The Web Warren

The saga of my bicycling this month has had as many twists and turns as the Tour de France's ride up Mont Ventoux. From the high points of a new saddle and an investment in "casual" cycling shoes (no cleats) to the lows of a bar pack that interfered with my brakes and the death of my Lotus Excelle, this month has been an adventure in which the things associated with cycling have affected both the amount of time I've wanted to spend on the road, and the amount of time I've been
able to spend on the road.

Let me step back a moment. For those of us with Type 2 Diabetes, bicycling can be a multipurpose tool in our quest for optimum health: exercise keeps our muscles (including our hearts) toned, burns calories, improves insulin sensitivity, and is an integral part of a weight loss or weight maintenance program. For many people, cycling -- especially casual cycling -- can be easier on the body than walking or running. Using a bicycle (or adult tricycle), rather than a car, for running short errands -- a quart of milk from the supermarket, or (like the Netflix commercial) returning a rental to the video store -- also saves money on gas, allows us to come and go as we please, and does not exhaust carbon monoxide and petroleum exhaust products into the atmosphere.

At the start of last week's "replace-a-bike" marathon, I assumed I'd get another road bike. I'm used to riding with dropped handlebars, toeclips and straps, and it's hard for me to consider other configurations as "serious" bicycles. I also assumed I would be getting an "entry-level" model, or just one level above -- my skills and the amount of time I spend on the road don't merit anything fancier. Then I looked at the cost of these models and nearly fainted. I had expected that the advance of technology should have brought something similar to the Excelle in at about the price I paid for it over 25 years ago. Instead, the cost of bicycles has risen in line with inflation. My other concerns were the spotty quality of local roads and the possibility of riding through snow and gravel. The wider wheels on hybrids and mountain bikes would provide greater stability in those conditions, and the cost would be somewhat less. On the flip side, these configurations tend to be heavier and less maneuverable. When not on the road, my bicycle resides in the front foyer of our apartment -- weight and maneuverability in tight spaces are serious considerations.

I was fortunate in two things: our usual bike shop was advertising a 2008 Specialized "Dolce" entry level women's road bicycle at a clearance price on the order of current-year hybrids and mountain bikes, and on Thursday, a different nearby shop hosted a Specialized "Diva Van" event (a woman-specific trunk show) at which I was able to speak with a Specialized rep and (at least in theory) test ride several models. While bad weather cancelled any chance of a test ride, Becca (the rep) showed us different types of bicycles and equipment, and the brand's "Body Geometry" system of making sure you have the correct size equipment, correctly adjusted for your body.

The short story (so far) is that after talking with Becca and examining (including hefting, straddling, and sitting on) several different models, I fell in love with the "Dolce". On Saturday, The Other Half and I went to our usual dealer, found the discounted '08 was still available, and picked it up. My planned 2 mile initial "get acquainted session" went closer to 6 miles. I need another two or three such sessions to more completely familiarize myself with its handling. I still have a couple of accessorization details to work out, but as of this moment, I am back on the road...