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My bicycle is my new Barack Obama

By
Ganda
| December 14, 2008 4:06 PM | | Comments (21)


Man, I'm totally behind on blogging.  I spent September and October being obsessed with the election, which meant spending November and most of December catching up on everything I missed while I was stuck in the Obama K-hole. 

There's little to report, except that I have turned my Asperger's fixation over from food to Obama to cycling.  I love my bicycle.  It's nothing special -- a hybrid Fuji Crosstown 3.0, last year's model, on sale at my LBS.  Truth be told, it's pretty ugly.  It fits fine, but I think I will want to get a zippier road bike as soon as I can afford it.  Not that I need to be running people down, but it would be nice to have something a little more lightweight, especially for hauling my badonkadonk up the bridge.

I ride to work as weather permits.  As long as it's above 37 degrees and not precipitating, it's lovely, and the best part of my day.  The hairiest part is actually the Brooklyn leg, going down 3rd Ave. with all the cars and trucks headed for the city.  Once I cross the Manhattan Bridge, I flip a bitch and take the Greenway all the way up the east side.  Down around Chinatown, Chinese men and women do Mao exercises by the railing.  At the East River Park, I weave around iPod-deaf joggers.  (I once crossed paths here with a tiny, exuberant white Jack Russell puppy the size of my forearm.  About 20 yards later, a running woman yelled to me, "Did you pass a white dog?"  "Yes" was the only response I could manage before I zipped out of her earshot.)  Around 23rd St., homeless men with shopping carts sleep in little waterside cement gazebos whose sole purpose seems to be housing homeless men. At Stuyvesant Cove, dudes with multiple fishing poles dip their lines into the water (which looks quite clean, but I would never eat that fish).  Around the corner, the Midtown skyline begins like a line of thick-skulled bouncers, doing their sparkly best to intimidate the ruffled water of the East River.

Total commute time is about an hour and five minutes for 9.2 miles.  I am very slow.  But I enjoy the vast majority of it.  Besides, it's only 20 extra minutes each way, with a gain of 2 hours of exercise.  That means I can use my lunch hour to eat lunch.  Can't beat it.

I'm also learning to ride home in the dark.  I keep investing in safety gear because I love my Mae and I don't want her to have to identify my road splat at some city morgue.  I've got a helmet light, a front and back light for the bike, and a reflector on my Ortlieb pannier.  I'll probably buy a reflector strap for my ankle, but I don't think I can go the orange safety vest route.   

I've also spent a shitload of money on locks for the same reason that I am a cyberchondriac -- because I am crazy.  The Chinese spirit fear in me is reluctant to flaunt my locking technique, but I welcome any better ideas you've got.  I replaced the quick-releases with Pinhead locking skewers.  For standard lock-up, I use a mini-Kryptonite U-lock on the back wheel and bike rack, and a mid-weight Kryptonite cable lock around the wheels, frame and bike rack.  The idea is that a crook needs different tools for the different locks, making your bike a less likely target.  (I read it somewhere online -- maybe Bike Forums and Sheldon Brown.)  I also have one of those heavy Kryptonite chain locks, but they're a pain in the ass to carry around.  It's kind of unreasonable to have that much security on what is basically a pretty cheap bike, but it makes me worry less while I'm at work. 

My favorite accessory is the Ortlieb pannier I hang on one side of the back rack.  They can carry a ton of groceries, they're waterproof, and they're really easy to get on and off.  Your load has a low center of gravity, so you don't notice the extra weight much.  You have to buy them in pairs, but I only ride with one -- it isn't too weird to have a heavy load only on one side.  I don't notice it at all when in motion. 

I think the least useful accessory, at least in Manhattan, is the little bicycle bell.  Nobody can hear it.  Sometimes even I can't hear it.  I find it's much better to yell.  I've seen some commuters who keep loud whistles in their mouths the whole time.  My friend Francis tells me I should get into the habit of lightly tapping cars, which drivers really notice.  I don't have enough coordination for a move like that yet.  A couple of weeks ago, I attempted to make a phone call on a quiet side street and nearly fell off my bike. 

There's so much to learn!  And with the internet, it's a lot easier to become totally otaku about new passions.  The other day, I changed a blown tube with the help of a couple of websites, YouTube videos and a little trial and error.

A couple of findings so far:

Toe clips -- like 'em.  They took a little getting used to, but they help going uphill.  .  
Cycle wear -- I'm starting to only buy pants with skinny ankle openings. I also need to invest in more knee-high socks. Layering is important, because you can really heat up on the bike, even in this weather.  Gloves are also key, and it's nice to have pockets to stick your hands in when you're at a stoplight.  I'm still trying to work out my cycling wardrobe.  I find it's best to pack a dress in my pannier and change when I get to work.  It's too easy to get dirty on my commute. 
Helmet -- I do like my helmet.  My friend Jewlia was in an intense bicycle accident in S.F. and she's convinced me that I should ride with helmet.  It's not cute, but again, neither is road splat.
Women's vs. standard bike frames -- The cross tube (I'm sure that's not the official name for the thing) on my unisex bike does make skirt-wearing a little harder, but "women's" stepover bikes are heavier, and I don't want any more weight than necessary.  I have to carry that thing up and down a flight of stairs at home.  For the same reason, I wouldn't go cruiser bike. 

Also, don't buy the Blackburn Air Tower 4 floor pump.  I got one and it sprung a leak just a month after I bought it.  The nozzle is also kind of hard to get on and off the valve.  It has a lifetime warranty, but I just spent $40 to have it shipped back for repair.  Lame. Or if you do get one, see if your LBS can trade it out with a new one and send the broken one back for you if you buy from them. 

Bike web reading I'm totally obsessed with, as a cycling initiate:

Bike Snob NYC -- Maybe funniest blogger ever.  Seriously.  I'm obsessed.  And I'm not alone. 
Copenhagen Cycle Chic -- Okay, the writing is terrible and twee in the worst way, but the pictures of pretty ladies on bikes are great.  I study them for tips on how to dress for the cold weather without looking all L.L. Bean soccer mom. 
Sheldon Brown -- The website is bare bones and the advice is no-nonsense.  Sheldon Brown died a few years ago, but his legacy lives on the web.
Ride the City -- I've called 311 twice now to request a bike map, but I still haven't gotten one.  Every time I go into a bike shop, they've just run out.  Thank goodness for this site, which is like HopStop for bicycles.  I consult it all the time.  The time estimates are a little fast, but the route suggestions are pretty great.     

My bicycle is my new Barack Obama.  Get used to it.

Categories:

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21 Comments

By Betsy on December 15, 2008 1:54 PM

Ganda, this is completely inspiring. I'm in awe! And need to follow your good example. Except I have to say that you should take "Ride the City" with a grain of salt. Once tried to get from South Brooklyn to Canarsie with their help, and they wound me through Bed-Stuy, Brownsville, and beyond, in some of the worst traffic and badly-maintained roads I've seen in the beauteous borough of Kings. Double check their suggestions against a Brooklyn Greenway map:
http://www.brooklyngreenway.org/

happy holiday trails to you!

By ganda on December 15, 2008 2:15 PM

Thanks for the suggestion! Yeah, I use Ride the City as a starting point, but I've never plotted a route within Brooklyn. I'm just thrilled about how many bike lanes there are in the city.

I still need to work out the south Brooklyn to Williamsburg route. Ride the City doesn't really tell you what streets are well-lit and populated etc. Happy holiday trails to you!

By Kevin on December 15, 2008 3:12 PM

G,

I'm in the same boat. Had a bad case of Obama Compulsion Disorder. Simultaneously and even more now, obsessed with my bike.

Had to get a "new" bike and found something else that I'm now obsessed with: Landmark Vintage Bikes on 3rd st near A... They take old English and vintage frames and then build them back out lighter, and with newer, safer, dependable components. With nice touches like mini-fenders, Brooks saddles and leather wrapped handlebar grips... etc.

Check it out if you change bikes, I'm sure you'll obsess.

K

By ganda on December 15, 2008 3:15 PM

Fun! Thanks for the tip, Kevin. I will def. go check them out. I would like to have several bicycles in the stable.

By cecily on December 16, 2008 12:12 AM

hi ganda,
come watch me play bike polo some sunday! delancey and christie. we start at noon. you should try it out. it's very addictive. www.nycbikepolo.com.

x,
c

By elena on December 16, 2008 4:12 AM

Hi Ganda,

I've been biking for three years now, ever since I started training for triathlons. I immediately bought myself a road bike, a women specific design bike from Trek. It cost me a pretty penny, but it was worth it. However, I now currently have two bikes, a hybrid bike and my road bike. You mentioned something about women vs. standard frame; well it plays an integral role especially for short people like myself. I am only 5'3," so the women specific design truly helps in reducing back problems and stress on other parts of the body. Also, I have a hybrid bike because the road can sometimes be unforgiving and no awesome glove can deal with the vibrations over time. And, I never have to worry about water puddles and small pebbles on the street. But, with the road bike I must be very mindful cause with great speed comes great response time. I am glad you decided on the helmet because it has helped me with both of my accidents. You just gotta keep getting back up and learn every time. I hope your endeavors in cycling land grows further, and if you're ever in SF, let's tackle the California St hills together. Good luck on this great environmentally friendly hobby. I think it's awesome!!!

By ganda on December 16, 2008 8:13 AM

See Cecily, you are totally hardcore. I'm not ready for sporting on bike, but I love that you do that. I will check it out sometime.

Hi Elena,
Interesting -- I will def. try the women's bike. I need to find a good fitter because I've got funny proportions myself -- very short arms and a long torso. Makes certain yoga poses (like jump throughs) near impossible. When I get the road bike, I'll definitely try the women's. But I'm more referring to those "step-throughs" all the ladies who wear skirts and flats ride -- you know, like the old-style Schwinns and Scandinavian bikes. The dismount is cute, but they seem pretty heavy.

By Angela (Friend of Lina) on December 16, 2008 9:29 AM

Another women specific road bike to try is the Specialized "Dolce." I bicycled across the country on it and I had no problems. I love it!

Also, if your looking to do longer scenic rides you should check out www.meetup.com. Explore NY is a group I joined and now I'm a co-leader. The rides are few this time of year but we are very active when the weather is nicer.

Good choice with the helmet! I experienced being road splat in Arkansas this summer. Not very pleasant.

Have Fun!

By Lynn (Lydia's friend at BN.com) on December 16, 2008 11:32 AM

Hi Ganda,
I’m in Sunset Park and sometimes ride to work in Chelsea. I catch the NY WaterTaxi at 58th street and 1st ave (Brooklyn Army Terminal) at 8:25am. It drops you off on Pier 11 (East River and Wall Street) 20 minutes later. Then zip up the Greenway. I do this to avoid the surface streets in Broolyn between Sunset Park and the Brooklyn Bridge because I am afraid of dying. And it is so damn nice to be on the water. But it is about $6.00.

I spent last winter obsessing over and perfecting my cycling wardrobe. I do 4 thin layers on my upper body (the outter two layers are zippered and therefore ventilate as needed) and I wear lined tights from EMS. They are awesome. I have worn these tights when it was as cold as 28 degrees for a 40 minute ride and my legs were not cold. On the other hand, these are too heavy if the temperature is above 50. They are only $55 at EMS http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_detail_square.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442594832&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574489160354&CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673281471

I love my Ortlieb pannier also. To nix some of the weight, I no longer schelp my work shoes back and forth during the commute. I leave them at work. It makes the pannier a few pounds lighter.

I have the Specialized Sport Vita. It is very light. About 20 pounds. But it doesn’t have the low step you are looking for. Specialized has a engineering division that is headed by actual women professional bicyclists.

I HIGHLY recommend getting fitted for a bike when you buy a new one at Bicycle Habitat by Eric. I took a 6 week bike repair course there and Eric taught it. He is more interested in selling a bike to fit YOU rather than in selling you a bike just to make a sale. He spent more than an hour making adjustments to my bike including swapping in a different stem riser and different handlebars to make it fit me better.

Get a reflective vest. Better you should look stupid than look dead.

By ganda on December 16, 2008 11:57 AM

Woohoo! Thanks for the tips, Angela and Lynn. I love that so many people want to talk about this. I find that I can't stop talking about my bicycle. I will go check out the Dolce and the Sport Vita.

Zippered tops seem to be key. What kind of shoes do you do? I wore my slim pumas the other day and my feet were totally frozen after a while. I don't think I'm ready for the clipless pedals.

Do you have the drop handlebars? I feel like my arms are too short for that. I like riding upright. That west side ride is so pretty at the end of the day, isn't it?


By Lynn (Lydia's friend at BN.com) on December 16, 2008 4:08 PM

I wear my regular New Balance sneakers with wool socks (Smart Wool brand). But still my feet get cold too. I bought insulated North Face sneakers but they're too big so I don't wear them. But I bet they'd be warmer than regular sneakers if they fit me.

I think these are the ones
http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=46998&storeId=207&catalogId=10201&langId=-1&from=subCat&parent_category_rn=11723&variationId=07Y

Another BN coworker swears by the "booties" that you slip on over your sneakers. It stops the wind from whistling through sneakers, which of course are designed to be breathable, (i.e. freezing cold in the winter on a bike).

I need to ride very upright otherwise I end up at the chiropractor with back /neck pain, but I hate the "comfort" bikes that are designed for that riding position. The geometry of those frames just doesn't suit me. Plus they are heavier.

I wanted the efficiency and sporty ride of a road bike. I loved the ride of the Specialized Sport Vita, but it is designed to be a road bike and ridden pretty much bent over (the handlebars are not drop bars, though they are completely horizontal like mountain bike bars). Working with Eric at Bicycle Habitat, we added a stem riser extension, an angled stem, and handle bars with a 2 inch rise.

That made a HUGE difference and completely altered the riding position. I now have a bike that rides all sporty-like, but I can sit very, very upright like a granny.

I think I have pictures at home that show how drastically I changed the riding position.

Check out a Thud Buster seat post. it adds about a pound to the bike, but makes the ride more comforable (can you say, "ouch pothole"?). Also, getting a seat that has a cutout is comfort-enhancing. I thought those were only for guys, so their icky things had a place to hang, but nope they have those seats for women and it takes the pressure off the sensitive part.

Oh my god, I could talk about my bike all day!

By Foodista.com on December 16, 2008 11:17 PM

Obsession it is! I'm just reminded that it's been weeks since I last took my bike out on the streets...have to check the tires first though :) Love this post!

By Dani on December 17, 2008 2:44 PM

Just saw your show last night at Spike Hill. Excellent music! When will you perform again? Also, keep up the excellent work with the blog!

By ganda on December 17, 2008 7:46 PM

Lynn, I could talk about my bike all day, too! I think I want horizontal bars/brakes on a road bike, too. I bought my bike from Bay Ridge Bicycles after reading lots of positive reviews; I liked being able to take the bikes around the block in quiet Bay Ridge, but the selection is really small. I will check out Bicycle Habitat.

Thanks, Foodista!

Dani, thanks for coming to the gig. No gigs lined up yet, but I will of course keep you posted.

By Lynn (Lydia's friend at BN.com) on December 17, 2008 10:04 PM

Ganda,
you oughta cruise over one saturday afternoon and take a spin on my Specialized Sport Vita. I can show you all the adjustments I made to get the riding position horizontal. We're in the same Brooklyn 'hood. I'm Lydia's friend from BN. Remember when we meet at Eclipse a few years ago?

By Lynn (Lydia's friend at BN.com) on December 17, 2008 10:07 PM

uh, in the previous comment I meant to say "riding position upright". horizontal would imply I had converted the bike to a chaise lounge. :)

By ganda on December 17, 2008 10:12 PM

I would love to check it out sometime! What a generous offer! I'll be in touch.

By tina on December 27, 2008 2:17 PM

I moved from Brooklyn to Philly a little over a year ago, and started commuting by bike (even though I was a little skittish) because that's what everyone does there. Now I'm totally obsessed. I figured I would probably give it up when I move back in a few months - Philly is much quieter and more bike-friendly, and late at night I'm usually the only person on the road - but you're giving me new hope! I have an SE Lager (07 model) and I love it - I picked it up at Spokesman in LIC, which is awesome and non-snobby and totally worth the subway ride.

By soucie on December 29, 2008 8:03 AM

What's your bike's name? Mine is Gertrude Stein. She's a folding bike-- Perfect for a short person like me, with a low bottom bracket so that I can extend my legs AND have my feet touch the ground during frequent stops in city traffic. I have to admit that city riding intimidated me too much I got that down... Last year, I biked from Ayutthaya to Phitsanalouk with it. (I usually have no carry-on luggage, but I folded Gertrude into a regular-sized suitcase and brought her with me). I also like folding Gertrude so that I can bring her into cafes, stores, etc. with me, so that I never have to worry about locking her up or her getting stolen.

By Ganda on December 29, 2008 10:38 AM

Haha, how did you know my bike had a name? My bike's name is Ice-T. Cuz it fronts tough, but everyone can tell it's just posin. What kind of folder do you have? Do you find that it's tough to go up hills? I am always looking for extra help on those hills. I don't like working harder than I have to.

By soucie on December 31, 2008 12:17 AM

I have a Reise & Müller. I got it used, but it's usually kind of expensive. I looooove it, though, and it's totally great on hills. The amount of control I have on it is amazing, and it makes all bicycling, including steep hills, a lot easier.

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My name is Ganda. I write about food and bicycle commuting from Brooklyn, NY.


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