Germeeee

Man I was in looove when this all happened. I was so excited to get this bike. He even bought a bike rack to transport it all the way back from PA for me. Now that is love.

Unfortunately, the beautiful, shiny bike in the craigslist pictures wasn't exactly how it looked from the bouncy seat. I took it for a test spin after laying a big ol kiss on the man when he got home with it and immediately I noticed a few things that wasn't evident in the pictures:

-the front tire was wobbly, took it off and put it back on and it's better

-The skirt guard is a little ragged and has a hole, purely cosmetic issue

-The back tire has big nail in it, but it is holding air

-none of my tools fit the nut to get the tires off to fix the nail

-It also doesn't fit me that great. It is waay on the small side, I am 5'4" and I think it would be great for 5'2" or shorter. See....

But it is fun to ride a bike where I could easily lounge with my feet on the ground when stopped.

She definitely has some great features like:

-the self generator lights in front and back

-super cool rack that has a springing holding thing

-fenders

-a bell

-3 speed hub that I figured out you can't pedal while shifting

-coaster brake and hand brake, not sure why both

-chainguard and kickstand
-don't ya love the quirky, girlie paint job??

I am really struggling with this one. I mean the man bought it for me out of pure, wonderful love. That is sentimental! But it really isn't practical for me for more than a little jaunt up to the movie house or out to dinner or such. I really want a bike just like this, but a little bigger. Man, I'm picky.

Goosey

Mongoose Crossway
Purchased at Performance Bicycles, $420 included a free new helmet, May 26, 2008.

Rocky wasn't making the 14 mile commuter trip too good for me. I started dreaming about the perfect bike. I wanted something reliable, comfortable but kinda aggressive like a mountain bike and with disc brakes. I was obsessed with having disc brakes! (I am rolling my eyes still) I shopped, and shopped and annoyed every bike shop in town looking for the perfect bike. My list of wants was long and in the end I was broke. I sold my Trek 1000 road bike for $450 and that was the money I had to spend.

The Mongoose kinda looked like the Gary Fisher Kaitai I wanted, kinda. But since it was $250 less I got the 'Goose, and they threw in a free helmet, sweeet!

I was happy. The bike seemed happy.

We rode many a miles together. I was a full time commuter.

With full time commuter problems...

We had fun on long 5+ hour rides through the Atlanta streets. Everything was going great. I was feeling fit and having a lot of fun just riding. I was racking up miles with 100 mile weeks. I was faster than I was on Rocky, but leisurely enough still to really just enjoy the town and riding with friends.

Then the disc brakes started squeaking...is this something I am causing to happen? The LBS said I need to just clean them more often. So I did. Then the cables stretched. So I adjusted them. They loosened up again almost immediately. I took it back to the LBS, they adjusted them, they were great for about two days then got loose again. I took it back, they said it's because I have crappy, cheap brakes and that I was going to have to adjust and clean them every couple rides. Are you kidding me? I thought a bicycle was supposed to be low maintenance. Daily adjustments is high maintenance in my book.

Then the boyfriend (who was gone all summer) complained that I was too slow on Goosey and needed a road bike again for him to enjoy riding with me. I took the seat (which I find incredibly comfortable) off Goosey and put it on the Allez so I could be faster on rides with the man. The front brake is still really loose as I grew sick and tired of adjusting it and just gave up.

She is sitting 'seatless' in the storage room right now. I put her down there last month. I couldn't look at her anymore. I felt so let down. Everything was so good for awhile....

Rocky

Purchased: March 2007 on Craigslist for $25

The guy was recently divorced, selling most all his possessions and moving to Peru to backpack until he didn't want to anymore. He delivered the bike to my house, he was asking $45 for it. He said the bike had been left by his sister years ago and he rode it to the store once in awhile.

The seat was torn up and it was dirty and had cobwebs all over it. I offered him $25 and he took it with a big smile, cause he was leaving the 'normal' life and going to backpack in Peru.


I had sold all my 'nice bikes' a few months prior in a fit of desperation since I was at a low paying temp job, and I was feeling stupid for the way I so frivolously spent my money when I had a great job. To save money I was going to ride my bike to the bus station and ride the bus to my temp job as a construction site receptionist 20 miles outside of the city.

I gave the old bike a bath and shined her up with some Bike Lust Polish, added some stickers and did a cheap fix up job on the ripped up seat with some hot pink electrical tape I found in the toolbox. Then I found this giant basket on craigslist for $20. I looked for a used rack to no avail, so ended up spending another $45 at the LBS for this gem.

I named her Rocky, because at the time we were commuting to "Rockdale" together.
We went places together Rocky and I...

I rediscovered the fun of riding a bike with no 'goals'. It didn't matter how many miles we did, or how fast. I wore whatever I was going to wear that day, no special clothing or shoes were required with Rocky. We were just out there doing whatever we wanted...

taking fun pictures...

sitting and watching the sun rise in the early mornings together.

She had a kickstand so she would stand while I would sit.

To save money on gas, she even became the hauler of our ENTIRE household sustenance.

She was my only bike for three months. We had a lot of fun.

Her poor frame started feeling like a soft noodle with the 40 pound loads.

Then her chain started jumping off and getting stuck like every mile.

Then the brakes were crazy SQUEAKY loud!!! I used to joke that the brakes were like a bell to alert people I was coming.

I tried to replace the pads myself (another $20) as the LBS said it wasn't worth their time on the old beater. The brakes have never been the same since. Like I said I really suck at the maintenance.

I wish she had a chainguard too, but I have never found one.

I got a new bike when I changed jobs and was only 7 miles from my office. Rocky wasn't very comfortable to ride 14 miles a day.

So I have since banned myself from riding her more than a 3 mile distance. See how watching miles ruins things??

She is sitting in our storage room with no front brake now and a really loud SQUEAKY back brake. But she shifts good and the tires are good too.

I miss riding her. I just need to get the brakes fixed....

Pondering Still

Sometimes I guess you just need a break. Life has been crazy, we are moving in 7 weeks 1000 miles away over Christmas. Work has been crazy, so I took up a second job to make it crazier. So I decided to take a break from riding.

I know, I know- What?!? Why?! Why NOW?!

I think I said this previously. I really suck at bike fixing. And all my bikes, yes all 6 are currently in various states of disrepair. I'm so overwhelmed I'm not even sure which one to take to the LBS to have someone else fix!

The three current favorites are still snuggly next to our bed. Begging to go out and be rode. I still have my list of need to do's before the next ride.

I am still pondering

"Do I need to ship all 6 of our bikes to Pennsylvania or should I sell a couple here?"

"If so which ones?"

"What bike(s) will I need/want in Allentown?"

I don't know.

So instead of riding to and from the job that I can't wait to quit- I'm walking and taking MARTA. It was really weird the first time to ride all by myself. Before I always had a bike with me, or my boyfriend. I felt so alone.

Jinx

I think I jinxed myself by starting this blog specifically about biking. September turned out to be not a great mileage month especially with the injured shoulder/chest muscle. So it is time to move forward on what I want to do and not fret so much about what I didn't do.

But a quick update first:

The shoulder/chest muscle is 100% better! Now I know that if I do too many pushups I will hurt myself badly and it will take about 9 days to heal 100%.

This weekend I started riding my new (old) stead- the Specialized Allez 10-speed. It's pretty rockin for an oldie but goodie. I put my favorite saddle from my Mongoose commuter on her, and with a new adjustable stem she turned out to be pretty dang comfortable. She is super light compared to all my other beasts. As I haven't been on a road bike in about a year. I feel comfortable commuting in the morning when the traffic is light, but haven't ventured the afternoon traffic so we've been taking the train the majority of the route home. She is a 10-speed with the shifters on the downtube, and only like 3 gears actually work. Meaning when she is in the other 7 they slip. The chain is really loose and needs replaced I suspect. Also she has these ancient clip/flat pedals that I'm still getting used to. Matt yanked on them for a good 30 minutes this weekend and could only get 1 off. So she needs some more TLC from a professional, maybe next week I'll take her in for some help.

I'm still waddling in my quest to thin out the stable and haven't made any decisions yet. But put several downstairs in our storage area, leaving just 3 bikes in the house to see how I feel about that.

In retrospect (I know I said I was moving forward, but hang on...) I think I was doing too much of the same thing in August and September and burned myself out. I was doing the same routes, at the same times, on the same bike. I think in my older age I'm realizing that 'cross-training' has more value than I've given it credit for. Moving forward I'm going to mix up the routes, intensities and use various bikes along with adding in some weights and maybe a little running here and there. My goal is to be in great (for me) shape by spring. Also I'd like to have the bikes that I need nailed down and the ones I don't going to new homes. I have lost my umph to the commuting. As Jill said the other day, driving to and from work is soooo easy compared to biking. I hate that I've realized that these last couple weeks. But I know I feel better when I ride and the ride home is always sweet even if it is just that 2 miles from the train station. My car is getting still less use than ever before. In fact it had cobwebs in the corners when I was driving last week!

Gas Stories

Atlanta is in the middle of a gas shortage. It was created by panic and over consumption from the panic. It is scheduled to go on for another couple weeks.

Earlier conservation today in my office's kitchen as I filled up my water bottle.

Co-worker that lives in my same neighborhood is getting coffee. He is in his early twenties and addicted to driving. We live four blocks apart and he can never remember this.

He says, 'is there any gas around here?'

I reply, 'Citgo and Shell on Peachtree. They both had lines this morning.'

"How much?" he asks after I explain in detail where the two stations are. *Apparently he lives off Peachtree, our office is on Peachtree. He never drives on Peachtree, instead he takes the highway.*

"I don't think they are even posting prices anymore." I tell him. "How close are you to the MARTA station?"

"Like right there, its hardly a walk" he replies with a smirk as he pours his coffee.

"Why don't you take MARTA? It's only $1.75 each way. The Buckhead station is just a block from the office. Round trip it is cheaper than a gallon of gas." I feel like the alternative transportation committee.

"Is that what you do?" I tell him I ride my bike to work, again. He asks me where I live, again.

"Oh yeah, we've had this conversation a hundred times huh" he seems amused.

"Yes we have, I live right by you. You should try MARTA, it'll save you money and gas for more important things like going out on the weekends." It's my last ditch effort to show him benefits that apply to him.

There were a few more details like his excuses for not knowing his schedule at work well enough and his exclamation that riding a bike THAT far is crazy. I tell him that MARTA runs all day and night. It's only 8 miles each way for me and it takes just 25 minutes I told him. I also explained how I 'do it' you know, using the building's gym and all and my exact time schedules which he was fascinated by for some reason. He couldn't believe it takes me less time on my bike than for him to drive on the highway in traffic.

"Hmmm. That's pretty cool. That is a good solution." He rubbed his chin like he was deep in thought about my bike commuting solution to the gas shortage. I didn't bother to tell him that the gas shortage has not caused my bike commuting. But whatever, it seemed to light a little spark in him. Maybe he'll at least try public transportation during this crisis.

**on a side note: I'm not riding for a couple more days, and I missed a ride planed this weekend. I strained a chest muscle (hurts like hell to breathe deeply) last Thursday and am nursing it back to normal. Don't want to push it riding right now. Luckily I drive so little my half tank of gas is sure to last through the 'shortage'.

Cruisin Around Thoughts

Like I mentioned in my ramblings I am downsizing the stable and going with just two (for now):

1. Long Touring Road Bike
2. Commuter/Daily Errands/Nights Out on the town Cruiser

Let's look at my needs here.

My daily commute now is in Atlanta which has perfect weather. Currently that ride is only 16 miles round trip. There are some inclines to consider, however....this commute will soon be transferred to a new location all together so a fancy commuter is overkill. Specifically I will be commuting in Allentown, Pennsylvania in a couple months. That's right I'm moving.... soon. Well we all are- The Biskit, me and the dogs. And the bikes, of course. That really is beside the point- I'm going to be going back to college is the actual point here. I'm not familiar with the terrain up there either, which is posing a real problem in my decision making process.

I'm told the town/area has mountains, as opposed to all the hills here in Atlanta. But I can't imagine the campus(es) having mountains, and the pictures look flat so I'm betting for traditional campus terrain.

Now, this Daily-Commuter-Cruiser-Errand bike has some specific needs as I have visions of what I will be doing with it:

• Riding around campus with books. Potentially LOTS of books and a laptop
• Picking up groceries and dog food
• Hauling other misc stuff
• Going out on the town with the Biskit
• All in just regular daily clothes Chic Cyclist like (please see sidebar link)

Which leads to my wish list:

• Simple, low maintenance (i.e internal hub and coaster brake) I'm so tired of always working on my bikes just to ride them each day- I mean I really suck at the mechanics!
• Rack/basket options
• Easy step thru design
• Kinda fashionable color (i.e. not Turquoise or Purple)
• Chainguard is a MUST
• Fenders also a MUST
• Cushy, Ballooney tires would be fun

Here is the Gary Fisher Simple City 8. I really like the 8 speed internal hub, the internal wiring for a clean-er look, and the basket with stabilizer spring is pretty smart. The step thru design is elegant without looking odd, the leather grips and saddle are sweet too. The double kickstand is a nice touch for loading goods and it has fenders already.

Downside, the chainguard isn't a full cover which concerns me as I'm also sick of grease stains. I'd rather not have any wires and wish it had a light hub too. The tires are 700x32, but they are puncture resistant. The frame is aluminum, which I know makes it lighter, but with the step thru design I have found aluminum feels like a wet noodle with 40 pound loads of dog food. Also the color(s) don't jazz me up, and it's more than I would want to pay at $960 MSRP.

Looking at more affordable options. This blue classic Nancy Schwinn runs an MSRP of $350 and sports a 3 speed internal hub. It has the back rack ready for a basket and fenders over it's "Smooth Rolling Crusier" tires.

Again I like the saddle and grips in the (probably faux) leather and I really like the clean no-wire look as it sports a coaster brake. The color is a nice, blend in-don't stand out classic blue- I can totally picture it in a bike rack can't you?

But it seems to be pretty simple for the money...seems like it'd be in the $200 range to me.

Trek has this adorable cruiser- the Calypso 7 speed. Obviously not an internal hub, as one can see from the out-of-place looking derailleur hanging out under the chainguard like a hairy pair of....never mind. But really doesn't it look out of place? The chainguard is cool in the retro beach style, the paint job is cute with the pink sidewalls.

But the wires and the hairy balls- opps I mean hairy gearing just looks wrong. I can't stop staring at it! And why would they make all the wiring SO obvious too? Trek really shoulda made the wires at least pink or creme to match. That mess looks like headgear from a bad 80's flashback. This would be a cool bike if it had the internal gearing and coaster brake, I would pay $400 for it if it did. But it doesn't and retails for $410.

I haven't really warmed up to the Trek Lime, I know it's out there. I have seen a cool retrofit of it here. I, however, don't believe I have the talent or skills to do that. Now if they sold it like that....

Basically I'm still looking and figuring. I'm open for ANY suggestions at this point.

**Gosh, now that I re-read this I've got some more looking around to do. Where is Consumer Reports when I need them?