(no subject)

[ewt]

Am in Somerset.

Packing was horrible. Journey was okay. Guest house is alright but can only get at very small proportion of chest of drawers; certainly not enough to keep two weeks of clothing and kit for two people. Have pinked hair, and a bit of the landlady's sofa (though I think I can fix the latter). Breakfasts formidable, in a good way. It's sinking in that for the better part of the next two weeks I don't have to cook or clean at all. I do still have to do ironing though. Pah.

Cycling is fun, but too-small bicycles are hurtful. What on earth is the matter with making a wider saddle so I don't get bruises? What on earth is wrong with making the frame large enough (or the seat extend high enough) that I can get something approximating a decent leg extension? What is the matter with making the handlebars go high enough that I can actually ride without having to put all my upper body weight on my hands, resulting in bruised palms and painful neck and shoulders (and an ability to do rear observation - my neck and shoulders are not as flexible as they could be)? And what is wrong with making the gears go high enough that I actually do get up a decent speed? I miss my old pushbike. I don't remember how large the tyres were - in excess of 30", anyway, might ahve been 32" or 36" or something, they were HUGE. Getting started was always a bit difficult but once I got going I could go fast. And the thing felt solid, you could really trust it, it wasn't all rickety like a lot of the cheaper bicycles are these days. Anyway, that's pretty much put me off the idea of getting any sort of folding bicycle, because they will all be far too small. And when I do eventually replace the bicycle I currently have, I will be shopping around very carefully to find one that doesn't suck, and some very good locks, and a decent wide saddle that doesn't give me bruises. To be fair, some of the bruises were from sitting too far back because it was uncomfortable any other way...

Aikido is still fun. And I learned a bit more forward rolling today; still not great at it, still not ready to do it from standing but I'll get there eventually. Other than that, lots and lots and lots of Ki tests, which makes a good start to a week of intensive training. It's good to practise with other people, too, although sometimes I'm a bit shy and would rather stick with those I know.

It's cool and rainy here. Any idea what it's doing in London? I still need to leave a watering list for mstevens.

Starving now so off to find fooooooood...

I still need an Aikido icon. Maybe later.

Comments

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

What you need is a new saddle, a women's one. I used to have terrible trouble riding bikes because they always sell bikes with men's saddles that put the weight right where women have fleshy parts that don't want your whole bodyweight on them, and where men just have bone. *kicks bicycle manufacturers in testicles, very hard* Now I have a women's saddle that has a hole where the do-not-squash parts are, and bits to hold weight where the sensible parts are, i.e. buttocks. Every time I give my bike to a bike shop to get something fixed, they adjust the saddle back to comfortable-for-men position because "I looked at that, love, and thought it looked awful uncomfortable, so I fixed it for you". and I take their vertebrae out and use them as a spanner to put it right again while they watch You also need a spanner so that you can adjust the saddle.

[juliet]

Was about to say that re. women's saddle. You can also replace the handlebars with swept-back ones if you want a more upright riding position; and if you talk to your local bike shop you may be able to get the steerer (which the handlebars are on) replaced with a longer one (& ditto with the seatpost).

Note: for a while I was tilting my saddle significantly forwards (before I got the women's saddle with the actual hole in, & instead was using one with just a dent, which is an improvement but not *enough* of one). This works in taking pressure off the delicate bits, but means that you have to hold yourself on the saddle by putting pressure on the handlebars, which in turn leads to achey shoulders/wrists. I have it bang on level now & that works great with the saddle-with-hole, & my shoulder has stopped hurting. Some women prefer it a *little* tilted forwards.