A Clyde On A Bike

After just installing my fenders and panniers to go along with everything else I have been commuting with, I think I am either committed to commuting or I should just be committed. lol

The bike sure has changed since I started riding it just for exercise a year ago.

I was able to commute to work 4 out of 5 days this week. Weather was pretty bad early in the week so I took the train half way one day. All in all, I am very happy with my progress. I am working up to 5 day a week, mostly all weather commuting.

In support of that, I got my small, waterproof panniers and fenders in the mail today and will have them on the bike this weekend. That should eliminate the need for me to drive once a week to replenish supplies at work. And, it should also allow me to more easily ride in rainy weather.

Pictures to follow after I get everything mounted.

I think I may like my idea of a road bike better than I like my reality of a road bike.

I just went for a short ride on my Schwinn that I fixed up last year.

It is only the second time I have ridden it. I definitely need a set of knee savers for it and that probably didn’t help things right off the bat. But I was having problems with just about everything.

I am not sure I can get comfortable with down tube shifters. I am all over the place when I need to shift. And I am not comfortable breaking from the hoods or riding in the drops. And, the bars feel very cramped (narrow) especially on the top. And, oddly, even though the bike is actually a little big for me, I feel cramped on it.

And, I felt the whole way like if I was in the road instead of on the bike path, I would dump if even the slightest challenging situation arose. Need to downshift fast…not gonna happen. Need to brake fast…not gonna happen. Need to steer fast…oh that’s gonna happen! But I will probably flip the thing in the process.

Maybe I need to give it some time (absolutely on the bike path). Or maybe I need to lose some weight first. Or maybe the setup or geometry of the bike is just not right for me. Or maybe I just need a flat bar road bike if I want to go that way. Or maybe I am just an old fart who needs to stick with a slower MTB.

I do enjoy the little boost in speed and easier rolling effort which were both quite noticeable. But, man I am uncomfortable and unstable on it!

I was able to ride in 3 times this week. Only 1 day less than the average I would like to maintain. I even said screw it and rode in with a light drizzle of rain on Monday.

Had to let the bike and clothes dry out a little afterwords but it wasn’t that bad and I have confidence that I can ride in a light rain now.

Thunderstorms will still drive me to the car or train but light rain cannot conquer me any more. I think fenders are my next purchase.