UNK UNK UNK UNK UNK!

[ewt]

Happy ewt.

Assembled bicycle. It didn't take long, partly because I'd already done it once and partly because I managed to find the correct attachments for ratcheting screwdriver, which is easier to use than the allan key provided.

Rode to the end of the street and back. Did not get squished or fall off. Tyres are a little underinflated, so I need to get a decent pump - preferably one with a pressure gauge. I also have to be quite careful not to bugger up my hip mounting and dismounting, with the seat at the correct height for me (can put balls of both feet on ground, or one foot flat - this is what I was taught as a child and for now I shall stick with it as it feels most comfortable)... on the other hand, having the seat at the right height seems to reduce my tendency to use excess tension in my arms, so all and all this is a fair trade-off - I just have to pay attention, that's all.

I need to either find the lights I have (um, I think most of them got taken apart as blinkygoff costumes at one time or another...) or get some new ones. I'd prefer something that will run on AA or AAA batteries, because I can charge those with a solar charger. I'm considering whether I need the "bright enough so that cars will see you" type, or the "bright enough to be able to see the road etc" type - the latter are far more expensive and will take more power, but if I'm going to be cycling on canal towpaths they would greatly reduce my chances of ending up in the drink, which is, IMHO, a rather important consideration. (And yeah, ending up in the drink is better than ending up squished - I might not even sustain any real injury, since I can swim, whereas "squished" for me probably means months of physio at the very least - but that doesn't mean I should be reckless; being able to see is always better. Of course, if I can't see I'll just walk instead, but that's kindof not the point of having a bicycle...).

I should think of a name for the thing. Suggestions so far include ewticycle and w00ticycle, but these are both a little long.

Mudguards come in orange, dark blue, and forest green; I'm leaving the orange ones on for good visibility. I am sorry they are not pink.

I want metallic pink handlebar streamers, even though it is frivolous and people would just laugh at me...

Comments

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

Yay bike! I think that is the correct saddle height too.

[weatherpixie.livejournal.com]

Just call it W00t!?

And get the handlebar streamers they'll match your hair.

[ewtikins.livejournal.com]

My hair is no longer pink - I gave up on the bleach and nasty artificial chemicals, and now use nasty natural chemicals on my hair instead, in the form of henna.

[devvie.livejournal.com]

You should get the lights so that you can see. Oooo it sounds so wonderful, riding along a canal! I like ewticycle! Or maybe The Ewt Mobile! :D

[redcountess]

I like ewticycle. Good lights are essential, but so are pink metallic streamers :)

BTW, I'm planning on being at the Pembury on Sunday, but probably not until after dinner because we is po'.

[hairyears.livejournal.com]

Well, I've grabbed the name 'Aragorn' for mine.

How about 'Ting!' ?

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

Arwen?

[sci.livejournal.com]

Our local Poundland seems to have LED bike lamps on perpetual sale. Several blink patterns and each run off 2 AAs. Dead simple to fit.
I'll be swinging past there at some point soon to pick up more cheap padded envelopes anyway, if you're interested?

[pplfichi.livejournal.com]

Having one foot flat on the ground sounds a bit low, there should be a little but not much in the knee on the bottom of your stroke. One way that I was taught to achieve this is, assuming you cycle with the balls of your feet on the pedals, adjusting it so the heel of your leg can touch the pedal with your leg straight at the bottom of the stroke without moving your hips, and then adjusting it as needed from there. This may mean you can't touch the ground anymore sitting in the saddle, so you have a confidence and convenience/efficiency trade-off (but you can always raise the thing later if you don't have the confidence).

[hopeevey.livejournal.com]

You should totally have metallic pink handlebar streamers. Anyone laughing either loves it, or wishes they thought of it first.