Lynette Chiang
Thank you so much Bob, Craig, Darell, Nick, Doug, Jerald, Doug II,
Chris, Bruce, Eric, Steve, bearl. Jeff, Ted and Tina and others for
your detailed and generous responses. Interesting how the human side of
things always gets people's tongues wagging - as Lance said, it really
is 'not about the bike', is it!
Some were clearly niggled that I had the audacity to even raise such an
issue. Some felt I should ask specific questions. I like to set a scene
and let people respond in whatever way occurs to them. Which might be
not at all, or with hostility, and that in itself is a response. (My
own on-again off-again 'Bike Guy' responded by dismissing such matters
as illogical and inane tripe. Where's my clipboard ....)
If you'd like me to respond to your thoughts personally, email me
privately, otherwise I won't clutter your mailboxes with chit chat.
There's already way too much of that on my website ...
+++
SHORTER CRANKS. On a completely different subject, what I am going to
say is probably more FYI directed at smallish novice women roadies like
me .... I have a 27" inseam and just switched out my 165 mm cranks for
a set of ye olde TA 155's - and the difference is major. I was actually
able to mostly keep up with the GEARs guys on Sunday ... and I
attribute this to being able to spin better. OK, pushing a 46 tooth
chainring up Dillard in Eugene where I was previously had a 39 might
have had some effect ... Now riding the Ultegra 165's on my touring
bike feels like doing a John Cleese silly walk.
Historically we small riders get offered a 165 and that's that.
Thus ... I am not sure it this is protocol but if anyone wants to make
me an offer on my 165 mm 53-39 Dura Ace cranks email me privately.
There's a Dura Ace bottom bracket to match. This config is kinda hard
to find second hand, and it's in good nick, though unfortunately the
'Dura Ace' on the chainring side has been rubbed off ... which might
disappoint label lovers, but at least you won't be as much a target by
the parts thieves!
+++
PACTOUR Desert Camp ... I am trying to ride almost every day in
preparation and to alter Lon Haldeman's assessment of me in Peru, ie
'You're not lazy. Just not fast.' In case any of you want to escape the
NW chill sign up and come and ride with me and 40 others in the camp!
Fred Matheny of http://www.roadbikerider.com and Jim Langley of
http://www.jimlangley.net will be presenters. As will yours truly!
Exciting. You will not repeat not be pressured into buying a small
wheeled bicycle.
http://www.bikefriday.com/bf/loncamp
Over and out.
Lynette Chiang, Bike Friday World Traveler
http://www.galfromdownunder.com
PERU trip: http://www.bikefriday.com/bf/galfromdownunder-peru2004
THE HANDSOMEST MAN IN CUBA USA Edition
http://www.galfromdownunder.com/cuba
"One of the best on-the-road travel books of this generation." - Martin
Stevenson, the Launceston Examiner
"The only time you will put it down is when you finish it." -
Australian Cyclist magazine.
"I can't put the @#$% thing down" - Amazon reviews
http://tinyurl.com/696bw
ISBN: 0-9755816-0-0, $14.95, available from Bike Friday,
1-800-777-0258, serv-@bikefriday.com | Amazon.com