My old mountain bike was pretty worn out and not ergonomic for me, so I upgraded my bike to a 1984 Rampar R-1 ten-speed bicycle.
It looks like this:
It rolls really nicely and is a larger frame than my old mountain-bike, so I have a lot less weight on my wrists.
However, recently I was reminded just how uncomfortable it is to ride in wet conditions with no fenders. The constant road-spray on the backside provides a chill, clammy sensation that is as hard to endure as it is to describe.
So, I was determined to resolve the fender problem this weekend.
Then I got to thinking about how much I needed a new pair of shoes. And, since I had discovered a pair of cleated biking shoes that work as "regular" shoes when you aren't biking.... I thought to myself (and explained to my very patient wife) that I might as well kill two birds with one stone and get the biking shoes I wanted and just use them as my every day shoes as well.
Once inside REI the typical REI-fever set-in and before you knew it, I had my fenders, my shoes and some nice egg-beater pedals from Crank Brothers to really upgrade. And I had some really nice socks and weather-resistant pants to keep the wind and rain off my "engine-house".
REI-fever tends to dent the budget, and this was no exception. However, if you look at the recent report from NPR, it puts the cost in a better perspective:
the annual cost of being obese is $4,879 for a woman and $2,646 for a man.
7 comments :
So, you are actually saving money! I really get it!
Precisely!
One good thing about double dipping shoes with a velomobile is that your feet probably won't get wet, ever.
At least not by rainwater.
Even with my recumbent I have a dryer at work that my shoes go on after rainy commutes. Hot ones too - feet sweat a lot.
I think you will really be happy with the egg beaters. I am.
You have got to be an imposing figure riding that Rampar R-1!! Should really alert all oncoming motorists from both directions.
Your rationale is great -- as long as you can get away with it!! Works for me, too.
GpaZ
I actually had a guy ride up from behind me one day and after saying "Hi", said "Man, you're way up there!"
It's a 68 cm frame. And though it still isn't ergonomically ideal, it is a lot better than my old bike.
These are all reasonable purchases, and modestly priced. The egg beater pedals are also a good choice. You may want to get some water proof booties. I wear mine almost all winter, both for rain and for cold.
The velomobile should eventually eliminate the need for rain gear though.
I third the eggbeaters. They are the only clipless pedals I have ever used so I really can't say they are better than other. I like them though.
Booties are a good idea. I had some that lasted a grand total of three uses before the zipper broke. When you have massive feet you really have a hard time with stuff like that. I need to find some that are bigger before winter sets in.
I personally don't like wearing waterproof pants. I get too hot and then sweat so much that I may as well have been rTom.ained on. I have tights that wear that I find work well to keep me warm even when I get rained on.
Tom.
Post a Comment