Wheels for All September 16, 2007
Posted by Bill in Conditioning, Equipment.add a comment
On this blog I’ve written a bit around the edges of the topic of accessibility, as the focus has been more about conditioning and returning to cycling as older riders. Honestly though, life’s unkind cuts aren’t reserved for those who have been fortunate enough to attain a stage of life with the word “age” attached to it… middle-aged, old-aged, etc. Bleah.
I admit to this omission as one of those belonging to that group I know as the Temporarily Able-Bodied, a group to which most of us belong, a group for which none of us carry a card. However, thanks to the demand by all riders that they be given access to speed produced by action of muscle and bone, the techno-gods of bikedom have created a fascinating and beautiful array of machines designed to accommodate virtually any mode of mobility we humans can bring to the roadways.
This post will begin with a couple featured machines and links to resources, and my intention is to add more over time. My hope is that other contributors will offer their links, images and experiences with these machines so this post can grow into a page of descriptive resources. The American River Parkway bike trail carries a fascinating array of these machines, and the opportunity to understand more about them, for the benefit of Geezers and non-Geezers alike, is most appealing. The bike trail calls to all of us equally… find your place.
Probably most common among the alternative machines is the recumbent foot-pedal bike. That configuration is mentioned elsewhere on this site as a way to deal with spinal issues created by the head-first racing tuck or even the stress on joints and derrières produced by easy chair postures on comfort bikes. Steering controls, wheel sizes, fairings, and frame configurations vary widely between manufacturers, the possible options mind-numbing. Click on the photo below for a link to an outfit that can help out…
Always with an eye for pretty curves, the next category of bikes completely grabs my attention whether it’s at a triathlon or just cruising the parkway. The gentleman shown below gave me a generous tour of his handcycle, describing them as ideal for those riders with lower extremity, balance, knee or hip issues. These production bicycles come in various sizes and are further adjustable to the size of the rider. They also seem to come with the secret to the best upper-body physiques to grace the parkway. The rider below also suggested a great handcycle resource, linked to his picture. It’ll take you to the index page of bike-on.com:
If you’ve been infected with race passion, you won’t want to miss a good drool over this machine, also available through the bike-on.com website. It’s the Schmicking S3 Race Tour Ultralight Handcycle, available on a custom basis, configured to your specific seating/power-production specs. From what I’ve seen at the triathlons, they can be equipped with the usual wallet-sucking performance gear such as carbon race wheels. Click on the image to go to its page on the bike-on.com website:
Independent Fabrication Steel August 17, 2007
Posted by Bill in Equipment.add a comment
Until recently I thought I was attached to the ride of a steel bike because I owned a steel bike. You love what you know. I’ve taken aluminum rides and found them a jolting experience, so I come back to my 25 pound Bianchi and pet it, but secretly wondering if those carbon dream machines would be a revelation.
Esthetically, I am resistant to investing in a fashion statement. Mechanically, I am nervous about a frame that could shatter. But as a technology-oriented guy, it’s hard for me to completely let go of the potential promised by the new.
Then I wandered into The Bicycle Business, a small shop on Freeport Blvd. in south Sacramento that specializes in road bikes and racing. With dozens of frames hanging from the ceiling, it seemed like fertile ground to begin my search for “the ride of dreams.”
After a lot of jawing about some very appealing Look carbon frames, my eyes were directed to a rather nondescript bike sporting a fairly unfashionable (no fins, flames or fairings) name decal indicating it was made by Independent Fabrication out of Somerville, MA. It was their steel Crown Jewel model, painted plain white, but equipped with Campy Record throughout, carbon fork, stem & bar. This might be interesting. I admit to responding to the pitch, “You have to ride it to understand.” The white bike was a demo model… a white black hole to devour the unsuspecting. Moby Bike.
My next visit to the store included time with Bob, the manager of the shop and the person charged with guiding the IF experience. IF is a custom frame fabrication outfit, and the process of becoming an IF rider is involved and intense. I arrived equipped for my demo ride. Gulp. Would I love it? Would I crave carbon afterward? Would I understand?
Standing over the bike, its eighteen or so pounds felt light to the touch. The ride did not disappoint. In fact, as I try to conjure words to describe the experience, I fail to find them. Perhaps I’ll come back and edit this paragraph if I find something beyond “steel ride from another universe.” All I know is standing in the shop after the ride, I was looking at the bike in contemplative confusion, and Bob smiled. “And if you think that was great, wait until it’s built to fit you.” What? This gets better?
So in my mind, IF steel is the standard carbon has to beat, and it’s an exceptionally high one. Doing business with builders that have established themselves as a business cooperative is also extremely appealing: these are people who know bicycles, and every weld, hanger and bit of paint is handled by people making a profit from their decisions. A ride that starts as a partnership of impassioned intellects seems worthy of attention.
Drafting Youth July 22, 2007
Posted by Bill in Conditioning.add a comment
The title of this post has too many connotations in our war-weary land, but it is a bicycling metaphor I’m after here, so my apologies to those brought to this site with other topics in mind.
A good workout has many emotional/psychological levels or spaces, and sustaining and enjoying workouts can be a full-time mental exploration of those spaces, particularly in the first weeks and months of kneeling before the Gods of Aerobia and praying for the endorphin blessing.
There are choices to make. Do I worry about my speed, or do I just pedal comfortably? Do I resent the super-fit team riders whose rear aspects become way too familiar, or do I look to them for inspiration? This vocal committee in our heads can present a very energetic struggle, or it can be virtually silent and existential. One choice I have made in this ongoing conversation has served me well, and its pleasures were brought to me once again today.
In the course of any workout, there is no average speed and no typical motivation among riders. Passing is very equal opportunity, and age and gender are not great predictors of workout speed. However, age is a somewhat better speed indicator, as young people generally have not endured a thirty year hiatus off the bike. And as people of any age or gender work to establish a more fit physiology for their futures, growth happens slowly as tissues grow and the chemistry changes, so everyone is on some path, our bodies obeying some quiet natural curve of change. In other words, older riders get passed a lot. How to cope with grace?
As anyone who has ever appreciated a coach can tell you, it is impossible to drive yourself to your full potential, to find a level of performance beyond what you believe your capacity to be. We generally aren’t even aware that we hold such beliefs while we are in the midst of exertion. In fact, we usually tend to find a level of comfort beyond which we don’t tend to venture, at least for very long periods of time. Younger cyclists present us with an opportunity.
Today I was passed by a woman who was pedaling an extremely consistent 20 mph pace, using an efficiency of pedaling motion and posture I admired extremely. My first thought was, “Whoa, what a machine.” I was in the latter third of my mileage, so I was less than inclined to fall in with her, but did so nonetheless, keeping a hundred feet or so behind. After a mile or so I was aware that I was at my maximum output, and that output moved past my maximum after about three. Hearing my hamstrings warning of “cramps a’comin’!” I backed off, grabbed a few gulps of water between pants, and watched her disappear down the trail. Awesome.
I have enjoyed this service before from other younger riders, and I yet to have the pleasure of thanking them for their pace. Without their lead, I would not have felt the limits I’m working to push past. Occasionally I am aware I am providing the same service to others – I pass riders only to sense them falling in with me for awhile, some distance back. I would never imagine that we’re not competitive out there – we all want to be faster than everyone else – but in practice it’s a pretty decent cooperative community of coaches. I’ll use this blog to thank my coaches in print – thanks for the inspiration and leadership, and for all you teach.
Eppie’s Great Race July 22, 2007
Posted by Bill in Conditioning, Events.add a comment
For the last 34 years, Eppie Johnson of Sacramento restaurant fame has hosted Eppie’s Great Race, primarily as a promotional gimmick to publicize his business, but in recent years as simply a matter of pride and tradition. It has become a significant fund raiser for Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services, so it feels pretty good to part with the dough it takes to join in the fun of a great Sacramento institution.
Being a part of this event was incredibly good for the three people you see pictured below, Team Valley Oak. This was the first “race” for all of us, and the preparation for the event was perhaps more fun and inspiring than the race itself. Team Valley Oak is comprised of Bill, Lisa and Robb, all educators in Davis.
Despite the kamikaze canoe and mid-rapid collision and dunking, dumping Robb in the American River and costing Team Valley Oak a couple hundred places in the finish, it was an incredibly satisfying day, culminating months of preparation and conditioning for the team.
Also part of the team was our all-important support team, pictured below. In an event with insufficient parking for some two thousand competitors, drivers and support become vital for an event that really works. Gillian, Leo & Karen made it all happen in a way that kept it fun and manageable.
I’ve listed this in the conditioning category, as having a goal for performance is key to the fun and evidence of a payoff for getting into shape. Some intellectually-contrived goal of “being in shape” and “living longer” is rarely enough to get us moving. But having a race to run… now there’s a goal you can taste.
Regardless of all, this race was a blast. These people look happy for a reason.
Observations for Older Riders July 7, 2007
Posted by Bill in Conditioning, Equipment.add a comment
Hey Guys,
And I am speaking to guys out there. I’m pretty certain that most women don’t go after hurting themselves when they try to get back into shape, unlike the guys. An observation I’ve made, and this is based on my unscientific visual poll of the bike trail population, is that I see the same women (ages 40-80 I’m talking about) week after week, walking or biking the parkway jogging/bike trail. Conversely, I see a very high turnover in the male population in the same age group. I’ve given this some thought during my time on the trail, and I’d like to hear from you if you have any comments on why this might be the case.
1. Men have swallowed, hook line & sinker, the PE coach advice “No pain, no gain.” This is garbage, but it’s a macho credo, and you’ll do yourself a huge favor if you drop it now. Pain is pain, and intelligent beings that we are, we will not come back for second helpings. Your body and creative mind will provide you with reasons a-plenty for not getting back on the bike, pumping and panting like John Belushi in an ultramarathon. Learn from the women… ride with a friend, exert to a level that allows you to talk, and take yourself out for good coffee afterwards. I saw a workout line of four older guys today, and they were having a blast. They had a good pace going, they had good bikes and proper clothing with helmets, and they were talking, not panting. So stop the torture, find some friends, and commit yourself to FUN.
2. You have worked hard to get this out of shape, now go get yourself a good bike and the right clothes. Taking Junior’s thirty-year-old Schwinn out of the storage shed out back and duct taping the handle bars will not leave you wanting more. Bikes are like people: they wear out as entire entity, and as the whole machine conspires to fail, with all its tired pieces in one grand groaning concert, you will not be left with a good experience seducing you back for more. And if you think all bikes with two wheels are equal, you would be misinformed. Ride a bunch of them, and don’t stop with the rides at Target and WalMart. Check out REI, City Bicycle Works (Sacramento), Carmichael Cycle, or anyplace else that’s handy, and listen to all the advice. Don’t be afraid to throw some real money into this. The co-pays for a heart attack run into the thousands, so why not take a goodly chunk of that to avoid the co-pay in the first place? Also, if you’ve dropped a thousand bucks on a bike, the phrase, “Honey, I’ve spent so much money on this bike I have to get out on it again if I’m going to get my money’s worth” works a whole lot better than if you bought the $79 special at Target. What do you get by spending more? Lighter weight (often by far), better bearings, stronger alloys, dependable machinery, UV-resistant plastics, and service. That last item should be in lights, as you’ll get blank stares from Target employees along with the suggestion you take your bike to a mechanic at, say, one of the stores mentioned above. Modern bikes are complicated. Shop and compare carefully.
Also, if your back and neck are fussy, but you want a speedy experience, consider the vast array of recumbent bicycles. This link takes you to a discussion of them. The parkway has a mess of them, so don’t despair if you don’t want to do the full-tuck racing thing. Click on the pic to visit a place in PA that sells ‘em…
3. Clothes! You will not find an easy chair on wheels, so pad your butt. Heavily. This is not the place to skimp. That twenty bucks difference in riding pants with heavier padding will be your best investment ever. If your crotch begins to chafe, head back to the bike store and ask for advice. Consider the following: saddle upgrades, underwear (high-tech is good) adjustment, padding lubricants, etc. If you do serious mileage, you are bound to chafe your crotch somewhere, and magic goo known as chamois butter can help a great deal. A favorite of many is made by Assos of Switzerland. Pricey, but what’s your crotch worth, anyhow?
Also, as you get more devoted to the aerobic experience, you will find that you need to get rid of heat. Cotton will kill you because it resists evaporation and you will not be able to cool off. Put yourself into as much lightweight high-tech polyester as you can stand (logos, while cool, are not required) because it will wick moisture away from your body and cool you very effectively as long as you’re moving.
4. If you are into tools and are handy with them, have fun with your bike. Take a bike maintenance class (REI has them periodically) , and make yourself the bike guru for the neighborhood. Keep your bike pristine, pet your chain and dérailleur regularly with good lubricants, and have an old-fashioned mechanical relationship with it.
Bike Love June 30, 2007
Posted by Bill in Equipment.add a comment
In my dalliances on the parkway, I’ve had the chance to chat with a few other mature guys about their bikes. It’s pretty cool. I find that most of treat our rides like friends or dogs. We pet them, we hang out with them, we’re defensive of their reputations. If you’ve got a story to tell about your bike, wax poetic here and help us assemble some stories about our rides. If you’ve got thoughts about steel vs. aluminum vs. titanium vs. carbon vs. hybrid mixes, leave ‘em here in comments, and link to products, but tell us about your rides. Yesterday a colleague/friend of mine was talking about his De Rosa, and the sparkle in his eye and his use of the word “romance” told me there was a story to be told. Perhaps many.
I notice a beating heart on their home page. Hmmm…
I’ll go first. As I’ve said elsewhere on this blog, I ride a Bianchi Campione,
which my De Rosa friend says is equally deserving of amore. From 2003, my ride is considered “entry level,” which means fairly heavy at 25 pounds, but also trouble-free and delightfully balanced and true. The Campy gear system and solid Mavic wheels make my Campione easy to care for and consistent, with nothing twitchy or unpredictable about it at all. Its steel frame is resilient and gives an intimate road-feel my aluminum-frame friends lust after. And then my saddle… my only issue with my ride was wishing for a cut-out in my saddle nose right… there. And whadya know? WTB makes its Speed V Comp saddle with the perfect cut out in the shell right… there. Along with its “Love Channel” – or is it the “Channel d’Amore “on my Campione? – life doesn’t get any sweeter.
The Burn June 28, 2007
Posted by Bill in Conditioning.add a comment
We are told to “ride through the burn.” Maybe, if you’re near the end of a race or you’re riding just ahead of a mother grizzly with her eye on your butt, but not if you’re trying to enjoy yourself and convince yourself to come back for more. The burn of fatigued muscles is their way of telling you they’re not exactly enjoying aerobic bliss. In fact, they’re running out of oxygen, and you need to listen and give ‘em some space.
My workouts run about 20-25 miles, and I accidentally discovered that if I hop off at about 2-3 miles after I start my workout, or about the time I first feel that initial workout fatigue, and slow stretch the four major leg muscle groups (quads, hamstrings, adductors/groin & gluts) – no bouncing or yanking – I effectively stop the burn, my leg muscles feel better than fresh, and I can finish the workout without another stop if I choose. Early on I found myself stretching at 5-6 mile intervals, or whenever I felt the burn. I was out there to enjoy the feeling of the trail, not to pass people (or so I lied to myself).
Relax, enjoy, stretch, and hydrate. Who cares if I pass you on the trail while you stretch? With a little pleasant patience, you’ll be yelling “Passing!” from behind me in no time.
Celebrate health and sweat! June 28, 2007
Posted by Bill in Conditioning.add a comment
Some of us on two pedal-driven wheels have been around the track a few times, but speed still rules. For me AARP stands for Animal-Aggressive Racing Position.
I ride the American River Parkway in Sacramento, California, and life is grand. Profession, family-raising and Germanic (or is it Scottish?) work-ethic guilt got in the way of maintaining my healthy body, something I enjoyed in my twenties and thirties. Then I got old, or so it felt – where’d that come from? With 55 staring me in the face, sweet, red Bianchi Campione beckoned, and off we went. I just have to do this! It was work! Then about six weeks into my “work,” my hour-long workouts on the parkway ushered me into endorphin bliss, as if someone threw a switch. Awesome. Now, just try to keep me away.
People my age are all over the place zipping around on fast, usually vintage, bikes. We should all be on faster, new bikes, hunkered down, eatin’ bugs, racing each other with grins on our faces. I see a lot of my baby-boomer age mates out there huffin’ & puffin’, making it all look like work. Hang in there! There is gold on that there trail, and it’s not just the gift of longevity, it’s sweet, sweet aerobic-endorphin bliss awaiting you, just around the conditioning corner.
This blog is for those of us of a certain age to share our secrets and discoveries about getting fit and having a blast on fast bikes. Biking is for everybody, but the joy of speed on a light, human-powered machine is a taste acquired and pleasure earned by the few (million?!) willing to pull on the padded pants, tuck in and take off.
