Funny bike chronicles II

Using the folder as the principle ride as a tour-training measure. Now doing the Big Commute regularly (Yarraville to Abbotsford and back via the Capital City Trail) and finding the machine perfectly adequate. If I have one complaint, it's creaks. The handlebars taper down to quite narrow ends and consequently have a bit of flex in them. Seat also a bit noisy, probably due to the very long post. Neither of these much of an issue when maintaining a consistent speed on a consistent surface with a consistent riding position but when you're going up and down over lumps and bumps and moving about it's decidedly noticeable.

That's a pretty petty gripe, huh? I have an even dumber one. I am prepared to make myself ridiculous by wearing lycra or by riding a folder. I can't bring myself to do both. Stocking up on quick-drying, orthodox microfibre clothes found in op-shops to address my tragic vanity issues.

In other exciting developments, there are cheap, collapsible bike trailers in K-Mart at the moment. Thinking heavily-laden panniers might be bad news on something with such a low centre of gravity I thought I'd give the trailer thing a go. Pleasantly surprised. Really quite maneuverable and not a noticeable drag once you get going. Fairly light loads so far though. On the 'con' side of the ledger though, those vanity issues do not seem to be alleviated by a jolly little trailer with a jaunty flag fluttering in the breeze.

The other thing is my mudguards have arrived. Thank cripes. The floods have subsided now, but they've left behind gigantic, gooey mud-drifts on the river trails. You may not have noticed them yourselves as I've been assiduously transferring them to my person via the medium of 20" wheel and carrying them out of everyone's way. You're welcome I'm sure, but all that is about to come to an end.