My new ride
For most of my life, I was a cigarette smoker. I'd tried a lot of different ways to quit, since will-power was not a viable option; gum, lozenges, patches, hypnosis, acupuncture, nothing worked for me until I tried this new drug from Pfizer called Chantix. WIthin seven days I had given up the habit for good!

Still, with my past history I had my doubts that I could do it, so when I started the program, I made a promise to myself that if I could go 30 days without a cigarette I'd buy myself a bicycle, and ride it. Now that I know I'll never smoke cigarettes again, and I can actually breathe properly, I took the plunge and bought myself this sweet little beauty.
Well, part of this post is to thank the Podium Cafe posters for helping me hone my love of the sport of cycling. I don't have to compete to love riding my bike, for me it's the freedom of rolling along, getting some workout while enjoying the method. Sure beats walking a treadmill, and where I live, with over 300 days of sunshine a year, I can take advantage of all the bike has to offer.
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Which bike is it
by LD82 on Aug 11, 2007 6:12 PM EDT 0 recs
It's the Navigator 2 WSD (Silver)
by bethie on
Aug 11, 2007 7:00 PM EDT
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I don't care if it's a beat to hell clunker
by Sui Juris on Aug 11, 2007 6:29 PM EDT 0 recs
Congratulations!
by flying dog on Aug 11, 2007 7:03 PM EDT 0 recs
Great Job Bethie!
by Mr Van P on Aug 11, 2007 7:36 PM EDT 0 recs
I suppose when I'm ready
by bethie on
Aug 11, 2007 7:44 PM EDT
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Dropping my chain
Is there something I can adjust without taking it back to the bike shop? (they will adjust if for me, I would rather learn to fix my bike myself.)
by John.. on
Aug 11, 2007 8:59 PM EDT
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couple of possibilities
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=75
Park tool has pretty good instructions at their site. Or, you can get a copy of Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance.
A very useful item to get is a repair stand. It makes tune-ups much easier.
by KevinK on
Aug 11, 2007 9:15 PM EDT
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3rd possibility
Another possibility is you've got an Ultegra-level FSA crank and a Shimano chain, which can sometimes be a bit ill-fitting until the chain gets broken in.
Both these are longshots, but not unheard of. To cure the first problem without worrying about your shifting habits, buy a little device called a dogtooth. It's an interior chain guide. A lot of the pro peloton uses it for exactly the reason you're describing
by Tiki on
Aug 12, 2007 8:02 AM EDT
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I agree with Kevin
by Mr Van P on Aug 11, 2007 9:47 PM EDT 0 recs
it sometimes helps
by KevinK on
Aug 11, 2007 10:09 PM EDT
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...and the Park Tool site
by Mr Van P on Aug 11, 2007 9:48 PM EDT 0 recs
Congratulations Bethie!
"Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated."
(we should post that warning at the top of the home page, so first time visitors know what they're getting into)
by Drew on Aug 12, 2007 7:09 AM EDT 0 recs
Thanks
I'm going to try to follow the park tool site suggestions. If that doesn't work, I'll take it to the shop. The chain doesn't come off often, but more often than I would like.
And for anyone else that might take up cycling after being a runner, don't expect the fitness to transfer quickly. I have been humbled by riders more than 15 years older than I am and that weigh considerably more than I do. After buying a new bike to replace the loaner bike and two months of consistent riding, I am doing well on the hills, but they still rule the flats and the downhills.
by John.. on Aug 12, 2007 5:07 PM EDT 0 recs
Barge away!
I think the last bike I owned had a bell, basket and banana seat.
by bethie on
Aug 12, 2007 6:12 PM EDT
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Just be patient
by Drew on
Aug 13, 2007 1:54 PM EDT
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no matter what
by KevinK on
Aug 13, 2007 8:49 PM EDT
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