So, had the first ride on the bent today.
(http://www.bacchettabikes.com/jh-giro20.htm)
The Giro is more comfortable than the cheapie I borrowed, and seems
faster too. The seat is very supportive, although I am wondering
about a headrest....
I think I've got the seat angle and distance about right, but the very
adjustable bars need more work - I find myself hunching my shoulders a
bit and I think that's arm position. When I catch myself I relax and
instantly feel a lot better.
Luckily I discovered I hadn't loosened the tension on the pedals
before I got more than a few feet, and I was able to wrench my foot
out before I had one of Those Moments. When I clip out I tend to move
the heel to the outside, but when the tension was tight it seemed to
clip out easier moving the heel to the inside? Does that sound right?
Seems damn awkward.
Couple of things I've noticed... One is that my feet cramped a
little. I'm using mtb shoes and pedals, and trying to pedal all the
way round. When I do that, I can feel the bike settle a bit more -
bents tend to notice uneven pedalling more than uprights do - but I
also notice that I don't have those muscles yet! I don't know if the
cramping was due to using muscles I didn't have, shoes not quite
right, or something else.
I rode for about an hour up and down the cycle path, 2nd time I've ridden
a bicycle in.. umm... 7 years. The last time was about a year ago,
and while it was OK it wasn't anywhere near as much fun as this! And I
was glad to get off the MTB after about 20 mins, I turned round to have
another go on the bent after I did the first lap and was heading home 🙂
It was quite easy to ride on the bumpy stuff. No suspension except the
mesh seat back, and the frame itself, but didn't really need it.
I'm getting used to the Gripshift style shifters, but I miss my
Rapidfires. Trouble is I dunno if I have the clearance for them on this
bike, have to go to a bikeshop and have a fiddle. Need to find one in
Sydney that won't close the doors when they see a bent coming!
Tight turns take getting used to. Nowhere near as nimble as an upright,
although I suppose with time I'll be able to get in and out of those damn
road crossings on the Cooks River path. Main hassle is that you have
to keep the inside leg out of the way of the bars and the front wheel.
So you clip out, keep that leg out of the way, and pedal with the
other if you need power, else both legs still and coast round the turn.
I steadfastly refuse to think what it looks like!
Doing my best to spin it, although if I get caught in the wrong gear on
a hill it feels good to just push against the seat. Although on a hill
start I obviously didn't tighten the seat up enough! PUSH and the seat
slid back. Disconcerting to say the least.
I spent a bit of time on the road near my house, all the cars were
very polite. Stayed back and only passed when there was lots of room.
I tried to pull over to let them go, as I'm no speed demon yet, but
often it wasn't possible - parked cars taking the room. I haven't
seen that many cyclists on that bit of road, so I don't know if the
politeness was the "what the hell?" variety or situation normal.
Current plan is to do an hour of riding after work for a week or so,
then ride to a train station, take it on the train, get out at Wynyard
and ride over the bridge to work. As I get fitter and acclimatised, I
will spend more time on the road and less on the rails.
I expect that it will be hard work to drag myself out of bed on a cold
wet dark morning in June, but we shall see....
Zebee