Just getting started

[sadieme]

No. One of the cables had come out of the guide and was messing it up. (from what I understand) I think I probably did that when I was taking it on and off my rack.

But he also did some adjustments to make sure it was as good as it could be. Looking forward to testing it out.

Oh.. I did ask him about group rides. He said there arent any. They have tried before, but couldnt get and keep any interest in it.

[tytbody]

do you think you may be able to go to another area, say 30 or minutes away to find one? Or maybe you can become the leader and start it up. . That's a big undertaking though. ewwwww.. lol

Can you tell me how to phonetically pronounce your name? is it a combo of your name or another language?

BTW: Mine is pronounced (tight body) I gave myself that name so I could eventually have one.

[sadieme]

No.. I'm not one to start that sort of thing. 'Specially being a newbie myself. Maybe once I get more experienced..... I am in the middle of nowhere... and we are biggest town within 60 miles or more. Its a town of 20K.

My username is just like it looks. The name "Sadie" with 'me' after it. Sadie was taken, so I had to add something! LOL.

I like your name, although I didnt know what it meant until now. But I like it. I'm striving for the same thing!

[tytbody]

Now I can say it. Thank you Funny how we come up with names. (waving) lol

[sadieme]

Dang! I went out today for a ride and the gears did the same thing. The cable came out of the guide again. I ended up 4 miles from my car with only the very low gears to get me back! I got nowhere slowly! LOL

Back to the LBS on tues!

ohhh.. tytbody.....

[Velocivixen]

@Sadieme, do you mean that the shifter cables, where they pass through the cable hosing is coming away from the cable "stops"? The cable stops are the metal parts on the frame of the bike where the ends of the cables butt up against and slide into? I wonder what makes that happen? Maybe the bike shop can show you what to do when that happens so if you're out and it happens you won't be stuck somewhere in a high or low gear.

[sadieme]

@Sadieme, do you mean that the shifter cables, where they pass through the cable hosing is coming away from the cable "stops"? The cable stops are the metal parts on the frame of the bike where the ends of the cables butt up against and slide into? I wonder what makes that happen? Maybe the bike shop can show you what to do when that happens so if you're out and it happens you won't be stuck somewhere in a high or low gear.

YES! Thats exactly what it is. This bike came with some sort of light on the front of it, and that cable is getting caught on it and it ends up wrapped around it and I assume thats whats pulling it out of the stop. I tried to pull it and put it back in the stop... but I couldnt get it there. (came close though)

I am going to take whole light thing off of it so it wont happen again.

It sure was irritating though! Oh well....

[Velocivixen]

Could you take a photo close up and post it? Pictures really help and we have some brilliant folks on here. Thanks. Hope that your solution does the trick.

[sadieme]

Sorry its taken me so long to reply. I took some pics but they really didnt show anything. I did take it to the bike shop today.. and all he did was put the cable back in the stop and told me I can do that if it happens again. Although.. I moved the light, (its made to tilt down and that takes it out of the way) so hopefully it wont be an issue again.

Will be going out tomorrow morning to test it out! Keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks

[tytbody]

That's exciting. Fingers crossed for you also

[sadieme]

Well, I got my lazy butt up today and knew I had to test it out! So, got packed up and headed for the trail. I really didnt know how far I wanted to go, but somewhere in the back of my head, I was thinking 20 miles, but I knew that was WAY beyond what I would be able to do, Oh well. I would do what I could.

Once I got started, I found it was GREAT to have the gears actually working right! It made everything so much easier! So much so, that I felt great! I got to the furthest point I had ever been, and though... I feel good, why not keep going for a bit. I decided it would be silly to stop at 7.25 miles. I wanted to make it even! I just kept going and going. I finally stopped at 10 miles! (which meant I also had 10 to go back!)

Now.. this is a rail trail, so not a lot of hills.... or not real ones. But there is a pretty constant low level grade. And the way back is almost all uphill grades from almost flat to 12% and sometimes a bit more. This was the third time I had been biking on the trail. (leaving out the one where the gears screwed up and was short and pretty frustrating) Anyway..... on both the previous rides, which were 12 and 14 miles, I had to stop about 3 times on the return trip to rest. It was kicking my butt! But... today, I was able to do the 10 out AND the 10 back without any rest stops. I did take a break when it was time to turn around and head back though.

Overall.. I felt great! Well..exhausted, hungry and tired... but great! Maybe.. just maybe I can do this!

[goldfinch]

Great ride! Congratulations on doing 20!

[tytbody]

oh Sadie, that sounds so darn GOOD!!! I wish you were near me so we could ride together. How did you measure your miles? you said 10 but did you do it with a car and then know or did you purchase a cyclometer?

I bought one and my bike shop is going to put it on for me.

I found out my bike rack fits my car so Girl that is good.

are you going out tomorrow? Weather sounds good around here. I had my husband get his bike ready so that when we get back, we can go test out my ride.

[sadieme]

Thanks Goldfinch! It felt good!

tightbody... thanks! Yeah.. that would be fun! Alas.... it would be a long commute! LOL.
I have a Garmin Forerunner that I use for running, but its set up for biking too, so it works well.

Glad your rack will work with your car. I love mine. Its fast and easy to take on and off. And its totally adjustable so it will work with about anything. I would be in trouble without it!

Not sure about tomorrow. It depends on if I am recovered from today yet! I might try and just do a short run instead of the bike. Not sure yet.

You are lucky that your hubby likes to ride too. Mine isnt the least bit interested in it. oh well.... gives me some 'alone' time I guess.

[tytbody]

well he's not going with me most of the other days. He works second shift and He won't get up and bike with me. No.. No. he sticks in that stupid bed instead of exercising his body. Irritates the crap out of me. That's why I always have to go in the morning... lol VBG.. .lol