Luckily I have given up smoking a few years back. Aside from the yearly stogie or two I don't want to start that again. I have often wondered if there is a health benefit of some kind from smoking. When I was younger I used to ride my bike about five miles just to bum a smoke off a friend. I once pedaled about 20 miles to go party. In terms of this there were a short term benefits. But in the long run I got hooked on smoking a pack a day. I've heard of old timers living past 90 smoking over a pack a day. Also stories about cigs curing pneumonia. There are just too many variables when it comes to the pros and cons of smoking. Plus I don't think those old timers smokes had all the additives.
My fuel pump arrived today, I installed it as soon as I got home. I made a trip to buy a bunch of water. It was 105 on my thermometer in the truck while I was out. I started feeling terrible because I saw two different bike commuters out in the heat. This is just to hot for me, but I felt bad about driving while they were pedaling. I thought to myself that I should be the one pedaling. I guess some people are just ultimate badasses. Once it cooled off I went for a pretty good ride.
Even though I fixed my truck I'm planning on riding the bike tomorrow morning. It just felt weird driving after using the bike as my main transport. Parking in the truck was somewhat stressful. I've been just casually cruising through parking lots on the bike. With the truck I feel like I have to watch out for everyone. Oddly enough I feel safer riding the bike. I feel like I have a better connection with the road, and my surroundings.
I'm devising a plan to use the truck to go places I can't pedal to in a reasonable amount of time. Also for greater distances.
In about a week I'm making a trip to get one of my other bikes. I'm going to build a commuter bike up, and use the bmx for exercise. Whats a good setup for a commuter? Should I be shooting for a more upright stance, or leaned forward. Or is it just personal preference. Only reason I ask is my whole life I have mostly used a bmx bike. I've never really known what to look for in a geared bike.