Comments for The 6-Miler http://kentuckybicycling.com Todd Van Campen on average-guy commuter bicycling Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:01:55 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on Shoe cover options by ScottNorthSide http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2009/shoe-cover-options/comment-page-1/#comment-6420 ScottNorthSide Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:01:55 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=324#comment-6420 When I first took up daily commuting to work in the summer of 07 I purchased the Louis Garneau Stop-tech shoe covers. They did fine at first. But over time I noticed water leaking in in spots. That was OK except for on those days where the rain was coming down in buckets. Then they tended to leak like crazy. So I searched around for a replacement shoe cover. And found the J&G's. They looked well built but the first rain I rode in they leaked. So I splurged on the Showers Pass Touring shoe cover. Talk about rugged and well built. Those things can handle anything you put them thru. I wear them in a downpour and my feet stay totally dry. I just wish they fit over my LL Bean Snow Sneakers to give me more protection from the cold. But they don't. Outside of that they make for a dependable three-season shoe cover. And I always have them packed away in my pannier just in case. They accompany my O2 Rainshield pants to give me total protection from the rain. The Showers Pass rainjacket I've worn does the rest. When I first took up daily commuting to work in the summer of 07 I purchased the Louis Garneau Stop-tech shoe covers. They did fine at first. But over time I noticed water leaking in in spots. That was OK except for on those days where the rain was coming down in buckets. Then they tended to leak like crazy. So I searched around for a replacement shoe cover. And found the J&G’s. They looked well built but the first rain I rode in they leaked. So I splurged on the Showers Pass Touring shoe cover. Talk about rugged and well built. Those things can handle anything you put them thru. I wear them in a downpour and my feet stay totally dry. I just wish they fit over my LL Bean Snow Sneakers to give me more protection from the cold. But they don’t. Outside of that they make for a dependable three-season shoe cover. And I always have them packed away in my pannier just in case. They accompany my O2 Rainshield pants to give me total protection from the rain. The Showers Pass rainjacket I’ve worn does the rest.

]]> Comment on More on reflective vests by Amy http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2008/more-on-reflective-vests/comment-page-1/#comment-4629 Amy Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:11:09 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=283#comment-4629 I'm not sure if you are an average guy cycling or a guy doing average cycling. I know you aren't average. I think on the whole you are above average, with only a few fleeting moments of below averageness. Average or no, I admire the fact that you cycle to work. Makes me wish I had a set of wheels. I’m not sure if you are an average guy cycling or a guy doing average cycling. I know you aren’t average. I think on the whole you are above average, with only a few fleeting moments of below averageness. Average or no, I admire the fact that you cycle to work. Makes me wish I had a set of wheels.

]]> Comment on I love my neighbors by Biking Paige http://kentuckybicycling.com/01/2009/i-love-my-neighbors/comment-page-1/#comment-4370 Biking Paige Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:09:19 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=306#comment-4370 Hi Todd, I love your blog. I write a blog on a similar topic about biking to work in San Francisco, and I happen to be from Lexington, so lots in common. Hope you get back to writing it now that I've just discovered it! I'm adding you to my blogroll on bikingpaige.wordpress.com Go UK!! Paige Hi Todd,
I love your blog. I write a blog on a similar topic about biking to work in San Francisco, and I happen to be from Lexington, so lots in common. Hope you get back to writing it now that I’ve just discovered it! I’m adding you to my blogroll on bikingpaige.wordpress.com

Go UK!!
Paige

]]> Comment on I love my neighbors by todd http://kentuckybicycling.com/01/2009/i-love-my-neighbors/comment-page-1/#comment-3650 todd Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:55:36 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=306#comment-3650 <blockquote>Helen, thanks -- nope, I didn't fall off! My riding routine is the same as ever, maybe that is the problem -- not a whole lot new to write about! I have been concentrating on <a href="http://homeschoolingwithguinever.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/making-our-square-foot-garden-a-slideshow/" rel="nofollow">the square-foot garden</a>, cleaning up the yard, and doing some minor repairs on the Breezer & my kids' bikes. Come to think of it, some of those would make a good post...</blockquote>

Helen, thanks — nope, I didn’t fall off! My riding routine is the same as ever, maybe that is the problem — not a whole lot new to write about! I have been concentrating on the square-foot garden, cleaning up the yard, and doing some minor repairs on the Breezer & my kids’ bikes. Come to think of it, some of those would make a good post…

]]> Comment on I love my neighbors by Helen http://kentuckybicycling.com/01/2009/i-love-my-neighbors/comment-page-1/#comment-3649 Helen Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:46:42 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=306#comment-3649 Great website. Miss your blog. Didn't fall off, did you? Hope the 6 Miler is OK. Great website. Miss your blog. Didn’t fall off, did you? Hope the 6 Miler is OK.

]]> Comment on More on the case of the Breezer Uptown 8 chaincase by todd http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2007/more-on-the-case-of-the-breezer-uptown-8-chaincase/comment-page-1/#comment-3470 todd Thu, 28 May 2009 05:40:48 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2007/more-on-the-case-of-the-breezer-uptown-8-chaincase/#comment-3470 <blockquote>Peter, thanks. My best advice is, you can change a flat without removing the wheel (I have done it a number of times). Leaving the wheel on the bike, release the v-brakes, and use tire levers to pry one side of the tire off the rim, leaving the other side of the tire on the rim. When that one side of the tire is off, all the way around, pull the tube out. Pump it up enough to find the leak. Repair the leak with your patch kit, push the tube back into the tire, and put the tire back onto the rim. This will work on most flats. Carry a wrench in case you ever do have to take the wheel off the bike. <a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/nexus8/pages/10.htm" rel="nofollow">Here are the directions</a> for removing the shifting cable (one of the tough parts).</blockquote>

Peter, thanks. My best advice is, you can change a flat without removing the wheel (I have done it a number of times). Leaving the wheel on the bike, release the v-brakes, and use tire levers to pry one side of the tire off the rim, leaving the other side of the tire on the rim. When that one side of the tire is off, all the way around, pull the tube out. Pump it up enough to find the leak. Repair the leak with your patch kit, push the tube back into the tire, and put the tire back onto the rim. This will work on most flats.

Carry a wrench in case you ever do have to take the wheel off the bike. Here are the directions for removing the shifting cable (one of the tough parts).

]]> Comment on Riding in Crocs, serious mileage edition by Steve http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2008/285/comment-page-1/#comment-3424 Steve Wed, 27 May 2009 01:02:41 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=285#comment-3424 Love the comment about the helmet. I think it might just fit in with the utter lack of need as mentioned about the bike shoes! People rode for years without helmets! They are way over priced, and unless racing or Mt. Biking how often do you crash? Its a trend that the manufacturers slowly sold to the biking world! Love the comment about the helmet. I think it might just fit in with the utter lack of need as mentioned about the bike shoes! People rode for years without helmets! They are way over priced, and unless racing or Mt. Biking how often do you crash? Its a trend that the manufacturers slowly sold to the biking world!

]]> Comment on More on the case of the Breezer Uptown 8 chaincase by peter fittipaldi http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2007/more-on-the-case-of-the-breezer-uptown-8-chaincase/comment-page-1/#comment-3257 peter fittipaldi Thu, 21 May 2009 01:27:07 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2007/more-on-the-case-of-the-breezer-uptown-8-chaincase/#comment-3257 My question is: what about changing a flat on the rear with the nexus internal hub? Is this simpler than it looks. Now that I own a Villager, I'm worried about a flat on my way to work. What are your thoughts, suggestions. Thanks, Peter. My question is: what about changing a flat on the rear with the nexus internal hub? Is this simpler than it looks. Now that I own a Villager, I’m worried about a flat on my way to work. What are your thoughts, suggestions. Thanks, Peter.

]]> Comment on Breezer Uptown 8 ride report by todd http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2007/breezer-uptown-8-ride-report/comment-page-1/#comment-3103 todd Thu, 14 May 2009 15:49:35 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2007/breezer-uptown-8-ride-report/#comment-3103 <blockquote>The short answer is, you can get a very upright position on the Uptown 8. It has a quill stem, which is easy to adjust if you decide you want the bars higher. The step-through frame might be a great bet for you. If sticker shock is a factor, I would seriously consider the Villager (7speed, $650), Citizen ($550, 3-speed) or Freedom ($430, 3-speed). (prices approximate) All of them will offer a similar riding position. I would definitely call ahead BEFORE making the trip to make sure the shop has the bike you want to try in stock.</blockquote>

The short answer is, you can get a very upright position on the Uptown 8. It has a quill stem, which is easy to adjust if you decide you want the bars higher. The step-through frame might be a great bet for you. If sticker shock is a factor, I would seriously consider the Villager (7speed, $650), Citizen ($550, 3-speed) or Freedom ($430, 3-speed). (prices approximate) All of them will offer a similar riding position. I would definitely call ahead BEFORE making the trip to make sure the shop has the bike you want to try in stock.

]]> Comment on Breezer Uptown 8 ride report by Shankari http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2007/breezer-uptown-8-ride-report/comment-page-1/#comment-2865 Shankari Wed, 06 May 2009 03:44:39 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2007/breezer-uptown-8-ride-report/#comment-2865 My first real commute bike was an Indian Speedking SLR, step through frame, single speed. I guess here you would call it an English Roadster. For ten years, I rode it every day - rain or shine - through the potholed Bombay roads until I came to America. It was still running well enough at that point to be handed down to a cousin. I love the upright riding position that it had and as you know, have had very little success finding such a bike here. I rode a couple of "vintage" Raleighs and Schwinns but I found it hard to shift gears properly and they were all diamond frames. Then I got pregnant and gave up on uprights altogether in favour of recumbents. I think I'm ready to try an upright again if it will give me the correct riding posture. I'm looking for something like this (look at page 5 of this pdf) https://www.ticyclesindia.com/pdf/ladysupreme.pdf I tried out a Novara at REI this weekend after reading this blog but I found that the posture was still too aggressive for me. I had to lean forward to reach the handlebars. The REI sales clerk said that it was not possible to raise the handlebar stem, and I had to pick a cruiser style bike instead. I don't think that's exactly what I want either. Do you know if the Breezer riding position is somewhat similar to this? I have a Breezer dealer somewhat close to me, but much further than the REI. I want to get a sense of whether its worth it before going all the way out there for a test ride. I have two young children and a full time job, so I don't have much time to spend focusing on bikes any more. FYI, the BSA Ladies Supreme bicycle that I linked to above is retailing for Rs. 3387 (roughly $70), so I'm also in a bit of sticker shock about the $1000 price on the Uptown... :) https://www.ticyclesindia.com/ProductFeatures.asp?pid=103 My first real commute bike was an Indian Speedking SLR, step through frame, single speed. I guess here you would call it an English Roadster.

For ten years, I rode it every day – rain or shine – through the potholed Bombay roads until I came to America. It was still running well enough at that point to be handed down to a cousin.

I love the upright riding position that it had and as you know, have had very little success finding such a bike here. I rode a couple of “vintage” Raleighs and Schwinns but I found it hard to shift gears properly and they were all diamond frames.

Then I got pregnant and gave up on uprights altogether in favour of recumbents. I think I’m ready to try an upright again if it will give me the correct riding posture.

I’m looking for something like this (look at page 5 of this pdf)
https://www.ticyclesindia.com/pdf/ladysupreme.pdf

I tried out a Novara at REI this weekend after reading this blog but I found that the posture was still too aggressive for me. I had to lean forward to reach the handlebars. The REI sales clerk said that it was not possible to raise the handlebar stem, and I had to pick a cruiser style bike instead. I don’t think that’s exactly what I want either.

Do you know if the Breezer riding position is somewhat similar to this? I have a Breezer dealer somewhat close to me, but much further than the REI. I want to get a sense of whether its worth it before going all the way out there for a test ride. I have two young children and a full time job, so I don’t have much time to spend focusing on bikes any more.

FYI, the BSA Ladies Supreme bicycle that I linked to above is retailing for Rs. 3387 (roughly $70), so I’m also in a bit of sticker shock about the $1000 price on the Uptown… :)
https://www.ticyclesindia.com/ProductFeatures.asp?pid=103

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