The Bicycle Thread - August 2022

August 2, 2022 | The Bicycle Thread

[Berlin_Freeper]

Welcome to The Bicycle Thread. A monthly PING List for bicycle enthusiasts to share experiences, information and ideas.

[Berlin_Freeper]

If you have a child, think of all the things you want to do before they grow-up.

[Berlin_Freeper]

How Wide Is Too Wide For Road Bike Tires?

I'm a wider guy.
Told people more than once that I love my bicycle because it is a very bouncy bicycle.

[Berlin_Freeper]

My Bicycle: PEGASUS Strong SL Trekking Bike

Years back I was watching my daughter riding her bicycle in the park and told my wife that I was going to rent a bicycle to see how that goes for me. So I rented a bicycle for the weekend and it went well for me. Really well.

Then I bought a used PANTHER bicycle. After a couple of years I was ready to buy a new bicycle. I was looking for a 300 euro bicycle (which buys a good bike) but then I came into a small inheritance so I bought PEGASUS, which was 1K euros.

PEGASUS is a hybrid bicycle. Meaning it can be used well for riding on the road like a road bike or on trails like a mountain bike. However a dedicated road or mountain bike does those things best. PEGASUS has front fork shocks that I lock when on the road and unlock for rough trails.

Last winter I had a bad time with dirt getting cemented between the tire and the rear fender. The fender was much too close to the wheel. I talked about getting a better fender with my buddy Mike who owns a bicycle shop (I live in an apartment above his bicycle shop and that helped making us buds). He said I would need a different style saddlebag rack (that is over the rear wheel). But the one I have supports 30kg in weight and the one he has is only 15kg. So it turns out that PEGASUS is actually a hybrid Road/Mountain/Cargo bicycle. That's why it's called Strong. The bicycle actually supports up to 180kg (397 pounds).

What Mike ended up doing was cutting off the back part of the fender and raising it from the wheel. So far so good but the real test will be in the winter when the soil is damp and gets stuck like cement. Now in summer the soil is dusty.

Recently I had trouble shifting gears. It was slow reacting and gear 6 didn't even work. I only have 8 gears. Really that's all I need. PEGASUS has internal-gear hub. Mike inspected it and found bad rust. I told him remember you fixed my rear fender. Last winter I was all the way at Teltowkanal and my rear wheel got cemented. So I dipped my bike all the way down in the water to loosen the dirt and that worked. He said Ah yes but then the water got in and rusted the gear hub. Then like a smart-ass he asked me how many times I seen people do that with their bikes. I told him if there is a next time then I will dip it upside down.

Mike sold me a used rear tire with the internal gear hub I need for a total 120 euros. But he didn't want the money till I tested it. So I been testing and I can happily say that my ride is better than ever. Today I set a new speed record:

[Berlin_Freeper]

The bicycle actually supports up to 180kg (397 pounds).

14 Things That Weigh Around 180 kg (kilogram)

[Berlin_Freeper]

One should give the year: PEGASUS Strong SL Trekking Bike (2018)

[Berlin_Freeper]

When I ride my bicycle I see things,

Floating Jacuzzi

A new day, a new test, a new speed record:

[Berlin_Freeper]

I did it,

I sat in the fountain by myself.

But first I went to the beach.
Then I rode some trails.
Then I went skinny dipping.

I made a GIF:

[Berlin_Freeper]

11 Ways To Improve Your Average Speed On A Road Bike

[Berlin_Freeper]

Today is a good day to start. Keep it up for a month and see what happens. You need a basic level of fitness to enjoy riding a bicycle - for those who like to start.

Here’s how often you should exercise

[Berlin_Freeper]

My second longest distance ride ever.

[Berlin_Freeper]

I was on a regular ride with different options on ways to go. After riding around the woods, I decided to ride through the woods. In the middle of the woods is a soccer field that has a trail going around it. I was on this trail when I had a strange feeling of deja vu. Which was weird because I been on parts of this trail many times. Then it struck me that I actually had a short dream recently that I forgot about since of me jogging on this trail. So I locked my bike and jogged around the soccer field. Which is something (jogging) I have not done in years. I did one lap without stopping and felt good.

I came home and told my wife about it and she said soon I will be running marathons. I said only if they do it around this field. She said there would be too many people and I replied then we can conga-line.

So jogging sometimes is something I am going to do along with bike riding.

Then it struck me that I actually had a short dream recently

[Berlin_Freeper]

I forgot to take a picture so this one is from last week but the numbers are today.

Put my bicycle app on pause and then recorded my jog.

Almost went down jogging* but that was because I set a new personal speed record
on a segment of my ride that I like to challenge myself on and didn't rest after.

*I think I should refrain from posting about jogging in the future because that is very different than bicycle riding.
I can't ban anyone else but I can ban myself. I am on notice!

**Unless I achieve something big. Or I might mention it in passing like when I mention swimming.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Why Do Cyclists Like To Suffer? | GCN Show Ep. 503