tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post1244423590689887249..comments2023-10-28T02:40:19.782-04:00Comments on Suburban Cycling: Group ride, interruptedMelanie Suzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02540747770586922326noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-74142036991290720112012-09-17T09:25:12.801-04:002012-09-17T09:25:12.801-04:00Thanks! I'm lucky that the bike shop was so cl...Thanks! I'm lucky that the bike shop was so close by. It's funny: I haven't had a single flat (knock wood! knock wood!), but this is the second spoke I've broken on that wheel.<br /><br />Protective clothing for me should probably include some kind of full body armor made of Kevlar. ;) My knees and calves still bear the scars of crashes from six months ago and my left foot is still kind of gimpy from the crash in early June.<br /><br />To actually answer your question, though, my primary recommendation would be clothes that provide high visibility. When I commute in the cold months and when it's dark, I wear a high-viz jacket with lots of reflectors. I've also got gloves with some reflective bits (mostly the brand logo), and I'm on the lookout for something that is bright enough that drivers and other cyclists can see my hand signals.<br /><br />My next consideration is temperature. I overheat fairly easily and need clothing that will breathe. For example, as I rode to work this morning, I passed a dozen or so commuters who wore jackets and tights while I was in a short sleeve open weave-sweater over a sleeveless shell. I am most definitely a cold weather cyclist.<br /><br />For bike specific clothing, I wish there were more options for plus size women besides the larger men's sizes. I know it's difficult to provide off-the-rack women's clothes since there are so many body shapes to consider, but it'd be nice to find a women's 2x that is sized for my smaller torso that isn't sized like a babydoll t-shirt.Melanie Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02540747770586922326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-28717703078883050532012-09-17T05:25:41.219-04:002012-09-17T05:25:41.219-04:00Good job for getting over that challenge and thank...Good job for getting over that challenge and thank heavens you are all right! :) What kind of protective bike clothing would you recommend for adventurers like you?Biking Enthusiastshttp://www.probikekit.com/clothing.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-18183156716245475832012-09-04T13:32:46.510-04:002012-09-04T13:32:46.510-04:00Thanks! I only get nervous about mechanical failur...Thanks! I only get nervous about mechanical failures when I'm on the western end of the W&OD and not close to a bike shop much less civilization. Even then, I've usually got cell reception and can holler for help. I've been really lucky that my only mechanicals thus far have been broken spokes and were both quickly fixed without too much aggravation or stress.Melanie Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02540747770586922326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-84148588288745150432012-09-02T23:41:32.407-04:002012-09-02T23:41:32.407-04:00Glad you made it home okay. I'm always concer...Glad you made it home okay. I'm always concerned about getting a flat or having other problems because my bike fixing skills are pretty much nil. I can fix a flat, but it takes forever. Thankfully, there are a lot of bike shops along my normal routes.storitellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06671426804806159312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-54027884889017746072012-08-29T20:17:49.454-04:002012-08-29T20:17:49.454-04:00It was a gorgeous evening for a ride, and I'm ...It was a gorgeous evening for a ride, and I'm very lucky that the malfunction happened at that particular section of the trail. If I'd broken a spoke on any of the other group rides, I'd have been hoofing it with the bike quite a ways. I'm glad that your teeth and you stayed in their correct places after your pothole!Melanie Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02540747770586922326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481265.post-81437133980790514132012-08-29T16:59:03.249-04:002012-08-29T16:59:03.249-04:00Wow... sounds like an eventful ride - full of skun...Wow... sounds like an eventful ride - full of skunk sightings and all! :O) Glad you made it home safe and sound. The potholes can be rough, especially when unexpected. I hit one the other day and it about chattered my teeth right out of my head. I guess I'm lucky I didn't go flying off the bike. G.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02748009691282638366noreply@blogger.com