Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Cosmoline
07-15-06, 10:13 PM
It's already been two and a half months, actually a bit more, since I stopped internal combustion cold turkey. It's been pretty rough going getting myself back into shape, but the results have been impressive. I find my energy levels are higher, my mood improved, and my outlook far more positive. It's ironic that SHRINKING my world would make me happier, but it has. I've learned a lot more about the neighborhood I live in, which is a totally unexpected benefit. And I find I socialize more with strangers on the trails, even if only briefly. My leg strength has improved manifold, and I'm losing a lot of weight. I've gone from barely being able to ride two miles over flat terrain to doing a daily commute of over six miles up and down some fairly steep hills. I do feel my 36 years some days, but I've also been happy to feel some of my old strength come back.
The Rat Rod has held up pretty well. I had to beef up the seat post and the rear tire, but after a period of busting spokes I finally figured out what the problem was and I haven't busted one for a few weeks now. I've been able to make minor repairs to the bike, though I still leave wheel builds and service of the high-tech Shimano gearbox to the pros. By next year I hope to be able to build a front wheel, though the back is too critical to mess with.
It's not a super fast bike. It rides like a train. But one side benefit is I don't get bothered as much by the wind. Fully loaded with groceries it weighs upwards of 80 lbs, which gives it tremendous momentum and means the gusts don't feel like much. But if you try to hammer down on it to make it go faster it will buck you real quick. It goes at the speed it goes. As I get more fit I may also get a lighter, faster commuting bike.
The Rat Rod has held up pretty well. I had to beef up the seat post and the rear tire, but after a period of busting spokes I finally figured out what the problem was and I haven't busted one for a few weeks now. I've been able to make minor repairs to the bike, though I still leave wheel builds and service of the high-tech Shimano gearbox to the pros. By next year I hope to be able to build a front wheel, though the back is too critical to mess with.
It's not a super fast bike. It rides like a train. But one side benefit is I don't get bothered as much by the wind. Fully loaded with groceries it weighs upwards of 80 lbs, which gives it tremendous momentum and means the gusts don't feel like much. But if you try to hammer down on it to make it go faster it will buck you real quick. It goes at the speed it goes. As I get more fit I may also get a lighter, faster commuting bike.