WOW I UPLOADED A NEW ICON FOR THIS POST

[laceblade]

lol bikes.
Due to rain & tearing the shit out of my knee, it's been a while since I've ridden a bike.

Bike trip 3: Identical route to bike trip 1 EXCEPT that this time I lowered the seat a notch compared to my previous two rides, and it's now the perfect height. I was able to touch the ground with my feet, making it possible to bike through intersections & etc. I felt much more confident.

I find walking very boring, but don't really feel the same way about biking. I wish it was easier to get more places in town via flat routes/away from cars.
Still, there are places I can get to that I haven't gone yet, I think.

I wish there were b-cycle stations in all the places I want to go. A solution to this would be getting my own bike. But paying for b-cycle is attractive to me because it's only $20 for an entire year, and I don't have to worry about lights or maintenance or etc. I just bring my helmet & the bikes are good to go.


The B-cycle app on my phone has been helpful, too. You can use it to check nearby stations to see how many bikes are available, & how many docks are open. This relieves some "OMG what if I go there and there's not even a bike?!" freakouts.


There are lots of other bikers out now, too.

Comments

Age of Steam Tech to the Rescue

[jesse_the_k]

Biking makes everything better! As you start biking you'll see them everywhere, especially on campus. The way to be safe on a bike is to be predictable, unlike many of the other ones on the road.

B-cycles are exceptionally convenient.

Once your knee heals, I'd be delighted to help you shop for a used bike. (I was a bike mechanic in an earlier life, and I can spot one that's well maintained and ready to go.) The used bike would have gears which pemit you to go non-flat places without damage.

Sip, don't knock back, this advice from an experienced cyclist

Re: Age of Steam Tech to the Rescue

[laceblade]

Yeah, so far I'm sticking to the bike paths - I am way too afraid to go ride somewhere on like University (at least so far) ^^;;;

If/when I decide to buy my own bike, I will let you know! I'm not totally there yet.

I was surprised to learn that B-cycle bikes actually do have gears! There are three different speeds. Definitely not the variability of the 10-speed I had growing up, but still better than I expected, bahaha.

Re: Age of Steam Tech to the Rescue

[jesse_the_k]

Icon still wonderful the 2nd time!

Ah, you rode when you were younger. I'm sorry, I thought I was talking to an adult newbie and I was being too kind. *breaks out the blades*

Fuck I wouldn't ride on Univ if still could. City of Madison Traffic Dept has a highly inflated opinion on the stopping power of paint. Especially when you're vise-gripped between airbrains texting while driving and ten ton buses.

Re: Age of Steam Tech to the Rescue

[laceblade]

Yeah, the buses kind of scare the shit out of me. Even when I'm riding in one, I get really nervous about how close they get to bikers!!
It does make me glad for the bike paths that exist.

As for past!biking, it has been over a decade (I think??), and biking in suburbia is totally different than doing so here. There it was always to meet my friends in this park with a creek in it, never for errands. Tho I guess it's true that I used to for some of the same reasons now - just to get outside, to go somewhere faster than I can get by walking, etc.

[cordialcount]

The bike icon has a cat! Cat icon approves.

it's only $20 for an entire year
Eee, I've never heard of this, and it sounds like something I'd be into-- thanks for noting it. And I'm glad that your adjustment has made you feel safer in intersections.

[laceblade]

I should note that I get it at that price b/c I work for the university. If you're not student/staff, it costs something like $60?? Which still is cheaper than buying a bike, obviously.

[piglet]

b-cycle is awesome!!! I used it 4 times while I was there -- 3 times on one day and once another. W00HOOT!!! I bike shared in Madison *before it was open in NYC*. You guys are the coolest.

The integrated cable bike lock on the b-cycles is great. I was able to lock up in front of my destination, for quick errands, rather than returning it & taking another one for the trip back.

[laceblade]

Yeah! It's pretty great.
I've been laughing at some of the vitriol anti-bike (?!) New Yorkers are holding for the community bikes. I hope they last there!