chrimson

Hey folks. I've been in Long Branch about a year now. I've had a Fuji hybrid for some time, but just haven't really gotten into riding. I look to take advantage of some great weather so hope that'll change.

Chris

East Hill

Hello Chris, this is a great time of year to get out and start enjoying your bike. Do you commute, or have plans to eventually?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

USAZorro

Is this Jersey Shore, PA or some place in New Jersey?

chrimson

Oh, I didn't even know a PA version exisited. I'm in Long Branch, NJ and I'll be able to commute 4.8 miles to work most days. I wanted to try it this weekend first.

A little more about me:
I have a slight physical handicap in that I have loss of fine mobility and strength in my right extremeties, due to traumatic brain injury a few years back. Effects are similar to those of some stroke victims. And yes, I did go to therapy for as long as insurance held out, but my progress was limited. So I got the bike afterwards hoping to apply some self-therapy, but haven't been active enough, not to mention I loaned it to my brother for quite some time.

Anyhoo, I recently got it back and changed the pedals from strapped-clips to clipless Shimanos. I learned that I needed this because my right ankle would tend to angle my foot out and my heel would interfere with the pedal crank. The clipless has helped keep my foot straight and firmly on the pedal, which was also a basic difficulty.

BikeLine did a custom handlebar control job by linking both sets of brakes to the one brake lever, and combined a indexed trigger- and grip-shifters all on the lefthand side. I have no right hand dexterity (so I've had to learn to write and type with my left hand, among other things) but I can still grip the handlebar.

Comments? Feel free to ask, I like to be open about my situation. I'm surprised there isn't a forum here dedicated to the disabled but if anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd be interested.

Thanks!

East Hill

There are a few forums in which people with disabilities can find some hints and tips--the 50+ forum, and the Clydesdales/Athenas. I went to the Seattle Bike Expo this year and talked to a man who has a company which makes adaptations for persons with disabilities. He actually has a contract with at least one police department locally for his brake adaptation (it allows for one handed braking of both wheels, with a way of having the front brake start stopping first, and having the rear brake apply safely after the front).

East Hill

FlatTop

Welcome to BF, "townie"! Hope to see you out on the streets, or at least on Ocean Ave.

chrimson

Cool, FlatTop. Happen to know of other beginner riders looking for leisurely road cycling, in the immediate area?

FlatTop

Not so much. I ride solo, and I'm leisurely to a fault. I'm only in touch with one other local rider, and he's "serious", ie. rides centuries, training rides, high-level bikes and gear. Too elevated for me to ride with.

Best bet would be to ride Ocean Avenue and the trail on Sandy Hook, which I haven't tried yet but I've heard it's nice. That's one of my objectives this summer, along with establishing a routine that includes riding at least 2-3 days a week. My real difficulty is my schedule; I work nights and I sleep afternoons.

If you'd like to ride sometime please feel free to PM me for my info.

Al

chrimson

Yeah, I'm hoping to do Sandy Hook. After building the stamina to at least get there, that is. This past Thursday and Friday I reached our boardwalk and scoped out the honeys from 7-Presidents to West End. About 9.5mi round trip for me, and I was spent on the nearly-zero slope.

I plan to try commuting Wednesday and/or Thursday. I work regular business hours, but I also have graduate work to do a couple nights of the week. Summer will open up my schedule

FlatTop

Sounds like a start! see you out there.

neilfein

Welcome, Chris. I did a weekend tour from Edison to Monmouth Beach - there's some awesome places to ride in your area.

I'd love to ride on Sandy Hook as well, you should organize a group ride.