Wednesday, October 26, 2011

to PEE or not to PEE, that is the question of the day


You are out on your bike ride with a large group of cyclists. Men and women cruising along enjoying the countryside. The fellows in the group decide it is time for the "pee break". They move off of the road and face the country. Off they go to do what guys do. But lo and behold, their backsides are still visible to those passing by on the road not to mention the women that are along for the ride.

Is this ok? Is this what you would not mind seeing as you pass by in your car or on your bike? If you were driving a car would you do this? With your family in tow, would you pull over and take a wee in front of your family members?? Why not?? or why yes?

If you are miles from a bathroom, ok, use the road but can ya at least get behind a rock! If you are near a bathroom, is it still ok to just turn and drop trow? Is this strictly a guy thing or do women do this as well?

Would it be safe for women to squat and pee right alongside the road? Why or why not? Heck the men do it. Why do women look for porta potties and or a large tree? Are they just more polite, more mature or more what?

If you peed in public in a city or a parking lot or any other place, you would be arrested. Why do men do it so much when cycling? Why cannot they find a gas station or convenience store or at least some woods?

Post as to what you think??

Best ride EVER in Chester County


Where can you be only 40 miles from a large city and be in country so deep you would think you were in New England? The answer in Chester County. The seat of this gorgeous county is West Chester, PA. Google it and take a look. Below is the cue that I recommend if you want to see some of the most exclusive race horse farms in the Northeast.


Picture above is on Runnymeade Road. Such a small road you will think you are on someone's private drive but trust me, it is a road! It is between mile 20 and 21. ENJOY


Sunday, October 9, 2011

why bike??


updated my blog finally!! have not posted for awhile as I have been busy with my oldest's son wedding and all that entails....

But Libby is back and still biking. Just this past weekend I threw down 53 miles touring my gorgeous home county - Chester - in the state of PA. My bike club did a ride that took us through countryside that only exits elsewhere in England. Chester County looks a lot like the English countryside with rolling hills, horses, cows and beautiful vistas.

We had a brand new cyclist on our ride. A NEWBIE! I have not ridden with a newbie for a long time but it was such fun to see this guy really enjoying himself and learning a lot in the process.

Course he did what all newbies do - he bought an inexpensive bike. For most folks the thought of dropping several thousands of dollars on a bike is something that they cannot even wrap their brains around. We all have memories of childhood and our little bikes and we think it is the same when you are an adult. You think you would have to be nuts to spend that kind of money on a stupid bike. Cuz what is it other than a seat, wheels, pedal and some gears. Any bike will do as long as it takes me from one place to the next.

But do you use this kind of thinking in any other large purchase your might do. Say buying a new set of golf clubs? Do you go to KMart and buy a little starter set and then hit the links? Well maybe if you were 18 years old.

But if you are an adult with a decent job, and want a LIFELONG hobby that will serve from your twenties all the way through retirement then buy a good bike. Spend time researching bikes. With the Internet it is practically impossible to not be knowledgeable about a large purchase.

Visit many bike stores and just browse. Ask questions. Figure out what size you need and then figure out what you are going to spend. If you want a bike to go around the block with your kids, go to Walmart. If you want a bike that will become a passion, get something good.

Bikes nowdays range in price from $700 to $6000. You want a road bike, not a hybrid. You do not have to buy the top of line road bike, a good starter road bike will do for your first few months. But as soon as you ride with someone on a better bike than your bike and see them flying up and down hills and coasting like there is no tomorrow, your starter bike is going to start looking bad.

Whatever you do, please consider biking as a great recreational activity that you can do alone, with friends and on any road. Once your initial costs are over, you have a piece of equipment that can last years and years.

Happy cycling and see you on the road.