I think bike maintenance is one of those things that is similar to how you read about programmers who pick up woodworking here on HN. I know it's a zen thing for me, similar to other "craftmanship" (I'm not sure if this is the right english word for things like machanics, carpenters, plubmers and so on) like home improvement DIY, gardening or even cleaning the damn house.
It's just very zen. Both because it tends to relatively less tasking on your executive functions, is physical and provides tangible results that you can see and "feel" relatively quickly. It may also be because programming is frankly a craftmanship for the most parts. There are a few projects where I'm doing Computer Science, but for the most part I'm a digital plumber.
I think I could enjoy it if I had more time to spend on it. It’s certainly satisfying when you’ve got everything clean and lubed and dialed in just right.
But for me it always just feels like a chore - something I need to get done before tomorrow morning or else I have to listen to some dreadful sound for the entire ride.
I think that is a good observation. I'm not sure I know anyone who would like any of these things in situations where they "had" to do them, and make them work on a tight deadline. Changing a flat tire to have a functional bike for your commute the next day is the opposite of zen for most of us.
So you do it when you have the time to do it. Which of course involves making time for it. I tend to involve my children in most of these things. Like my five year old helped me spartle the walls in her new room. Similarly if I'm working on my cargo bike I'll get theirs out and let them work on their bikes beside me if they ask to join. A lot of the time... like with the spartling I'll have to "fix" it later, but what letting them join does, aside from being a join activity, is that it gives me time to actually do these things on a busy schedule.
It's just very zen. Both because it tends to relatively less tasking on your executive functions, is physical and provides tangible results that you can see and "feel" relatively quickly. It may also be because programming is frankly a craftmanship for the most parts. There are a few projects where I'm doing Computer Science, but for the most part I'm a digital plumber.