Oh, my poor bike…

Here’s a shot of the newly shaped fork. For those of you unfamiliar with bike geometry…it AIN’T supposed to look like this!!!

Later

With friends like these…

Had a rather interesting commute to and from work on Sunday. Actually, it was the return ride which was most interesting; at least the finale.

Left for work at about 8:00 am, riding in beautiful sunny weather. Made it in just over half-an-hour; seven miles at 13.8 mph. Not a record for me but not too bad. Didn’t have a lot of hecklers, just one buzz-by and only a couple of honkers. Really, not too bad, and I got to work fairly well energized.

I worked four hours, then looked at some shoes and headed for home at about ten to three. The ride home was not nearly as pleasant as the morning ride. I had 8-10 buzz-bys; at least half-a-dozen honkers; six or eight yellers, and a couple of one finger salutes; which I returned quite cheerfully, as has become my habit. Then, about a mile from home, I saw Andi and Darryl heading in the opposite direction, obviously looking for me. She yelled that they would see me at home; I waved, and kept turning the cranks, only to be stopped at a signaled intersection.

Taking off, I saw Andi’s Explorer get out ahead of me so I dropped my head and began churning the last 3/4 of a mile uphill. It’s not a steep incline but, after the four usual climbs along my route, it tends to be a challenge on the way home from work.

So there I am, head down, working hard, churning the cranks in the bike lane, when…I lift my head to check my route and…BAM…I slammed into the back of Andi’s SUV. Yeah–I hit a parked car!!!

Wow, what a surprise. She had pulled over to pick me up and I never even saw her ’til the last second. My front tire slammed into the bumper and my head smacked the rear window. Doh!!!

I’m OK, and so is my helmet, but the fork has been bent back by about three inches. It’s wrecked!!! It’s a Surly 1×1 rigid fork, one of the strongest steel forks on the market and…it…is…DONE FOR. Frankly, I’m shocked at how badly bent the thing is.

Anyway, Andi was beside herself, so I figure I have at least a week that I can milk this thing. Growing up as an air Force kid, she understands guilt, so I can guilt the heck out of her for the next week, at least!!! Hey, who wouldn’t take advantage, right?

Well, I guess I’ll try to see if I can actually ride that extra-large Nishiki I picked up at the garage sale the other day. Of course, Andi has offered to drive me to work and pick me up after for the next 47 years, but I like riding to work so we’ll see. My neck is beginning to stiffen a bit so riding might be problematic for a few days but, we’ll be ordering a replacement fork tomorrow so I’m sure I’ll be back at it next week.

A word of advice to anyone trying to help out a cyclist; thanks for the help but–please–don’t park in the bike lane!!!

That lane belongs to Andi…

Later

Benefits of cycling…

I have been planning to do some research and analysis which would allow me to write a post on the benefits of bicycle commuting; health benefits, cost/benefit analysis, etc. However, today my Google alerts sent me a link to this article in which that work has been done for me. Always willing to save myself some time and effort, I’m more than happy to share, and give credit where credit is due.

Though the article is not very long, it seems fairly comprehensive to me, and is quite well written, without technical jargon or dry academic prose. Thank you Mr. Dorn, for posting this valuable information.

You may read the original article, as well as perusing his blog at: http://awakeningcharlotte.com/content/2010/06/24/bike-to-work-the-two-wheel-commuting-wow/

Bike to Work – The Two-Wheel Commuting Wow
Share | June 24th, 2010 by Paul Dorn

People might start commuting by bicycle to improve their fitness, save money or support sustainability, but they continue because it’s fun.

Ask a motorist about their commute and they’ll frown, at best. Ask a bicyclist about their commute and they’ll smile, and likely mention the endorphin rush, fresh air, wildlife spotted that morning, the new breakfast shop discovered en route or how their retirement accounts are swelling with money saved by not driving.

Health Benefits

The health benefits of bicycling are recognized around the world. Cycling is a holistic form of exercise that gradually builds strength and muscle tone with little risk of over-exercise or strain, according to AdultBicycling.com. Legs, thighs, hips and buttocks all benefit, including hip and knee joints. The average cyclist burns about 300 calories during a 20-minute commute, while also improving coordination.

Commuting bicyclists easily meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that adults engage in moderate-intensity physical activities for 30 minutes or more at least five days a week. A study in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports concluded that just 30 minutes of bicycle commuting improved aerobic fitness, cardiovascular load, cholesterol and the burning of fats for energy.

According to the British Medical Association, in a nine-year study of 9,000 UK civil servants, those who cycled 25 miles a week (2.5 miles each way) experienced half the heart attacks as those who shunned physical exercise. A long-term Copenhagen Heart study of more than 30,000 men and women found that even after adjusting for other risk factors, those who biked to work had a 39 percent lower mortality rate than those who did not.

A less stressful commute also contributes to mental well-being, even to the point of countering depression. A study at Duke University found that 60 percent of people suffering from depression overcame it by exercising for 30 minutes three times a week without antidepressant medication, which is comparable to the rate of relief people generally achieve through medication alone.

Daily exercise may also help prevent memory loss, according to several recent studies from the United States and Europe. The research, reported by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and others, suggests that because regular aerobic exercise—such as bicycling, swimming or running—can improve cardiorespiratory fitness by up to 14 percent, it helps improve brain function. Further, improved overall health helps prevent certain diseases that may affect mental health.

Cost & Time Benefits

When it comes to sustainability, the bicycle is one of the most energy-efficient personal transportation devices ever created. According to the American Automobile Association, the average annual cost of operating a sedan for 15,000 miles in 2010 totals $8,487; for an SUV, it’s $11,085. Vehicle costs include depreciation, finance charges, fuel, maintenance, tires, tolls, insurance and taxes. Given the latest U.S. median annual household income of $52,029 reported by the Census Bureau in 2008, the cost of car ownership exceeds 15 or 20 percent of the typical household’s income. A quality bicycle, which can be purchased for the price of about one car payment, will never need fueling, is inexpensive to repair and has an operating carbon footprint that’s next to nil.

Bicycle commuting is surprisingly time-efficient, too. Federal Highway Administration statistics show that nearly half of all trips in this country are three miles or less. More than a quarter of all trips are less than a mile. A three-mile trip by bicycle takes about 20 minutes; in a busy city, traveling the same distance by car can take longer. Add in getting a car out of a parking space, into traffic, through lights and congestion and parked again, and for many urban and neighborhood trips, bicycles are simply faster from point to point.

Making a good thing even better, bicycle commuting saves time that would otherwise be spent at a gas station, car wash, automobile mechanic, department of motor vehicles and even traffic court. Plus, without the large cost of operating a car, it’s just possible that bicyclists might even save the necessity of time spent at a second job. As yet another bonus, there’s next to no time spent sitting in traffic.

(Paul Dorn, a writer and activist in Sacramento, California, is co-author (with Roni Sarig) of The Bike to Work Guide: Save Gas, Go Green, Get Fit. He is a former editor of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition newsletter, former executive director of the California Bicycle Coalition, and a League of American Bicyclists certified instructor.)

Later

I just couldn’t resist…

Returning on the homeward leg of a 15 mile ride today, I happened to notice ANOTHER “Garage Sale” sign, perhaps the 432nd of the day. For some reason, some reason like my inability to breathe, I decided to turn off my route and pedal slowly by the sale.

And what to my wandering eye should appear, but this: a lugged steel frame Nishiki ten speed bike, in rather nice condition for a 1980’s vintage, and for which these kind folks were asking 20 bucks. TWENTY BUCKS!!!

Suddenly able to breath just fine, I hopped on the old two-wheel machine and began churning the cranks, heading for home and some motorized transport. Twenty minutes later Andi and I were gloating all the way home, amazed at the great deal I had found.

Though I would love to keep it, it’s just too large for me, by about five inches, which is a lot on a bike frame. However…

These bikes are going for at least $100 all over the internet. With just a little work I can probably get $150. Andi has already secured a domain name for me and my new bike business, which I apparently began today. Always thinkin’, that girl is, always thinkin’.

For now the name is a secret, until we see if it’s viable, but I’ll let you know how it goes. For now, I’m just feelin’ lucky.

Later

Other things…

It seems there are other things to do outdoors rather than cycling, as my old high school friend Neil and his family are proving on their vacation. Take a look at his blog, on which he details their trip to Moab, Utah if you don’t believe me.

Moab is a cycling mecca, mostly for mountain bikers, yet they’ve found many other ways to enjoy this strangely named area. Neil’s blog is very well done and he is quite an articulate writer.

Enjoy…http://northwesternperspectives.blogspot.com/

Later

How to drop a chainring…

I love to ride in the morning; when my legs and attitude tend to be strong; when the air is cool, not cold; when the sun is behind me, lighting my way. I’m usually on the big chain ring, using the highest gears, while clicking my way up and down the rear cassette as I negotiate the hilly roads here, in the suburbs, east of Denver.

In the afternoon or evening however, after a long day of work, most often I’ll be using the middle ring, or even the “granny gear,” as I return home, my legs feeling like packaged meat instead of live muscle. They feel stiff and heavy, and they resist all efforts to churn. I talk to them, “Come on legs, you’re stronger than this,” I tell them. “Don’t be such wimps,” I mentally shout. But they refuse to listen, causing me to “drop” a chainring (or two).

Is it just my age? I’ll be 55 next month. Is it improper fueling? I try to eat protein and carbs. Is it the smoking? I’ve cut way back. Is it that, when I’m feeling strong, I push too hard heading out and use all my energy so there is nothing left for the return? I try to be conscious of this tendency so that my legs won’t “bonk” on the way home. Or is it just that I’m a morning rider? I’ve always risen early, at least as an adult, so maybe that’s it. Maybe I’m just a morning rider and I simply must accept this, knowing in advance that the ride home will always be more difficult than the ride out.

In Phoenix, when I had a shorter commute of only five miles, I would ride to work, drop my gear for the day, then head out for another 10, 15, or 20 miles of riding. On the way home though, I rarely rode any extra miles. I just wanted to get home to dinner and watch some mindless TV. The riding there was much flatter though, so I had little climbing to do.  The route to work and back here has four climbs which are really tough after a long day on the sales floor.

I realize that having been out of work for eleven months has had an effect on me. I’m not in working shape yet. Being on my feet all day will take some getting used to. But, I thought my legs were in pretty good shape, so I’m a bit surprised by this struggling to get home after work.

I guess I’m using different muscles as I run around the store. I know I’m adding a bit of stress to my life as well, as I try to learn everything in days rather than being patient and allowing myself the weeks required to learn all I need to learn. I’m sure it will get better. However, right now, it’s all very frustrating. I enjoy riding so much, I don’t want anything, not even my new job, to detract from that.

Perhaps it’s all just a state of mind. Guess I need to get that muscle in shape too. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Later

My first night ride…

…didn’t happen.

My first night commute did not take place because Andi wouldn’t let me ride home from work at 9:30 tonight. She and Darryl drove over to get me.

She doesn’t think it’s safe for me to ride at night; though I’ve done it 300-400 times in Phoenix. I have lights; a bright LED headlamp that flashes for increased visibility, as well as a red blinker for the rear which can be seen for 1000 feet. I feel just as safe at night as I do in daytime. But my friend wouldn’t let me ride.

Could anyone, anywhere, have two more wonderful friends than I have?

I don’t think so.

Later

Commuter Dude blog…

Just found this super cool blog. Can’t believe I didn’t know it was out there sooner. Give it a look at: http://www.commuterdude.com/

It’s “just retail”…

…but it’s kicking my ass.

Sure, I can ride 40 miles into, around, and back from Denver just for the pleasure of doing so. I can even ride 500 of the 800 miles from Phoenix to Denver. But working 8-10 hours on the sales floor at Dick’s Sporting Goods is really working me over.

I’ve spent most of the last dozen years in retail sales, working in bedding stores in Denver and Phoenix. I worked ten hour days 80% of the time, too. However, I wasn’t spending those ten hours a day on my feet the way I am at Dick’s. Plus, the largest store I ever worked was about 9000 square feet, which is big for a sleep shop. The store I work in now feels like it’s 500,000 square feet at times. After eight or nine hours the front door looks a mile away. Man, it’s really beating me up.

I know I’ll adapt, just as I did to riding when I first began. I’ll get some better, more supportive shoes and I’ll get my legs in “retail shape,” but in the meantime, I’m suffering.

The worst part of it all is that it seems to be affecting my riding. My legs are so tired in the morning that the ride to work is a real challenge. The ride home? Forget about it. That is always a struggle.

Oh well, I’m just happy to have a job to ride to; regardless of the difficulty. And I’m glad that I’m able to ride, it makes the work that much more rewarding.

Later

A good weekend…

Had a good weekend of riding, and of work.

Saturday morning was beautiful for riding; clear, sunny skies with a light breeze and cool, without being chilly. I rode 7 miles in 28 minutes, a 14 1/2 mph pace. It was an exhilarating ride. Sunday was tougher; the legs felt dead in the morning and worse in the evening (after being at work for over 10 hours). My average for both directions was just under 12 mph. However, it was still a good day of riding, because I did it, no matter that it was hard.

The sense of accomplishment I gain when the riding is tough, due to bad weather, or bad drivers, or bad moods, is equaled only by the joy I feel when it is easy, due to good weather, or good drivers, or good moods and strong legs. The two seem to go hand-in-hand, for some reason.

Yeah, some days are tougher than others for me, but who can’t say the same? We all have days like that, right? For me though, the difference is that I’m never 100% sure just what kind of day I’ll have on the bike until I begin turning the cranks. At times, the riding energizes me when I’m feeling weak and slow. Other days are the opposite; I feel strong at first, then quickly fade.

All are better than the alternative though. For me, even  a bad ride is always better than a good drive.

Later