Things I Learned Today

[marni]

and you will also soon discover the human fly paper symdrome where in you ride through a cloud of gnats or midges and have to stop and scrap them off of you sweaty sunscreen coated arms, legs and face with a stick to get it of the ick factor- don't forget to reapply the sunscreen. As for those that get into your mouth, consider it a bit of extra protein!

Good rides are always excellent. Glad yours was both.

[Velocivixen]

Yes, hills are exhilarating, however my goal has always been to make it to the bottom alive! I have this fear that a wheel is going to go flying off or that I will somehow "lose control" and crash. Neither, of course, has ever come close to happening, but that's how the mind works. I increasingly go faster and faster over time. The fear has to do with my inexperience and if I have to make an evasive move and I'm going fast I might just feel the need to slam on my brakes (even if that's not the best thing to do). I just don't want to fall.

[redrhodie]

Excellent! You're doing really well! You've overcome a huge obstacle with hills. They should be more fun, now.

[Bike Writer]

"Did you learn anything?" Yes I did yesterday on my ride, I got a new bike a week ago and went from have 7 choices for gearing options to having 21 choices. Most of my riding has undulations and inclines but yesterday I rode a flat rail trail so I had the option to explore the range of gears and I learned to love the largest chain ring up front! It taught me a lot about power and a way to increase speed.

Glad to hear you are conquering your fear of downhills. Personally, I love them and the thrill I get from them.

[Velocivixen]

@Bikerider, what did you get? I may have missed it if you posted. Did you get the Surly Sutra or is that one you already have? Aren't gears fun? I recently started exploring #1 & #3 up front. I usually keep it in 2 & 5.

[Bike Writer]

Velo, I got a Specalized Expedition Sport, low entry. My old bike is a Schwinn in a comfort-town-cruiser style.

Yes, I love all the available gears and learned a lot today too as I was able to apply the combos that I tried out on the flats yesterday to the hills and undulations I rode today. What an amazing difference it makes! I detailed out more of today's ride and the gear combos on my blog.

I really really love my new bike.

[TrekTheKaty]

I'm so slow going up hills, that going down them fast as possible is absolutely NECESSARY

Congrats