RE: First ride of the season!

AustinBoston · Sep 28, 2003, 07:05 PM

Well, I finally got out on my bicycle yesterday. Weather was perfect: about 55 degrees, partly sunny, just a hint of a breeze.

I pulled out of the driveway and turned right. Almost immediately, I tunred right again into the High School parking lot. There were a few kids in the lot doing stunts with skateboards. Down the hill, and I notice about a dozen kids in the bike park doing (or trying to do) technical stunts.

I head out the other end of the parking lot, and start working one of my usual routes. I bounce my way across the railroad tracks and head onto a nearly abandoned back road. It is covered with sand from a snowy winter, but that doesn t slow me down. The wide tires on my hybrid are nearly ideal for this stuff.

Going past the little pond, I notice a few confused Canada Geese who don t seem to understand why it is still mostly frozen. It s been a cold winter. After cranking my way up an old friend (most hills are not my friends, but this one seems to be...I can t explain it), I turn down a quiet residential street.

People are outside all over. A young couple keep a watchful eye on several neighborhood children playing in the driveway. Some boys are playing basketball in a cul-de-sac. Around the corner, more skateboards and a few more bicycles. Further down, a couple teens are walking with a dog (on a leash).

I vary from my usual route and see a horse and rider off at the far end of a field. On the near edge, I can hear more geese. A few minutes after that, with my legs complaining just a bit about being stirred to action after a mostly sedentary winter, I arrive home. After storing the bike, I down the last of my water bottle. It was the best 30 minutes I d had in quite a while.

I enter the house and mentally survey the family. They were all invited to join me, and they all politely declined. Some had reasons (homework), others just weren t interested. It s their loss, but mine as well. Moments like this are meant to be shared.

Later in the evening, as I listened to Dan Rather drone on about the war, I realized how despite the turmoil, suffering, danger, and death, that life goes on. It is important to live it while you can.

Austin (who has to remove more than a few winter pounds from his waist)

Viking99 · Mar 24, 2003, 10:56 AM

AustinBostonSounds like a great ride Austin. I went out Saturday morning on my road bike and had a great time. I drove out about 30 minutes and parked in a state park lot and went out on some back country roads. I had a great peaceful ride. It was nice because there are no leaves yet so it was nice to see into the woods and at some old farm houses way back off the road. I put in about 35 miles. I wish the wife liked to bike, like you said it would have been great to share this with someone.

kathybrj · Mar 24, 2003, 12:58 PM

AustinBostonWe dont let the seasons stop us from riding. We ride in the snow, and enjoy it just as much as riding the rest of the year.

Jeffrey · Mar 24, 2003, 02:14 PM

AustinBostonI ve been able to go on a couple short bike trips already.
Of course the little snow we had disappered in just one day.

But finally I have someone that wants to go![

]

I bought everyone in the family new bikes 2 years ago. Hopeing they would want to go more often. But the first 2 years it was like pulling teeth to get them to go.
We hardly went at all.

But this year DS (11) decided bike riding was fun![

]
He has been asking to go riding, on almost every nice day.
So this should be a good year, I have a whole list of trails I want to try.
Now my only problem is keeping up with him, he thinks I m too slow.[&:]

AustinBoston · Mar 25, 2003, 07:50 AM

kathybrj

QuoteORIGINAL: kathybrj

We dont let the seasons stop us from riding. We ride in the snow, and enjoy it just as much as riding the rest of the year.

I ve considered Ice Biking, and even looked into studded snow tires, but at $65 each, I put it off a year.

I m a big enough guy that taking a tumble on an icy pach of road is to be avoided if at all possible.

Austin

kathybrj · Mar 25, 2003, 08:24 AM

AustinBostonWe avoid ice and ride on snow covered trails, usually rail to trail places. We haven t used studs and don t plan on it.

Danusmom · Mar 25, 2003, 02:27 PM

AustinBostonOOOOOooooh! I wish I could enjoy biking, again.[&:] Unfortunately, after 20 years of a massage practice, my carpal tunnel syndrome flares up when leaning onto the handle bars of my 10-speed --it even flares up when I push DS in the stroller. I need to find a bike, preferrably a mountain bike, with handles situated higher to prevent this syndrome from deterring my much needed excerise enjoyment.

Can anyone recommend a bike to fit these needs?

Peace be with you all.

kathybrj · Mar 25, 2003, 05:51 PM

Danusmom

QuoteORIGINAL: Danusmom

OOOOOooooh! I wish I could enjoy biking, again.[&:] Unfortunately, after 20 years of a massage practice, my carpal tunnel syndrome flares up when leaning onto the handle bars of my 10-speed --it even flares up when I push DS in the stroller. I need to find a bike, preferrably a mountain bike, with handles situated higher to prevent this syndrome from deterring my much needed excerise enjoyment.

Can anyone recommend a bike to fit these needs?

Peace be with you all.

Have you sat on or tried a hybrid? They are more upright, but can still take you on not-so-rough trails- not so much weight on the wrists.

I also have a problem with weight on my wrists and end up shaking my hands out for circulation often. But we enjoy riding logging trails and such and I need to be on a mountain bike to do so.

AustinBoston · Mar 25, 2003, 08:08 PM

Danusmom

QuoteORIGINAL: Danusmom
OOOOOooooh! I wish I could enjoy biking, again.[&:] Unfortunately, after 20 years of a massage practice, my carpal tunnel syndrome flares up when leaning onto the handle bars of my 10-speed --it even flares up when I push DS in the stroller. I need to find a bike, preferrably a mountain bike, with handles situated higher to prevent this syndrome from deterring my much needed excerise enjoyment.

Can anyone recommend a bike to fit these needs?

One option to consider is a recumbent. All of your weight ends up on your backside, it s like sitting in a chair. I have seen recumbents with a steering wheel instead of handlebars. They are supposedly very comfortable, and most racing events don t allow them because of the " unfair" speed advantage.

The down sides (that I am aware of) are:

* They are heavier, and therefore not as easy for climbing hills;
* You don t have the visibility of an upright, so yu have to be more cautious;
* They are significantly more expensive (starting at about $1500 for an entry level bike)
* They take some getting used to. Turning and balancing is similar, but not the same as an upright bike.
* You will have to explain it to people.

All of this is based on what I have read and talked about. I have never tried a recumbent.

Austin

Viking99 · Mar 26, 2003, 07:27 AM

Danusmom

QuoteOOOOOooooh! I wish I could enjoy biking, again. Unfortunately, after 20 years of a massage practice, my carpal tunnel syndrome flares up when leaning onto the handle bars of my 10-speed --it even flares up when I push DS in the stroller. I need to find a bike, preferrably a mountain bike, with handles situated higher to prevent this syndrome from deterring my much needed excerise enjoyment.

Can anyone recommend a bike to fit these needs?

Actually, the bike you have may already be what you need. It sounds like you have not been fitted correctly for the bike. Your arms should have a slight bend at your elbow to help absorb shock. Try bringing the seat forward and raising the stem on the handlebars. A mountain bike will help you sit more straight up, but it will still hurt your wrist if not fitted correctly. Get some real nice padded gloves too, preferably the ones that have the gel in them. Expect to pay upto $35 for a decent pair.

Go to a reputable bike shop to get fitted. Do not got Wal-Mart or any other big sports store like Dicks.

If nothing else, do what Austin said and get a recumbent. You can get them cheaper than $1500, of course it would not be as nice.

Hope this helps.

AustinBoston · Mar 26, 2003, 08:06 AM

Viking99

QuoteORIGINAL: Viking99
Get some real nice padded gloves too, preferably the ones that have the gel in them.

If gel gloves don t help (or make things worse), then switch to non-gel gloves. Many people report more pain from gel gloves, not less. The gel forces pressure onto soft tissue that isn t designed to take it, and causes pain, sometimes intense pain.

I agree 100% with Viking s comments about fit, though. A bike that doesn t fit correctly becomes a dust collector.

Austin

Danusmom · Mar 26, 2003, 03:08 PM

AustinBostonBless you all for giving me so much information! I plan on window shopping soon. Now I ll be armed with much more knowledge. Thank you very much.

Peace be with you all.

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