Back to the Future

I have tried very hard to like my new Fuji Retro Tourer, but, it has become a losing battle. My heart still belongs to my trusty steed, my ICE T trike. I have invested much time and money into the Fuji and enjoyed working on it, but, my T still gives me greater pleasure. The Fuji has a wonderful soft ride with a very big cool factor. Unfortunately I feel like a billboard way up in the air and there is just no getting comfortable on all the seats I have tried. I decided to sell it on Craigslist and Ebay. I even brought the price down to $600. Alas no takers. I thought I might sell off the parts, but, I know, I would never recover my loses. It seems when it comes to DF bikes, there is no good resale value. It was much easier and quicker selling my 7-8 yr old recumbents. I am considering giving this bike to a family member if he can appreciate it, otherwise, it will sit in my garage as a thing of beauty.

Back to the Dark Side

I have finished my new DF bike. It does add to the thrill of riding something unique. It gives me the same excitement as riding a recumbent. I have sold my LWB Stratus and my SWB Rocket which has left me with my ICE T Trike. It is like Ying and Yang. My Trike is so low and sweet. My new Fuji DF is tall, stable, comfortable and fun. I never would have thought I would return to the dark side of DF. When I ride my trike I feel low, stable, confident and comfortable. When I ride my new Fuji tourer, I feel Like a tall billboard, but still have the comfort, stability and confidence and most of all thrill of riding. Who would think.

Here are the Stats on my Fuji.

1. 08 Leftover Fuji Touring Bike off Ebay
2. Nitto North Handlebar
3. Odyssey pedals (my all time favorites)
4. SKS Silver Fenders (very good quality and looks)
5. Cannonade Panniers. Built in frame stiffeners. Always look good and hold a lot.
6. Planet Bikes Binky Super flash. Amazing rear light
7. Planet Bikes 1W Blaze front led light. Very bright, wish it did not come in white.
8. Seguino XD 600 165 26/36/46 crank. It's on all my bikes
9. Shimano Barend shifters. Rock solid.
10. B67 Brooks saddle. Slippery but very comfortable.
11. Miracle mirror with home made barend mount. Much better than 3rd eye glass mount.
12. Sponge grips. Works for me
13. Nashbar quill 40 deg stem. Extra height very comfortable.
14. Nashbar cheep kick stand. Works fine
15. Tire pump. Have to have it.
16. Tecktro Brakes. Very ergonomic

Returning to the Dark Side

After more than a decade of recumbent riding, I reached out for the dark side.
I have been following Alan's Ecovelo site for quite some time and have been itching to get back to my roots of riding.
I purchased a 2008 leftover Fuji Tourer off Ebay and have made my own desired modifications. It is a work in progress and is not completed. I will save all the technical data when I have satisfactorily completed my project. As of now I have done numerous 30 mile spins and must confess, they have been quite enjoyable.
My legs have had no problem adjusting. Back, neck, and wrist pain have not been an issue. My Cloud 9 seat although not perfect is pretty comfortable. The long wheelbase steel frame is quite forgiving and the ride reminds me of my old Status. It was an easy adjustment going back. It was harder getting my bent legs than my DF legs. It is certainly different than recumbent riding, but maintains it's deja vu as to why I love riding.
It will probably take me a few more months to tweak things out, but at least I am enjoying the ride.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Why I Ride

Cycling gives me a spiritual calmness and a oneness with nature.
It gives me short term and long term achievable goals.
Riding 15 miles on January 1st just to get my 1st mileage logged, on a blistering cold day, warms my heart.
I get excited when I complete my age in miles on my winter birthday week.
Writing my BLOG sipping a glass of wine after a great cycling day makes me feel serene.
Commuting to and from work makes that day special.
Realizing after a few days off, my car has not moved, amazes me.
I have become more foot print conscious.
I recycle, I use home filtered water instead of store bought, I use fluorescent bulbs, and I drive a fuel efficient sub-compact, but that is not why I ride.
I just ride because it makes me feel good.

2009 Birthday Ride

As of my 50th birthday, I decided to do my age in miles. This is my 7th year and I am happy to say I am still on track. It is not easy being a January baby and trying to do these miles in Jersey's winters. I allow myself 1 week before and after my birthday to accomplish this task.

It was a bit questionable this year as to "weather" I could make it. Significant snow in the forecast. Fortunately the weather service was wrong. Go figure.

January 12, the day after my birthday was cold. Temps in the 20's warming up to 30 with winds at 10mph. All in all not a bad day. I dressed perfect and unfortunately lost my son's cap. I had a backup ear wrap which worked great.

It was an interesting ride. I saw chickens, a dead deer hanging upside down and a loose White German Shepard in my path. I was 20 miles from home and tired. The Shepard was munching on the contents of someones garbage pale. I did not want to turn back and was hoping the Shepard was more interested in eating the garbage than me. As a dog lover I decided to take the chance. I crossed over to the opposite lane, rode slow, and found the dog more interested in his food than me. It was getting colder and I was happy not having to take any detours.

The ride ended on the money at 57.2 I am not sure how much longer I can endure these Birthday miles in the winter. I may have to go south. All in all it was a very enjoyable and accomplished ride.

KEEP RIDING!!!

04 Ride

I got out for a beautiful 16 mi ride on January 04 . My second ride of the year. I was much warmer and it was nicer than my New Year's ride of same. For some strange reason there where all these Turkey Vultures sitting on roofs of houses in my development. My only understanding of this was a caucus of some kind close, or they were trying to keep warm by the chimneys. In either case very strange.
The ride was most enjoyable and I hope a warm-up for my annual birthday ride this weekend.
I'm hoping all holds up for my ride.
KEEP RIDING!!!

1ST Ride of 2009

Let me just start by saying. It was COLD!!! Temps about 20F. Winds up to 20mph per forecast, however, didn't seem as bad. Sun shinning bright. Not a cloud in the sky. Biggest mistake of the ride was not wearing my $100 Sporthill pants, instead wearing a lighter and less expensive version of the same.

I was a bit worried when I left work yesterday as it was snowing. I new it would be cold and windy today, but I was determined to get a ride in for the new year. My only concern was snow on the ground. Fortunately there was non. At 10am I headed out for a short 15 mile ride to start the new year off. Needless to say I was the only cyclist on the road.

This was my 1st cycling adventure for 2009 and I look forward to what this year bestows.

KEEP RIDING!!!