Returning to 2 Wheels
After an extended period off bikes (five years is extended isn't it?) I started bike commuting off and on in 2016, but only really started to go out for longer, 30 mile rides, late last year only to have that cut off by torrential rains in the SF Bay area. (I'm a wimp)
Part of the reason I'm back on is family history of heart issues and weight. When the scale said 244, my reply was I don't think so. I'm down to 230 and need to keep up the pedaling to keep the decline going. Target weight is to change that first digit of my weight to a 1, so even holding steady in the high 190s will be satisfactory to me.
Back in the day I did the Amgen California Coast Classic (Arthritis foundation ride) in 2003 from SF to LA on Highway one most of the way and in 2013 I subjected myself to the Canary Century which ended up being 107 miles with the last 20 on a rear wheel with a broken spoke.
Now I do a longer ride on the weekend (30 ish miles up the SF peninsula) and either a 14 or 26 mile ride home from work 3 or more times a week.
Current pet project is converting the Trek FX-S5 I bought for commuting into a 1x with drop bars, wider tires and GRX. The flat bar it came with doesn't do it for me, neither did the Tiagra drive train. Oh and building the perfect 1x Franken-Cassette 2 tooth jumps on a 1x with an 11t smallest cog just doesn't do it for me.
Why I took a break I don't know. But now I have a hobby that helps me shed pounds AND feeds my desire to tinker. Win Win!
Part of the reason I'm back on is family history of heart issues and weight. When the scale said 244, my reply was I don't think so. I'm down to 230 and need to keep up the pedaling to keep the decline going. Target weight is to change that first digit of my weight to a 1, so even holding steady in the high 190s will be satisfactory to me.
Back in the day I did the Amgen California Coast Classic (Arthritis foundation ride) in 2003 from SF to LA on Highway one most of the way and in 2013 I subjected myself to the Canary Century which ended up being 107 miles with the last 20 on a rear wheel with a broken spoke.
Now I do a longer ride on the weekend (30 ish miles up the SF peninsula) and either a 14 or 26 mile ride home from work 3 or more times a week.
Current pet project is converting the Trek FX-S5 I bought for commuting into a 1x with drop bars, wider tires and GRX. The flat bar it came with doesn't do it for me, neither did the Tiagra drive train. Oh and building the perfect 1x Franken-Cassette 2 tooth jumps on a 1x with an 11t smallest cog just doesn't do it for me.
Why I took a break I don't know. But now I have a hobby that helps me shed pounds AND feeds my desire to tinker. Win Win!