Ann’s Surly Burly Girlie

Ann's Surly

This is my Surly, my burly girlie, the light of my two-wheeled life. The frame is a 2008 Surly Cross-Check, built up with an 18-speed drivetrain (compact double in front). She’s got 29er mountain bike wheels and Kevlar-belted tires for toughness, a Brooks saddle and swept-back handlebars for comfort, and I’ve rebuilt an army-surplus rucksack into a saddlebag for cargo. The whole shebang comes in at just under 25 pounds – outstanding for a rolling, bombproof easy chair. In our first year together we’ve put in more than 3,000 miles, which makes this a fine romance with some serious staying power. --Ann Claycombe

Unsquished–Equipped KHS Urban-X

Unsquished Commuter – KHS Urban-X

Built like a tank, my KHS Urban-X is the ideal all-round commuter bike for the treacherous pot-holed streets of Atlanta. I think it cost me $375 in early 2007, and came fully kitted out with rack, fenders and a kickstand. Since then I’ve added campus pedals (clipless on one side, fine for regular shoes on the other), a Brooks saddle (the best saddle ever), new grips (but only because the last ones wore out) and, as you can see, an extremely dorky giant reflective triangle on the back of my rack pack. I use the rack pack for clothes and my Breezer ‘biz pannier’ for everything from books to papers to my laptop. I also go for dual front-light overkill and the world’s sturdiest (yet heavy and rattly) lock. I’ve taken the quick releases off of the wheels, replacing them with hex-key skewers, and the rather pricy saddle is also padlocked on with a wee lock. Not enough to deter the determined thief with a set of tools, but good enough to thwart opportunistic pilferers while the bike is locked up outside all day. In short, it ain’t light or even particularly pretty, but it takes me on my 15 mile daily commute with comfort, utility and baddassitude.   –Unsquished

SE Lager Protesting Rick Warren

Bike is protesting Rick Warren

The Smart Tube

I got flat tire this morning, my first.  I had to walk my bike 2.8 miles home, I’m just glad I wasn’t further away from home.  Today I installed the Smart Tube:  The Slime Self Healing Road Presta Tube by Slime.  It’s supposed to instantly seal punctures up to 1/8″ as you ride and work repeatedly.  The tubes come pre-loaded with SLIME Tire Sealant. Once installed the Smart tube are supposed to  work continuously and instantly seal most punctures in the tread up to 1/8″.  I’m really excited and the reviews look pretty.  We shall see how it works

Tonight’s Ride

I headed to the gym at about 4:20 it was about 40 degrees with wind chill making it feel like 39.  Hours later by the time I headed home from the Farmers Market the wind chill dropped down to about 35 or 34.

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The First Ride of 2009

I should add it was wet and foggy but totally worth it.

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Stats for 2008

So far this year I biked  299.04 commuter miles couldn’t quite make it to 300.  Not bad considering that I started bike commuting in September.  It also does not include my occasional  bike rides before I started keeping track.  For 2009 let see if we can make it

On another note according to TweetStats my Top 5 words on Twitter for 2008 were biking, gym, home, baltimore, nyc.  Thanks Curt

Baltimore or Philadelphia

I will probably be moving to either Baltimore or Philadelphia in the late summer or fall for school. Does anyone know anything about bike commuting in these cities? If so let me know I’d like to hear what you have to say.

Biking in the Cold

In the past I simply parked my bike indoors during the winter months, but now I am a bike commuter, and I am determined to ride all year long (at least whenever possible). The other day I had my first experience of riding in the cold.  I got out of bed put on my base layer of shorts and a t-shirt, then added a long sleeve t-shirt, a fleece  pullover and topped it all off with a fleece pair of sweats.  Then I added my bandanna to my head and put on my helmet and I was off to the gym.  However, I was missing two very important items.  One, I did not have any gloves, strange when you think about how much trouble I went through to add layers, I had no gloves.  That’s because I don’t on any, a mistake that I have since corrected with the purchase of new gloves.  The next item missing was something for my ears.  So yesterday I purchased a some ear protection, a Performance Earband.

My next cold ride should be nice and toasty, I do hope down the road to invest in lighter gear that is equally warm, but doesn’t make me look like I’m in a fat suit.

A Field Guide to the New York City Bicyclist

Which cyclist are you?

THE WEEKEND WARRIOR

The Noble Rider

THE FIXED-GEAR RIDER

THE VINTAGE-BIKE FASHION GAL