Southern California - 1st Ride on Fredcyle makover bike

Today was my first opportinity to ride with my new setup - lower, more forward seat and shorter, higher stem. The goal was to reduce the shoulder pain that has been plaguing me on longish rides.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/fredbike.jpg

With the new high rise stem, my bike went from semi-retrogrouch to full-on Fredcycle, but watcha gonna do? :rolleyes:

I did a preview of the upcoming Day After St. Patrick's day ride, with an extra 5mi/500ft thrown in due to missing a turn in Fairbanks Ranch, for a total of 42 miles. :D

I took my normal elephant tranquilizers with me but didn't need them. While I felt some twinges from my shoulder, it never flared up into outright pain. I was concentrating on taking advantage of the shorter reach to not lock my elbows, and trying to keep my elbows aligned with my shoulders. This is not intuitive for me as I have been doing the same, presumably wrong things for years.

This is very encouraging, but I will have to do some 70-100 mile rides with similar results before I can declare victory.

Fred schmed, you ride what you want Indolent. Respect for riding through the pain.

Glad to hear that the new set-up is more comfy and even better knowing that you won't be all doped up the next time that we ride! :p

Glad to hear it seems to be working. :)

Fred schmed, you ride what you want Indolent. Respect for riding through the pain.

Thanks. Actually though, what I want to ride is this -

http://www.jacksbikes.com/orbea%20images/Orca_main_orange.jpg

Unfortunately my impulse control is well developed and quite good, so the 14 year old Trek stays. :rolleyes:

Glad to hear that the new set-up is more comfy and even better knowing that you won't be all doped up the next time that we ride! :p

Oh I'll still be doped up, but now it will be for fun! :D

Ooooooooooooooooh...that's purty!

Oh I'll still be doped up, but now it will be for fun! :D

Nice! :beer:

Nice! :beer:

Not really. Painkillers suck bigtime. I think they take more out of me than the riding itself. OTOH you may not like me straight.:p

I just realized your avatar is from reefer madness. rockin.

You call that a fredcycle!




This is a fredcycle:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e95/blah106/IMG_0166.jpg



In all seriousness, nice bike and I hope the adjustments you made really help out with the shoulder pain. :)

glad your new setup is working for you, it will prolly take a few more rides to get those muscles used to the new riding position. How did you like them winds today?

You call that a fredcycle!

This is a fredcycle:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e95/blah106/IMG_0166.jpg



I have to agree. That is a Fredcycle. I feel better now :D

How did you like them winds today?

It was ridiculous. I was hit by a flying tumbleweed and had to stop and pick tumbleweed debris out of my front spokes.

Thanks. Actually though, what I want to ride is this -

http://www.jacksbikes.com/orbea%20images/Orca_main_orange.jpg

Unfortunately my impulse control is well developed and quite good, so the 14 year old Trek stays. :rolleyes:

I test rode that bike. I shouldn't have because I've been scheming to get it ever since.

I test rode that bike. I shouldn't have because I've been scheming to get it ever since.

As a master of impulse control, I know better than to test ride a bike like that. :D