bikenurse
Forum Replies Created
-
@Greenbelt 24975 wrote:
My wife and I have enjoyed hanging out at our local bike shop so much that she ended up buying (most of) the place!
Biking has changed my life and career! If you’d told me a year ago that I’d have quit a full time university faculty position and bought a bike shop, I would have said you were crazy…. But it was commuting to my job that fueled my obsession. I started commuting 1 day/week fall of 2010 on my road bike. I was already a pretty active weekend rider – maybe 25-50 miles/week tops. I gradually increased my commuting days (driving became more and more obnoxious and I’m a control freak so I can’t stand to be stuck in traffic). The road bike/back pack combo didn’t work for me, so I got a nice Bianchi Zurigo cross bike and put on a rack and panniers. As the commuting days increased (last winter-spring I rode about 500 miles/month), the panniers got lighter even though I packed more things in them. I love cycling and pretty much everything about it. Even spandex
. What’s really cool is that since we’ve been leading weekend rides, we’ve developed a new “family”. Really cool people who love to ride and are just fun to be with – all ages and backgrounds. Like the folks on the forum. And the people who come in the shop and tell me their stories, like the woman who went from a size 16 to a 10 since she started riding 4 months ago. One of my favorite customers is a young woman who is visually impaired and rides a tandem. She just glows when she talks about riding and how it makes her feel. Oh – and she’s lost over 100 lbs. Cycling can transform and empower.
Ann – I’m so glad to hear you got through your triathlon. I’m “competing” in my first sprint tri on 7/29, so you’re an inspiration! This is a great thread! — LaurieI’ve bought my bikes from Proteus in College Park. They did not give me the opportunity to buy a bike that didn’t fit. Buying a bike should take hours – time to test ride lots of bikes, then in the trainer to make sure you have the right fit. It’s hard to get the fit correct by just measuring inseam. The length of the femur, torso, arms is not necessarily reflected in the inseam or the geometry of the bike. It’s really appalling that lots of bike shops can’t fit bikes properly, especially when they’re pushing high end carbon bikes. Proteus includes a pro-fit for most bikes over $1200. If you don’t already have clipless pedals, get them (and your shoes) when you have your pro-fit.
As far as touring vs road – my road bike (Orbea Volata) has no room for racks or other encumbrances. It likes to go fast. I bought a cross bike for commuting (Bianchi Zurigo – aluminum frame with carbon fork/seat stays). It takes racks and will do almost anything on/off road. I can ride it forever without getting uncomfortable. A lot of people buy cross bikes and put road tires on them for touring/commuting. I have knobby 34s on my Zurigo and I get around great. Any cross bike (Kona Jake/Jake the Snake, Bianchi Volpe) will work for touring/errands/commuting. The Kona Sutra is a dedicated touring bike with front and back racks already installed. A lot of people like steel for a more stable ride (i.e. for touring). You don’t have to have carbon.
The main thing is that you’re happy with your bike so you ride – lots!I am still glowing from yesterday’s ride
Thank you to everyone who came out to Proteus to enjoy the coolest bike shop in town and Jeff’s (Greenbelt’s) famous chocolate chip kitchen sink cookies. Re gas prices: I was the one interviewed and quoted by the Post (Why me? Glad I didn’t say anything too stupid!). The reporter point blank stated that part of the ride was protesting high gas prices and what did I think about that? I told her I had no idea what she was talking about — I only fill up my tank on my 2003 corolla about once/month so I don’t even know how much gas costs! And I would be fine with higher gas prices if it keeps people from driving huge cars. And she didn’t quote me on that… big surprise. All in all a fabulous day with a great group. Can’t wait till next year. Now that y’all know where Proteus is, come out and visit us for Thursday night pot luck! — Laurie@DaveK 12147 wrote:
Does she know you call her that?
Yes, she does now….:o
I am a big fan of action wipes (no shower at work), and of the new cookbook. Best pizza dough ever!
