Some of us try to turn our commutes into mini-workouts. There are all sorts of ways to do that. One is to simply ride at a vigorous pace. Another is to ride in a higher gear than we'd normally ride on a given road or path. (Or we might ride a fixed-gear bike.) Still another way is to ride a heavier bike than we'd ride for fun. Or we might find routes that are more challenging or simply longer than the ones we might've otherwise taken to work.
I have been choosing the latter option. Even though the cycle/pedestrian bridge from Randall's Island to the Bronx has opened, I've been taking the old walkway on the west side of the RFK Bridge spur because accessing it involves pedaling up a fairly steep ramp that zig-zags. So, for a moment, I can pretend I'm pumping my way up the road on l'Alpe d'Huez as I'm on my way to work in the Bronx.
I admit, it's not a long incline. But it at least provides a challenge, however brief, on an otherwise flat commute. Maybe I'll find a route from the new bridge to my workplace that is a bit more challenging (or, again, simply longer) than the one I took the couple of times I've ridden over that bridge.
Now, if I really wanted a workout, I suppose I could ride this:
The Boneshaker Big Wheel, by artist Ron Schroer, is described as "the steampunk love child" of a boneshaker and a penny-farthing. Riding it to work would certainly be interesting. Parking, even more so, I think: Would it attract a would-be thief? Maybe. Then again, someone who tried to take off with it probably wouldn't get very far--unless, of course, he had experience in riding boneshakers or penny-farthings!
I have been choosing the latter option. Even though the cycle/pedestrian bridge from Randall's Island to the Bronx has opened, I've been taking the old walkway on the west side of the RFK Bridge spur because accessing it involves pedaling up a fairly steep ramp that zig-zags. So, for a moment, I can pretend I'm pumping my way up the road on l'Alpe d'Huez as I'm on my way to work in the Bronx.
I admit, it's not a long incline. But it at least provides a challenge, however brief, on an otherwise flat commute. Maybe I'll find a route from the new bridge to my workplace that is a bit more challenging (or, again, simply longer) than the one I took the couple of times I've ridden over that bridge.
Now, if I really wanted a workout, I suppose I could ride this:
The Boneshaker Big Wheel, by artist Ron Schroer, is described as "the steampunk love child" of a boneshaker and a penny-farthing. Riding it to work would certainly be interesting. Parking, even more so, I think: Would it attract a would-be thief? Maybe. Then again, someone who tried to take off with it probably wouldn't get very far--unless, of course, he had experience in riding boneshakers or penny-farthings!
