Cycling - a chat about all things bike.

Originally Posted by Yellow band

Rubbing my hands together and squealing. I just rode my bicycle home from work. I have lots of bicycles. As a teenager, I rode a sears free spirit, at the time, that was a decent bicycle. I think it was 10 speed. I took very good care of that bike and had it for years. But things do wear out. In one of my *rounds* of college days, I bought a Kmart Husky bike. The frame, as I recall, was heavy. It was 24 inches. I think that was the best $65 dollars I ever spent. I did things to it, to make it more user friendly, but rode it to death. Well, actually not to death, my brother fixed it all up and donated it someone who didn't have a bicycle. This would be about the time I started to understand I really liked bicycles. I bought a Specialized rock hopper. They built it at the bike shop from the frame up. The frame was 17''. (I was like, is this for a little kid?) I had so much to learn! OMG, that bike was so light compared my Kmart bike. I had the handlebars raised a little and didn't quite have mountain bike tires and rims put on it, think all season, all terrain. Then I learned about the importance of peddles. Anyhow, my learning curve took off with my love of this bicycle. I rode it in my first triathlon. (It was like having snow tires on, they could hear me coming) I still have this bike, and I still ride it. Love specialized. I also bought a specialized RAAM racing bike. I had an accident with it last summer. I was *training* around town, in traffic~just not smart~ and I fell. This is where I should start talking about why you should wear good gloves and a helmet, but won't....we've all fallen I'm sure. The bike survived pretty good. It is now hooked to a cyclops and my racing days may be over. I also have what I call my FEMME bike. It is a cargo bike.
I am forced to sit up like a lady, no more hanging out over the handlebars, it has a big basket on the front equipped with NICE lights and a horn, two mirrors. I admit, it's so old lady (think retirement village) even a wide seat
and I love that seat as I have no ass. Very comfortable. I no longer care what I look like riding this thing, it's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned. I have also learned to just ride, no more speed racer. I ride by things now, and actually see them! It's so uncool, I don't worry it's going to be stolen. I can remember removing my seat from other bicycles and taking it with me. Its a shame, it took me falling and getting banged up, to wise up. But I ride, and I ride alot. nine and a half month to 10 months out of the year. I don't know how to work on them. I can put a chain back on if it falls off. I just found out i was doing harm using WD-40 on the chain.....
I should be using sewing machine oil.

Sorry, got carried away.

Hey there Yellow band, sorry I missed your post before now. Like you I've had many bikes over the years. From cheap Peugeot racers through to seriously expensive mountain bikes. I also rode recumbents for years due to a friend owning a recumbent bike workshop. I used to ride for him and hand out advertising.

Sorry to hear about your accident but real glad to hear you're in the (comfy) saddle again. Like you I've given up caring what I look like on my bike and went for a laid back tourer instead of something properly sporty. My lungs and joints don't do 'sporty' anymore sadly.

Y'know, I've never felt the need to wear a helmet in the nearly 40yrs I've been riding but since coming back after a decade or so out of the saddle I'm starting to think it might be a good idea. There are so many more 'numpties' on the roads than there ever has been. I'm very confident in my own abilities on the road but decidedly not confident about other road users abilities anymore.

By the Goddess! I'm so stoked. I've cycled further than I've cycled for many years this week. I'm not hooked on numbers so I work out my mileage by google maps or MapMyRide rather than have a cycle computer - I'm sorely tempted to get one though but fear I'll become bound up in the figures instead of just enjoying riding.
I managed a 25mile round trip to go play with my 4yr old nephew yesterday with the 15 return miles against a head wind too. Added to the 20 miles I did the other day and the couple of 10s and another couple of 5s I've done this week it's quite a respectable weekly total (for me).

Thankfully I have a new saddle on the way because the one I'm using is so darned uncomfortable that I finish every ride sore and numb despite wearing cycle shorts. No amount of miles is going to change how uncomfortable that saddle is as has been suggested on the cycling forum I use most. I'm looking forward to trying the Bontrager Evoke R that I won the bidding for on ebay yesterday. I checked the model out at my LBS and they were selling it for £40 but I got it for £7.50 (new, not used), what a result. If it's not the saddle for me and my skinny ass, I can afford to give it to someone who it does suit.

Hah, like you I don't know about bike maintenance but want to learn a little now. I'd like to be able to take the chain off for cleaning and know how to adjust front and rear mechs should they need. Just basic stuff yanno. I recently heard how bad DW40 is for our kit too