-among-us\/screenshot-2026-05-04-111045\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111045.png?fit=854%2C771&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"854,771\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screenshot 2026-05-04 111045\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111045.png?fit=736%2C664&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111045.png?resize=736%2C664&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111045.png?w=854&amp;ssl=1 854w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111045.png?resize=300%2C271&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111045.png?resize=768%2C693&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bikesnobnyc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-04-111045.png?resize=600%2C542&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>I don\u2019t know what any of this means but\u2026yay for steel, maybe?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bikesnobnyc.com\/2026\/05\/05\/humungous-fungus-among-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Further to yesterday\u2019s post, in which I mentioned Specialized, here\u2019s a recent promotional video for their Levo line of e-bikes: Mushroom mogul Paul Stamets is a famous mycologist, which is the technical term for what is more commonly called a \u201cfungus Fred.\u201d He\u2019s self-taught and has a boundless enthusiasm for mushrooms, which he views as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":241876,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6804],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-241874","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241874","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=241874"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241874\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/241876"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241874"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=241874"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=241874"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}