…in which I talk about how serious I’m obviously getting about this cycling stuff.
So today is a gorgeous autumn Friday. It is currently slightly overcast and a nice, cool 70. I rode my bike in this morning and as I sit here at my desk, can only think of how much I’d rather be out riding it some more. I usually fantasize about being home on the couch, or just being outside strolling around on campus. Today, however, more than anything else, I’d rather be zooming around town, either back home or just out and about. I’m thinking that before too long, I will have to think twice about whether I really want to take the car or not. More than likely, the decision will come down to what I have to carry with me to wherever I’m going.
All told, I’ve already spent almost $200 on maintenance and upgrades to my bike since I decided I was going to start commuting daily. That’s more than half the cost of the bike, and definitely more than it would cost to buy my bike again, were I to find one exactly like it, used. In order of appearance, I have had a complete tuneup that greased all the things that should be greased, tuning of brakes and gears, and just some general cleaning and care. In the process, it was discovered that my brakes were bad, and they were replaced. Immediately afterwards, one of my shifters went bad, and they were also replaced. My grips were also upgraded from rotting rubber to ergonomic foam. I’ve added a rear view mirror for safety and removed a disused bottle cage (with my water pack, I really don’t need a bottle cage). I then did some research on tires and realized that my old knobby mountain tires were counterproductive for my road commuting and replaced them with some Kenda Kommuter tires. They’re really nice, but very hard, which prompted me to upgrade my seat, and while I was at it, replace the tail light that fell off shortly after I started riding again. Just yesterday, I added some toe-clips and I’ve already noticed an improvement in the focus and intensity of my pedaling.
Now I can’t stop thinking about what would make my bike better. I’ve observed that, of the 21 gear configurations on my bike, I use no more than 7, and really, only 6. So now I’m thinking either a new crankset or at least some new chainrings will help with that greatly and allow me to get some better speed on my straightaways. I’m telling myself I need to slow down though and not completely overhaul my bike until I know that I’m going to stick with it. I’ll hold off the chainrings until February or March sometime. I figure if I can make it through the winter and still be riding almost daily, then I deserve to get another upgrade with some of our tax return. A helmet and full-fingered gloves are still on the short list of items to look into, as well as some ankle wraps and a nice, slim fitting windbreaker, for when I have to start riding in the colder months.
So about the toe-clips… This is something I’ve pondered for a while now but was admittedly scared of. I always fear getting into a situation where I need get my foot down quickly lest I crash or fall over, but it turns out that getting your feet out is pretty much the easy part. The hard part, honestly, is getting your feet in. Its not impossible, but its going to take some time for me to get to a point where I can do it easily, quickly, and most importantly, without looking. As it is, on my entire ride to work this morning, I kept my right foot on the pedal at all times and only slipped my left foot in and out at stops. Fortunately, I can still pedal with the bottom of the pedal when I need to accelerate out of a stop light in heavy intersections, then I can take my time later to put my foot back in the clip correctly. I definitely like them and can already feel an improvement in my ride.
Angela joined me on my ride yesterday, and while it made the ride considerably longer, and I think I pretty well kicked her ass, I think we both appreciated the company and companionship of the ride. What it made me explicitly aware of, though, is how adept of a rider I’ve become and how, even when I feel like I’ve killed myself, I can still keep going. I’m more and more confident that before too long, I will be able to ride to McKinney or Frisco before too long. I need to find a place somewhat closer to work up to first, either that, or a nice long route around Denton. Four miles to or from work has become a fairly routine effort and no longer poses a challenge like it did when I first started out. I’m thinking a nice ten mile track will be the next step. After I can do a fifteen or twenty mile route, I’ll consider the big step and try biking to Frisco for lunch. Its twenty-five miles from my house to Fadis in Frisco. A good two to three hour ride to Frisco, a healthy lunch, and then another two to three hour ride back. Its pointless and insane, I know, but I’m really wanting to be able to get to that point. Anyone who wishes to, may join me for lunch that day then leave my ass to ride home. I won’t be offended, nor will I beg for a ride.
Originally posted at K. Close III
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