Well, it’s been a couple of weeks since we got out bikes. So far they are working out okay. The trouble I’m having with mine is with the fancy hydraulic disc brakes. Clamp down on them too hard (which happens a lot in this area–lots of hills) and they squeal like a pig getting killed. Man, they are LOUD.

I’ve taken the bike back once to have them checked, and they say they are okay (pads just need to “break in”), but I’m skeptical. For now, half of the countryside can hear me coming–it’s at the point where I don’t want to brake, because of the noise. There is supposed to be some “anti-brake-squeal” stuff available (for cars) which I might try. For now, I don’t need a horn/bell on the bike.

Riding around here (with us out of shape) was pretty discouraging at first. This area is quite hilly–no flat-as-glass Illinois here. Here you have uphill battles that last for MILES.

The first route we took was going south-west from the house (along 455, for those with maps). The first part of the trip was really fun–it was all downhill. I was easily doing 35 mph (on a mountain bike, none-the-less)…with disc brakes SCREAMING. (When I hit a puddle, the discs threw off steam!)

Coming back was like a death march. If I wasn’t on BP medicine I probably would have had a heart attack. Mile after mile of steep uphill. I tried part of the stretch again the other day and even a small section killed me. (There’s just no place to get warmed up.) Just goes to show what years of sitting in front of a computer will do to you.

Anyhow, there are some flatter parts in the area–but they all require driving around. We have a small bike rack for the car, but there’s nothing that kills the urge to ride than knowing you have to drive someplace. It’s just a hassle for the daily ride. I was discouraged.

Yesterday Ev and I went out again, this time in the opposite direction. On a whim, I turned down what looked like a sideroad (in between farms). Lucky I did! It’s hilly, but a good mix of up-and-down, so you can build up speed to make it up the next hill. It is also infrequently used (it leads to a little community of about 20 homesteads), so you don’t have to worry about getting killed by a speeding car coming around a blind corner. (There are enough killer potholes to keep the riding interesting–and keep the cars from speeding.)

As a bonus, the route is about 3 miles long, starts about 2 minutes from the house, and is mostly downhill on the way back home. “Three miles?” you say “that’s nothing!” Well, I agree. Three miles in Chicago is nothing (taking out the killer traffic–cars-bikes-people). But, when you have a 25 degree grade to climb, it’s another thing altogether. No wonder why all the roadies we see out here have tree trunks for legs. Strong guys who are just barely getting up some of these inclines (tough for cars, let alone bikes).

So, I’m pleased. Found a good training route, close to home. I can go back and forth a couple of times to build up my stamina. Plus, it’s got really beautiful views that look out across the countryside. (It’s kinda elevated, runs along the ridge–you look down on the valley.) Now I just need to get out there everyday. (Just ordered a new headlight from Performance Bike, so that I can ride at night, when it’s much cooler. I’ve bought from Performance for ages [over 12 years, at least] and I’ve always been happy with them. They ship fast and have good prices.)