Chasing Leaves

[ridebikeme]

+1 Fall is my favorite season as well YIPEE!

[Catrin]

Oddly enough, taking my bike down the stairs and actually having to drive it somewhere was fun! For the last 3 years I've felt guilty every time I've driven my bike anywhere for road riding, which meant that I very rarely ever rode anywhere that I couldn't get to from my front door. Granted, with my current limitations I am still pretty much limited to riding in that park - but this still opens other possibilities! Now that I MUST drive my bike somewhere it does open things back up again. Now I just have to reach the point where I don't feel like I am being targeted by every driver out there - but first I need to recover enough so I am not so limited to the amount of time my neck/shoulder can tolerate on the bike.

That bike isn't heavy, but it was awkward negotiating the stairs - but I am figuring out the best way to carry it. I was thinking of those who must do that same thing with much heavier bikes

[Owlie]

Oddly enough, taking my bike down the stairs and actually having to drive it somewhere was fun! For the last 3 years I've felt guilty every time I've driven my bike anywhere for road riding, which meant that I very rarely ever rode anywhere that I couldn't get to from my front door. Granted, with my current limitations I am still pretty much limited to riding in that park - but this still opens other possibilities! Now that I MUST drive my bike somewhere it does open things back up again. Now I just have to reach the point where I don't feel like I am being targeted by every driver out there - but first I need to recover enough so I am not so limited to the amount of time my neck/shoulder can tolerate on the bike.

That bike isn't heavy, but it was awkward negotiating the stairs - but I am figuring out the best way to carry it. I was thinking of those who must do that same thing with much heavier bikes

I know you've got shoulder stuff going on and a fairly small frame, but what I used to do was pick it up and carry it cyclocross style. It's still a little awkward, especially if your stairwell is narrow. (But I hate doing this with my cross bike. It's fairly heavy and the tubing is rounded rather than flattened at the bottom, so it's a little hard on the wrist and shoulder...)

[emily_in_nc]

I love fall and fall leaves! It's still green here in KC and has been quite warm and humid this week, but there is quite a bit of breeze, and leaves are starting to swirl around. The angle of the sun, too, lets us know autumn is here.

Yesterday we did a 30-miler, 10 on road and 20 on the paved trail. Today was a 12-mile errand ride to the library and Natural Grocer. It's supposed to get much cooler this weekend, so we are enjoying this last bit of summer (temps in the 70s-80s) while it lasts. We won't be able to get away with shorts and short-sleeves for too much longer!

[Catrin]

I know you've got shoulder stuff going on and a fairly small frame, but what I used to do was pick it up and carry it cyclocross style. It's still a little awkward, especially if your stairwell is narrow. (But I hate doing this with my cross bike. It's fairly heavy and the tubing is rounded rather than flattened at the bottom, so it's a little hard on the wrist and shoulder...)

Between my shoulder and the frame size this isn't possible. If I removed my water cages it might work - but I am not going to do that. They may not see traditional use but they do get used. The stairwell isn't too narrow, and I do remove my trunk bag to go up/down the stairs. The rack does change the weight distribution a bit but I need to keep that installed. Good idea though, and thanks for the suggestion! If I get the angle right there isn't a problem getting it upstairs. It only weighs 24-25 pounds with rack so the weight isn't the issue - it is the size. Practice makes perfect

Sounds like fun Emily! Speaking of bike clothes, I suspect my bibs and short sleeves Tuesday was likely the last time for the season, but I hope not!

[OakLeaf]

You ought to be able to wheel it up and down stairs on the rear wheel just as you would take it through a narrow hall. It will bounce a little going down is all. Definitely easier on the shoulders.

[Crankin]

It was 80 here today. I went on a 30 mile ride in sleeveless. Plenty of leaves flying around, as it was kind of breezy. It seems like there's a lot more color in the trees than normal for this early. Peak foliage season isn't until around the 15th-20th here.
I'll be riding Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; nothing long, though, except maybe Friday. It's going to be warm and humid. Yuck.

[Catrin]

It was 80 here today. I went on a 30 mile ride in sleeveless. Plenty of leaves flying around, as it was kind of breezy. It seems like there's a lot more color in the trees than normal for this early. Peak foliage season isn't until around the 15th-20th here.
I'll be riding Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; nothing long, though, except maybe Friday. It's going to be warm and humid. Yuck.

Humidity/warmth doesn't seem to go well with fall colors... though that is better than rain. I don't get home from work until 6ish so my riding time is now limited to the weekends as it is almost dark at 7:30 now. THIS is the disadvantage of no longer being able to ride out of my front door but that was the choice I had to make. Well, there really wasn't a choice when they wanted to increase my rent 30%!

They are calling for rain this weekend, crossing my fingers I will be able to do some riding.