My bike at night with the headlights on. Note only one front fork. (Can it still be called a fork??)
I have been inspired to increase my riding. Some of you know I have pretty bad arthritis and recently my ankle has suffered. This made me do less. Well I guess it hurts when I sit and do nothing, and it hurts when I do something. So- Better to do something.
As Maalie knows, the trails around my house are numerous and interesting. So, a night ride is in order!. The trails are steep, loose and rocky. It takes a great deal of care in picking the right line as you ride. Many of the trails have deep sandy washouts at the bottom of hills. The wrong line can flip you straight off the bike.
I had tried only one light- A Topeak. This has three settings with three different burn times. A brilliant light but "at speed" I needed more, so I added a Night Rider light. It seems "whiter" and gives a more specific beam. I can also be worn on the helmet- perfect for look around the next bend and focusing light on where your eyes are looking. For me it makes the helmet too heavy, so I fitted it to the bike. Now the bike looks like a rally car!
The other point of note is that shadows can make the terrain look different- Deep potholes look shallow and ledges can look deeper than the are. This means bouncing off ruts and tree roots more, all adding to the fun.
By the time I got home I was "rooted"!!
Sorry for the blur on the shot, but I was really puffing hard when I took the photo.....
ReplyDeleteactually its a cool shot. action without the action.
ReplyDeletemy depth perception is off at the best of times even on my own 2 feet. it might be funny to put me on a bike.... never know, maybe it would be better, haha
sounds like fun
~laura
Mate, I think it is called a "stem" if there is only one half of a fork. Can you attach your walking stick to the stem? Did you see any owls or frogmouths when you were out?
ReplyDeletePooch- action without action? oh yes it happens as I get older.ahahahaha! ;o) You should try a bike there great fun. Maalie has a beauty too.
ReplyDeleteJim- Yes I attach the walking stick to the stem- does that then make it a fork?
I did hear a boobook owl.
ok well i did have a half(only half) decent bike but i gave it to my daughter when she went to university. my bike now is crappy but i love biking anyway. we have some great trails here. i got stuck down one by the river couldnt push my bike up the ravine
ReplyDeletei had to call my son ... good thing he was home for the weekend, and i had my cell and i knew where i was... to come and help me get out.
great fun tho
i wonder how many days i would have been there..... :)
~laura
breaking down in the bush can be a real pain. You can travel for miles quickly but a walk home can take hours and hours.
ReplyDeleteI always carry spare tubes, batteries for the light and a chain. If anything else breaks the bike is still ridable.
As for quality bikes v cheap bikes. I have a friend who ride a cheap bike and he keeps up with us because he is so fit. :o)
Wow, it looks impressive with those cusomised lamps, a bit of a monster! Sorry to hear your arthritus has flared up, but it seems you can't keep a good man down (smile). Just have a care on those trails, I don't want to be reading of any mis-adventures in here..!
ReplyDeleteyou are like a boy scout.... always prepared. :)
ReplyDeletesmart move.
i went down this ravine. going down was fun. bike didnt even break down i just couldnt get it back up and no other way out.... leave the bike mb, go back later with reinforcements haha
~laura
NOt always Pooch- I had a pedal break once. hahaha! Yes going up steep ravines is a bit of a trick.
ReplyDeleteShrinky! Thanks- yes having a mishap will not be the best thing to happen. The lights are brilliant, but expensive. I have friends who make their own and they seem to work well
Rooted in the back of the ute?
ReplyDeleteNot this time mate. I did this ride straight from my home. You runcible fellow!
ReplyDelete