Tomorrow I Ride!
I rode to school Monday and Tuesday, but took Wednesday off to… study… and Thursday I got a ride because I was wrong about the time for my first final. I’m gonna hop on the Surly again tomorrow because I made that promise to myself to ride every day that the temperature is greater than or equal to ten degrees. So far the winter riding has been pretty okay. Snow and ice haven’t been much of a problem, and my Cross-Check has been very comfortable on the fatter tires (700x32c), especially since the rear is a little low. The drivetrain seems to even be quieter, but I really have to bring her in and give her a thorough cleaning. If you’re curious, I tend to stick to the 48 in front and somewhere in the 15-19 range in the rear. I’m running a slightly higher cadence through the snow, which is probably healthier. If I don’t stay on the gas the bike gets a little squirrely, but she loves to run.
I don’t know why I want another bike, but look at this! It’s so pretty!
On the other hand, I saw a black Surly on campus the other day. Mmmmm. Really, though, I’m starting to want taller gearing for the summer and maybe a… flat bar (the HORROR!) for winter. So… maybe I want a fixed gear for winter. I know! I know! It’s a cult! However, I could feel the road better and there would be less to go wrong (like the morning that my front derailleur froze up). I’m just saying that it would be interesting. For summer I would take taller gears and a bike fitting — maybe just panniers so I don’t have a backpack, but I’m just not comfortable dropping down in the handlebars unless I’m climbing. Then again, I’m all torso.
The real problem is what to wear while riding in the winter so I’m neither sweaty or freezing when I get to my destination. If the weather stays in the 20s then I would probably be fine with one of my light hoodies and a windbreaker. Windbreaking pants might not be a bad idea, either, plus winter shoes that won’t grow disgusting in the spray from my tires. Boot recommended one of those spandexy shirts under a wool shirt with a windbreaker, but the next thing you know I’d be packing a day’s worth of changes every day.
Anyway, I hope that it stays warm enough for me to ride — otherwise I will have to find some other form of daily exercise. I can’t believe that I just said those two words together: “daily exercise.”
Yeah, I made a huge mistake when I bought my bike a couple years ago. I went absolutely apeshit about getting a full suspension mountain bike, and I’m really unable to ride it. It’s no good unless you’re boulder hopping - the shocks dissipate all your forward-moving power.
I need to try and sell it again and get a street bike of the cheaper variety. Bianchi would be nice, but probably too spendy for what I can get out of mine.
I looked for a few months before figuring out what I wanted, so the bike is very close to what I want. If you do sell the bike, lemme know and I would be glad to help you research. Really, though, you’ve got to do test rides like crazy once you’ve figured out what you’re looking for.
Jay: You should totally just start researching now. That way, when you find what you want, you can just start saving pennies at the same time you’re trying to sell your bike- even if you only sell if for a fraction, it’ll be money well spent if you find something you are going to get good use out of.
Jesse: You should totally help him research asap! With all of your free time!