A mechanic was nice enough to try and tighten the loose bolt, which worked for about 2 minutes until my pedal was wobbling from side to side so much that it was really hard to get the rest of the way in. It was also very dangerous to do anything besides coast downhill; I actually had to dismount and walk the bike up one hill.

I dropped off the bike yesterday at Southside Cyclery. While my girlfriend and I enjoyed a walk around the St. Louis Zoo & a picnic on Art Hill in Forest Park, my bike was repaired. The best part of it: It was all warranty work and cost me nothing.

I fully expected to pay for the repairs, and was pleasantly surprised not only at the fast turnaround, but also the care they took to do a full inspection and tune-up of the whole bike. That extra cash I set aside went into a pair of shoes and a pedal clip system.

As I had no prior experience with clip systems or cycling shoes, I relied on Wayne’s recommendation and instruction. I remember doing a lot of useless research before buying my bike; being really disappointed that I’d picked out a bike on the Trek website that nobody in St. Louis carried. Not to mention, I had nothing upon which to base my selection.

Now, all I do is head over to Southside and ask Wayne what he recommends. The guy has never steered me wrong, and I love the clip system. Each rotation is more than twice as efficient as it used to be, and they are really easy to get into and out of. Get a set for yourself; you’ll never go back.

Just as I was beginning to think I’d become a “presence” on my route home, I was buzzed by a Black Honda Civic with a bike rack on the back! Seriously!

I have taken great pains to ensure the safety of other motorists, and drive much more defensively now that I’ve been cycling almost every day. I assume that most other cyclists have had a similar shift in the paradigm of their own driving experience.

I have been making a point to ease my frustrations, and have relaxed the urge to spit, throw water bottles, and scream at cars if they drive too close, honk or harass me. But, I’m confounded at the fact that a fellow cyclist would endanger me.

It just so happened that a motocylce officer of the St. Louis municipal police department saw exaclty what happened, and abruptly pulled the motorist over. At first, I thought he was after me. Most people, police officer or not, believe that cyclists are not supposed to ride in traffic, but instead on the sidewalk.

Another cyclist pulled up next to me at the light at Landsdowne & River Des Peres Blvd to comment that motorists on Wabash are assholes. I responded, “Wait until I get to Mackenzie, then you’ll see some assholes.”

I can’t tell you how much MORE dangerous sidewalk riding is than obeying all traffic laws as a motorist (which is what cyclists are considered by law in Missouri). Imagine yourself crossing a random intersection on the sidewalk, and realize that no car getting ready to enter traffic from a side street is looking as far down that sidewalk as you are. They are looking for slow-traveling pedestrians, not to strike a cyclist who appears out of nowhere.

I’ve been doing myself a great favor lately when I feel threatened by passing traffic: I take the lane, thereby forcing traffic to change lanes to pass me. I do this only in situations where speed limits are the highest. I also believe that cars breaking behind me allows motorists behind them more of a warning as well.

All thoughts and comments are welcome.

After a good strong headstart, I can usually get going up to 30-35MPH going downhill, but can’t maintain anywhere near that because the incline is so drastic. I’m usually almost immediately impeded to a 12-15MPH steady pace.

Motorists on Mackenzie are flying past me at about 45-50MPH usually, which is very dangerous. Coupling that with the wet roads, and I find myself taking up as much of the lane as I can, just to ensure that I don’t get buzzed too closely, loose control and get killed.

Sure enough, some jerk felt the need to throw a full taco bell cup at me. He missed, and I missed his license plate number. I was pretty upset and called the police when I arrived home.

The officer that answered the non-emergency line seemed pretty bored. I had time to calm down, and knew that I didn’t have any information to help him, so I plainly informed him of the situation.

His reply was, “Sir, you’re asking for a perfect world. We can’t control the fact that some people are going to break the law by speeding. As much as I’d love to give them all tickets, we have bigger problems.”

I was pretty surprised that he was so defensive, but realized that he must be very annoyed at all of the Affton calls about barking dogs, unfriendly neighbors and loud music all of the time. I could tell this guy was a bit disappointed in what police work was like in south Saint Louis County. I’m sure he already resented the fact that he has to meet that unspoken quota of speeding tickets every month instead of doing real police work like catching crooks.

Rather than arguing with him, and getting absolutely nowhere with him, I expressed that I appreciated him taking my call, and simply asked if he’d make note of my statement, and try to get a shift on Mackenzie during rush hour. I hope he would prefer this to scraping me from the street when I actually do get hit by a car.

Well, the dog’s doing much better, I’m getting more sleep, and I started riding in again yesterday. It was like I was starting all over again. I didn’t have the endurance I built up over the past 4 weeks. Lesson learned.

I also think people are getting used to seeing cyclists on the road now. I’m either getting used to being buzzed by cars every now and again, or it’s just not happening as frequently.

I am working on an idea for a social initiative; one that would include other bikers that would help raise money for the environment. I’ll share details as things develop. I put a little time into it over the weekend, and am planning on approaching my boss after things slow down a bit at work.

I’m also trying to increase the popularity of this blog. It’s original intent was to help other riders understand what getting off gasoline is like for someone with virtually no experience. I intend to continue to share thoughts and riding experience in a public forum, but I feel that I need to network a bit more.

This may entail some research article writing, and partnerships with other websites. I really hope to someday gather comments from readers who I’ve been able to help.

On Mackenzie, some bitch honked at me for riding in the right lane (something I do to make sure motorists see me). I was going to let it go, but right as that happened I saw the “Share the Road” warning sign we both passed and decided to perform a gesture suggesting that she fly a kite.

August temperatures in St. Louis at 8:00am have already hit 80 degrees and higher. I am going to have to hit Target tonight for some more Under Armour to wick the sweat from my back. The one shirt I have right now is just not going to see the end of this week. On the same note, I might have to hit Maplewood Bicycle for some extra shorts on the way home.

Needless to say, with the heat index at 103 degrees, no matter how many pit stops I make, the ride home is going to be brutal. Here’s to me staying hydrated!

Beginning in downtown St. Louis’ industrial area, the scenery is dotted with historic buildings, warehouses and plants. You’ll notice a huge flood wall that may be on either side of you (depending upon where the levee is closed) adorned with artwork and beautiful literary passages about St. Louis’ rich history.

You’re bound to see people fishing bass and catfish from the banks of the river, as well as some very unique housing that brings a whole new meaning to the term, “houseboat.” The dwellers sacrifice no amenities except a basement; it looks as though someone moved a house from my neighborhood to the riverfront and put the bottom of a pontoon boat beneath it. I was left to imagine entire neighborhoods floating downriver in flood season.

Overall, my ride in to work kicks this trails ass on an exponential level when it comes to difficulty. I would rate this trail a 10 on leisure, an 8 on scenery, and a 6 on smells.

To support my comfort, I bought a pair of real, padded biking shorts. I tried them on for Emily, who found the sight of me in them hilarious. I’ll be asking for a couple more pair for my birthday. I also picked up a pair of Trek gloves. I tried on the gel-padded ones, and could barely close my fist, let alone grip my handlebars. I opted for the synthetic leather padded gloves out of personal preference.

I also picked up a wired bike computer and a lock. The computer will help me more accurately track my milage for the CO2 offset, Calorie Burning, and Gas Savings Tallys.

Needless to say, I was a little depressed this morning when I remembered I had to drive in today, and I wasn’t going to get to play with my new toys.

The new route could use some refining; it is longer and hillier. I just hope by the end of the week, I can see a definite improvement in my endurance. All the same, I’m going to have a killer ass and thighs in a few weeks. And I might stave-off my inevitable heart attack for a few more years.

My father and his father both suffered with heart disease. My grandfather passed away when my father was 15 years old; he was in his early fourties. My father has had around 3 heart attacks, the last one being the least severe, the second one requiring triple or quadruple bypass surgery.

He was in great shape before the second; a trainer at the Webster Groves YMCA, he worked out nearly every day of the week for 1-2 hours. Now he exercises with a little less frequency. He is still eating well, but I think a major change in his life is that he has cut back on drinking.

Note: Stop smoking, don’t drink so much, eat right, and exercise. Three out of four isn’t bad. I imagine the hills won’t seem as high if I were to quit smoking.

Perhaps I can avoid both being run over in traffic and having a heart attack.