Looking to the high ground...
Topic: Riding and learning...
1/13/07:
Apparently riding a fixed gear daily isn't enough to combat the impact of an otherwise unhealthy lifestyle -- too many burgers, chips, and the odd cigarette. So I decided to add more hills to my rides and spin... on a road bike.

Out came the Trek 1000 frame. This thing was bouncing around between fixed gear and road setup for a while; it was setup as a fixed when I crashed on it and busted up my shoulder. Now it's got downtube shifters and 170mm cranks. 8-spd rear wheel, and 52/36 up front. "I hope to gawd this helps..."

Near me we have a few decent hills, namely Southgate in New Providence, Snyder Ave in Berkeley Hts. and Hillcrest and Stirling Rd coming out of the Watchung Circle. Hillcrest is pretty steep, only rode up it once, but Stirling is often part of the Sunday ride route for the lbs. I also lost a pair of nice bike gloves there once when I was answering nature's call and nearly fell in the creek... Well, add in Union Ave, a street that cuts through from Springfield Ave up to Mountain Ave, and the Watchung Rez, and you have a fair assortment of hills all around. Of course they aren't all easy but that's where practice comes in. First day I rode up Southgate twice, then did Union and another 10 miles on my fgixed gear. Then came more Southgate, alternating the Trek with my Lemond which has a standard 53/39 up front, and more miles. And then Johnston Drive.

Johnston Dr is a steep, winding several hundred foot climb. We went down it one Sunday ride, but going up was new. The word at the lbs is they rode up it this morning, but I missed it. However, just to try, I set out to see if I could get up the hill. It was fun, tiring as heck, but worth the view on top. Spining in the second to easiest gear, I managed to pull myself to the top of the world -- my own little world, at least. On a clear daqy you could see forever -- well, to NYC at least. However, it wasn't a clear day, it was wet and cloudy and my bike was covered with road grime. so, come to think of it, were my legs. But I got back on my bike and smiled. I still had enough legs left for another 20 miles afterwards.

- Elvis