(no subject)

[moominmolly]

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.

Comments

[srl.livejournal.com]

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. :)

[moominmolly.livejournal.com]

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! :)

[moominmolly.livejournal.com]

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

[srl.livejournal.com]

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.

[srl.livejournal.com]

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.

[dancingwolfgrrl.livejournal.com]

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

[signsoflife.livejournal.com]

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.

[moominmolly.livejournal.com]

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

[signsoflife.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it was really pretty great.

[hissilliness.livejournal.com]

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

[hissilliness.livejournal.com]

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.

[dilletante.livejournal.com]

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."

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

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

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Smartwool socks are the bestest.

[bemocked.livejournal.com]

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?)

[moominmolly.livejournal.com]

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!

[moominmolly.livejournal.com]

You of all people would know that. :)