Ok so this is a post dealing a little bit with what some consider cycling geek attire. I will talk a little about it and then share a few pictures from today’s ride. I am not the type to wear the racing jersey the spandex shorts or really even look like a cyclist at all except if I am on my bike when you see me. That being said my buddy Justin swears by the cycling shorts. I never even realized he was wearing them since he wears gym shorts over them. He of course spent close to a Benji this I was not prepared to do since I was unsure I would even like them. I floated off to Richard’s Sporting Goods to find some cheapies. I got 2 x $20 pairs with the man diaper thingy in them. I must say I offered to give it a try since the heat and my underwear mixed with this humidity my ride was becoming uncomfortable. I was completely impressed with the difference and now am sold solid on wearing them for any lengthy ride. You should try it too, I’m serious. As to not lose my cool under pressure appearance here is a few photos with the stealthy cycling shorts tucked under an average pair of cargo shorts. When I can afford to I will definitely be changing these out to the MTB style cycling shorts they are regular baggy shorts with the chamois insert liner attached.
A few pics of todays ride
Wildlife Obstacles
I was very close to getting one of the cycle computers like CatEye sells, and I got to thinking about the GPS unit I already owned. I hadn’t even realized it had a bicycle mode. So I got on EvilBay and scored a bike mount for my GPS. It was fairly cheap and has worked great thus far. Now as a commuter let me sell you on the perks of this decision. I can put in my destination, even by intersection if I don’t know or want to put in full address. I then set it to exclude highways etc. Once it is doing it’s thing of course it suggests your route but since I mute it theroute is strictly that, a suggestion. In one corner it gives me the arrival time based on my current avg speed. This is great I know if I can pedal lazy or should I need to push on the crank with a sense of urgency. No matter what route I take it reconfigs in order to get me there the quickest and also readjusts my arrival time. Yesterday when I stopped to see my friend over at Uhlik Music, as I was sitting there not moving it was constantly updating my arrival time. Once the arrival time clock was nearing a time that was beginning to make me squirm I made my exit leaving Justin in the middle of the street to fend for himself. I have to say that I basically swear by this now since the times have been very accurate. This will come in handy if I say stop off for a bite to eat or perhaps get a flat. Bascially any old reason to keep an eye on when you will arrive. Once Justin seen this he seemed very eager to get the same setup going on his bike which made me think I should perhaps share this with you now.
Today was kinda funny to me. I left a little early to make my ride to work and stop off and see my good friend and fellow commuter Justin Defever of Uhlik Music, Uche and The Crash, and Outerboundary of Wichita KS. My journey for today started just like any other, passing a few people that are starting to get familiar and are perhaps commuters themselves. I was riding down Central when I heard something grind against my back tire then the bike kicked up as to buck me off. I looked back to see plenty of dust kicked up and somethig black rolling along the curb. At first sight I was like oh sh!t I ran over a dog lol. No, it was my effin pannier bags, it appears I didn’t attach it correctly before I left today. I was glad for a few reason upon seeing it though. One, I didn’t actually run over a dog. Two, if I hadn’t run over it I would have lost everything and including what I consider an expensive bag. Anyhow I thought it was a funny story.
Below is a picture of Justin after taking my new bike for a spin.
