| Why Not! It's easy to be a "car guy" and a cyclist too!
After all "Life's a Cycle"!
Cars are fine toys, and I really enjoy messing about with them, but when it comes to daily transportation nothing beats the efficiency and pleasure of riding a bike. Currently I spend most of my time on a '96 Mongoose IBOC, a steel bike, and quite comfortable. Wear and tear has taken it's toll on many of the factory components. The biggest improvements were the demise of the original brakes and grip shift, which I replaced in 99 with XT V-brakes and rapid fire shifters. |
My 1951 Murray "Kustom" |
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Initially I was a fair weather rider, but sitting in traffic while
watching bikes go by in winter pushed me over the edge and I joined the
ranks of
Ice Bikers in
the winter of 95/96. The first winter was fun, and challenging. I tackled
it on my road bike with a home studded front tire (thanks to the Edmonton
Bicycle Commuters). I finished that winter with shredded leggings,
and a new source of winter fun. Winter riding is much like cross country
skiing, as far as clothing and effort go. It requires more handling skill
on the bike, but that is learned with experience, and the development of
my winter skill has only enhanced my fair weather riding.
'96 saw me make the move to a new mountain bike, with multiple tire options matched to its use. Slicks for commuting in fair weather, knobbies for weekend and vacation mountain trips and factory studded tires in winter, which are much easier on the clothing than the sharp screws on my home studded efforts. My commute is 13 km (one way) across the Bow river valley in Calgary. Calgary is a wonderful city for cycling, in spite of local scribe Catherine Ford's yearly rants against cyclists. My route is made up of half roadway and half parkland, it's not unusual to encounter deer, coyote, fox, and countless birds along the way, especially in the mornings. |