Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

[ttdriver]

Well, here it is, the last full week in the month/year!! How can it be???

Tuesday: 9.55 mile run in 1 hour 53 minutes.

Betty

[Richt]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

I did 3.3 miles on Christmas day morning.

[ttdriver]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

Thurs, 12/28: 6.3 miles in before work.


Betty

[Labarum]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

I've been cycling 15-20 miles a day during the holidays - including Christmas day and Boxing Day (26 Dec) - up some pretty demanding hills and in some quite nasty weather.

I must get the new sturdy tyres (tires) on my heavier bike for when it gets really bad. Snow was forecast today, but didn't arrive. You can get studded snow tyres for bikes - I think I'll give up on that.

Just back from a ride and treating myself to a mug of tead and 2 squares of Lindt 70% Dark Chocolate.

(OK, now I wait for the fundamentalists to beat me over the head )

[ttdriver]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

Brian is the Lindt choc good? I've seen it, but never tried it (yet). I can "take it or leave it" with chocolate, but it sounds good for an occasional treat. No worries, man, you burn off all those calories in a heartbeat the way you ride.

DH is looking for a new bike. Nothing fancy, but something good that will hold up well for all the miles he rides following me when I'm on the trail. Any suggestions for a basic bike??

Betty

[Richt]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

I prefer the 86% cote dor stuff personally.

[Labarum]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

Never seen that stuff, Rich, only the lower percentage in that make which is sweeter than the equivalent Lindt.

I do love the Lindt 70% which is about 25% carb and 500 cals for a 100g bar of 10 pieces. I also like the Mint version - 30% carb and the same cals.

Basic bike, Betty, well depends on what you call basic. This side of the pond you can get a cheap bike in a supermarketfor $100 or less - and you will get what you pay for. "Serious" bikes start at around $700, but goods tend to be cheaper in USA.

What sort of Bike Betty? What will it be used for?

Here is some advice I sent to someone else looking for woman's bike. If you husband is short like you *some* of the advice I offered in that area will apply.

Here is a good place to start reading. Its a UK site, but much of the advice is the same.

http://www.whycycle.co.uk/whatbike.htm

After a preliminary read go to a good specialist bike shop and have a look - have a ride - don't be rushed to a decision. Visit a number of shops - avoid a supermarket purchase - you will get a cheap, poorly made bike and probably the wrong one. The right bike bought after good advice from an expert need not cost much more.

10-15 miles is quite a nice ride - all on good surfaces - a light bike with narrow wheels and smooth tyre will give you a much more exciting ride. A mountain bike will be hard work on the open road, and the gearing will be wrong.

What sort of handlebars do you want? Straight bars can give you more control on cros country rides and can be more convenient in traffic but I hate them. I was raised on drop handlebars and use them even at my age - they are set high and I have secondary brake levers on the bar top - drops allow you to move your hands around and constantly adjust your posture on the bike. So I like them, but you may find then unnatural.

Your height will mean you have to choose a small frame carefully. A "racing" bike uses bike narrow wheels we call 700c (27+ inch diameter). the mountain bike style uses a 26 in wheel, but the smallest racing frames use a 650c wheel - you may be in that bracket.

Many bike makers have bikes with special geometry for women - the torso and limb proportion differ between men and women.

Here are the big USA makers

http://www2.trekbikes.com/

Trek women's geometry

http://www2.trekbikes.com/for_women/

Here is the base model women's road (racing) bike

http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bik...eid=1413003&f=3

Here is the hybrid bike - notice the upright sitting postion

http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bik...id=1310001&f=27

Here is the comfort bike

http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bik...id=1210601&f=30

The following seems to a sports bike for road use - relatively fast but with straight bars

http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bik...id=1323013&f=26

The oteher US makers

http://www.specialized.com

http://www.feltracing.com/

And here is the daddy of all cycling sites

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/index.html#articles

see beginners

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html

And all that is utterly confusing.

Do a bit of reading and surfing - then visit a good bike shop. Don't be rushed. Ride as many as you can.
__________________

If you have specific questions, PM me.

[ttdriver]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

Wow! Thanks for all the info !! I really appreciate it! Will be shopping around for sure!


Betty

[Labarum]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

Re-read your request, Betty. I guess you want a bike that can carry your supplies. A large saddle bag might serve, but rear panniers would be better. So - a touring, city or comfort bike. The touring bike could have either straight, butterfly or drop handlebars. The others would not have drops. If its windy drops make it possible to get lower out of the wind. Straight bars without extenders might be tiresome on long rides - the rider's hands can only be in one position.

I guess its relatively flat where you are - I have thirty gears - a triple chainwheel and ten sprockets at the back. A double would serve in flatter terrain, or hub gears - some town and comfort bikes come with those.

If you have to travel to the start of a run, a folding bike might be the one for you - easy to drop in the back of the car, but not as nice to ride for 10 or 20 miles - yo dont need something that folds small enough to take on a train, but one that bends in two would avoid the complication of a rack on the back of a car.

Just a few more thoughts.

[ttdriver]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

Thanks, Brian.


Yes, he carries all my running gear on the bike; water bottles, towel, etc. Not much wind here (except during the "winter" as cold fronts come through) .. other than that, its pretty calm. And no hills to speak of in Tampa proper, so the terrain is VERY flat. A folding bike would nice .. but DH seems to do fine putting the bike on the car rack when we go to the trail ..

Wow, so many options, so little time !!

Thanks again.

Betty

[ttdriver]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

Saturday, Dec 30: 12.14 miles. That's it for '06!


Betty

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

WOOHOOO BETTY, you DID sooo Awesome in 2006 YAY YOU!!!!

I ran 3.5 miles today.

Sarah

[ttdriver]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

YAY SARAH!! I have missed you like crazy !! Where ya been!!??!! Please don't leave me!!! I need your inspiration to keep me going!!!!


Betty

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

Oh man Betty everything has been up in arms I am a single Parent now, I just got a job a month ago and it takes up most of my time cause it's 12 hour days and well, I ahve been STRESSED!!! but it's all comming together and looking up finally!!

I missed you too I am gunna make goal this year!!

Sarah

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Cool Running for the week of December 24, 2006

Oh man Betty everything has been up in arms I am a single Parent now, I just got a job a month ago and it takes up most of my time cause it's 12 hour days and well, I ahve been STRESSED!!! but it's all comming together and looking up finally!!

I missed you too I am gunna make goal this year!!

Sarah