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Post by guitone on Jun 27, 2007 15:01:20 GMT -5
Bill, good for you. Get a little red blinking light for the back of the bike for when it is dull outside or if you end up staying later than you expected, it is a great way to be seen. Also, the shorts above are a great idea. Your ride will take you less time if you continue to ride but 1 hour for 10 miles if fine, great exercise as well. If I could commute on a bike I would, but then again I love to ride. You may want to invest in some stiff soled biking shoes if you get any numbness at all, but just have fun....
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Post by billhammond on Jun 27, 2007 15:08:28 GMT -5
You guys crack me up.
I got a 25-year-old bike and you are outfitting me in gonad-friendly shorts and blinking lights and NASA booties.
GEARHEADS!!!!!!!
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Tamarack
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Post by Tamarack on Jun 27, 2007 16:04:37 GMT -5
Mr Hammond, you have my admiration. Ten miles each way is an ambitious undertaking.
Gearhead that I am, let me join the chorus to advise bike shorts and/or a gel-filled or cutout saddle. This not only protects one's butt from pain, but can also preserve functionality.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2007 16:09:39 GMT -5
Like, duh, we're bikers. Where do you think the term was invented? It's like saying water is wet Note - gearhead.com is a mountain biking web site and magazine.
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Post by billhammond on Jun 27, 2007 16:18:00 GMT -5
Gearhead that I am, let me join the chorus to advise bike shorts and/or a gel-filled or cutout saddle. This not only protects one's butt from pain, but can also preserve functionality. Butts have a function?
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Post by Supertramp78 on Jun 27, 2007 16:19:54 GMT -5
Last time I was in Mini Soda I walked across that very bridge. Actually spent a large amount of time there taking pictures and shooting video. Bill doesn't mention that it also houses a lock on the river that is the farthest north lock on the Mississippi river. Took a tour of that too. There is a rather large archeological dig going on nearby where they are finding old mill structures. Overall avery interesting area of land.
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Post by billhammond on Jun 27, 2007 16:22:54 GMT -5
Last time I was in Mini Soda I walked across that very bridge. Actually spent a large amount of time there taking pictures and shooting video. Bill doesn't mention that it also houses a lock on the river that is the farthest north lock on the Mississippi river. Took a tour of that too. There is a rather large archeological dig going on nearby where they are finding old mill structures. Overall avery interesting area of land. Great new Guthrie Theater has opened since your visit, CC, and the Mill City Museum and dig are going strong. Condo loft buildings popping up all over. New park jutting out near the falls on the east side of the river. That lock you mention is the second-most-northern, actually. There is one more to the north of the city.
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Post by Tim Alexander (fmrly. Camalex) on Jun 27, 2007 16:25:25 GMT -5
Gearhead that I am, let me join the chorus to advise bike shorts and/or a gel-filled or cutout saddle. This not only protects one's butt from pain, but can also preserve functionality. Butts have a function? No..... but prostates do. And the neres that attach to your well....prostate Trust me you don't want to go there with a fuller description.....get a padded seat.
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Post by Supertramp78 on Jun 27, 2007 16:27:44 GMT -5
"That lock you mention is the second-most-northern, actually."
ah, crap.
still a cool tour
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Post by Marshall on Jun 27, 2007 16:57:01 GMT -5
Of course there's a lock ! ! !
How do you think the pirate ships get around the falls ? ? ?
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Post by billhammond on Jun 27, 2007 17:21:47 GMT -5
Made it home in 45 minutes. Very pleasant! I will get a gel seat, though.
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Post by guitone on Jun 27, 2007 18:11:43 GMT -5
Now you guys are gonna say I am confusing the issue...as a serious cyclist I detest gel seats. Think about this, the gel you push town with your tusch has to come up somewhere and for a guy that could mean numbness. Bill, a cutout seat is better if you are going padded, I use nothing but brooks hard leather seats, my have springs on them for the type of riding I do these days, somewhat upright....you want to be comfortable, but you may need to break in your body and your bike parts before that happens.
Keep riding and good luck.
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Post by billhammond on Jun 27, 2007 18:19:32 GMT -5
Thanks, Joel. The seat on my Raleigh is pretty comfy and has SOME padding, not much. I think I will get some padded shorts, though.
My plan is to ease into this by shooting for every Wednesday as my Bike Day, as that is the one day of each week when my shift starts an hour later than usual. So I can get up at my usual time, ride in at a reasonable pace and still arrive at work in time to freshen up a bit. I do have a locker and shower facilities at work, too, if needed.
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Post by guitone on Jun 27, 2007 19:27:57 GMT -5
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Post by billhammond on Jun 27, 2007 20:05:05 GMT -5
Joel, I just called my local REI and they have a pair of those cool shorts in my size -- I am picking them up tonight! Thanks! Me and my noonies owe you big-time, so to speak.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2007 21:00:57 GMT -5
Just putting in a "me too" for what Joel said. Padded seats are hell. Padded shorts/undies work well.
Look at that, I'm a poet!
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Post by billhammond on Jun 27, 2007 21:16:44 GMT -5
Just putting in a "me too" for what Joel said. Padded seats are hell. Padded shorts/undies work well. Look at that, I'm a poet! Way ahead of you, Paul. I bought those REI shorts tonight, and they look great. Can't wait to try them out. Might be good at gigs, too! (Help me hit the high notes?)
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2007 22:26:56 GMT -5
Great stuff Bill. Its good to hear you are biking to work. Thats one of the things i love most about living in Portland, its possibly the most bike friendly city in America. I dont use my car if i dont have to.. Be sure to lock up your bike if you can't keep it in the office. I have one of those Kryptonite U Locks and a cable, i wrap the cable through the back wheel and into the U Lock, which lock the front wheel and frame to the bike rack. Then i just take my seat with me so no one swipes it. A good investment i made is a commuter backpack. I got mine from Banjo Brothers, which happens to be located in the Minneapolis. www.banjobrothers.com/products/01150.phpI prefer a backpack to pannier bags. Happy riding. anton
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Post by John B on Jun 27, 2007 22:27:17 GMT -5
My last bike seat had padding AND an appropriate cutout area. Very comfy.
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Jun 27, 2007 23:29:04 GMT -5
Great stuff Bill. Its good to hear you are biking to work. Thats one of the things i love most about living in Portland, its possibly the most bike friendly city in America. What that means is that the drunks in cars wave to you as they run you over. Mike
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