Is it raining outside?

Now that we are in the very end of fall season and only a breath away from entering to the winter season, I think it is an appropriate time to discuss this topic.

For the last three weeks, every morning that I wake up, I rush out of the bed, open my bedroom door, hug the door lining and ask really loud "Is it raining outside?".

When the following answer is no, I then simply walk back into my bedroom, pick up my robe, wear it and then I just continue to get ready for work as usual.

But when the answer is yes, I run again back into my room, open the shutters and I just stand there for a moment, looking outside and inspecting the intensity and rhythm of the rain. I then pick up my robe again and continue to get ready for work, as usual.

However when it is raining outside, I choose to wear clothes that are more rain appropriate. That doesn't mean I own any special waterproof clothes just for commuting in the rain, not that that's a bad thing, I just preferred not to.

(Actually those of you that own rain gear outfits have made it easy for yourselves.) 

Me personally, I don't have the time to change when I'm in my work, and also because I am an optician and I work in a shop, I have to look presentable. So when it is raining, I simply choose to wear something that is nice and casual. 

Starting from footwear, any kind of boots or booties will do the work just fine. They're waterproof, well sealed and warm. If you're a guy, don't wear athletic shoes that day. They're not waterproof and you won't like to walk around all day with feet that are soggy. You can wear men booties, which came out in a variety of styles, from more casual to more dressy. 

For the inner layers, I simply choose to wear a tank-top and overlaying it with a blouse or a sweater. If it is really cold outside, I will also wear a shirt in between. Usually one that is made from a lighter material and has some feminine details. I'm a girl after all!

For the legs, I will either pick to wear regular pants, skirts or jeans, depending on the look I'm going for. I found that they're all the same in the rain, except from skirts. Because when I'm wearing a skirt and tights, my legs get wet, but dry up instantly after I arrive at my workplace. 

As for the out layers, I normally choose to wear a long jacket or coat with a hood to protect my head or if my jacket/coat doesn't have a hood I will simply wear a hat and cover my neck with a wool scarf. 

And after that, I'm off with my bicycle!

I'm not a fair weather cyclist, not because I pretend to be tough, but because riding a bicycle in the rain is the same as riding a bicycle with no rain. 

The only difference is to cover your head with a hat or your hood and to wear boots instead of athletic shoes (if you're a guy) or ballet flats (if you're a girl).

Now if it is raining outside, then you won't have any problem!

Either if you own rain gear outfits or not! 

But what happens if it is pouring outside?

Next post is following up...

Finding mushrooms

Two weeks ago, when I was out riding my bicycle, I followed a new trail. I rode slowly as the gravel beneath me was still a little bit moist from last night's rain and, although riding on gravel is relatively safe as it isn't slippery, I didn't knew the trail that well. 

So riding on a slower pace gave me the opportunity to observe the surroundings and to take in all of the small details. 

The fresh smell of the pine trees, the soft sound produced by my wheels on the gravel and the different shades of green every plant had.

I kept pedaling and pedaling, and with every stroke of the pedal, I absorbed more and more of the near environment as I was passing by. 

One thing though that it really catch my eye was a particular spot that had lots of rocks and the whole space between each rock was covered by some really small, but very bright, green colored plants. 

The upper leaves of these little plants had the shape of a star. I tried to capture them with my camera phone, but sadly it doesn't show that well. 

They seemed so fragile, however they didn't broke under my weight as I was walking all over them. 

A couple of meters to the left was another plant, with a cooler undertone in its green leaves, and as I was approaching to it, to take a better look, I spotted a mushroom hidden under it! 

And to my surprise it wasn't the only one there! I looked further up, behind the plant and it had a whole area filled with these. They were so beautiful and in total contrast with the environment and the star-shaped plants.

As you can see in the picture, the mushrooms are light brown, flat shaped and medium sized. I didn't touch them as I do not know anything about mushroom hunting. But as an avid mushroom eater, I just can't help myself and until now I wonder if they were edible.

Before leaving that space I just stood there and admired the contrasting colors one more time. Who knew that gray paired so well with green! It is not a combination of colors that we tend to see a lot, at least not for decorating places. 

Have you ever found any mushrooms while you're out with your bicycle?

Do you know how to pick them?

An intreresting frame

Last Sunday, when I was heading home after visiting my sister, I came across an interesting frame that I captured with my camera and wanted to share.

It is an image of a parked boat. 

However, what surprised me the most, it was not the boat itself, but how well it blended with the surrounding environment.

Usually, everyone assumes that a boat belongs to the sea. We are expecting to see images of endless little boats tied on the port throughout the whole winter, and although they are beautiful and we admire them, we do not overthink about them.

On the other hand, a boat parked in the land seems foreign. Most of the times, when I come across boats that aren't in the sea, I find that they are not that beautiful and that they have a neglect look to them.

Not this particular boat though!

As you can see in the picture there are three plants rounding this boat. One with vibrant red leaves, an olive tree full of olives (it's picking season) and last but not least this fluffy one with these bright, almost neon, flowers.

If you compare them all, you can identify their beauty and how interestingly they all blend together. 

The boat, which reminds me of summer and the warmer temperatures, is positioned just nicely in the middle. 

The red leaf plant, which totally matches with the autumn, hovers above it, adding to it a unique charm.

I don't know what type of plant it is. Certainly isn't an ivy though. The leaves have a different shape. 

The fluffy plant has covered the entire olive's trunk and also extends further in the front. Sadly, I do not know the name of this plant too, but I find it so beautiful. It is one of those plants that benefit from the colder temperatures, the morning dew and the autumn's rain and that's why it became greener and brighter and grew these happy colored flowers!

As for the olive tree, it stands there, timeless, with its branches weighted down by all those olives, waiting for someone to pick them. 

And despite the fact that each subject of this frame is different than the other, they all combine a very interesting frame, with a certain "feeling" to it. 

The boat did not "belong" there and normally I wouldn't care for it. However, I found that it had a charming look, as it was surrounded by all those plants. 
The boat represented the summer and the plants the winter.
And while together they create a strong contrast, I find it very appealing.

Losing energy

Have you ever ridden upon concrete?

I thought all those years that riding on concrete would feel like riding on asphalt. But how wrong I was! 

Either riding uphill or on long stretches, concrete makes me feel that I'm losing energy when I ride on it. 

At first I thought that maybe it was due to this road. It is very steep as you can see on the pictures. I also lack on really low gears. So I thought that climbing with my bicycle there literally exhausted me out, not because of the terrain but due to the fact that the incline was more than my bicycle could take. Which is partly true of course!

Two days later I found myself riding on another road! It had an incline, but nothing major. Third gear was more than enough. However, my bicycle felt really sluggish. I pedaled and pedaled but I felt like the tires were sticking on to the ground.

I looked down and photographed what I saw. The road's surface was a mix of gravel and concrete. 

On the first road I blamed the steep incline and my bicycle's inefficiency. On the second road I accused the gravel and the terrain's uneven surface. I did not take into account the fact that when I ride on actual plain gravel, I never feel my bicycle sluggish. 

However, when I rode through this stretch (a new bicycle path near the coast), which is also made from concrete and has an even surface and no incline whatsoever, and felt again the slug, then I started to wonder if maybe the road's material was the one to blame!

I asked my cycling friends what did they thought of this matter. And after waiting for them to stop laughing after I showed them the first road that I climbed with my bicycle (they still could not believe how I managed to do that! And I must say that I surprised myself too for not falling back!) they replied that concrete was one of the worst road materials for cycling and that they avoid the routes that the paths are made of concrete.

One question pops into my mind though. If concrete is such a bad choice of material for road paths, then why all the new bicycle paths are made from it?

Is it cheaper? Maybe..

But asphalt isn't that much more expensive, too.

Who knows..

One thing I learned though is that, to me, concrete absorbs all the energy when I pedal and no matter how much I force into it, the slug never goes away.

Is concrete used as a road material where you live, either on the road or on bike paths? Do you feel the "drag" when you ride on it?

Choosing a bicycle for transportation - Part 3: The types of bicycles

Today we will talk about the different types of bicycles that are ideal for transportation. However, these suggestions are preferably meant for people who live into a city or in the suburbs, and not so much for someone who lives in a rural area, where the riding distances are longer and the shops and buildings are more sparse. 

However you are more than welcome to read this article about bicycle restrictions and also do not skip to read the first part of choosing a bicycle for transportation, where I'm referring to the different aspects that every new or future cyclist will have to take into account, as long as the second part, where I talk about the most important bicycle accessories every cyclist needs to have into his bike, either if he lives and rides into a city or in a rural area. 

The types of bicycles

The regular upright bicycle

This is the most common type of bicycle used for transportation into a city. It is really popular on all European countries, where you see everyone use it. Men or women. Young people or older people. 

(My bicycle falls into this category too.)

This type of bicycle has a lower top tube, which helps for mounting and unmounting with more ease in comparison to a bicycle with a diamond frame. Its wheels are usually 28'' inches in diameter and the tires are bald, with "rain" lines on them, so that the rain water is directed outwards. The handlebars are swept backwards towards the cyclist, which adds to the comfort, as the rider sits upright and relaxed. 

The frame is usually made from steel, chromoly or alloy.

This type of bicycle feels "good" while riding on busy roads. It is easy to handle because of the drawn back handlebars and gains/hold speed easily due to its bigger wheels. 

The folding bicycle

This type of bicycle feels as comfortable as a regular upright bicycle. It gains in popularity as the ideal bicycle on metropolises, due to the fact that you can simply unfold it and carry it as a bag, which is really convenient. 

The folding bicycle has an overall lower frame that helps also with mounting and unmounting. Its wheels are usually 20" inches in diameter (some bicycle brands come with 18" or 22" inches instead). The tires typically are also bald with a few "rain" lines. 

The frame is usually made from alloy (makes the bicycle lighter) but some brands like also to use steel for the frame building. 

This type of bicycle is being misjudged for being "slow" due to its smaller wheels. However that is far from the truth as with the use of gears this problem is solved and when you ride this bicycle in a city, you won't be any slower than any other bicycle. 

When we're talking about top speed, yes this bicycle is slower, but who is riding anyway on top speed into a city? No one!

(I really am considering myself to buy a folding bike as my second bicycle. Despite the fact that I live outside of the city.)

The trekking bicycle

This particular is a low frame trekking bicycle. One of the few and rare true lower ones!

This type of bicycle has either a diamond frame or a somewhat lower frame (more like a lower mixte's frame). Moreover, the drivetrain is positioned higher, so the mounting and the unmounting isn't that easy and has to be performed as if you ride a diamond frame bicycle, even with the "lowered" frame. (So be ready to pick your leg up and over for this part!)

Its wheels are usually 26" inches in diameter, with either bald or studded tires (like on a mountain bike) and also thicker.

The handlebars aren't swept backwards, but they are straight. The riding position isn't that upright. You have to bend over almost to a 45 degree angle. In some bicycles you might need to bend less or more, depending on the frame geometry.

In other words, the trekking bicycle is a bike that has the frame geometry of a mountain bicycle, straight handlebars, raised top bar, thicker tires and 26" inches wheels but with some characteristics of an upright bicycle. The saddle is set lower than the handlebars, although not enough. This bicycle also has a somewhat more upright position than on a typical mountain bike and a wider saddle.

Its frame is typically made from steel or alloy.

When you handle it, this bicycle isn't as obedient as a regular upright bicycle. To me it feels more aggressive, stiff and nervous and not comfortable for riding more than an hour long.

However this type of bicycle has its fans and it is popular among bicycle users.

(This type of bicycle is actually my least favorite of them all. Some people swear for it, but I personally find it uncomfortable.)

So these were the three types of bicycles that are considered ideal for transportation! 

I did not mention road bikes or mountain bikes, because they are not the "ideal" bikes, however if you like them (or already own them), you can use them, too. There is nothing wrong with that!

(Actually I personally find the road/mixte bicycle more comfortable for transportation than the trekking bicycle!)

You must try all types of bicycles yourself to figure out which one works better for you, but do not forget to take into account all the other advises and tips I shared on the two previous posts (again link for part one, link for part two).

Do not forget that bicycles are a personal choice. Do not imitate other people's actions and choices.

Try yourself and choose for yourself!

Bicycles are after all a trial and error method!

Am I fast or am I slow?

This question puzzles me for a while now. It all began a few weeks ago when I did my typical route from my home to the city center, but at that time I was not alone. I was accompanied by a friend. 

He is a regular bicycle commuter too. We live on the same neighborhood and we both work in the city center. Usually our working hours are different, so it was the first time that we actually rode all the way together towards the downtown. 

I own an upright bicycle, he owns a mountain bike. 

The day was cloudy and the air was blowing softly. Perfect! 
I usually ride alone, so I started to ride with company on the same way I ride when I'm alone. He was a regular too, so I thought he wouldn't have any problem following my pace. But after 5 minutes into it, he politely asked me if I could slow down a bit. 

At first, I thought he was kidding so I continued to ride on the same speed. I looked at him and he looked okay as he followed along. 

A couple a of minutes later, he asked me again to slow down a bit. 

I looked him straight into the eyes and I saw that he was not kidding and that he actually wanted me to relax my pace. 

I asked: "Do you think that I'm going fast?"

He replied: "Yes! Why are you in such a hurry?"

I: "I'm not in a hurry... This is how I ride my bicycle. Everyday."

He: "Well, you surely are a fast cyclist. Slow down a bit!"

Until that moment I thought I was an average speed cyclist. Actually I still think I am!

But after what he said about my speed I began to puzzle.

I started to observe other cyclists in the street. The truth is that I overtake every single one that appears in the road ahead of me, and not on purpose, I ride on the same pace all the way on my route, it just "happens" and I find myself passing them. All those time I thought they were just riding slow, not that I was going fast. 

On the other hand, sometimes there will be a moment that an another cyclist overtakes me. When that is happening, I smile and think "wow, he is a fast cyclist and not slow as I am!".

I usually have the tendency to compare myself with this fast cyclist and think myself as a not exactly slow cyclist, but an average speed one. 

I don't understand how did I improve my speed that much, when for the last five months I always tried to "slow" myself down and just keep a momentum when I'm pedaling, because it was summer and now I'm just left with this habit. 

The question popped on my mind every time I rode my bicycle: 

Am I fast or am I slow?

I became obsessed of course and started to ask people what they were thinking of related to my speed. The replies were mixed. My most experienced cyclists friends said I was fast. The ones that were still beginners thought that I was just an average speed cyclist and the non cyclist friends said that I was being both fast and slow. They think I am fast when I am on my way to meet them, and always say "We thought you would be late because of your bicycle", but when they are driving behind me, they find me slow on the straight lines and fast on the turns. 

Still I do not know if I am fast or if I am slow, but I do continue to think of myself as an average speed cyclist, but now I think of me as a one who is leaning towards the "fast" side. 

What about you? Do you ever think of your speed when you are commuting by bicycle? 

What do you think characterises a fast cyclist or a slow one?

Are you fast or are you slow?