Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 (Tek) 9/26/83; site azure.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!akgua!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!hplabs!tektronix!teklds!azure!toddv From: toddv@azure.UUCP (Todd Vierheller) Newsgroups: net.bicycle Subject: how to ride, shoes, gear query Message-ID: <2776@azure.UUCP> Date: Fri, 18-May-84 17:01:50 EDT Article-I.D.: azure.2776 Posted: Fri May 18 17:01:50 1984 Date-Received: Mon, 21-May-84 05:13:14 EDT Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR Lines: 25 Another vote for "The Complete Book of Bicycle Commuting" written by John S. Allen and published by Rodale; it's excellent. It concerns riding in traffic--the authors are from Boston and use their own methods. I used to commute to work in Missouri (12-8 night shift), and I slowly learned many of these methods on my own. I learned a lot more from Mr.Allen. Concerning biking shoes, I found the Beta Bikers to be very uncomfortable for walking in for any length of time. I subsequently bought Cannondale touring shoes which are also a very comfortable walking shoe. The Cannondales have many ridges in the soles so you can pick where you like to place your foot. The ridges aren't very deep though, and mostly work by friction. I find them adequate. My low gear is a 40.5 (42/28 * 27). In Missouri it was great (and I was younger and I rode more). I just completed a 60 mile ride over the coastal range in Oregon (i.e. MOUNTAINS) and I thought I would die. Only the hope that the crest was around the next curve kept me peddling. Do any of you in shape mountian climbing bikers use gears this stiff? Am I merely a pansy? My quadriceps were *real* tired after my ride that night. (But OK the next day.) I should mention that it was raining and I had a slight headwind. Maybe I should change gears? What do you experts think? (My high gear is 108 (52/13 * 27) and great for calm days, tailwinds and downhill.) Todd Getting-Old-Fat-&-Wheezy Vierheller Tektronix, Inc. Aloha, OR. (Portland)