For weeks, I've been scouring Craigslist, bike shops and Facebook Marketplace for a road bike. I like to commute to and from the courthouse and figure the ride should be easier if I actually use a road bike. Last night, I lucked out and was able to purchase a used Trek 5500 road bike, the same bike used by Lance Armstrong and the US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team in the Tour de France. Armstrong and I have something in common. He was the subject of doping allegations and I'm already a dope.
Believe it or not, this bike really is carbon fiber. I thought it would be an aluminum replica. Also, the seller gave me cycling shoes that actually fit me and a seat bag containing a spare tube. He was very kind.
I got on the bike last night and it is undeniably fast, much faster than I thought it would be. It will take me some time to get used to shifting and braking, but I think it is going to be a lot easier than my hybrid or mountain bike for commutes to the courthouse. At his moment, however, I'm a bit intimidated.
I will be taking it to Action Wheels (my favorite shop) today to replace the pedals with flat pedals. Like Joe Biden, I already crashed while trying to get my foot out of the clip.
No offense Bernie but someone your age should not be on a racing bike.
ReplyDeleteHey Bernie,
ReplyDeleteTell your bloggers the real truth why you bought such a sleek looking bike.
It’s because you greatest wish is to ride in the next World Naked Bike Ride.
Many states in the US have the annual event which is designed to support body positivity and independence from oil via bicycling—an especially relevant theme this year, given recent gas prices—with a four-hour ride, 14-mile bike ride that invites participants to arrive "bare as [they] dare.". You can relive previous World Naked Bike Rides through our NSFW photo galleries and prepare for this year's scantily-clad cruise with the help of our guide.
Just let us know when & where you are planning to participate, we will be there with camera in hand.
Out of curiosity, what route do you take to get to the courthouse? I can't imagine you're pedaling down 248 to Northampton St, and 191 to Sullivan Trail doesn't seem much safer for biking.
ReplyDeleteAny age can ride road bike. But it is far different so watch the peddles in the road. They'll make you go down on a turn! Be safe. Have fun it's much faster!!
ReplyDeleteSorry. Pebbles.
DeleteSweet ride. Hope you stay safe on it!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was getting my bike serviced at Bike Line (man, I miss that place), I was coaxed into giving this bike a ride around the parking lot. I loved how light it was, but it was fast and I was far from comfortable on it. My old lady Trek bike has served me well.
ReplyDeleteGetting to the courthouse or Bethlehem from Nazareth is quite easy as the berm (shoulder) on 191 is quite wide. I usually scoot down 191, hop on Hollo Rd, then country club road and then turn left to the new St. Janes and ride down the street to William Penn Highway and from there to the courthouse. Alternatively, I ride into Tatamy and take Tatamy trail to Bushkill Street, then shoot up 13th to Washington Street and from there to the courthouse. It's almost always quite safe as drivers feel sorry for me. If I get tired from the ride in or if the weather looks ugly, I can pop the bike on a LANTA bike rack and ride home in luxury.
ReplyDeleteDuring the school year, school buses tend to make drivers a little more reckless. So I try to avoid riding when school buses are in action.
"Tell your bloggers the real truth why you bought such a sleek looking bike.
ReplyDeleteIt’s because you greatest wish is to ride in the next World Naked Bike Ride"
You got me! lol
"My old lady Trek bike has served me well."
ReplyDeleteOne negative thing about road bikes is they restrict your ability to see. I noticed today that, while hunched over, I am unable to see as much as I do on my other bikes. So while I love the road bike and plan to ride it again tomorrow on a paved trail, it will be awhile before I use it to commute. I have to get used to it.
"When I was getting my bike serviced at Bike Line (man, I miss that place),"
ReplyDeleteWe are fortunate to have a number of very good and locally owned bike shops. My favorite is Action Wheels. The guys in there are super friendly and think outside the box. They also try to minimize cost.
Last year, my Trail 5 had hydraulic disk brakes. The pad was contaminated an no one could find one. These guys suggested I replace the hydraulic with mechanical disc brakes and solved my problem.
Another good point is they are right next to Pho Bowl, my favorite restaurant in the whole world. And very soon, there will be a Peruvian chicken place flanking them.
Hokie Joe says....
ReplyDeleteTo the person who states "no offense Bernie, but someone your age shouldn't be riding a racing bike", I say this, Bernie has lived in the fast lane all his life. You ain't gonna change him now. He needs a fast bike to get away from all those wild women who chase him and also to get away from those jealous husbands trying to run him down.
Four wheels move your body and Two wheels move your Soul
ReplyDeleteBernie that's a sweet ride! Enjoy my friend.
ReplyDeleteThe Banker
I have a question: Why the heck is a government agency, the USPS, sponsoring a team to the Tour de France? It's millions (maybe billions) in the red and often can't get our mail delivered on time. More government lunacy.
ReplyDeleteIt's not. The USPS had a team back in the '90s. with numerous corporate sponsors as well. That included NBC, Discovery, Nike and a little known bike company called TREK. It disbanded in 2007. It did spend $, but argued it was somehow making $ from the sponsorship. https://medium.com/@lukestdnathan/with-armstrong-did-the-postal-service-get-its-moneys-worth-ff0f1874f6a
ReplyDelete