(no subject)

[froggy_dear]

Have I mentioned, oh have I mentioned, that I hate jazz? Just can't really stand the stuff. Especially trumpet jazz. Trumpet jazz makes me kind of physically ill. Even like, jazzy Joni Mitchell I don't care for one bit. Yugh.

We had a yard sale today. Raked in about $25 over the course of 6 hours, after factoring in the price of pricing stickers. Not so bad. Took the other stuff to Goodwill. I found a bike helmet at Goodwill, which was $2.99 and not gross at all, and has one of those super cool/dorky visors in the front.

Daniel and I tried the local trail - the Iron Horse Trail according to google maps, but the John Wayne trail everywhere else. It's a dirt trail. I was panicking. I'm having trouble learning to center my weight. I remember riding a bike as being so effortless, but I suppose I was a lot closer to the ground. And on grass. But I keep wiggling back and forth, certain that I might lose control at any time, and tumble onto the gravel. So I panic a little. And throw my feet off the peddles, trying to come to a stop since pedaling backwards doesn't work. Okay, I've got the front wheel brake in pretty good control. But still. This is going to take some work. Especially since those particular muscles in my thighs are not used to being used in that manner.

It's a nice trail. Flat. Very flat. Of course, it's a railroad grade, so it won't be too bad even in the mountains. It stretches all the way across the state - from Seattle to almost-Idaho, I understand.

Comments

[luli82.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping someone told how to use handbrake bikes particularly which brake to apply first. It might not be totally important when going slow but you want to get into the practice of applying the back brake first then the first brake even if it's only a few seconds apart. If you are going fast and hit the front brake first you risk flying over the handle bars as your back wheel tries to keep going. Just a tip and don't worry you'll be a master bike rider soon!

[missingdonut.livejournal.com]

In fact, I recommend not using the front brake in all but the most extreme of braking situations, or not even at all. You maintain much better control, even if your rear tire locks up and slides.