Digital Gee

I brought home a new bike this afternoon, a 2009 Specialized Globe Vienna 2. I had them add a rack, a cyclometer, and a water bottle cage. I also had them swap out the stock front wheel hub for a quick release hub. Then, I bought and installed a Planet Bike Super Flash headlight and blinkies.

I came home and took my maiden voyage just as the light was fading. I am not sure if I've ever rode at night before and certainly not for more than a block or two if that.

I had a fabulous time. I headed over to Balboa Park, where the critical mass riders were assembling at the main fountain. It was SO fun to ride along into the dark. I was startled to see how my headlight (I set it on blinking) made upcoming street signs flash off and on due to their reflective properties.

It wasn't hard at all to ride on busy streets, like Park Boulevard and Sixth Avenue, which were well lit. I was concerned about being visible but soon got quite comfortable. But it was on the back streets that I had the most fun, moving along in what felt like stealth mode and relishing the awesome quiet that surrounded me.

I paused briefly at the fountain and met a young kid who had just purchased his used bike from Craigslist today. He was toting a Didjeridu he had just made which was interesting cargo to say the least. He told me he was planning to ride from San Diego to Oregon next summer, because he was going to go to college up there. He planned to ride alone. It was really fun chatting with him.

I took off again and rode around the perimeter of Balboa Park and kept smiling at how much fun it was to ride in the dark. The bike is never going to win any races; it's not built for that. You ride this bike upright with flatbars, although I do like the ergonomic grips and trigger shifters.

The bike has the granniest gear I've ever tried -- it felt like I could ride up the sides of buildings, although I didn't give that a try. Although the shifters aren't top shelf, they shifted easily and reliably and I had no chain skip. The bike is whisper quiet as well.

AFter a fashion I got back to the fountain and the critical mass riders were still arriving. There must have been 150 bikes at that point -- many in costumes. I wish I'd had my camera. I saw...

• a 50+ guy on a trike that was made up to look like the Starship Enterprise
• a young woman dressed as a nurse, wearing a giant condom on her head, with a poster that said, "Ride safe"
• lots of Little Bo Peeps
• several pirates
• a Klingon or two
• a couple on a tandem with a cardboard (I assume?) horse all around them
• a guy on the lowest recumbent I've ever seen, with a blinkie high atop a flagpole
• strange bikes welded together in shapes almost unimaginable
• and other costumes I can't even remember now

Coming home, there were bikes everywhere. I haven't seen this many bikes on the road ever. They were everywhere (and sadly, at least half the riders had no helmets, and a quarter of them had no lights).

I saw one group of older teenagers doing "reverse trick-or-treating." They went up to houses, and if someone answered the door, they gave THEM candy!

Anyway, the bike is sweet (and very different from my Roubaix). Needs a modest amount of tweaking on the saddle height tomorrow, but that's about it. It has the coolest Specialized platform peddles, and even a kickstand.

Oh -- and it's black, the new white. Just sayin'

The LBS (L&B in Point Loma) was out of panniers, so I will be looking for a good set. I won't be getting wire panniers this time -- too heavy and too permanently mounted on the bike.

Anyway, I had a BLAST and really, can't remember this much pure fun on my bikes in a long time.

Pics tomorrow, time permitting.

SaiKaiTai

This just might be the first thing you've said that makes any sense at all.

Although, my bikes are blue and I long ago got ride of all my black guitars
But still, black is "IT", babe...

I bought a CD a few years ago by Buckshot LeFonque.
One of the tunes on it starts off: "You don't. You don't stop"

Another bike? Wow.

Congrats.
Sounds like you have many happy miles in front of you

Tom Bombadil

Platform pedals. Kickstand. On the heavy side. Ergo grips. Comfortable ride.

Welcome to my world, DG. I like it here.

Tom Bombadil

If'n you were in these parts and since I now have 2 bents, I'd introduce you to the joys of riding in the easy chair on quiet, peaceful rail trails.

Digital Gee

That would be fun. I wish we had more trails around here. City riding is fun, but not all that peaceful!

BengeBoy 

I got lights last Fall when I started commuting through the winter. If you think night-time is nice, try getting up before dawn this winter for a ride. Beautiful...

Tom Bombadil

Oh yeah, riding before dawn in Wisconsin in January is a real treat!

cranky old dude

Yep, here too. Nothing can compare to the sound of that fresh snow squeaking
beneath your bikes snow tires. 'Cept maybe the frozen snot on the mustache, and
don't forget to look back at your tire tracks and see how straight you've been riding,
that is if your glasses aren't steamed over.

Oops, DG congrats on the new bike and the lights. Here's wishing you many
happy miles and smiles with it.

Digital Gee

Here's the new steed!

Robert Foster

If the kid made his own Didgeridoo and he is planning on going to Oregon I might see him at "Indigenous" next August. There is a rather large gathering of Didge players there every year. Two weeks later they have Didgefest in North fork, California but I had one of the only bikes there.

Kurt Erlenbach

Nice bike. Impressive dork disk, too, I might add.

Digital Gee

That's part of the charm!

Yen

DG, congratulations! It sounds like you've discovered the type of rider you really are, and the type of riding you most enjoy. I enjoy the fast, lightweight Roubaix when I really want the speed -- which is only when we're with a fast group. However, I love the ride on my LHT the most.

BengeBoy 

Nice bike, DG. I just got back from a ride to the bike shop to pick up some parts and made a point of going over to check out "your" bike. Very nice. There are so many great options on the market these days, and so little room in my budget...

billbass

I LOVE riding at night!! Two more weeks, and I'll be in Ft. Myers Fl. for the season.I'll be night riding a lot. I don't feel safe night riding on Cape Cod Ma. McGregor Blvd. in Ft. Myers is very cool to ride. All the little side streets on the west side of the street take you to the caloosahatchee river looking out towards Sanibel, and Cape Coral. Beautiful!!
Billbass

Beverly

Great looking bike, DG. Black is classy

I love night riding. We have another night ride planned for this Saturday night. A short 20 miler with hot chocolate and cookies afterward

leob1

What the.....? A ride report with no mention of heart rate, feet climbed, ride profile, miles ridden, etc., etc. How very refreshing! I think you understand what it is all about.
And that is a very cool looking bike, maybe if I ask Santa....

Enjoy the Ride.

Cone Wrench

Nice bike.

Looks great.




Lose the kickstand.

Hey, somebody had to say it.

NOS88

Very nice lines on that bike, and with the color... no wonder you felt like you were in stealth mode. Your stable seems to be growing. Oh, yeah, and might I suggest you look for panniers that are black too.

Floyd

Another congrats on a great find... glad you enjoy the night... try one of those early morning "see the sunrise ride" ...maybe not quite as impressive in the city but worth a try.