Let's start off with this. Damn it's hot out. The northeast is hitting a massive heatwave. It's going to 95 today. And of course, in NJ, it's always freaking humid. It was about 80 when I left and the fog hadn't quite burned off yet. It was an awful lot hotter by the time I got home. And the sun was out.
I kind of combined my 1 mile initial route and my 2 mile second trip together today, but it was intended to be two laps of my 2 mile trip. Unfortunately, I forgot my water bottle at home and had to make a quick trip of the first lap to come back and get it.
Today was also the first time I managed to get both feet in the clips. I started with my right foot in and was able to get the left foot in on the fly. Unfortunately on my second trip, I got my foot out and couldn't get it back in. And that brings me to my rant.
What the f@!% is it with people? I was coming down Haverford Road and I can hear a car coming up behind me. There's also a car coming up ahead of me. Not a problem, except that where the three cars will inevitably meet, there are cars parked on both sides of the street. It would be a squeeze to get the two cars through, let alone me too. So I slow down early so I don't get killed. Well, the fat bitch behind me starts blowing her horn no more than five feet behind me. Needless to say, I swerved right to the curb, and pulled both feet out, nearly wiping out in the process. Fat pig goes on to pull into her driveway just past the parked cars after the other car comes through. So, I have no idea if she was honking at me or trying to tell the other car to come through, but her stupidity nearly put me on the pavement. Personally, if I'm trying to signal a car that's facing me, the horn is not the way to do it. A couple of flicks of the high beams always do the trick. She'd be screaming bloody murder if I caused her kid to fall by doing the same thing, but of course, I have sense.
Anyway, I reset my trip computer at the beginning and even remembered to stop it while I ran in to get the water bottle. And now I have to mow the lawn in the brutal heat. I'm going to try to just do the front yard today and make this place look presentable at least. I can do the back yard tomorrow if I find it too hot.
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One large man's journey from fatdom onwards to slimness on the back of a bike.
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4 comments:
Nice job! I know what you mean about the heat. And humid, too! I was finally able to pick up a bike this week, but my longest ride so far was this morning (0.75 mi) but to be fair it is hilly and I don't want to overdo it just yet.
There sure are a lot of morons behind steering wheels. I hate when people park like that, especially when they have empty driveways or they could stagger the parking on the street.
I mowed the yard yesterday afternoon so I'd be able to ride today and not worry about it. I've been using a reel mower, old-school I know, but they're cheap and are just about as easy to use/push as any other mower I've used, but you don't have to charge it, use gas, or do much maintenance. Perfect for the average size NJ lawn. They say it is better for the grass, too, because it cuts instead of rips, but you have to mow once a week religiously in the growing season. If your yard is really weedy, the taller weeds won't cut very well, but with grass it works great. Just another way to burn calories! If you get one, go as wide as you can. Mine's a slim 18" across so it takes more trips back and forth.
Good luck, and congrats on the 3 mi. I'm trying to build up to a 5 mile each way commute, so I'm jealous of your progress!
My commute is around 22 miles by car and about 30 semi-safe miles by bike. You're lucky.
As for the mower, my yard is all weeds, but at least it's green. And depending on how much I want to exert, I can mow up and down the hill in the back instead of across it.
What kind of bike did you get?
I picked up a Trek 7.2FX, lower end but should work for me. Budget, function, and LBS stock factored in heavily.
That is a long commute, but your bike looks like it could do it. The engine is only going to get better and better.
Are there many hills in your area? I haven't been through there (new to NJ) but philly and surrounding areas are pretty darn flat from what I've seen. Same thing across the river?
The bike could definitely make it and I know I can, but from where I live up to Moorestown, there aren't any great ways of going. It's only semi-safe. Luckily though, my new building is going to have showers, so if I do decide to do it, I can clean myself up at work.
Nice bike! I considered a hybrid, but decided I wanted a drop bar road bike.
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