It Feels GREAT to Give

A while back, the Southern Tier Bike Project was contacted by the coordinator of the Tioga County Family Fun Event. She asked if we would be willing to donate a bike to be raffled off as part of the event. In the end, we offered 4 bikes to cover a broad range of ages and we set about cleaning, lubricating and polishing.

The Family Fun Event is basically a way to offer some fun activities for families while, at the same time assessing the health needs of county. Families are encouraged to visit different vendor booths collecting stamps which can be redeemed for raffle tickets that they can use to enter drawings for a wide variety of donated items.

On the day of the event, I borrowed a pickup (thanks Jim) and took the 4 bikes down to Marvin Park in Owego. I was somewhat dismayed when I discovered that several local merchants had donated some very nice products, including a shiny new BMX bike and a Nintendo WII. I began to wonder if anyone would take a chance on our shiny, though slightly used, bicycles, when there were such desirable new items available.

It was with a bit of trepidation that I returned to the park for the drawing at the end of the event. I was somewhat relieved when I approached the Raffle Tent and observed that the 4 ticket jars for the bikes were not empty. That meant that someone wanted those bikes, regardless of what else was on offer.

Words cannot describe the feeling of watching 4 different families claim their restored bicycle. Each of them beamed as if it was the most precious thing on earth. I could barely contain myself when a mother claimed the little 12" Sea Star with training wheels turned it over to her 3 year old daughter. Her big sister helped her get on and she pedaled away into the fading sunlight.

Some of these bikes take a LOT of work to get restored to near-new condition. Nights like tonight make every bit of work worth while. This is what the Southern Tier Bike Project is all about.

Some Days Just Don't Feel Right

Sometimes, when I have a horrible round of golf, I comment that my bike never lets me down like my golf clubs do. I never ride down the road and seemingly forget how to ride, falling off into the ditch. To watch me play golf some days, you would certainly think I forgot how.

On the other hand, there are days on the bike when my body just doesn't seem to react when my brain says "take that hill". I had one of those rides the other day. I didn't seem tired, it wasn't very hot, there seemed to be no excuse at all, yet I just felt sluggish. Riding at a moderate pace on level ground seemed like an effort. Riding up hills seemed nearly impossible.

So, I guess in golf or in cycling, it really isn't the equipment that lets me down, it's the body that just isn't quite the same every day. When you have one of those "off" days, not to worry, the old form will be back soon

Too Hot to Ride (NOT)

Often, when I ask someone if they want to go for a ride on a humid 90+ degree day, the answer is "It's too hot to ride". In my humble opinion, unless you have a chronic condition such as asthma that makes it unsafe to exercise in warm weather, I think it's never too hot. However, you MUST make adjustments in order to avoid heat stroke. Number one is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Start an hour before you ride. Drink and keep drinking. The second adjustment is to go easier. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, don't push it.

Besides, it's good to sweat!! It flushes all the bad karma out of your system and leaves you feeling refreshed and invigorated (after you cool down and have a cold beer).

I just got back from a 35 mile ride in 91 degrees. This post comes to you with a cold beer in a frosty glass. Enjoy your next ride.

Tioga County Council on the Arts Raffle

The Southern Tier Bike Project recently donated a Cannondale M300 mountain bike to theTCCA to be used in fund raising activities. Today, we received the following e-mail regarding the early progress:

"Yesterday was the first day of selling raffle tickets for TCCA - we busted chops to get pictures and then some sample baskets for the Hickory Smoked Music Festival. In the first day, we sold $500 worth of tickets. You should have seen the people drooling over the bike. It was a real attention grabber and probably half or more of the tickets went to the bike. This week we are focusing on getting the basket contents and pictures on the website and preparing for the TCCA mailing to members. We're also going to plan when we will sell more tickets (3rd Friday Art Walk?, En Plein Air?...)

We're off to a great start thanks to you! (Drawing will be Oct 31)"

We at the Southern Tier Bike Project are thrilled to see the fruits of our labor.

An Interesting Bike (ride)

I took a test ride on the recently donated Schwinn World Tourist today. This bike is somewhat unique in that the freewheel is in the crank rather than in the rear hub. What this means is that while you're coasting, the chain and chain rings (but not the pedals) are turning. While it does allow the rider to shift gears while coasting, the extra drag of the chain and chain ring turning can't be very efficient. Then, of course, there's that possible circumstance when the chain happens to drop off the small chain ring. If it gets jammed between the frame and the chain ring, with no freewheel in the rear hub, the back wheel comes to a screeching halt. I don't think that would be a fun way to stop.

I'm sure some great thinker at Schwinn (or Giant at the time) thought this was a good idea, however they must have eventually realized that the "convenience" of being able to shift while coasting wasn't worth the complexity, inefficiency and risk.

Regarding "convenience"; it was very difficult for me to even consider shifting while not pedaling. I've been totally conditioned to pedal while shifting. I think it's more a matter of how you learn to shift than one being more convenient than the other. So, as it turns out, there really wasn't much of a market for this design.

I must admit however; even though the chain whirring by while coasting was a bit unnerving, the bike has a very comfortable, plush ride and will be excellent for cruising around town once we get it cleaned up.