Center-pull brakes

Even the first time I was "an avid cyclist" in the '80s, I didn't use center-pull brakes. Sidepulls were much cooler at the time & I was riding "racing" bikes.

These centerpulls I've been using have great modulation and TONS of stopping power (with KoolStop International brake pads). Just the thing for a retro-bike.

I know that Dia-Compe and a few others are making brand new center-pull brakes now. I think they're a fine solution if your bike needs long reach brakes and you want a retro-look, but especially if you want a brake with good modulation & power and cantilevers aren't an option.

The Classic Cyclist

Check out this article by Chris Kostman about what it takes to be a Classic Cyclist. Chris starts out like this: 

Road Cyclists entering the sport over the past fifteen or so years have tended to come in by way of mountain biking, triathlon, or fitness, rather than pure road cycling. As a result, most of these “cyclists” lack the knowledge which makes up the foundation of the classic cyclists’ repertoire and which builds upon the backbone of the sport. Here are some things the classic cyclist knows and does.

 And then he breaks it all down. Interesting reading for any cyclist. Thanks, Chris!

Velo Cult

Sky Boyer is a genius - an absolute freakin' genius. Sky owns Velo Cult, one of the coolest bicycle shops in America's Finest City.

Real Steel Vintage Elite Frames

How many shops do you know of that carry Randonneur, City, Mixtes, Townie, Tandem and Work bikes right out there along side the (ubiquitous) Fixies? Great bicycles in inventory of most any vintage, ready to go. How many have a Museum chock full of bicycles? How many have over 100 vintage steel - STEEL - framesets? A real Campy Frame-Prep kit, complete? They carry lots & lots of specialized unusual inventory and repair parts, lighting systems - just their handlebar tree is remarkable. If you're a bike NUT (dare I say 'cultist"?) as I am, this is mecca.

Velo Cult is also involved in the community (check out San Diego Bike Commuter), and staffed by genuinely nice, knowledgeable folks who won't tell you what other shops do about the latest carbon-unobtanium crap just to make a sale.

This is a real bike shop. Go there. Enjoy looking at the bikes. Buy something. Tell your friends.

Floss

Books

 

I just read a really entertaining book by Rob Penn entitled "It's All About the Bike". The book narrarates the story of (the author) an avid, life-long cyclist's quest to finally have The Ultimate Bicycle, and the choices he makes along the way.
It's full of great tidbits and historical background regarding what Cyclists refer to as The Bike. If you're curious about the bicycle's history, hungry for historical details about the shapers and developers of the bike, or just a flat out crazy fan of all things velo (like me), I predict you'll find this book a fun read. My only complaint is that it came to an end.

The other book I started recently is by Gary Taubes, "Why We Get Fat and What We Can Do About It". He's thoughtful, thorough, and iconoclastic in his understanding of our obesity problem (also the Diabetes 'epidemic' and attendant health issues).

Thought-provoking and possibly life-changing.

Back in the saddle

Late last year, I started having chest pains during even moderate exertion. Ended riding for a short time for me.
After a short hospital visit this spring, I'm on the mend. Lost 30 lbs so far, rebuilt the SR, and I'm riding again. My son & I took a short road ride 3 days ago, then a longer one (too long, truly) today. 15 miles is a lot to bite off for 2 guys that haven't been riding at all (one old, one with the flu), so we took it as easy as we could. The single gears dictated that we walked the bikes up Fletcher Pakway. Was really great to ride a little again & the B-17 (temporarily borrowed from the 3-speed) is surprisingly comfortable given that it's not broken in (& neither is my butt).

Rewind

I had a little 'medical issue' a short time ago which has prompted a recent renewal of interest in fitness, to wit: I'm type II Diabetic. Since I want to stick around a while, I'm attacking my health problems by revising my diet, monitoring my blood sugar, medicating, and (probably most importantly) losing weight. My highest weight (the first time I was diagnosed Diabetic, 3 years ago) was 235. That's pretty big for a guy just under 6'. When I had my hospital stay, I was 219 - still way too heavy.
My goal is to get down to 170 as quickly as I can - I haven't been that 'light' since about 1986. Today I'm at 200.

I haven't been on a bike in more than 6 months, but took a nice easy ride on the 3-speed today, which went well (if slowly!).