I’d forgotten how good it feels to ride upright. The last bicycle I owned in which I rode in an upright position was an old “English racer” (that’s what we called them) from my early teen years. I’m still doing the usual tinkering to get my new bicycle just right, but I can confidently report that the Redline 530 was a great choice for me. I’m back in sync with my inner Mrs. Gulch–only I’m not as grumpy.
I’ve owned road bikes and mountain bikes. So I’m familiar with the proper fit and body position for maximum efficiency–defined in terms of power and speed. These are aggressive postures–as they need to be in order to play the game of sport biking.
But my attitude changes in the upright position. All of a sudden I’m no longer an “athlete.” Because riding upright is not as efficient in terms of power and speed, I have a completely different attitude about myself, the bicycle, and the people and cars around me. I’m a pleasant version of Mrs. Gulch–commanding in posture yet serene in temperament.
I also felt a little dorky at first–a little like Pee Wee Herman. But that feeling faded quickly. Now I’m just feeling like a guy who has the right machine for the right job. That job is making frequent short trips around town–to work, to the store, to any destination within about 6 to 8 miles of home that doesn’t require me to haul something too large for daypack or panniers.
Later this afternoon my daughter and I will ride downtown for the Taste of Springfield festival–a short (2.25 miles) easy ride along fairly safe streets among generally respectful drivers. We won’t have to hunt for safe parking at wave-style racks. That’s not to say downtown Springfield has enough bicycle parking. It could use a few more racks. But I anticipate a good experience.
Springfield has a long way to go to become a great cycling community. But I think we have the potential. Now we need the will and the imagination. I’ll be keeping an eye out for these as I gaze about town from my commanding new position.
Comments 6
adjusting…but oh so comfortable
Nice post, Andrew.
Posted 04 Oct 2008 at 5:52 pm ¶put on some aviators and you will start feeling like a professional.
Posted 04 Oct 2008 at 9:05 pm ¶A- Thanks!
S- Ohhh… good idea
Posted 04 Oct 2008 at 10:20 pm ¶This is just to let you know that I swiped your pic of Miss Gulch. I’d looked for it when I was getting into cycling because of the obvious Kansas connection, but for some reason I never ran across it. So, thanks.
As for that discussion at the bike-rack . . . ::shakes head:: I think it had less to do with your bike than it did with your interlocutor. You say “toe-may-toe”/I say “toe-mah-toe.”
Oh: and that’s a cool-looking bike you got there.
Posted 05 Oct 2008 at 9:34 am ¶John… Yes, it probably did have more to do with my interlocutor, but as a writer I reserve the right to take certain liberties with my experience of reality
Yes, feel free to swipe Mrs. Gulch. I swiped her from somewhere myself.
And re: the new bike… Yep, I’m liking it.
Posted 05 Oct 2008 at 1:12 pm ¶The great thing about Mrs Gulch is that she got out there and rode her bike…
Posted 10 Oct 2008 at 3:26 am ¶