BassNotBass

Yesterday morning I woke up to heavy continuous rain. I checked the weather radar and there was a huge cell above the fair city of Lou-evil which was going to dump rain for another several hours. So I donned the shirt, shorts and watershoes I wear when kayaking and set off on my Citizen Miami for a relaxed ride to work. I was soaked within 30 seconds but it actually turned out to be an enjoyable, if brief, ride.

Still Pedaling

Where I am is hot and dry, so for me that was a bit of a cool down :-)

Boy, you said brief ride. That was quite a distance you have to ride to work. I assume you had a change of clothes with you or at the office. Question: How close were you riding between those huge concrete beams and the fence? You had me freaking out there a bit.

BassNotBass

Yeah, we've been having daytime highs in the upper 90s and high humidity so this actually felt nice... it was a cool 78 degrees. That was one of the more direct routes and is just shy of 4 miles... really not bad at all. It probably just feels long because of all the traffic light stops. On nice days it's easy to continue on the MUP alongside the Ohio River and take the 'long' way to work. I keep a few changes of clothes at work so even if I forget to bring a set or everything gets soaked on the ride I still have backups.


I guess I'm just used to it but there's enough room for two people to walk comfortably side by side. That section of the MUP was a complete fail. It's supposed to be a nice well lit and covered walking/biking path for visitors (there are several riverfront hotels with direct access to that section of the MUP) but the contractors didn't bother widening the path despite setting those large concrete columns in the way. Since it's so cramped feeling with obstructed views and the lights are rarely lit, it ends up being a hangout for people who would rather not draw attention to themselves.

DoubleDiamonDog

Well done BassNotBass. You definitely made the right choice just going with the outfit you wore and first enduring, then enjoying the rain. The right attitude can make all the difference in the world.

I am in the milder climate of the northwest now but in the past have experienced the hot and humid summers of the midwest. I have even made it down Lou-evil way a few times - had something to do with mint juleps and horses.

BassNotBass

I bet there's a compromising picture of you somewhere on the net partaking in some of the infield shenanigans.


Absolutely... that applies to everything.

edwong3

That was a fun to watch video of your commute.

Down here in Central Florida, we've been having rain (even thunder showers) every afternoon. Luckily for me, about 90+ percent of the times, it over when I get off work at 5 p.m. But even if it's raining, I wear a bright yellow poncho which believe it or not, paid only one buck at a dollar store, and I bought it over 4 years ago!

Also, the ride to and from work usually last only 6 minutes on my Greenzone Value Edition folder. I am lucky to live so close to the office.

Ride safe.
Ed

BassNotBass

If I remember Central Florida correctly doesn't it pour between 3pm and 4pm like clockwork during the summer months? I also have a poncho... (although I paid a premium price for mine at $8 and that was dealer's cost) they're definitely my favorite bit of rain gear just as long as I don't have to wear a backpack. One of these days I'll probably end up getting a John Boultbee Rain Cape... after I get a Brompton... and after I cash in my stocks and sell my real estate holdings.
Thanks for saying that it was actually fun to watch the vid... although I'm guessing that's somewhat of a stretch.

edwong3

Yes you are right, it pours almost like clockwork every afternoon here in the summer. Sometimes, it starts earlier than 3 p.m., but as I said, usually it's over before I leave for home.

I do actually wear a back pack, but it's no problem since my poncho is plenty roomy. Years ago, when I worked for another company, I owned a full rain suit that was specifically designed for cycling. A poncho wouldn't have worked well at all since I rode a recumbent bike back then.

Ed

BassNotBass

How do you keep yours from getting blown up over the pack? Without a pack my poncho behaves and stays put in back but with a pack it's like an an umbrella in the wind despite having the waist strap tied.

edwong3

No problem actually. When I sit down on the saddle, I make sure the poncho is "pinched" between me and the seat. But I make sure the poncho is not stretched tight or anything like that.

Ed

DoubleDiamonDog

Hmmm...sounds rather uncomfortable for Pancho...

BassNotBass

"I hate when edwong3 pinches me
between his butt and the seat."

edwong3

Ha! Ha! Well I have yet to hear my poncho complain!

Ed

patrockT

The speed looks decent! Did you upgrade the gearing at all to make this bike go faster? I've contemplated on getting the citizen tokyo which I believe is similar to the miami, but have not pulled the trigger due to people saying that the gears are too low. Still thinking about it though, as it is quite the looker!

BassNotBass

I went with a 11-28 tooth cluster in the back but kept the stock 48t chainring. I never shifted into top gear (80.4 GI) in the video mainly because I needed to keep the speed relatively low. The bike has the stock brake shoes and in this rain they were useless for the first few seconds after squeezing the levers.

By adding just the 11-28 as I did, the Tokyo, with it's 16" (305) wheels, will only get you up to 58.7 GI... that equates to about 15.7mph with a pedaling cadence of ~90rpm whereas at that cadence the Miami would be going a little over 21mph. For the Tokyo to get near 20mph at 90rpm cadence you would have to then add a 60t chainring in addition to going down to an 11t in the rear. So if you intend to go faster than 16mph, the Miami would be the cheaper alternative.

edwong3

"Bass", I take it then that the 11-28 cluster you installed is a seven speed, correct?

I remember when Shimano sold an 11-34 seven speed freewheel several years ago. I actually used that cluster in the recumbent bike I mentioned earlier in the thread. Now all they have is the 14-34.

If I ever got the urge to go "touring" on my Greenzone, I would like to have had that 11-34 but if nothing else, then the 14-34 will have to do. Alternatively, I also know that seven speed freewheels that are 11-30 are still available, and could be an option if I didn't anticipate really tough climbs. NYCEWheels sells one.

Ed

BassNotBass

Sure is.

smallwheeler

cool vid, bass. can't believe i watched all 17 minutes of it.