kasia in a nutshell

I'm no stranger to over-the trunk bike racks. My first was a cheap $30 one from Sears which, surprisingly enough, managed to never lose any of the bikes it was holding up. It did come close a couple times.. the rack didn't actually hold the bikes in.. you see.. you had to use bungie cords and imagination to make sure you don't lose your bikes going down the highway. Thinking back, I'm amazed I ever drove faster than 30mph with that thing on. Since you get what you pay for, I thought I'd invest in something better for my second rack. It was a lovely Yakima rack capable of holding three bikes (not that it ever held more than two) and it lasted me good three, four years of light use. Unfortunately, the plastic thingies that strap the bike in just broke.. one after another.. until none of them were usable. Third time's the charm.. I do enjoy biking and seeing as my suburban neighborhood isn't exactly known for its biking trails, I went shopping for a new over-the trunk bike rack once more. This may be the time when you ask yourself "now why won't she just buy a roof rack?" Good question! You see, my mountain bike isn't so much a mountain bike as it is a tank disguising itself as one. It does a superb job on trails, although not so much of protecting me from things as protecting itself from me. I come off of it properly bruised each time. The side benefit of being so well.. er, tank-like, the bike is so heavy I can barely lift it. Putting it up on a roof is really not something I want to attempt and anyway, if I'm going to invest that much into something related to biking it will be in a new mountain bike, preferably one I can lift But I digress. I went to my local bicycling shop and perused the rack selection. The Yakima racks appear to be best sellers, but seeing as my experience with their durability has left me wanting, I opted for something different. Ta da, enter my new bike rack.

It's a Saris Bones rack . It has great reviews, doesn't it? I wish I read them before going to the shop, the decision would have been easier.. but planning is something that is mostly foreign to me (much like English is as times) hence I read the reviews *after* the rack was on the back of my car. I took it for a solid test drive today.. good 40-50 miles down the highway holding up my light-as-a-feather road bike

In retrospect, I probably should have tried it out with the bike I really wouldn't mind losing, but the rack performed superbly anyway. I swear, the bike didn't move by a millimeter the whole trip. I have never been this impressed with a bike rack and I think it was worth the $120 it cost me (1/4 of a price of a new mountain bike, really!). I like the little clampy-thingies that hold the bike in, they certainly inspire more confidence than the plastic things (that broke off so easily!) on the Yakima racks.. Another fine point is the straps.. they tighten a lot easier than any other racks I've used. So if you're looking for a new over-the-trunk rack and don't mind paying a little more.. this one really is the best.

Posted by kasia at 05:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (1)

It's a Saturday, so after spending several hours doing my usual geek stuff, taking my usual morning run and various other regular activities I decided to finally install the cycling computer I bought several months ago.. Once installed, of course I had to try it out.Normally you would see me zipping down hills on trails in a park somewhere, but due to my inherent laziness (whole five minutes to put the rack on the car!) I just went for a spin in my local suburbia. In misty rain.

I learned some new things from this experience.

• You can do all sorts of weird things in Connecticut suburbs, from walking your cat on a leash to painting tiger stripes on your car -- but strap a camera to your back and take out the two wheeler for a spin and you're the weirdest thing since the Keebler elves.


• Do not mess with large women exiting large shopping plazas in large cars for they are angry and have more bulk than you.


• Twelve miles on a bike is a lot easier than twelve miles running and really shouldn't be considered exercise.


• Bugs look much scarier at a distance of five millimeters from your sunglasses.


• Riding on sidewalks is only marginally safer than riding on streets. On one you have 2-ton vehicles driven by insane soccer moms - on the other - seventy year old angry people with canes, hatred in their eyes and crackling backs. You do the math.


• One big, barking dog with lots teeth provides about 5 more miles per hour in your average speed (see, that cycling computer is handy).

I think I'll do it again tomorrow.

Posted by kasia at 04:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

CT NEMBA presents The Fifth Annual Fall Fiesta
Sunday, November 3, 830 am to ???

Sounds like fun.. I won't be there unfortunately, I have a pretty busy weekend planned.. but thought I'd post the info anyway in case someone reading this weblog wishes to check it out.. you can join at the door.

More Info -- New England Mountain Biking Association.

Posted by kasia at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Unfortunately this is something I can easily envision in my near future given my propensity to pick difficult terrain combined with my crummy amateurish mountain biking skills. If you're queasy, don't click that link (sorry if too late).

.. except I wouldn't wear a USPS jersey.. or hopefully have my butt sticking out..

(via dan)

Posted by kasia at 08:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I went biking yesterday with a friend who is a veteran mountain biker/bike racer. In other words 13 years of mountain biking experience to my barely one.

He made jumping logs look so easy, I figured I'd give it a shot.. First tiny log, no problem.. second log.. well.. a problem.

I was going too fast and didn't pick the front wheel up quickly enough.. The result was expectable. Imagine me flying onto the ground (and my bike). I wish I had a picture of it, it had to look really funny. Instead of a picture, I just have loads of bruises, skinned knee, skinned hand and a hurty elbow. Ouch.

I've concluded I'm not quite ready for log jumping just yet.. I'll just stick to the trails for now and leave the extreme stuff to the experienced.

Posted by kasia at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I've decided it's time to spend some more money on my little biking hobby. I have a cheap bike, but that doesn't mean I have to look any less geeky than your average mountain biking enthusiast.

Today, I took the first step into what I'm sure will become an addiction.. adding accessories to my bike!
I'm going clipless, baby.. that's right.. less sweating going up hills.. or I'll just go up higher hills.. or so I keep telling myself..

Ordered the Shimano 515s. I know.. I know.. mere $35 isn't exactly jumping head first into accessorizing my bike.. but the shoes will be another $100 or so since I intend to get those at the local cycle shop. I'm a girl, I want to try them on.

I should get someone to take pictures of my first day with the clipless pedals.. I'm sure it'll be a barrel of laughs as I"ll repeatedly fall over while trying to remember just how to get my feet off the pedals..

Being true to my geeky self, I intend to install them myself. I've got screwdrivers.

Posted by kasia at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tuning your bike makes a *huge* difference! I can't believe I didn't do this sooner.. Suddenly all my gears switch lightly, chain doesn't fall off when switching to 1st while going up hill... and the last 6 gears (12-18) actually work!

I know.. I know.. all common sense.. but still.. had I realized the difference it would make in how my bike handles I'd have done this months ago.

Went biking at Ringwood State Park in New Jersey yesterday with a friend. It was *very hot*, we managed to get lost and rode around in circles for a while... These are *not* trails for novices!

Posted by kasia at 09:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

After an unsuccesful (and rather embarassing) attempt to tune my bike myself, I gave up and took it to a bicycle shop.. unfortunately they're booked solid and it won't be back for a week..

I suppose I could have gone to the big sports supply store and had it back in an hour.. but (one) I hate those big stores and (two) I'd rather support the little shop anyway.. finally (three) somehow I can't imagine a 16 year old would do a better job on my bike than the 40-some year old biking fanatic down at the cycle shop..

So no biking for me this weekend *sniff*

Posted by kasia at 06:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

These pictures were taken in an obscure parking lot on top of the trails (route 44) at the MDC in West Hartford.. Most people use the main lot (I usually do as well, since it's a lot closer to my house). This lot is mostly just used by bikers since it provides immediate access to the best trails. This way don't have to go through the crowds and posers in the beginnings of the trail from the main parking lot.

I really hate what people are doing there.. I should have brought a trash bag and picked these up, so I'm not so innocent either (actually I meant to, forgot).. but just took some pictures instead.. assholes..

Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3

Posted by kasia at 11:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I know.. I know.. being on trails when it's wet is bad karma since it helps in trail deterioration.. but I figured since I do help out with them the good karma from that should balance it out..

Anyway, I had a point here somewhere.. oh right.. biking in the rain is indeed very cool.. No people *at all*... no people means animals aren't as scared.. There were deer *everywhere*. The only sounds: birds and my squeaky brakes.

What an awesome day for a ride..

Now I'll go do something good for humanity to balance out the bad karma of riding wet trails.. mea culpa, mea culpa..

Posted by kasia at 05:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Everyone has his achilles heel... me? I have a hill. Literally. No, that is not a typo... what I'm referring to is the gigantic... no... humongous hill at the start of my favorite mountain bike trail.

I love mountain biking. It's by far my favorite outdoor activity and I try to do it as often as time permits. So of course, today being Sunday I hung my bike up on the rack, donned the ridiculous tight, padded shorts (who designs these things anyway?) and went off to the park.

Today being Sunday, the parking lot was filled with expensive SUVs packed with tanned people dressed in the latest in bicycle designer gear. You know those very colorful and bright, tight tshirts that make one look like a professional biker? That designed gear. I always feel rather inadequate in my $15 (sale, 50% off) shorts and one of the white or gray tanktops that I tend to wear when biking.

But enough about clothes... now the bikes. If my clothes make me feel inadequate... well... my bike just makes me want to hide under the nearest trail blazer. As everyone in the lot is putting together their Treks, Cannondales and other assorted shiny, high performance mountain bikes covered with shocks and other great stuff (Shimano, I bet) I have my bike. Well, at least it looks like a bike. It has shocks (front, only) and it's got Shimano stuff (ooooh), but that's where the good part ends. I've 18 gears, out of which 6 don't work, but that's okay, I never use the higher gears anyway... It needs a tune-up. Badly. I'm afraid when I take it to shop and ask for one they'll laugh me out the door. "Lady, it'll be cheaper to just get a new bike!". The good part is, the gears that work actually shift; most of the time.

I remember one time a seasoned veteran biker who was inflating his tires next to me (doesn't that just sound dirty?) struck up a conversation.

"What the heck is that?".
"A bike".
"No, really, where'd you get that?".
"Long story, there's a brand name sticker on the bike... see?".
"oh, well, good luck..."

I truly do believe he meant that last part.

Now the trail. I usually bike at the MDC in West Hartford. Known to the non-biking universe as the West Hartford Reservoir. There are many really nice trails at this park. Some are great for beginners, some advanced stuff (or so I hear) and everything in between.

There's really only one way to get to all the trails from the main parking lot... follow the asphalt-covered road to the first fork... or the next... depending which trail you intend to take. This is also where mountain bikers get separated from just bikers. Me? I take the very first right turn into the dust-covered (or mud, depending on weather, today it was dust) rocky trail that leads into the woods. I can do that... I have a cheap bike and am not afraid of abusing it. (I have a theory on the owners of the really nice, expensive bikes. It runs along with my theory on the owners of the really nice, expensive SUVs. In a gist: they never see the really rough terrain, the equipment is just too expensive for that.) Follow the trail... cross the asphalt path once more and I'm off into the woods, or rather climbing up a long, annoying hill to try to get to the really fun trails.

I have a goal in life. This goal is to be able to climb that one, long hill in one shot. Don't laugh at me, it's a worthy goal.

Time to present another one of my bike-related theories. The only time you will meet other bikers (unless they came with you) and hikers on any of the trails beyond the basic asphalt is when you are climbing a long or steep (or both) hill and are near dying. It's true. I proved it today. I climbed several hills that gave me some trouble, not enough to stop, but enough to start breathing heavily and on each and every such occasion there were people.

Case in point:

Setting: Long-ass, steep hill on a trail.

There I am climbing the hill in the first gear, breathing heavily, drenched in sweat, my face the color of a freshly cooked lobster when another biker is passing me by with ease.

"Hi" - he says, cyclist do that, we're nice people.
"Hello" - I wheeze in return.
"Are you okay?" - You could tell he was concerned, I'm not sure if it was the bright red color of my face or the fact that my knuckles were whiter than snow as I gripped the steering column in some sort of desperate hope that the guy wouldn't stop. Yah, too late, he did.
"I'm fine" - I said through clenched teeth and continued my painful ascent.

He shrugged, whipped his pedals around a couple of times and cleared the hill without a problem.

Now you may ask what is the point of me describing this embarrassing moment? It's this. Life is just not fair. See, I'm hardly an advanced biker (you can laugh here) but I'm not a beginner either... I just have this little hill climbing problem. Normally, I look cool and slick riding down the trails in some impossibly high gear (well, the ones that work on my bike anyway) the wind in my hair and so on.

The moral of the story? Next time you see a sweat-covered, red-faced female in cheap shorts on the side of the hill, don't think she's in trouble. Just because she looks like she's having a heart attack, that doesn't have to be the case, she's probably just horribly embarrassed about her hill-climbing ability.

Posted by kasia at 07:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)