monkistan

I just put together my first bike. i'd been commmuting a bit on a puegeot (i can never spell this) that i bought last year. it's the first time i've been riding a bike in years, but i've gotten pretty good at navigating the streets here. since the bike didn't fit me well, i decided it was time for a new one. and i wanted to learn how to build one. broadway bicycle school here, has a service that you can use their repair stands and receive instructions on how to do put together/repair a bike.

brought in my frame, some wheels, brakes, seatpost, and seat. bought everything else there, and installed it. i love this new bike, and i feel great for having put it together, and learning how to service, and install parts. obviously i'm no expert, but i'm going to keep working on it.

i've loved coming to this site, and have just become a member.

anyway, hello. and i am totally in love with biking now.

Timmy Mac

Nice ride, man.

Totally jealous of your Esplanade commute, by the way.

monkistan

if it makes you feel any better, i ride comm ave to get there, and they've been working on paving it for about a month now. it's mostly stripped up by the BU bridge.

apricissimus 

The pavement around Kenmore square and BU is absolutely hideous right now. I finally decided I had enough and figured out some route to/from work that do not involve Comm. Ave.

Not too long ago, I had to merge into a single lane because half the street was blocked because of the construction. I had to go pretty fast to keep up with the traffic, when all of a sudden, maybe ten feet in front of me, a raised manhole appeared from under the car in front of me. I didn't have enough time to react to it and I went right over it. The manhole was raised about four or five inches. There was an ugly clanking noise (which I think was my chain bouncing against something), but luckily I didn't take a spill, and I didn't wreck my wheel!

But I'll be avoiding Commonwealth Ave. near BU until they're done doing whatever it is they're doing.

Suzie Green

Welcome to the forum. I feel for you cyclists in Boston, having to put up with the congestion, traffic, and crappy roads. I feel guilty (well almost) riding out in the boonies of central MA on decent roads that are remarkably free of heavy traffic, if you know where to ride!

East Hill

Hi monistan, love the way you put on orange bar tape to complement the blue frame--very nice!

Remember, the summer is when all the street paving/tearing up is done, and winter is when you finally have a few weeks to ride without intereference .

Welcome to BF, and feel free to PM me with any questions !

East Hill
Forum Moderator