Paul H
Fearless OOS Poser
This week, I started my commute via bike from PABT to downtown Thomas St on W Broadway.
First day was a bit nerve wracking. I have ridden in the city before but it was on a decent bike I trust and with other experienced riders. Ok... I've done the ride on Sunday when I dropped off the bike to time myself but it is not the same as a weekday rush hr traffic. I went down 7th Ave that turns into Varick and eventually to W Broadway. No bike lane here until I get to W Broadway. What I found surprising is that at times, I was going faster than the cars then I remembered the times while I was driving in the city thinking I rather be on a bike because it was faster. Weird... but many times I felt like that yuppie in my jeans and dress shirt on a retro kinda bike (old POS) in pastel yellow and blue. One thing that distinguished me, was that I always had my helmet on. I decided to risk hat hair for safety. I guess I am still not too cool for school. Going back to PABT was a breeze! Hudson to 8th Ave, bike lane most of the way with a divider. Only real danger here... which are worse than cars IMO, are the non-attentative pedestrians. Some are just standing there oblivious to the world or some are yelling at me for getting out of the bike lane to get around those non-attentative pedestrians. Weird....
Second day, for whatever reason, it just felt like I've been doing this for years. I keep thinking that it would be so much more fun if I had my roadie or mtb with me. POSS is starting to make me nervous. All the potholes and I am starting to jump up and down curves to avoid car traffic. Hope it doesn't fall apart... I mean the damn thing is roughly around 30 yrs old and prolly more. Not to mention, POSS weighs a ton.... it takes a bit of an effort to get it going. But I guess thats why I built it with gears but I am finding that I only use 2-3 gears only. I am going to have to look into a POSA this winter to replace the POSS. 90 degree temps sucks! Ive been sweating like a pig. Mornings aren't bad... at least for now as its cooler but the ride back to PABT, my shirt is soaked! I don't think I stink.... cuz I can't smell it but usually, your own shit don't stink so... IDK... I just hope not.
Third day was rained out and on the 4th day, I tried going down the Greenway and not as exciting and bit longer but much safer and the constant pedaling makes it a better workout. Not to mention, flying by those slow poke citibike riders helps me with my ego... I RIKE IT AROT!
5th day was humid as shit. Easy, slow, no effort commute by taking the earlier bus in the morning affording me some more time. I am feeling like a pro by now... until I hit traffic and I can't do a proper track stand... errr...
The bike has not been stolen yet. It proves only 1 thing... that it IS a POSS. Not good enough to be stolen.
First day was a bit nerve wracking. I have ridden in the city before but it was on a decent bike I trust and with other experienced riders. Ok... I've done the ride on Sunday when I dropped off the bike to time myself but it is not the same as a weekday rush hr traffic. I went down 7th Ave that turns into Varick and eventually to W Broadway. No bike lane here until I get to W Broadway. What I found surprising is that at times, I was going faster than the cars then I remembered the times while I was driving in the city thinking I rather be on a bike because it was faster. Weird... but many times I felt like that yuppie in my jeans and dress shirt on a retro kinda bike (old POS) in pastel yellow and blue. One thing that distinguished me, was that I always had my helmet on. I decided to risk hat hair for safety. I guess I am still not too cool for school. Going back to PABT was a breeze! Hudson to 8th Ave, bike lane most of the way with a divider. Only real danger here... which are worse than cars IMO, are the non-attentative pedestrians. Some are just standing there oblivious to the world or some are yelling at me for getting out of the bike lane to get around those non-attentative pedestrians. Weird....
Second day, for whatever reason, it just felt like I've been doing this for years. I keep thinking that it would be so much more fun if I had my roadie or mtb with me. POSS is starting to make me nervous. All the potholes and I am starting to jump up and down curves to avoid car traffic. Hope it doesn't fall apart... I mean the damn thing is roughly around 30 yrs old and prolly more. Not to mention, POSS weighs a ton.... it takes a bit of an effort to get it going. But I guess thats why I built it with gears but I am finding that I only use 2-3 gears only. I am going to have to look into a POSA this winter to replace the POSS. 90 degree temps sucks! Ive been sweating like a pig. Mornings aren't bad... at least for now as its cooler but the ride back to PABT, my shirt is soaked! I don't think I stink.... cuz I can't smell it but usually, your own shit don't stink so... IDK... I just hope not.
Third day was rained out and on the 4th day, I tried going down the Greenway and not as exciting and bit longer but much safer and the constant pedaling makes it a better workout. Not to mention, flying by those slow poke citibike riders helps me with my ego... I RIKE IT AROT!
5th day was humid as shit. Easy, slow, no effort commute by taking the earlier bus in the morning affording me some more time. I am feeling like a pro by now... until I hit traffic and I can't do a proper track stand... errr...
The bike has not been stolen yet. It proves only 1 thing... that it IS a POSS. Not good enough to be stolen.
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