[GoLUG] [offtopic] Bicycles

[Steve Litt]

On Sat, 6 Sep 2025 01:11:09 -0700
Ron <ron at bclug.ca> wrote:

> Steve Litt wrote on 2025-09-05 17:09:
> 
> >> Was an avid cyclist back then. Too old now.  
> > 
> > I'm familiar with the concept. I bike 10 to 15 miles a week. In the 
> > early 1970's I'd ride 15 miles just to get to school or to get to
> > work. And then 15 miles back home again.  
> You're (probably) not too old!
> 
> The electric bikes these days are a great way to get into cycling.

I've been considering this for about 3 years. Only the threat of theft
has delayed my doing it. A lot of people in my (fairly wealthy)
neighborhood are riding e-bikes, especially the younger ones. And a lot
of poor people are riding e-bikes. We all know that giving up your car
can save you $20K USD per year. Add to this the fact that I *never*
want to buy another car, and it makes a lot of sense. I think maybe
I'll re-prioritize finding the right e-bike to regain my former
mobility.

> Just today I rode ~26km (16miles, 140 furlongs) with about 150 metres 
> elevation climb. To get a deal on some bagels (that's the excuse for
> the ride).

That's pretty good! The last time I could punch out that kind of mileage
and climb was 2003. Actually, I was never any good on hills, truth be
told. Riding up Sepulveda Pass with my friends when I was 32, they used
to enjoy a nice turkey dinner at the top while waiting for me. 

> 
> 
> It was so smokey out that the north shore mountains couldn't be seen
> *at all*¹.
> 
> 
> After ~90% of the way done, I stopped at the park's chin-up bars for 
> some lifts & crunches (with all the finesse of a drunk being tasered).

The last time I could do any pull-ups at all was 2009. Of course, I
weighed 253 pounds, which put me at somewhat of a disadvantage.

> 
> 
> It was glorious.
> 
> 
> And I'm in my 7th decade², so you can likely do some riding with an 
> electric bike.  Mine's just a push-bike³.
> 
> 
> So, I encourage everyone to bike as much as possible.

And for the first time in history Ron and I agree. Bikes get your heart
rate up, helps you lose weight or at least not gain, clears your mind,
provides an excellent time to reorganize your thoughts on code you're
writing or books you're writing, and under many circumstances, enables
you to grab stuff at the store quickly and go home. In many cases, you
can park your bike locked around a tree and not need to pay for parking
or need to park 6 blocks away.


> 
> I'll lose all my conditioning when winter comes and about 400 
> consecutive days of cold rain comes. I envy those with rideable
> winter weather!

I'm familiar with the concept, having spent my first 30 years in
Chicago. One thing I can say is this: If you ride in snow, don't use a
derailleur bike, because the ice will make the chain skip. Use a 1
speed or an internal gear back hub. And at first, before you've
mastered riding in the snow, practice on relatively empty roads,
because an area of ice hidden under the snow can wipe you out.
Speaking of which, in ice, snow, algae or a wet road, use your
front brake (gently and carefully), not the rear. Using the rear
brake in a slick wipes you out so fast that you're on the ground
1/4 seconds before you know there's anything wrong. With the front
brake, things get unstable and you can back off and try again.

SteveT

Steve Litt 
Spring 2023 featured book: Troubleshooting Techniques of the Successful
Technologist http://www.troubleshooters.com/techniques