Folding Bikes...a Question

I feel like fate
: is trying to tell me to get off the bike before I kill myself. The gym
: cannot prepare anyone for the outdoor riding. I don't think they
: compare at all. ANY SUGGESTIONS?? Is there a chance I will be ready
: for this ride in May.
: Maggie

You'll be fine; there is plenty of time yet before May. Also, those spin
classes ARE helping your muscles get stronger and are helping you learn to
pedal in complete circles. Don't discount the benefit you are getting
there. You are probably even learning to breathe differently and your core
muscles are getting toned so you won't have backaches later on. Try
breathing from your diaphragm instead of heaving your shoulders up and down.
Also, it is good to not breathe every second. I tend to go 'breathe in, two,
three, four, breathe out, two, three, four' when I am going up a hill
because rapid huffing and puffing doesn't help.

"Fate" isn't trying to tell you anything--that's the little devil in your
mind saying "we can quit! We can quit!". You have to learn not to listen to
that. Instead, listen to the little one that says "You can do it! I know you
can!"

Pat in TX

Pat Jan 5, 7:13 am show options
"Fate" isn't trying to tell you anything--that's the little devil in
your
mind saying "we can quit! We can quit!". You have to learn not to
listen to
that. Instead, listen to the little one that says "You can do it! I
know you
can!"

Pat, that little devil has been with me a long time. It is hard to kick
him out. Sometimes he tells me to quit and sometimes he tells me to do
things I should not do.....YOU CAN DO IT....YOU CAN DO IT....that
little guy has gotten me in alot of trouble over the years both with
bad positive AND bad negative statements. All I know is when I listen
to that little beast, I end up regretting it for a long time. Thanks
for the encouragement. I just keep looking at this weather and I keep
questioning if I will have enough time to get "outside" riding
experience. It makes me nervous. But I am getting exercise, thats a
plus. I'll get my mangled bike fixed, keep going to the gym and keep a
positive outlook on the MS ride. My kids keep sending me positive
affirmations and my husband has finally decided to give me alot of
encouragement with this effort. He may volunteer at the MS ride. He
won't ride, but he might volunteer to help out. This weekend I am
having a class reunion party and I am collecting sponsors. This is
really going to lock me in. I made alot of New Years Resolutions and
another one will be to kick that little devil in the ass. Thanks again.
Maggie

Maggie said:

My son lives in Jersey but works in NYC. He takes mass transit in but
then has a pretty long walk. Would a folding bike be good to throw in
the trunk and then ride in the city? Some people have told me that
folding bikes are not good at all. Come Spring he may take his
Motorcycle into the city and this will not be an issue, but it seems
to me that the cheapest way to live in Jersey and work in NYC is to
do the mass transit thing and then hop on a bike through the city. On
another topic, the weather in Jersey sucks...it has been raining so
much it is impossible for a new rider to get time in on the bike. I
have that charity ride in May and I am wondering if my spin classes
are really going to help me when it comes to actually riding the 25
or 50 miles. I am signed up for this event and I try to get to the
gym as much as possible, but I am worried about it. Riding a
stationary bike and riding my bike outdoors for 25 miles can't
possibly compare. I took the bike out one day when the roads were wet
and I was on my ass again. I may be getting stronger, but I am not
getting any experience. I am starting to wonder if I rushed into
signing up for the MS ride without putting enough rational thought
into it. Plus my youngest son left for Canada to go snowboarding and
while he was packing his friends SUV with 12 snowboards he knocked my
bike over and its a mess. I feel like fate is trying to tell me to
get off the bike before I kill myself. The gym cannot prepare anyone
for the outdoor riding. I don't think they compare at all. ANY
SUGGESTIONS?? Is there a chance I will be ready for this ride in May.

Maggie, signing up for an MS 25-mile bike ride is sorta like doing a 5K "fun
run" for charity. You're supposed to have a GOOD TIME, and not worry about
form, time, fitness, equipment, or anything else. You can bet there will be
people on beach cruisers, hi-rollers, trikes, etc.; it's NOT A RACE.

Now if you joined one of those "team in training" deals to run a marathon,
ride a century or do an Ironman, then that would be a different kettle of
fish.

Relax.

Breathe in and out.

It's just riding your bike, girl.

Go do it.

Enjoy.

Bye.
--
BS (no, really)

"Bill Sornson" wrote: (clip) Would a folding bike be good to throw in the
trunk and then ride in the city? Some people have told me that folding
bikes are not good at all. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I have ridden three different Dahons, but don't know about any other brand.
I think the idea is a good one. Folding bikes tend to be heavier and not as
sturdy as bikes with normal frames. But the portability and compactness
makes them idea for the use you have in mind.

The main use I have for mine is this: When I have to drive to a place where
parking is expensive or difficult, I park a mile or two away and ride the
bike. Sometimes I drop my wife off to stand in line and buy tickets while I
go park and come back. I say, "Go for it."

Maggie said:

Plus my youngest son left for
Canada to go snowboarding and while he was packing his friends SUV with
12 snowboards he knocked my bike over and its a mess.

You owe it to your son to teach him some responsibility. Take your bike
to a shop and send him the bill.

Rich

Maggie said:

My son lives in Jersey but works in NYC. He takes mass transit in but
then has a pretty long walk. Would a folding bike be good to throw in
the trunk and then ride in the city? Some people have told me that
folding bikes are not good at all.

There are folders and then there are folders. For carrying onto mass
transit he'd probably be happiest with a Dahon Presto Lite (19 pounds)
(http://dahon.com/prestolite.htm), $512. The Brompton is also good, but
it's very expensive, and a lot heavier (27 pounds), and a pain to carry
on and off a bus or train. These are bikes good for short commutes, but
not the greatest for long rides. When you get into the 20" wheeled
models, there are bikes that rival 26" or 700c wheeled bikes in
performance, but they don't fold as small, and they are heavier.

See: http://www.ahoycaptain.com/shop/dahon_presto_lite.html

Don't worry about where you buy it from, as they are all usually drop
shipped from the Dahon U.S. office. Few dealers keep stock. The dealer
above is in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey

Leo Lichtman said:

"Bill Sornson" wrote: (clip) Would a folding bike be good to throw
in the trunk and then ride in the city? Some people have told me
that folding bikes are not good at all. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Leo, Leo, Leo... PLEASE be more careful with your attributions. The above
quote is Maggie's, not mine.

Bill "not first time you've done it" S.

You owe it to your son to teach him some responsibility. Take your bike

to a shop and send him the bill.

Rich

When the incident happened he was packing to leave for Canada to go
Snowboarding with 12 of his buddies and it was a zoo. It's college
break right now. I thought I would wait for his return to discuss the
matter with him. He didn't do it on purpose, he is a good son, his
grades are excellent and he works for everything he wants. I don't pay
for his snowboarding, skydiving or other extreme sports. It really is
difficult for me to make him pay for the bike. He earns all his
spending money and he is still in school. He is a responsible young man
as far as working and school. This was an accident. I know I should
give him the bill, but he is not on his own yet, he has student loans,
a full school schedule and a job. Do you really think making him pay
for it will make him more responsible. He may offer to pay for it. It
sounds as if he is a spoiled brat with his expensive sports, but he
foots the bills, not me. All three of my kids worked their way through
school. I feel bad if I put even more pressure on them. Their father is
the one who believes they should work while going to college. My
daughter paid for her masters and just finished. Now she is ready to go
for her Ph.d and she will pay for that. I will pay for her wedding
though. ;-) (I want Grandchildren, I am sick of looking at pictures of
everyone elses grandchildren in church on Sundays) I could be wrong,
but I think you have to look at the whole picture to see how
responsible a kid is. They are all self sufficient and pay their own
bills. One by one they are moving out of the house. He is my last one.
In some ways I spoiled them terribly, yet in the end it all turned out
very well. I don't think they will be 40 years old and living with me.
They are all headed in the right direction. The older two have careers
and they are on their own. I have just a few years left to give the
youngest a break when I can. He will be flying the coop soon too. I was
lucky though the older two stayed well into their twenties...but when
its time to go, its time to go. I left home at 18....at least they
stayed with me into their twenties.
Maggie

There are folders and then there are folders. For carrying onto mass
transit he'd probably be happiest with a Dahon Presto Lite (19 pounds)
(http://dahon.com/prestolite.htm), $512.

THAT IS FABULOUS....I sent him the link to the website. Thanks alot.
Maggie

Maggie said:

I don't pay
for his snowboarding, skydiving or other extreme sports.

If he can afford to skydive, he can afford to pay for your bike.

Quoted message said:

He may offer to pay for it.

If he is indeed a responsible person, he WILL offer to pay for it. So I
guess this can be the test as to wether he's responsible or not.

Rich

Rich said:

Maggie said:

I don't pay
for his snowboarding, skydiving or other extreme sports.

If he can afford to skydive, he can afford to pay for your bike.

Quoted message said:

He may offer to pay for it.

If he is indeed a responsible person, he WILL offer to pay for it.
So I guess this can be the test as to wether he's responsible or not.

Judgmental much?

Bill Sornson said:

Rich said:

If he is indeed a responsible person, he WILL offer to pay for it.
So I guess this can be the test as to wether he's responsible or not.

Judgmental much?

I know the definition of responsible.

"Bill Sornson" wrote: Leo, Leo, Leo... PLEASE be more careful with your
attributions. The above

Quoted message said:

quote is Maggie's, not mine.

Bill "not first time you've done it" S.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Sorry, Bill. I have developed a standard procedure that I use for
attributing and clipping the message. I see that it doesn't always work
right, so I will try to be more careful.

If he is indeed a responsible person, he WILL offer to pay for it. So I

guess this can be the test as to wether he's responsible or not.

Rich

I resent this. From what I wrote about him, he is responsible. Your
test to see if he is responsible is ridiculous. You really expect
perfection from people don't you?
Maggie....at times irresponsible....never perfect...always human.

Bill Sornson said:

Rich said:

If he is indeed a responsible person, he WILL offer to pay for it.
So I guess this can be the test as to wether he's responsible or not.

Judgmental much?

Dear me! We wouldn't want to damage anyone's self esteem by suggesting
they pay for what they broke!!!

Why, that might imply their choice of action was actually _wrong_,
instead of merely being different. And we _must_ value our differences,
and thus our diversity!

--
Frank Krygowski [To reply, remove rodent and vegetable dot com.
Substitute cc dot ysu dot
edu]

Dear me! We wouldn't want to damage anyone's self esteem by suggesting
they pay for what they broke!!!

DOES ANYONE look at the whole picture or is tunnel vision the tao of
Bicycles.misc. If I am a responsible person don't you think I should
actually look at the whole child and take the accident damage to my
bike and see it for what it was. An accident. Should I look at the
whole child and see how responsible he is and then decide if he should
pay or if I should overlook his action on that particular day as it was
hectic and unintentional. It's not a question of damaging his self
esteem as much as it is a judgement call on my part when I look at the
whole picture. Do I judge him? Do I make him pay? Do I take time to
realize he is a very responsible young man who unintentionally hit a
bike with a snowboard....Should I take responsibility for my reaction?
Do his friends take any responsibility? Was my bike in the
way......??????
Judge thyself with the judgment of sincerity, and thou will judge
others with the judgment of charity. John Mitchell Mason

I know the definition of responsible.

What is the definition of responsible in your mind when it comes to a
college student. He works every night, goes to school every day, he
earns good grades, he is responsible for his own recreation, clothes
and textbooks, he helps out around the house, he has student loans he
has to pay back and he is always there when I need help with
anything.....what is your definition of a responsible 21 year old? He
can afford his extreme sports because he works his ass off. I would
not take the money for the bike.....and I am glad you did not raise
ME!!! You want alot out of a kid. Maybe he will offer to pay for it,
but I will be damned if I take it. As much as I spoiled them, I think
they are all responsible now. But I guess we all raise our children
the way we feel is best.
Maggie.

Maggie said:

Should I look at the
whole child and see how responsible he is and then decide if he should
pay or if I should overlook his action on that particular day as it was
hectic and unintentional.

That's all up to you.

But this wasn't about you, it was about him, and wether or not he will
take respoinsibility for his actions.

If he's a responsible person, he'll offer to pay. You're free to turn
down the offer if you wish, but I'd think that making him pay (and
thereby missing a skydive or two) might just make him more careful in
the future when around other people's property.

Rich

Maggie said:

What is the definition of responsible in your mind when it comes to a
college student.

Being accountable for one's actions. I.e. If your actions damage
someone's property, you pay for it. It's not complex.

Rich