Tangible/Intangible Benefits of Bike Commuting

**danadear** · 08-22-2008, 06:56 AM

I so enjoy reading your posts. If you aren't already you should really consider being a writer. You have great imagination and a knack for seeing things that most of us miss. I love the face in the woodwork photo!

**mimitabby** · 08-22-2008, 07:00 AM

Pardes, did you get my email?

What a wonderful story! don't worry; you will get better with your gears. there's a learning curve. And now your bike is like a new one!

great photos!

**pardes** · 08-22-2008, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by mimitabby

Pardes, did you get my email?

What a wonderful story! don't worry; you will get better with your gears. there's a learning curve. And now your bike is like a new one!

great photos!

Mimi--no I didn't get your email. It may have been wedged in between the million notices of new postings on TE. I'll check again tonight to see if I can find it.

To everyone: Thanks for your comments. It is a hoot to write these things and even better to see that you like them.

**indigoiis** · 08-22-2008, 08:24 AM

You know, it's funny - these things that we see on our commutes, I think we take them for granted. I was telling a co-worker, "Yeah, I'm glad I took the off-the-beaten track route home, even though it's a few miles further. I saw a waterfall I didn't know was there." and she exclaimed, "a WATERFALL? In Rhode Island???"

Yes Virginia, there really are waterfalls in Rhode Island!

**rij73** · 08-22-2008, 08:25 AM

You're the best! I feel like the woman at the bus stop from one of your prior posts. I wish my mom were more like you, and I wish she would get on a bike!

It's great that the shop gave you triple gearing. That's going to help you a lot... So, what did you settle on? What are the chainring sizes and the cassette range?

**maillotpois** · 08-22-2008, 09:47 AM

That was excellent! Thanks!

**malkin** · 08-22-2008, 11:22 AM

The RMN photo juxtaposed with the "GOODNUFF Peanut Bars" is what got me.

**amy** · 08-22-2008, 11:26 AM

A joy to read!!!

**Crankin** · 08-22-2008, 12:24 PM

Pardes, I voted for Nixon the first time I voted, DESPITE the fact I was well versed in drugs, protests, and rock n roll...
I can't imagine what was wrong with me. Maybe it was a protest?

**Rosie8** · 08-23-2008, 05:51 AM

Beautiful pictures with a whacky sense of humor. What kind of camera do you use for your pics?

**pardes** · 08-23-2008, 07:52 AM

Rosie, I collect Nikon cameras like some here collect bikes. However, the one that works best on the bike (compact, good megapixel count, and vibration resistant) is my tiny Nikon Coolpix L5. When my monster Nikon was in for repairs I bought the L5 to fill in and find I now use it more often than the big Nikons that require so much paraphenalia to go with it. It has a nice wide angle to telephoto range and very good closeup capabilities.

**pardes** · 08-23-2008, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by rij73

You're the best! I feel like the woman at the bus stop from one of your prior posts. I wish my mom were more like you, and I wish she would get on a bike!

It's great that the shop gave you triple gearing. That's going to help you a lot... So, what did you settle on? What are the chainring sizes and the cassette range?

What a DIFFERENCE the new gearing makes! I'm in heaven and can now vanquish rising terrain without passing out.

Old setup was for the Trek 7.6 FX, 700 X 32 / 32-622 tire with 170 mm cranks:

compact double crankset 36/50
12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-26 Cassette
New setup is:

triple front crankset 34/39/50
With 13-15-17-19-21-23-26-30-34 Cassette

**Tri Girl** · 08-23-2008, 10:17 AM

Pardes (I always want to type "padres"), you tell one heck of a good story. Made me smile and laugh and ooh and ah (the puppy part anyway). I LOVED it!!! Keep them coming.
As each year goes by, I'm starting to realize that speed isn't as fun as it used to be. I rather like mosey-ing along and enjoying the scenery and what is around me. I just wish I could tell a story like you!

**Trek420** · 08-23-2008, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Crankin

Pardes, I voted for Nixon the first time I voted, DESPITE the fact I was well versed in drugs, protests, and rock n roll...
I can't imagine what was wrong with me. Maybe it was a protest?

Maybe it was the drugs?

I forget, who ran against Nixon?

**pardes** · 08-23-2008, 10:48 AM

Dear God, I campaigned for that election and I can't even remember. I was far too busy being totally smitten and madly in love with my first and greatest love of a tall, cool, exceedingly delectable college fencer.

So I campaigned for Nixon with him, learned to fence with him (literally and figuratively) and ultimately both of us went to the Olympic tryouts in NYC where I was soundly trounced out of my delusions of being the Southeastern Women's Fencing Champion.

Ahhhhh, the memories. I recently received an email from him and I must say that we are both still wistful of those days.

He can still fit into his college fencing knickers......while I on the other hand have "matured" rather profoundly.

I'd post a recent photo of him in all his well-maintained grandeur but then I'd have to, in all fairness, post a recent photo of me, and well......I'd prefer to remember us as we were then. So call me shallow.

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