Biking

[Rockslinger]

Earlier this Summer, one of my female neighbours (no, not one of the lesbos) gave me her old bike and I did quite a bit of tooling around on it. Biking also took most of the weight off my injured left foot. Anyways, I never noticed that there is such a vast variety of bikes on our streets. Some of these bikes are older than their riders but both wheels still turn. Also, I find that it is senseless to have more than 3 speeds in the city. Does anybody actually use all 18, 21 or 27 gears in the city?

So, how was your biking experience this Summer?

 

[777flyer]

Hey Rock

As a child, i rode my bicycle everywhere.......but gave it up once I got married and being busy got in the way....

3 years ago on Father's day, I got the bug again......off I went to a bike shop and asked to buy a 10 speed......after the entire store stopped laughing, I was fully educated on the 'modern bicycle' and I bought a 24 speed 'hybrid' bike.......although i never use more than 4-5 of the speeds......

Excellent way to stay in shape, and helped me lose a good 15 pounds........easy on the knees too.......!

 

[afterhours]

Earlier this Summer, one of my female neighbours (no, not one of the lesbos) gave me her old bike and I did quite a bit of tooling around on it. Biking also took most of the weight off my injured left foot. Anyways, I never noticed that there is such a vast variety of bikes on our streets. Some of these bikes are older than their riders but both wheels still turn. Also, I find that it is senseless to have more than 3 speeds in the city. Does anybody actually use all 18, 21 or 27 gears in the city?

So, how was your biking experience this Summer?

if the city was flat as Amsterdam, you'd hardly need more gears
but to get up the hill I use all 21 that I have

 

[Brill]

One of mine is a heavy single speed cruiser bike, it's fine for any hill in Toronto. I wish it had disc brakes though, the old fashioned coaster brakes aren't good enough to make a quick stop.

 

[CapitalGuy]

Where is cycleguy anyways? His ban must be over by now? Is he really reincarnated as Blissful?

 

[Rockslinger]

off I went to a bike shop and asked to buy a 10 speed......after the entire store stopped laughing, I was fully educated on the 'modern bicycle' and I bought a 24 speed 'hybrid' bike........!

I was also "gear shocked". I thought the bike had 10 speed but it actually has 18. Since Toronto is fairly flat, I don't really use more than 3. (BTW It is a "girlie" bike because a woman gave it to me for free. When was the last time you got a "freebie" from a woman. Hee, hee, hee.)

 

[FOOTSNIFFER]

I ride to work as often as is practical, do errands on my bike, and I always come away from it with a big smile on my face. For my money, it's the cheapest therapy you can buy. I enjoy my bike more than my car, by a long shot. It's often the simplest pleasures that are best.

 

[CapitalGuy]

I ride to work as often as is practical, do errands on my bike, and I always come away from it with a big smile on my face. For my money, it's the cheapest therapy you can buy. I enjoy my bike more than my car, by a long shot. It's often the simplest pleasures that are best.

How do you carry stuff? Basket? Fender rack? Backpack?

 

[Rockslinger]

How do you carry stuff? Basket? Fender rack? Backpack?

Whew, I thought you were going to ask if he takes his bike into the incall.

P.S. I have a front loading basket and a backpack.

 

[Ironhead]

I have saddle bags on my bike. I recently got a flat, patched it only to discover a second leak when I pumped it up. I filled a sink with water and found several leaks. I just bought a new tube.

Riding season is coming to a close for another winter. sigh

 

[fun-guy]

Where is cycleguy anyways? His ban must be over by now? Is he really reincarnated as Blissful?

He's banned for life I think, lol, as if that's something serious.

I use all the gears, especially around Castle Loma, if you're biking very long distances around the city you will go through various grade separations when you need the gears so you don't tire yourself out when doing hundreds of kilometers.

If you're going to the store and back, then no, one gear is all you need, lol.

 

[SkyRider]

I use all the gears, especially around Castle Loma, if you're biking very long distances around the city you will go through various grade separations when you need the gears so you don't tire yourself out when doing hundreds of kilometers.

You are one serious biker dude. Do you have 27 gears?

 

[Moraff]

I don't do nearly as much biking as I used to but I have a 12-speed and short haul don't use more than 2 or 3 of them, but long-haul I will use pretty much all of them. When you are doing long-distance rides you want to maintain a steady cadence (speed and power of your pedaling) rather than a constant speed so you adjust your gearing depending on the grade you are working with. At least that's how I was taught anyways.

 

[skipstagger]

I ride to work as often as is practical, do errands on my bike, and I always come away from it with a big smile on my face. For my money, it's the cheapest therapy you can buy. I enjoy my bike more than my car, by a long shot. It's often the simplest pleasures that are best.

I agree with the therapy angle, great stress reliever. I ride my 18 year old CCM mountain bike almost everyday, year round. Love riding in the storms as well, especially snow storms.

 

[OddSox]

Therapy is better when you have a motor, and Christina Aguilera riding pillion.

 

[deep_blue]

Whew, I thought you were going to ask if he takes his bike into the incall.

That would be considered "Green Hobbying"

 

[Rockslinger]

That would be considered "Green Hobbying"

Yup, don't our silly politicians realize that hobbying is "environmentally friendly"? We don't even have to cut down any trees to make wooden bats.

 

[skipstagger]

Therapy is better when you have a motor, and Christina Aguilera riding pillion.

No thanks. My cousin was run over by one of those trucks that carry cars to the car lots while on his. I`ll pass. And if I had Christina anywhere do you think i`d still be looking for a stress reliever.