My Morning Commute

[dbb]

The hamster wheel at Hains Point is often amazing in the morning. I’ve seen foxes, wild turkeys, and herons there. Holler if we cross paths.

[Rootchopper]

I went through this when I tried to replace the seat post on The Mule. Nobody had what I needed (wanted more set back). They were very creative with all kinds of half-assed remedies though. Still have the same seat post. Such are the perils of riding a 20-year old bike.

[KelOnWheels]

First commute on the Horse of Space today!
The trees are trying to kill me! I had to ride all slow because I couldn’t breathe
I am starting to figure out the compact gearing – I will be able to go fast when I can breathe again
Something started rattling on the way in and was driving me CRAAAAAZY (as opposed to the MTB on which everything rattles) but I stopped by the Jefferson and fixed it.

The bike racks at work suck. All the end spots were taken so it took me 10 minutes to find a way to lock up without destroying my bike

[rcannon100]

@KelOnWheels 54038 wrote:

First commute on the Horse of Space today!

Pictures or it didnt happen!!

Back in the day, I developed an odd habit that I am surprised no one questions me on. Back in the day, a “bike rack” was latin for a parking meter or a road sign. And those things will tear up the paint on your bike. So I started getting a couple of feet of foam pipe insulation, and sticking it on my top tube. I duck taped it in a nice tailoring job – to keep lousy racks from tearing up my bike.

Your bike is so pretty – I doubt you want to mess it up that way – but I still wonder about either carrying a small piece of foam insulation – or strategically hiding the foam at your work bike parking.

[KelOnWheels]

@rcannon100 54041 wrote:

Pictures or it didnt happen!!

Back in the day, I developed an odd habit that I am surprised no one questions me on. Back in the day, a “bike rack” was latin for a parking meter or a road sign. And those things will tear up the paint on your bike. So I started getting a couple of feet of foam pipe insulation, and sticking it on my top tube. I duck taped it in a nice tailoring job – to keep lousy racks from tearing up my bike.

Your bike is so pretty – I doubt you want to mess it up that way – but I still wonder about either carrying a small piece of foam insulation – or strategically hiding the foam at your work bike parking.

You, sir, are a genius. I bet even a thin sheet of craft foam would help.

[Bilsko]

@KelOnWheels 54044 wrote:

You, sir, are a genius. I bet even a thin sheet of craft foam would help.

speaking of not letting your bike’s paint job get ruined…one tip I can give from a year with the Surly is that if you have an spots (it’ll probably be on the headtube) where cable housing will be rubbing against the paint…then you may want to apply some type of clear sticker because the housing can rub through the powder coat pretty quickly. (Not sure what ALC uses for paint, but I’m guessing that its a pretty standard paint setup for all of the QBP brands. Just something to keep in mind. If I remember it when I go downstairs for the commute home, I’ll snap a picture or two to illustrate.

[jopamora]

Jagwire also makes this for when your cables rub against the paint.

[TwoWheelsDC]

I used Scotch tape…not as pretty, but it works.

[KelOnWheels]

Oh, and I’m using all kinds of arm muscles and stuff now! That’s new.

I am finding this video about drop bars helpful.

[KelOnWheels]

A wild Space Horse appears!
[ATTACH]3038[/ATTACH]

[Bilsko]

@KelOnWheels 54076 wrote:

A wild Space Horse appears!
[ATTACH]3038[/ATTACH]

Any chance the rockin’ horse will make an appearance at an upcoming Friday Coffee Club? (I, II, or whatever number we’re up to now…)

[dbb]

@rcannon100 54041 wrote:

Pictures or it didnt happen!!

Back in the day, I developed an odd habit that I am surprised no one questions me on. Back in the day, a “bike rack” was latin for a parking meter or a road sign. And those things will tear up the paint on your bike. So I started getting a couple of feet of foam pipe insulation, and sticking it on my top tube. I duck taped it in a nice tailoring job – to keep lousy racks from tearing up my bike.

Your bike is so pretty – I doubt you want to mess it up that way – but I still wonder about either carrying a small piece of foam insulation – or strategically hiding the foam at your work bike parking.

I did a similar thing to the wheel bender racks in our cage.

I put the pipe insulation on top of the rack and it has served me well for about four years. I observed the rack use and picked a spot in the center that didn’t have much demand. The foam has been my private space with virtually no exception.

[KelOnWheels]

@Bilsko 54089 wrote:

Any chance the rockin’ horse will make an appearance at an upcoming Friday Coffee Club? (I, II, or whatever number we’re up to now…)

It will try! I have to be at work at 8 so I have to get there early.

[vvill]

The rack I use is similar so two of my commuting buddies used duct tape, foam and old tubes to make our several of our own parking “spots” on the rack.

[sjclaeys]

This morning was just too nice.

[Author]

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