Sylvia is home!

Sylvia had no problems getting her rear spread for her new hub and her upgrade went of with very little issue. I'm really glad we decided to take her to the professionals. I would have probably broken something.
We picked her up from Ajo Bikes yesterday evening and I'm so glad she's home! I took her for a test ride around their parking lot to make sure everything was in working order and Max was kind enough to make any adjustments that were needed. I love them there and the customer service is top notch. It's definitely my favorite bike shop, now if only they carried more commuting stuff...
The new gears are great! It's good to have options and she felt much zippier. The heavier wheels made her stick to the ground better and I took a few slooow turns to see how she cornered. Before she would almost topple if I was going less than 5 mph but now she sticks to it and goes around smoothly. There's also less wobble when I start from a stop and once we get going it feels like we could go forever. I love the gyroscope effect of her heavier new wheels and hubs!
What's funny is that she's now a 10 lbs heavier than she was before. Once I put her baskets and rack back on she will weigh a whopping 57 lbs. Without them she's still a hefty 44 lbs.
We moved her seat forward a bit like Dan from DBC City Bikes had suggested and I really like the new position. He was super helpful when I called to inquire about his bikes and gave me lots of information.

Happy to be home.

The roller brakes have huge cooling disks on them and I think they look very nice. Her new spokes are thicker and the deeper rims really make the Linus tires feel so much more plush. She rides much more smoothly over bumps now too.

Front wheel.

Back wheel.

It's a very nice set up so far, but I'll have to get new grips. They cut my old one to fit and the gap pinches a bit. I don't mind though, it'll be fun to pick them out.

We can really go now!

Her old 3 speed hub had this gearing:

0.733, 1.000, 1.364

Her new 8 speed hub has this gearing:

0.527, 0.644, 0.748, 0.851, 1.000, 1.223, 1.419, 1.615

We can now go faster, which was the goal, and slower than ever before! I love it!

Big cooling disk!

This morning it was drizzling so I took her out to splash in the puddles. It's one of our favorite things to do. Plus it was a great way to give her a proper test ride. We went for a 6 mile jaunt down our favorite bike path.

We're back!

I love this path because it has everything. Hills, flats, potholes, and dirt. It's a short little 3 miles to the road closed sign that has been up forever, but it really gives a taste of it all. It was so much fun! I rode along to my Irish pub rock (I only were one earbud and they're the nice ones that let ambient sound in) and smiled at everyone I saw. A nice construction worker even smiled back! On the way to the sign I pushed it and played with the gears. 

I got going super fast on the downhill through an underpass and we hit a large puddle. With her old rim brakes that would have been game over and I would have had no braking power. (Not that they were good when dry or anything.)  I panicked a little and squished the brake levers. I didn't expect much, but the roller brakes slowed me down just fine. They aren't as forceful as I'd heard, but they actually work. That is a very nice change from the way I had to stop before. No more putting my feet down to stop! No more bloody calves! This is great! I pedaled away with a huge smile and a ton more confidence.

I made it to the sign in less than 20 minutes, which made me very happy! I don't think I'd ever gotten there that fast before. The old gears meant anything over 12-13 mph would have me spinning like a mad person to get more speed. I was actually shocked at how easy it had been to get there.

This is a good place to rest.

It's not just closed, it doesn't exist!

I tootled home really slowly to play with the steering some more, plus there's a nasty hill I have trouble with coming back out of the under pass on the way home. Most of the time I would get off and push her up it, but I was determined not to today. 

I built up as much momentum as I could on the gentle downhill and thanks to the higher gears I kept most of it as I started the uphill. I made it to the top and only had to downshift to 2nd! At the end I was only going about 3 mph, but it was a win for us! 

I love these wheels! Zac 2000!

Right after cresting the hill the sun came out and lit the way back home. I'm taking it as a sign of great rides to come. I'm so grateful my husband got these wheels for me for Christmas!!!

A glorious ride.

Restart of Zombies, Run 5 k

I'm restarting my plan to redo Zombies, Run 5k. Outside I'll be doing the 1st week and inside I'll be on whatever week I'm on. Right now it's week 4.  I have these great headphones called Yurbuds my husband got me. They let in ambient noise so I can hear the zombies and what is around me. I got the blue ones.
 Today was the first outside walk/run. I strapped on my water pack and headed out into the sunrise. There may have even been a slight spring in my step. :-0

The sun is just getting up.

It started out great. I went to the bike path because it's safe and I know it. On the way there I saw a pair of ladies doing their morning walk. One had a baseball bat and one had a golf club. They were very friendly and we all said hi. That reminded me I didn't have my stick with me, but nothing happened so it was all good.

I love trains!

I was going strong and enjoyed the first few running intervals. I was feeling cocky and smiling at the people I saw. I even pretended to race a train. It was great! A passing bicyclist said I was looking good, that made my day. I wonder if she knew I could hear her.

Pretty little flowers.

Shortly after the flowers my wonderful knee popped and that sucked. It hurt but I kept going, but there was no more running for today. I just tried to walk faster for those intervals.

Little mushroom.

It's sucked, it popped at the best running segment yet. I was feeling good and warm and floaty. Then bing out it goes. The walk home was slow and a bit painful, but I stayed upright. Thursday I'll try to remember my stick. Otherwise it was a great start to the day.

I was outside moving across the Earth under my own power in the coolish morning air. It was great! I can't wait to do it again, minus the pain.

Into the desert

I took my husband to the desert I found when I got lost the other day. He thought it was great and I'm thinking we might take a picnic next time. I really like going for rides with him and I'm glad he's enjoying them too.
I think his bike looks naked with no baskets or a kickstand. He likes it that way though so any hauling will be done by Sylvia. I think they look good together, different yet complementary. It's a lot like us.

Sylvia looks skeptical about touching the tree.

The weather was perfect, nice and cloudy. We don't get many days like that here and I cherish every one. I hope it rains soon so we can go splash in the puddles together.

On the way home we saw this cool bridge. I know there's a bike lane on it, but there's also a ton of traffic. Maybe on day we'll ride on it instead of under it. It was a good ride.

Awesome bridge over the bike path.

West end of the trail

My husband and I went on a fun ride together all the way to the west end of the bike path. It was the first time in years that we have ridden together and he said it was fun. We are definitely going out together again. I can't wait until they expand it and it goes further! I was proud of how my three speed and I could keep up with him! Of course he stayed behind me for most of it.

End of the road... For now.

Our goal was to go and get him a taller stem from B.I.C.A.S. but they were closed and wouldn't be open for hours.

It's a neat place that has all sorts of random bike stuff. Maybe next time we can get it. 

Let me in!

On the way home we found a mysterious door down a flight of steps. I love the bright orange paint and it really set my imagination off! I wonder where it leads...

The door to ?

Had fun getting lost today.

I decided to try to figure out how to get to an appointment I will have by bicycle. I even downloaded a map. It was going well and I was just cruising along, The main road was right next to me and I thought I knew where I was going. There was a split in the path and the map said "Slight left to stay on path" so I took the left side. I probably shouldn't have made that turn.

Right before the split. 

Suddenly I was in the desert!  It was great for about 2 miles, then it came to an intersection I know is way off course. So I turned around and headed back home.

A desert in the middle of town! 

                              

On the way home I was startled by another cyclist who wanted a "bike five". I didn't understand what she wanted until it was to late. Sorry nice cyclist, I had my head in the clouds. I'll try to be ready when we meet again!

I'm going to try that route again after I get my new seat, it looked like it might wind through even more desert! I'll definitely take tons of water!

Tomorrow I get to ride to a different appointment, but I know exactly where that one is. Maybe I can get lost on the way home though.

Lucy's New Swag

The other day on my ride I came across another cyclist who was walking his bike. He was all tricked out in full Lycra and clicky shoes but couldn't ride because he had a flat tire and no way to fix it.
I felt bad for him, but I didn't have any way to fix his tire. Fortunately he had a ride coming to get him at the park so he didn't have far to walk.
That got me thinking I needed a patch kit of my own. When I go for my rides there's no one who can save me if I get into trouble and I do sometimes get into trouble. As I venture further out I really don't want to walk back. I'm up to over 3 miles now and still going strong.
The tires I have on Lucy are reinforced knobbies with a goo strip and extra thick tubes so it's unlikely I'll get a flat unless I roll over something extreme like a huge nail, but it could happen. I was also worried about possible mechanical failure. It sucks when it happens.
Husband reminded me that I already had a small box patch kit, but it wasn't comfortable in my pocket and I always left my mini-pump at home. I also had a mini-tool so all I needed was a bag.
We found the perfect saddle bag and we also got new patches. Mine were very old. Did you know they shouldn't crack when you bend them? I now carry a bike and people patch kit.

Perfect sized bag, patch kit, duck tape on a pencil, mini-tool, mini-pump with Co2 cartridges. Band aids, neosporin, and alcohol wipes in a plastic baggie.

It fits nice and tightly between her rear rack and fenders. It also took care of the rattle I was hearing from there. Bonus!

It's almost invisible so I won't have to worry about leaving it on when I go places.

Lucy also has a new cable on her seat. I was reading up on how to securely lock her because I'm super excited to go to the store in about 2 weeks and use her for shopping. I will definitely be going on Saturday the 4th and I want her secure. I found this great web page and the videos were very informative. Plus Hal made me laugh. I had already been doing everything except the seat lock. I don't have quick release, but that's not enough. Now she has a beautiful homemade seat cable. As an added bonus if my chain breaks I can take pieces off it and fix it with the mini-tool.

I love the tie-dyed duck tape. The hardest part was finding a pattern I liked. 

Add a bottle of water and we're ready for anything now!

Ginger cat approves.

Locking Skewers, A Review

After my experience with the Forte locking skewers I was leery of even trying these. They looked sturdy and solid, but so did the other ones. I really wanted locking skewers instead of quick releases because I often see bikes missing a tire. That would suck to come out to. I tested the entire thing with a magnet and believe it's steel like it says.
 Finally I installed them.

Install was very easy, just loosened my old skewers until the end came off and gently slid it out. The wheel stayed in place. I put a bit of grease on the new skewer then threaded it through. Tightening it all the way was a bit tricky because I didn't have a good grip on the end, but a wrench fixed that. 

After they were install I bounced Lucy on the floor vigorously to make sure they weren't going to move. They didn't budge at all, although I did end up having to tighten down my rack again. I need to get some lock tight for those bolts.  

They use a 5mm hex key and a small wrench to undo. It's simple if you have them with you. I bought a set of hex key's from the local Harbor Freight and took that one off. It fits in my pocket along with the small wrench.

If you have strong fingers you could probably use just the hex key.

The only thing I don't like is this little bit that sticks out, I think it looks unfinished and may cover it with rubber.

I have messed with them extensively, locking and unlocking them. Taking them on the bike path a few times (sorry I haven't posted about it, I haven't gone any further on it yet and it looks the same.). Riding over bumps and holes to see if they would come loose and they haven't yet. I even tried stopping in the places where the first ones failed and they held up just fine.

I would definitely suggest them if your worried about tire theft, or are just paranoid like me. If your local bike shop doesn't have them you can get them here or on Amazon.

To The Bike Path

I tried out the bike path today and it was interesting. The path runs along the highway and only 10-15 feet of curb/shoulder and a chain link fence separate you from them. After you pass the park, on the other side of you is a giant wall that bounces the car noise back at you. The effect sounds like your right in the middle of the traffic. Slightly unnerving and not pleasant.
I'll definitely go on the bike path again so I can go fast, plus it was a great place to practice mounting and dismounting without having to worry about falling in the road. The route home really worked my legs so that's a good thing. My knee has barely been bothering me at all since I started riding, especially since I raised my seat to the proper height. I don't know if I posted this link before, but here's where I found the right height for me:http://www.ebicycles.com/index.php

  All in all it was a great ride and I feel good.

The path itself is paved nicely and has markings down it so you know which side to be on. From my entrance point I went right. Having the fence on one side and the wall on the other took some getting used to but it was down hill and I picked up speed fast. That was fun and it felt safe because there was no cars that I could hit.  

I was tempted to go off the path when I came to an outlet and go exploring, but I didn't want to get lost so I stayed on it. Plus I wanted to see how far I could go. One day I'll tackle the whole thing.

I managed to get up to 20 mph on the way down under the under pass. My bell rang itself at every bump we hit and I just hung on and turned. It was great fun and after the underpass the path veered away from the highway and it got quieter. 

The next opening I came to was an exit to a more industrial area and there were a lot of warehouses. I was starting to get bored with the scenery of the path itself and decided to head home. 

When I turned around This building impressed me with it's odd looks.It looks like its built completely of scrap steel, but it's so big. I kind of like it and it gives me an idea for an outside office I could build myself.

It was much harder getting home because it turns out it was a slight downhill all the way I had come. Plus there was a nice wind blowing in my face all the way back. Found out when I got home that the wind was going 20-30 mph with gusts of 40 mph. I actually did better than I thought. In the end I went further than 3 miles for my longest trip yet. 

 I only saw a few cyclists out today, but one had the same Wald baskets I do and they were packed with stuff. I can't wait to take mine shopping and see how much they hold. All of them were friendly and said hi or waved when I said hi.