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posted by [personal profile] ctseawa at 08:29am on 25/07/2008 under
I got my repaired bike back last night. The lady at the store commented on how heavy it is (well, it is 24 years old. Composite bikes just weren't an option for me in 1984). I picked up a new helmet (something about a 24 year old helmet doesn't give me much confidence), new saddle bags (waterproof!) and a new lock. Total was somewhere around $450. Ouch. It's going to take some serious riding to pay for that.

Since I haven't ridden since March, 1993 I figured I'd better practice off the road for a bit before heading out. I rode around the parking lot - about 8 laps up and down a fairly gentle slope - then took off for the bus stop at Campus Parkway. I almost made it but the hill on Brooklyn and 40th defeated me.

I got the bike on the bus and got to my stop then started riding home on it. I made the ride all the way home but I was dead. My legs hurt for a while and the shakes eventually ended.

This morning I decided to try for the donut shop a few stops down from my usual stop. The downhill part was easy but the uphill defeated me again. I really earned this apple fritter from Top Pot, I tell you. My goal is to bike home from my usual stop tonight and see how long it takes me to walk again.

The saddle isn't very comfortable. I think I'll need to replace it. I also need to get a different head light. The one I bought a while ago doesn't fit on my handlebars - they're too large for the clamp.

My big fear? Forgetting I had a bike on the bus rack.
Music:: This Could be Heaven for Everyone - Queen
Mood:: 'accomplished' accomplished
location: Seattle, WA
There are 12 comments on this entry. (Reply.)
 
posted by [identity profile] d33ann.livejournal.com at 06:04pm on 25/07/2008
Don't get sucked into the "your bike is so heavy" racket. I got lectured on this from a bike freak I know, he told me ignore it, I'm not about to go buy some fancy composite lightweight frame just for riding around town.

I don;t do any major biking, I just use it if I'm going to walk more than 4 blocks. I was bemoaning my bike being out of commission for repair, and the bike repair person said, "yah, only suckers walk." Yah! Right on!

Before you invest in a new seat, wait to see if your butt gets used to the seat you have, cause it probably will. When I got my new (another hand me down) bike, I was like "ouch ouch" then after a few days, no problem.

I'm glad to hear about you biking! Everyone should bike, it's so fun!

My big fear: the bike rack on the bus. I still don't know how to use it!
 
posted by [identity profile] beckyb.livejournal.com at 01:56am on 26/07/2008
Before I used them for the first time, I practiced. Gregg's Greenlake Cycle used to have (and may still?) a rack mounted on the sidewalk so that you could practice pulling it down (squeeze the handle and pull) and putting your bike on it. I just saw that someone recommended using an empty bus (or maybe getting advice from a waiting driver)... there are often buses hanging out around the UDist that you could try it with.
 
posted by [identity profile] d33ann.livejournal.com at 02:43am on 26/07/2008
Wow, that's great! OK, I've determined that I WILL get over the fear of the bike rack this summer!
 
posted by [identity profile] beckyb.livejournal.com at 02:58am on 26/07/2008
It definitely helped me not be afraid. Good luck!
 
posted by [identity profile] ctseawa.livejournal.com at 05:12am on 28/07/2008
The bike-rack thing will take you maybe 30 seconds to master. Don't let inanimate objects rule you! :)
 
posted by [identity profile] wyntersea.livejournal.com at 06:14pm on 25/07/2008
Won't the bike shorts and helmet remind you that you have something on the bus rack?:-}
 
posted by [identity profile] ctseawa.livejournal.com at 08:12pm on 25/07/2008
bike shorts? Oh, don't make me laugh!

spandex fashion faux pas in action.
 
posted by (anonymous) at 05:06am on 28/07/2008
so, having mocked bike shorts mercilessly for years, i finally got a pair.
omgwtfbbq, are they good. retarded-looking, yes, but practical.
the point is not the spandex (you can/should just wear regular shorts over them), but rather that:

1. the cushy chamois is padding where you actually need it = no bruising.
2. the spandex shorts don't move against your skin = no friction/rash/boils.
3. bike shorts are made of synthetic fabrics = sweat-wicking + antibacterial = no fungus.

it doesn't sound like you are biking enough to care about this much-- yet!
however, should at some point you wind up cycling multiple miles and feeling
less-than-fresh in your derriere, give them a try.
 
posted by [identity profile] ctseawa.livejournal.com at 05:11am on 28/07/2008
This is quite reasonable. If I'm ever biking that much I'll look into them. For now they would be more poseur shorts than bike shorts. :)
 
posted by [identity profile] d33ann.livejournal.com at 02:44am on 26/07/2008
I am so used to wearing my helmet that sometimes I forget to take it off when I get in my apt. Yes, I am a dorque extraordinare!
 
posted by [identity profile] beckyb.livejournal.com at 01:57am on 26/07/2008
I'm so glad you got to ride around Seattle a bit! It's one of my favorite things in the world.
 
posted by [identity profile] scourgeotheseas.livejournal.com at 05:46pm on 26/07/2008
Congrats!

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