Biking really does bring back childhood. I feel like such a kid on mine! My current bike is a cruiser and I have outgrown it because it does not challenge me enough and does not do well on gravel. I am getting a new one for my b-day next month and will look into the one you bought. I looked into some encarta townie this weekend, but they are not made for any trails. Also looked into a Giant hybrid.
I am so impressed BTW that you have been walking 9 miles a day to and from work. That is incredible! You must have fabuolous legs!
I can't BELIEVE you biked in the snow. What kind of superwoman are you??
Not quite a superwoman, unfortunately! It's more a case of necessity. I can very rarely use public transport so the it is. Even negotiating ruts is quicker (less time in sub-zero temps is always good ) than trudging through the snow on foot.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goddess Jessica
Thanks for the advice. I have been looking at the mirror thing because it's hard to know when someone is approaching. Glad to hear someone else's perspective on it.
I couldn't be without mine. It took me ages to get used to North Americans driving on the right (but wrong ) side of the road. I tried a few out but settled on one of those that attaches to the handlebar. Like this.
Oh, I wish I could draw it for you. You know, like they show the elevations on the Tour de France? Because it's ridiculous and even walking it, I didn't realize. My first mile is in and around downtown (which is at sea level) and then a slow climb up the street, then the 2nd mile is ALL up hill. A steep, mile-long hill. I went about 1/4 of the way up and had to get off my bike and walk the rest of the way up the hill. The middle mile is very hilly. I've deemed them the sprinting hills. You pedel REALLY fast down hill and then coast and then peddle slow but hard to get up the rest of the hill and then pedel REALLY fast and hard again (did I mention that my heart exploded at this point?). The last mile is all down hill.... of course, I'm elated at this point until realize I have to cycle home as well and this nice downhill - in reverse - will kill me.
I get to work and I'm happy that I have eight hours to try to recooperate before heading home.
So, on the way home, it's a beginning steep, steep hill up for a mile. I get about a 1/4 of the way up and get off and walk on the sidewalk. I'm getting to a stoplight and I feel kinda down. I mean, how out of shape am I? I know this is a challenging beginner's course but I've been walking for so long, I thought I at least wouldn't have to get off the bike!
Then I hear this woman - this overweight, cute black woman leaning out of the passenger side window of a car waiting at the light. She starts yelling/chanting loudly from the car: Keep going! Keep going!
You can do it, girl!
You don't let anyone tell you that you can't!
Keep going! Keep going!
Looking great girl!
I laughed and thanked her and she said, "You keep on being an inspiration!"
LOVE THAT STORY!!! Just out of curiosity, do you live in San Francisco or Berkeley?
I LOVE IT, TOO!!! That was awesome. (And beautifully told, Jessica!)
Doesn't it sound like SF or Berkeley, Paula? Not only the events in the story but the terrain also? Alas, I think Jessica lives in SoCal. It's a pity. I love the SF area, and feel it would benefit greatly from our lovely Jessica's presence there.
Jessica, you just go ON with your badass self!!! KEEP GOING! KEEP GOING! LOOKING GREAT, GIRL!!
Awwww... thanks, guys! Sarah, you pay way too much attention! I DO live in SoCal. San Diego (which is not as hilly as SF but has lovely canyons all throughout).
It also reminds me about why I like running outside, the fact that people say hello as you run past, or smile. It reminds you that you don't look like a complete idiot for trying, and that most people will respect you more for getting over your fears and giving it a go.
Congrats on your first commuting ride! It will get easier! That woman you encountered truly rocks! I have to admit that your experience mad me thankful for currently living in the flat Midwest!!
I hear ya about the hills. Granted I live in WI, but my area is very hilly. In fact, the very road I live on is a section of the biking portion of a Triathilon every year. Which is mostly an annoyance to me as they are all whizzing by my house at the same time I am trying to leave for work. And it doesn't matter which way I go, bicyclists everywhere in either direction. On that day I have to give myself an extra 20 minutes to get to work on time. It does look like such fun though, I would like to do a bike race someday. If I can only get my bike fixed and working again.
So the whole point to my babbling is?
I think is so cool you bike to work. Just look out for the crazy motorists and have fun!
I made it up the on-the-way-to-work biggest hill without getting off the bike!!! OMG, I thought I was going to die but I kept saying, "only until the next stop light, then you can get off and walk... okay, but the next stop light is pretty close... just get to that one and we'll get off and walk." I got a little choked up when I made it over the other side and got to zoom down the hill. Fat girl beats the first hill!
Not quite a superwoman, unfortunately! It's more a case of necessity. I can very rarely use public transport so the 
it is. Even negotiating ruts is quicker (less time in sub-zero temps is always good 
) than trudging through the snow on foot. 
) side of the road. I tried a few out but settled on one of those that attaches to the handlebar. 
Love it!!
That was awesome. (And beautifully told, Jessica!) 
Not only the events in the story but the terrain also? Alas, I think Jessica lives in SoCal. It's a pity. I love the SF area, and feel it would benefit greatly from our lovely Jessica's presence there. 
