Back in the saddle

It has been a very long time since my last post. So long in fact, that I can't remember anything that I have shared so I don't really know what has and hasn't been shared. There is no time to be funny, so I will just do a little summary of where I am at these days. Here is my current biking status:

current bike : Breezer uptown 8 LS
km's to date for 2017 : 1075
km goal for the year : 1500 (stretch goal 1750)
Total lifetime km's on my new bike (2014) : 5899
Total lifetime km's since tracking (2013) : 6504

I bike-commute to work 3-4 times in an average week, and bike an additional 10-30kms outside of work.

Things that are changing in my world of biking : I have noticed over the past few months and years, that I consistently bike in my hardest gear at all times, even going up most short hills. I gear down only when stopped, and I basically go down to my easiest because I can and not have to worry that I'm already stopped (internally geared). However, I could easily start in a harder gear. My top speed is pretty much 22-23kms/hr unless I'm going downhill, in which case I might go faster but I can't really pedal much.

I have taken my bike to the shop as I would like to increase my max speed a bit. I've asked to swap out the cassette to get a few more teeth in, which should allow me to bike in an easier gear and still have capabilities to change gears if I want to go faster. A little bit sad because it probably means I will lose my full chain-guard which I LOVE, but it's a sacrifice I will make for a bit more speed.

I was seriously contemplating getting an electric bike for the past year or so, but I think if I can cut my commute down a bit by making this change, I would settle for what I already have because I love the posture of my current bike. I am hoping to increase my max holding speed at somewhere between 25-27 kms/hr (but who knows, maybe I will go even faster) which should finally drop my commute to under 30 minutes. I might still go rogue and buy an e-bike (or most likely convert a bike), but maybe not for another year or so.

Also, I lost my bike helmet in a freak accident where I left it accidentally on the back of my car, and drove away without remembering.

That is a quick update on my current biking status - I hope to post a bit more regularly now that I remember I have a blog - but I'm not going to make any promises because chances are I won't.