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Post by filly on Jun 15, 2008 13:15:04 GMT -5
Well ladies, I'm at it again. It's that time of year where pansies (literally) start drooping from the heat, grass turns dry and it's time to bicycle to and from the barn. I have an incentive that gas is just too darn high and daylight hours are late enough that I can bicycle home. The only sucky part is I have to get up reaaaallly early bc it is already over 95 by 10AM here. On the plus side, I'll save at least about $12 in gas each week at least AND I'll get more fit. Any of you bicycle?
PS, I just bought one of those gel seats for my bike as I couldn't even sit the trot after riding that thing. UGH! I love my gel seat!
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Post by sariditty on Jun 15, 2008 15:48:54 GMT -5
Yay for cyclers!!! I'm about to attempt the 15 mile ride each way to my barn! At least there are nice, country roads going the back way that I can use instead of the highway going the other direction. You're right...the gel seats are incredibly helpful!!! I told my spinning instructor one time that I preferred feeling my crotch when I have to go to the bathroom! hahaha Do you also use clips on your shoes/pedals? I do in class, but it's freaking me out on the road with other drivers around.
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Post by filly on Jun 16, 2008 0:01:34 GMT -5
No clips. I ride with my paddock boots. ;D The main road is pretty busy at 55mph but I have a dirt bike so if worst comes to worst, i can always off road it. I'm lucky because most people give you some room since biking is very popular out here. I do wish though I have more than 10 gears as the canyons UPHILL suck! think 1/2 mile curvy AND all up hill, probably 30 degree grade. Of course I have to ride this coming home after my ride...in 100 degree heat. I do keep my water bottles handy in my fanny pack though. ;D And of course a nice nap when I get back!  |
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Post by Goalie on Jun 16, 2008 8:28:19 GMT -5
I've started walking to 2 of my clients houses and am looking for a bike. I really like leaving the truck at home and saving gas.
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Post by niaru on Jun 16, 2008 8:45:26 GMT -5
How long does it take you to bike to the barn Filly?
I bike to run local errands (bank, library and Lulla's barn) and was thinking about biking to CHarm's barn...shouldn't be so bad, since it only takes 15 mn by car, right? lol
But when it's hot here, it's also HUMID and that just kill me. I can take dry heat, but this tropical stuff is totally energy-sapping.
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Post by filly on Jun 16, 2008 11:00:18 GMT -5
It takes me about 10 min by car but about 30 min on a bike bc of the the big hills and grades. I remember the humidity but I'll take that over the dry really hot heat. At least with the humidity you can sweat. Out here it's so hot that before you even sweat, it dries right up. I overheat really fast as I don't sweat that much anyway to begin with .  Are the roads at least flat where you are, N? |
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Post by adcooper on Jun 16, 2008 15:32:02 GMT -5
I remember the humidity but I'll take that over the dry really hot heat. At least with the humidity you can sweat. Out here it's so hot that before you even sweat, it dries right up. Filly, dear! I think you need a field trip to Ohio and Indiana in July so you can reconsider your ideas about humidity and the pleasures of sweating! Otherwise, I salute you all for your cycling. I have several excuses for driving instead of biking. Wanna hear 'em?: My bike doesn't "fit." It's too small for me.  I have bike phobia after hubby's awful wreck last summer.  I'm a pansy. The wilting kind mentioned in Filly's top post!  |
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Post by Smay on Jun 16, 2008 16:04:33 GMT -5
I have an electric scooter for the 100-yard trip from my back door to the barn. Whew, that's a relief.
HAHA just kidding, but Caroline DID get one of those battery powered scooters to zip around on at the horse shows.... she loffs that thing!
Next thing I have to do is trade my mini van for some kind of hybrid. Gas to and from work is killer.
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Post by niaru on Jun 16, 2008 16:09:09 GMT -5
Ohio, Indiana...or New England in July! Actually, my area is not too bad, we're close enough to the ocean to have a bit of a breeze and less bugs. Still. Some days it's so hot and humid I can't breathe! Filly, the roads to the barn are hilly but not toooo bad. I have a mountain bike, and I've been eyeing those gel seats too.  My problem is that if I bike to the barn I'll probably be too tired to ride Charm AND do barn chores. I'll try it tho. You inspire me! ps- Smay: hubby used the high gas prices to justify buying a 650 Yamaha (used, 1986!) motorcycle. He's having a lot of fun "fixing and tuning" it in our garage...I wanted to tell him that it's selfish since he can't really go grocery shopping or lug the kids around with it...then I remembered my very expensive hobby and my "extra" thoroughbred....so I shut it. |
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Post by filly on Jun 16, 2008 17:02:05 GMT -5
Lol Ad, I go to Atlanta every summer so I remember clearly the humidity. But when it reaches over 110 out here, there is no comparison. I remember one summer going back to Atlanta and it as a sweltering 89 and almost 100% humidity. I had a sweatshirt on because I was freezing to death after coming from almost 110+ for three weeks!  I will say though that we don't have the bugs y'all do though, thank goodness. No green eyed flies or those freaking airline jet black bomber flies or the small triangular biting flies. Just regular ol flies and biting gnats.  |
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Post by filly on Jun 21, 2008 10:29:22 GMT -5
My seat popped it was so hot!  I left my bicycle outside of the garage and the entire gel seat was oozing down the backside of the seat like a GIGANTIC snot ball. Ewwwwww...sigh So I have to go buy another one and I guess take it off and bring it inside after each usage. I couldn't believe it...well maybe I could since it was 111 yesterday...UGH! I can't wait until tomorrow as it's supposed to be a MUCH cooler 95! |
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Post by Kim on Jun 21, 2008 13:46:25 GMT -5
Oh my gosh Filly! Would it be easier to bring the whole bike in? I have a friend who lives in a bad part of town, and she just brings her bike inside. Would that work? Or, buy a gel seat cover instead of the whole seat. Just as comfortable, but easier to take off!
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Post by niaru on Jul 11, 2008 15:08:54 GMT -5
Ok, I biked to the barn last night, to turn horses out for the night and do barn chores.
A few thoughts...
1) you really don't think a road is hilly until you've actually biked it
2) I need longer shorts to bike!
3) I'm not really in as good a shape as I think I was - those hills left me panting!
4) I really need to attach a water bottle to the bike
and 5) I'm going to look into those gel seats! lol!
It took me a little less than 45 mn (takes 15 mn by car). The weather was gorgeous, the sun was setting and it was breezy, warm but pretty dry.
I saw a fox grooming itself...cute!! And tons of colorful birds.
I'll have to do that again when the weather cooperates (i.e, not 90 degrees with 90% humidity, or risk of thunderstorms, etc. etc).
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Post by hunterjumper on Dec 17, 2008 10:05:46 GMT -5
During the summer and early fall I would bike everyday to work, it was a great little work out because I only live 3 miles away, so it wasn't to short or to long!!!!
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Post by ZenRider on Jan 3, 2009 13:19:49 GMT -5
I live too far away to bike to work or I'd do it.
BTW anyone else notice as soon as the Christmas shopping season ended the gas prices spiked up again already? Up thirty cents in one day in my town.
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Are the roads at least flat where you are, N?
