The Pale Rider Ascends

This is part III in the series of a coworker purchasing a bike in NYC.  Entry one here, entry two here.

Hello, friends.  I am back to share updates on my biking experience.  Rather than tell a narrative in chronological order, I will simply list some thoughts and share some stories.

- I have taken a name, the Pale Rider.  This was given to me by a friend, probably because I am rather fair-skinned.  At any rate, I like it, so the Pale Rider is born.

- I have purchased quite a few additions for my bike.  Headlights, taillights, a saddle bag, and two bottle cages.  The most significant purchase, however, was a set of double-sided SPD pedals, which I got online from Performance Bikes (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product2_10052_10551_1033468_-1).  More on this later.

- - - - - - - -

- I am still already thinking about to my next bike.  It may come down to a Surly Pacer or some sort of Cannondale or Specialized road bike.  A couple of weeks ago I was seriously considering buying a new bike and charging it, but decided that would be a bit rash.  I will continue with my modified Jamis Coda until next year.  It's been totally fine for riding in the city, but when I do loops in Central Park and head out onto 9W in New Jersey, I can tell I could do faster on a road bike. 

- Speaking of doing loops and heading out into New Jersey, I've acquired cycling shorts, a jersey, and, most impressive of all, cycling shoes, to go along with my new pedals.  My cycling friends all raved about clipless shoes and how much more efficient they are.  I knew I needed to enter into this forbidden territory. 

It was a beautiful Friday afternoon and I rode down to a bike shop downtown to get the shoes.  I wore flip-flops, which are NOT efficient riding shoes.  I decided to jump right into clipless riding right away and wore the shoes out of the store.  Riding in Manhattan with clipless shoes for the first time is definitely a little scary. 

Feeling uncomfortable about clipping in with both shoes, I only did one and even then, on my first stop, I completely lost control and toppled over.  This was in Midtown, and a crowd of people at the intersection looked at me without saying anything, probably not understanding how someone could fall off a bike while virtually stopped.  Well, screw them.  I got up and mounted my bike, determined to press on. 

I reached Central Park and did a quick loop, adjusting to this brave new world of riding.  I could definitely tell the difference.  It took a couple of more days and a few close calls, but I can now say I'm adjusted and a huge proponent of SPD riding. 

- In my first post I mentioned riding into a taxi door that somebody opened just as I whizzed by.  That was a painful injury that left me out of commission for a couple of weeks. Well, a couple of weeks ago I was doing a quick loop in Central Park after riding back from Piermont, New York.  It was an awesome Saturday, warm and blue, and I had some time to kill before meeting some friends for lunch (lobster rolls - yum!). 

Well, the park was packed, and while riding I came upon a family that was walking their bikes single file across the lane.  There was no time to move and I went right into the front tire of a young boy's bike.  Time seemed to slow down, and the boy (he was probably 11 or so) yelled in horror, "no!!!!" I was completely thrown from my bike and did a somersault as I hit the pavement.  I scuffed up my knees a little and hurt my hand, but nothing too serious. 

The kid's front tire and fork were completely totaled (the kid himself was fine).  I had a torn tube, my chain was torn off the cogs, and my break lever was bent, all-in-all $50 worth of repairs.  The family was visiting from Seattle and thought it would be “fun” and “cute” to rent bikes for a ride in “Central Park.”  Yes, but for the love of god, do not cross the lane single-file!

- This past weekend I went on an 87 mile trip to Trenton, New Jersey, for pizza at DeLorenzo's on Hamilton Avenue.  I went with my friend and confidante "A."  It was an absolutely stunning day, and the scenery was often breathtaking.  How marvelous it was to be alive on such a nice day, riding our bikes, getting a great workout, on our way for delicious pizza.  By the end of the trip I was totally spent and had trouble keeping up with A, who is an accomplished rider.  In fact, I'm sure I kept A at a slower pace the whole trip.  But regardless, we had a good time.  Adventure, my friends.  Adventure.

- Last, while doing a loop around Central Park one night last week, there were a couple of raccoons crossing the street.  Not wanting a repeat of what happened when I ran into the kid from Seattle, I started slowing down a bit (I was on a descent) because it seemed like one of the raccoons didn't see me and I was worried I was going to run him over. 

My headlight illuminated his furry little body and he looked over, finally noticing the incoming vehicle, and he stopped momentarily and gave a look, as if to say, "oh, why hello, I didn't see you over there."  I whizzed past him and he continued on his way.  I swear, this little buddy is no different than the hordes of humans I pass on the streets of New York who are completely oblivious to what's going on around them.  The only difference was that this was a raccoon with a brain the size of a peanut and humans - well, let us save this discussion for another day.

Comments

[Min Choi]

Dear Pale Rider,
you need a bell and a horn. I picked up a Mirrycle Incredibell knockoff at one of the dollar stores, for a dollar. They work great for the peds and raccoons who cross mid street. I also have an airzound horn, great for the roll stoppers.

[Oldfool]

Speed kills.

[Matt]

Speed also thrills =)

[Everett]

Pale Rider, you've got a fantastic set-up on that Coda and I wouldn't be too fast to trade it in. Especially if you are just looking to go a bit faster. The bar-end shifters are bomb-proof. I can't tell you how many roadies I've passed whose STI shifters are out of adjustment and can't control which gear they stay in.

A lighter, stiffer bike might help you go a tiny bit faster, but I'd rather lose the 5 lbs. off my paunch than my bike. Most people don't realize that the easiest place to cut weight is themselves.

[John the Roadie]

Look at the CAAD 10 or Specialized Allez with SRAM Apex. Light, fast and great entry level road bikes. Fuji Roubaix with Sram Rival is a great value as well. Or you can always go on bikesdirect for some amazing deals.

[gilles]

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