Cotswold / Sherwood Forest / Rama Woods

I started commuting to work last year, and have since stopped. I live on 7th and work on Monroe. A straight shot and a short ride, but I got so scared riding to work, and I couldn't pick up enough speed riding on the sidewalk. Guess I need to find a better route. Interesting to hear that you rode on the sidewalk on Monroe. Thought I was being wimpy. We need a bike lane on Monroe! :)

Thanks!
Eve

Hey how are you doing?

I have been using a pair of REI Gore Tex Oversocks that I bought years ago for backpacking. I have used the oversocks in the back country, when I had motorcycles for winter and wet weather riding, on the BMX ride from the truck when it is raining and now on the commute from home. Initially, when I received them I though they were a little to low but they have worked out to be high enough. They do need a little mending but other than that they keep my half sock feet dry and warm. Probably the best $39 I spent on back packing gear. And I think I seen a suitable replacement for them for about $29 from one of the catalogs. They have been very versatile. There are a personal must.

I missed riding all the way in last week. I had something late on Wednesday to do. The weather was just a litttle too iffy at the start of the day on Thursday. I had to pick up Sam on Mon-Tues.

I still ride my BMX bike each day as always. I never walk more than 100 feet. I always have 2 pedals under my feet. The BMX bike is set up with a compact drive (30x11 , about 54" wheel travel assuming the wheel is 20" which neglects the true wheel size). Which means it is high cadence on the short 3/4 miles to/from the truck.

You'll have to see my Mark V IRO. It is perfect for solo rides and commuting. It is slower down hills and most flats than my 10 speed(!) but this time of year it is too cold to ride fast! However, I think I am climbing faster with it. It is also helping me to develop a constant cadence. Also, the direct drive makes for a solid feel when delivering power to the wheel. Because of this experience I can now feel free wheel slip when I stop/or slow my cadence on my geared bikes. It is a little disconcerting the first few times I felt it on the freewheeled bike it made me think there was something wrong with my geared bikes. Maybe it is just not having the back pedal pressure applied to my legs. But anyways my fixy feels great (steel is supposed to be the best) and it is still light. It advertises at about 18 lbs but I had heavier rims (Velocty Dyads), 32mm tires and I did put brakes on it. But I believe it is still under 20lbs.

On the subject of steel. There is a bit of a trend in the off road crowd to run steel single speeds (SS) on single track. It combines the simplicity of SS, the climbing prowess of a hardtail and the agile feel of steel.


Joe
46x18

Hi, Joe, glad to hear that you are commuting by bike! I do it on most days - just ordered some waterproof insulated cycling shoes so that my feet stay comfy. Keep up the good work

Glenn Romahn

The above post "I am coming from same area" is wrong. It should be. I leave Sherwood at Lyttleton. Turn left on Sharon Amity. Turn right on Walker. Right on McAlway, Left on Monroe. For now, I hit the sidewalk on Monroe. This is due to lighting conditions and afternoon car density. At old fire academy turn left on 5th Street. I then thread my wead down to Elizabeth/Trade. The rest is history.

Joe Frisco
46x18