moominmolly | (no subject)

I smell like tri-flow and rain.

Last night, I replaced the chain on my yellow bike and lubed the parts that needed lubing. During the year and a half I'd left it sitting there -- I only rode the Softride last summer -- the chain had rusted solid. So solid, in fact, that I had to break it in *two* places to get it out of the rear derailleur. I was a little worried that my minimalist tune-up would make for an unhappy bike this morning, but apparently not; the tri-flow had worked its way into all of the parts that needed greasing, and the bike obediently sprang into action as soon as I got on.

I'm not sure why I ever think I could get rid of my yellow bike. I'm clearly wrong.

After 100 miles piloting the tandem last week, I felt so light and agile riding a single bike that I actually laughed. The wheels are so close together! I felt like I should jump up curbs in celebration, but I had to get to work. I was even a little sad that they'd repaved some of the crappier sections of road, since it meant I had less opportunity to skim and skip the bike over bad pavement and around potholes.

50 and drizzly. I practically had the path to myself. I saw two joggers, two bikers, and three dogwalkers in eleven miles. I don't mind riding in the rain, as long as it's warm, and the rain isn't too hard. 50 degrees counts as warm. Similarly, I don't mind riding in the cold, as long as I have enough to bundle up in. Today, I opted for a tank, a close-fitting long-sleeved shirt, full-finger gloves, light tights, and a windbreaker. It was a bit much. Is my sense of what to wear in what sorts of weather now off, or am I just more insulated than I used to be? I'm not sure. My temperature sensors are still off. I'm still never entirely sure whether I'm hot or cold. Pregnancy is weird, that way, and even ex-pregnancy is a little destabilizing.

I love the feeling of coming in to the office wet and chilly and slightly jazzed, wheeling my bike in to the elevators, and then parking it in my cube while I strip out of my bike clothes and put on dry warm clothes. It makes me feel lucky to live in civilization.

I've ridden this route hundreds of times before. I saw the same things I always see: joggers, leaves, footpaths I've never been on, a few sonik signs, maybe some geese. There was nothing new. There was nothing spectacular about this ride, aside from the fact that I did it and felt fantastic. So here I am, wearing warm dry things and biding my time in the office until I can get back on the bike and ride back home through the rain.

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Riding home at midnight the other night in similar conditions, I was wearing a merino longsleeve underlayer, a short sleeve jersey, a water-resistant shell, bike shorts, knickers, and long tights. Fingerless gloves were a bit cold, but the rest worked for me on an 8-mile ride home.

yay for being back on the bike. :)

Okay, so I wasn't far off. I think I'd have been happier in a short-sleeve jersey and armwarmers, though. Oh! Also, I was wearing my winter bike shoes, but that's only because I still can't find my regular ones.

And, yeah, yay! Thanks! :)

Also, merino underlayer? I am interested in this. Where did you get it, and how do you like it?

I think I got it from Campmor; it's made by Duofold. I wore it almost every day this past winter for biking. I think it was $20ish on sale, which is stunningly good.

Though I should mention that the arms have shrunk in length over time, as wool tends to do; the cuffs are about 2 inches above my wrists. But that's generally okay.

Smartwool also makes some. I have some of their socks and they are not in the least bit itchy, which I find encouraging!

Smartwool socks are the bestest.

That sounds like one of those spam "from:" addresses.

Riding the path early afternoon, I was comfortable in shorts, tights, a turtleneck, a fleece vest, a windbreaker and full-finger gloves. But some of that was more "pouring rain" than drizzle.

"Pouring rain" versus "drizzle" definitely makes a difference!

Yeah, it was really pretty great.

After 100 miles piloting the tandem last week, I felt so light and agile riding a single bike that I actually laughed. The wheels are so close together! I felt like I should jump up curbs in celebration, but I had to get to work.

I'm reminded of the sensation of paddling an inflatable kayak after a couple weeks guiding 14-foot rafts filled with paunchy Boston office workers.

the funny thing is the tandem is powerful. there's an entire gear in front we never used because we were afraid to go that fast. but when you stop at a light you think "oh, i'll just pick the bike up and scoot it to the side a littl... no, i won't, because it's ten feet long and has another person sitting on it. hm."

Tri-flow and rain is a good, virtuous smell.

You of all people would know that. :)

I am quite surprised that the chain had rusted solid in only one-plus years! Was it completely un-lubed before (or only lubed with one of those teflon-y dry lubes, a la' White Lightning?)

I have no idea! I suspect I put it away wet and then never touched it. And I mostly only use tri-flow as a lubricant. So, maybe it was sort of unlubed, made of something unusually corrosive, AND mistreated?

I hope this one fares better!