Talking Bicyclingby Rich Moeller
Have you ever noticed that bicycling shoes are primarily made to fit narrow feet? Is that because European bicyclists only have narrow feet? Anyway I am a short American bicyclist with extremely wide feet. Finding a good fitting bicycling shoe has been a journey.
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The jarring on my bikes is getting worse. I am either getting older or the roads are getting rougher, it is probably a little of both. I have been experimenting with ways to lesson the jarring over the last few years. When I first started riding foam sleeves were popular to put on your bars to reduce the jarring. They have disappeared for a variety of reasons I am sure.
This month I am not going to talk about a new product I have tried, but instead about tire pressure. Tire pressure has been debated in many forums and every bicyclist has his or her opinion as to what is perfect tire pressure. About a year ago I ran across another article
on tire pressure. The article made a lot of sense and I thought why not give their ideas a try.
Thanks to the good folks at Cycle Safe in Grand Rapids, John and I were given a set of their new "WallrackTM" to test out. Over the years I have tried many different ways to store my bikes in the garage (and my basement). These are one of the slickest rack systems I have used.
Update on keeping your feet warm in winter months.One of the first Talking Bicycle articles I did was on heated inner soles. I told you that these inner soles along with a winter shoe cover kept my feet warm. Reality was that my feet were comfortably warm down to about 25º, below that was bearable but not what I was searching for. To keep my feet warm down to even lower temps (7º this winter) I have added a 3rd element to the equation. After experimenting with it all winter I am ready to say that it is a very effective solution to my cold feet.
A year ago I had the misfortune of crashing on black ice. The resulting injuries caused me to miss 3 weeks of bicycling. This winter I decided that maybe I should look into "studded" tires. My hope was to be able to safely ride many more days than I have in the past.
I am always on the look out for additional lighting for my commutes in the early morning or at night after it gets dark. I always thought that bicycle shoe manufacturers should make a pair of shoes like little kids have with the flashing red lights in the soles. When I saw the ad for the Pedalite system I had to check them out. According to their web site, "the Pedalite battery free 360 Degree Visibility Pedal Lights are the original & unique eco safety pedal lights for bicycles, designed to make cyclists more visible to motorists day and night from any angle including the side.
After I reviewed the Portable Bicycle Indicator I received a tip from one of members about the Glo Glov. I went to their web site and ordered the gloves that are designed to stretch over your regular gloves.
(aka "Turn Signals") One of my concerns with night riding is whether traffic behind me can see me making a left hand turn signal. When I saw the promotion for a flashing turn signal I had to give it a try. According to their information, "the Safe Turn Indicator is a small portable, automatic bicycle indicator that clips to a glove or a wristband. It contains 3 ultra bright L.E.Ds, it blinks similar to a motor vehicle. It can be worn on either hand and blinking is visible up to 800+ meters. It stays blinking as long as your hand is raised. Batteries (2 x A76) can be replaced." Over the years I have tried everything to keep my toes warm in the winter months. I have tried shoe covers, covers on the toe clips, toe warmers, wool socks, sock liners, winter cycling shoes, neoprene socks, baggies over the socks and many other ways that I have long since discarded and remember. Last winter I stumbled on the answer for me, Thermo Soles. Tags:
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