Eengstro’s Blog » Bicycling

Handlebar mirror thoughts

Eengstro — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 02:01:11 +0000

I added a handlebar mirror to my bicycle, and today was my first day riding with it. I have to say that I’m not too happy with it.

The image is only clear when I’m riding on perfectly smooth pavement
I can’t lean the bike against a wall on the left side anymore because of the mirror
I have to look down to see behind me, taking my eyes way off the road
The bike is now so wide that I can’t fit it through doors easily

I think I need to try out a helmet mirror.

I have conquered California Blvd

Eengstro — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:48:09 +0000

California Blvd, between Palm St and Phillips Ln, is one of the steepest hills in San Luis Obispo. (Map here.) I climbed this hill today on my bicycle for the first time. I was fairly winded when I got to the top, but it wasn’t so bad that I had to stop. This is quite an improvement from my first ride.

I feel my riding becoming stronger and easier with each passing week. I don’t know if I’ve lost any fat yet, but I’ve definitely gained leg muscle and heart muscle.

Riding and basketball

Eengstro — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:19:42 +0000

I did a fair amount of riding around town on Monday (rode to the power company as well as work). On Tuesday, I rode to the gym for the first time. At the gym, I played basketball for the first time in a year. I then rode to work, and later rode home.

On Wednesday morning — between all the riding, plus not having played basketball in so long — my entire body hurt. I drove the car on Wednesday.

First ride to work

Eengstro — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:06:27 +0000

I rode my new bicycle to work for the first time today. While riding down my street, a cager almost struck me while backing out of his driveway; he only stopped after I yelled “WHOA!” at him several times. I think for commuting in town, I’m going to need an airhorn; this one looks promising. (I use my horn quite frequently when I’m on the motorcycle.)

The bike is ready for its first tuneup, as the rear derailer is out of alignment: the bike bounces between sprockets in the lower gears, making hill climbing impossible. Further, the front brake is rubbing a bit. I think most of this can be attributed to cable stretch, as the derailer was out of alignment before I crammed the bike into the trunk of my BMW three times (once on its own, once attempted with a suitcase, and once again on its own) for the drive back to San Luis Obispo.

I’m also going to switch the brakes so that the front brake is on the right hand, and the rear on the left hand. This matches the layout on motorcycles and scooters. Once that’s done, I intend to hit the parking lot for some braking practice (something I still do from time to time on the motorcycle).

The bike’s going into Cambria Bicycle on Friday.

Bicycling is hard

Eengstro — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:36:30 +0000

I just acquired a new bicycle: a Redline Conquest with some modifications (straight handlebar, etc.) to be more beginner- and commuting-friendly. My plan is to ride the bicycle to work and to the gym, because I badly need more cardio exercise.

This morning, I took the bicycle out for my first ride. I rode up a small hill on my street, and that was extremely taxing. I stopped at the top, and looked down the other side, and thought, “if I continue, I’m going to have to climb this damn hill again.” So I turned around and went home. Total ride: about 1 mile, tops. When I got home, I could barely walk up the steps.

Bicycling is hard.