days like this:
make it all worth while...
A shot from yesterday morning with the intense wind doesn't quite do it justices but the water there this morning was almost perfectly still (in the lee of the structures at least):
One realization i had yesterday was, the kid i'm hauling around everyday... isn't getting any lighter. In fact, its progressive resistance. She's gonna keep getting bigger, and i'ma gonna keep riding around with her. She loves it. Really excited to ride in the 'buggy' every morning. With her snack and juice. both said with emphasis of a 2 year old, which those with or around kids of that age understand.
I wonder how long the trailer will hold up tho. The plastic and aluminum construction is not super fatigue resistant. But lately the thoughts about putting a nice big 6V or 12V system on the trailer to power all the lights with one bank of rechargeable batteries has been rather attractive... just run a cable (with a disconnect at the hitch of course) between... i'll add that to the list, the growing list...
the whole power meter issue is coming back... esp with a buddy in Richmond running the Ergomo on his C-40... mmm power meter... but then musing at the dinner table last night it was mentioned that a power tap, even at rock bottom Ebay prices, still is about the same or more than a new commuter frame, or a new road/crit frame, or even a cross frame... all of which are more important than knowing if i'm putting out 300 or 330 watts. I'm sure there are many coaches that would dissagree. Saying training with a power meter will get me better results than having a purpose specific commuter bike, or a road/crit frame with no emotional attachment issues, or a cross bike that isn't a super noodle. Maybe in a few years. Maybe if i win the powerball lottery (would require PLAYING the powerball tho).
One of the banner adds up in gmail was for Lew Racing Wheels. So i clicked. And i noticed, "NEW RIDER WEIGHTS POSTED" hmmm i'm curious... oh wow, look at that Limit = 180 pounds. Farking poop. Not that i could afford to buy them, nor that if i could afford that i would but i'm finding weight limit wheels to be a two edged sword (man i wish i had a better phrase than that to use)...
On one hand weight limits keep the big fat freds with massive amounts of cash (ya know the 40-50 something doctors and lawyers who've got a bigger waist size than inseam) pushing the 100kg envelope, really NEED those limits. Cause most of em in the past just bought expensive shit and got all pissed when it broke JRA. Downside, you get some rider in the 190-200 range, who's easy on equipment that prolly would be just fine riding the wheels, and mentally would be better off not knowing that the manufacture set a limit that is lighter than they are. Oh well. Whatever, idea rich, cash poor. Not such a bad thing sometimes.
I was musing again yesterday, about power output (comparative, not absolute). Wondering how directly weight of bike/rider can be balanced against % grade. Say i routinely climb a 6% grade with a 28 pound bike + 80 or more #s of trailer and junk, how would the power requirements relate to me riding on a 19 pound bike up what % grade? Or is it not comparable. I've been a bit distracted or busy... and haven't managed to do the analytical cycling page thing yet...
Back to the title, people still are shocked and exclaim "You are STILL commuting to work by bike?"
Yup.
I am.
Because there ain't nuttin like the satisfaction and smugness of #1 getting exercise, and #2 getting to work not all that much more slowly than those car bound.
not to rub it in to those that don't, won't, can't or shouldn't... but ya know... even the worst days on the bike, are better than those in the car.
-G
8 comments:
dang, my ride to work would never look that nice.
And yes, powertaps are expensive but I've gotta admit that they're becoming tempting. Especially with all I'm reading about them, just the fact that a HR is extremely inaccurate compared to a power meter kind of makes me wonder...
my ride to work wouldn't look like that either. in fact, it wouldn't look like anything b/c it would be stupid DARK out when i would have to leave and ride.
powermeters are good and bad--it makes no sense to have one if it just sits in the garage all day--oops that's mine. and i did get it used, and silly cheap.
new bikes are nice
xo
m
I'm with mega... my ride in would just look dark with the occassional surprised dog walker. How long is your ride anyways? Mine will be ~28 (each way) I think once I start up which is my excuse until it gets warmer and less dark. Keep it up tough guy.
oh its dark on the way home...
its plenty dark...
I wish i could capture the night time images of the moon reflecting off the water flowing under the bridge into the inlet...
Lights and more lights is the key (ala battery on the trailer idea).
And Meg, maybe you should share such decadent trinkets as powermeters with folks who wouldn't subject them to neglect in the garage ;) j/k (i'm jealous)...
I passed up a pro for $600 (complete) and a standard for $400 or something like that - maybe 7 and 4...
commute daily is about 22 miles round trip... more if i make it to the other facility... And about 14-15 miles of that are bike path.
I'm lucky, also fortunate to be able to factor in my commute by bike when purchasing the house.
A few things:
1. Where did you get that cart thing/how much was it? I want one (or something similar) so I don't have to drive to the grocery store/other errands.
2. I don't really see the need for a powermeter. I mean, that information sure would be nice, but a heart rate monitor is what...like $100? And how much of an improvement are you going to get over training with a powermeter than with a heart rater monitor or nothing at all? Better used for a new frame or vacation or something. But then again, after my Bob Roll comment I'm clearly an idiot.
3. I exceed the weight for those wheels as well, or at least come within five pounds of doing so. Those things are clearly designed for little Italians and Europeans, not big Americans like us with copious amounts of POWER.
4. One of my goals after I graduate in finding a job is finding a place I can commute by bike too. This area of New Hampshire is pretty bike-friendly, so hopefully I can achieve that goal. I did so over the summer to my job at a deli and it wasn't significantly slower than driving.
picked up the trailer when the oldest was born. its pretty much the same as the chariot branded things running around at races.... single seat, jogger option... there are pics of it somewhere... it wasn't cheap but it's been very serivicable to this point.
I would love to fab up a bit more rigid/stable rig but me no welder...
Heart Rate monitor.. meh - perceived effort is much better - if you can get attuned to listening to your body.
Watts don't lie. Mr G Garber argues FOR power meters, esp in races with the following logic: If you are climbing a hill and are riding 100 watts below what you know you can easily sustain for the duration, you would know ya could attack... same said if you felt good but noticed that wattage was too high, you'd have warning before you blew... knowing limits and knowing how hard you can push it or how much to save wins ya races. HR can't do that for you as well as a power meter can.
If ya look at the wheels - the ones with weight limits - they is amurican in origin mostly... designed for the little pipsqueaks like Lancey Pantsy and others...
I commend you on that goal and will suggest that the quality of life you'd gain by being able to commute by bike is immeasurable. Don't let that goal get out of reach...
peace - g
oh and about the commute home being in the light...
that image was captured on a day i got to sneak out of work early...
hence the sunlight
Don't ask me why I am so far behind reading your entry, I just am.....
My daily commute is insane, I could not ask for more, then me, my ride and the knowledge of 1 LESS CAR......
I too have a Chariott Pull Behind for the girls,.....sweet way to live life bro...
You-Me, we 'da same....Organic..
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