I'm moving to a (dormant) volcano! E-bike for hill climbs?
#26
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I'm super curious to hear what kind of work you found there.
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20:1 it's something related to the Medical School, which is the dominant employer on the island.
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Put a triple 22/32/42 crankset on your Surly and a 12/34 corset in the back. Maybe you need a new MTB derailleur. 8% is pretty steep but you are not in a hurry and you will get stronger and soon want some bigger gears. Consider a trailer (Carry Freedom) to haul stuff. If you need a motor, get an old Honda MTB.
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I,m gonna echo the opinion of just getting lower gears- 5 miles is very short 22-42 crankset and you can do even lower cassettes as low as 40-46 teeth in extreme situations, I sometimes find tha a lower gear can be easier than walking in some instances. youll acclimatize to the hills soon enough. but I'm an idiot and no one should ever listen to me... also congratualtions on the new lifestyle and job! ill try to reign in my jealousy
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#35
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I would wait and see how far from work you end up living, then decide on transportation. You may be within a short walking distance. I once lived about 300 yards from work. Didn't need a car or a bike. BTW most of us will be wanting to come visit lol.
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Some people like wider tires, some like drop bars. Its are personal taste on most everything, but if you want to climb hills then make sure you get a center drive. If you want to ride around city streets don't go above 750W. The more suspension the better in my book. If coin isn't a problem a Rohloff Speed hub always fills the bill. Then once you are riding you will figure out what is necessary and what is just a toy that you still want.
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If it's steep, I would walk to work...but 5 miles is too much to walk on a regular basis.
Riding steep hill is tiring...you'll get to class all worn out. Yeah your legs will get strong, but your study will suffer.
You are not going there to ride bicycle...you're there to study.
I think electric is a good way to go...but it's expensive.
Maybe...just ride your Xcheck on the flat...and when it's too steep, walk it.
Riding steep hill is tiring...you'll get to class all worn out. Yeah your legs will get strong, but your study will suffer.
You are not going there to ride bicycle...you're there to study.
I think electric is a good way to go...but it's expensive.
Maybe...just ride your Xcheck on the flat...and when it's too steep, walk it.
After further consultation with a future colleague, I've decided that I'll be living in Windwardside or Hell's Gate. The Bottom might be convenient, but it can get damn hot and muggy. I'd rather have a constant sea breeze and views.
Also according to my future co-worker there are a few "crazy people" who ride bikes for transportation exclusively. It can be done, I'm just not sure I'm the woman to do it (unassisted, at least)
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I seriously doubt anyone has read this thread in years, but I have an update: I am still here on Saba (which is COVID-free!) and I was seriously missing bike commuting but was also seriously intimidated by the hills. Happy to report I just bought a used Liv Vall E+ and I am thrilled with it.
I completed my 4k morning commute from Booby Hill (it's named after BIRDS, don't snicker) to the Bottom in 12 minutes. Going home takes about 20 min. The last climb to my place is a nightmare (18-20% grade), but do-able, thanks to the assist. I am also very, very glad for the hydraulic disc brakes. Going off the road due to brake failure would be catastrophic under the best of conditions, fatal at the worst. And I've heard nightmare-inducing tales of snapped brake cables from another cyclist here.
Now I just need to add a back rack and get my friend to ship my Brooks saddle down from Houston and my new commuting machine will be perfect.
I completed my 4k morning commute from Booby Hill (it's named after BIRDS, don't snicker) to the Bottom in 12 minutes. Going home takes about 20 min. The last climb to my place is a nightmare (18-20% grade), but do-able, thanks to the assist. I am also very, very glad for the hydraulic disc brakes. Going off the road due to brake failure would be catastrophic under the best of conditions, fatal at the worst. And I've heard nightmare-inducing tales of snapped brake cables from another cyclist here.
Now I just need to add a back rack and get my friend to ship my Brooks saddle down from Houston and my new commuting machine will be perfect.
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#39
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@HoustonGal, I'm glad to read this followup. I remember your inquiry and story. What Brooks saddle do you like?
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
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@HoustonGal, I'm glad to read this followup. I remember your inquiry and story. What Brooks saddle do you like?
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Between the time you started this thread, to the time now where you have your ebike (congrats BTW on the Giant - they make outstanding electric assist bikes) you have hit the sweet spot of buying just as bike mfrs are really focusing the effort in to supply a whole range of quality ebikes rather than just offering one or two. Glad you are enjoying it, and it has reduced your concern re: the hills, and helped you get back into riding with a smile. Have yet to see a Brooks on an ebike, but no reason why not.
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Between the time you started this thread, to the time now where you have your ebike (congrats BTW on the Giant - they make outstanding electric assist bikes) you have hit the sweet spot of buying just as bike mfrs are really focusing the effort in to supply a whole range of quality ebikes rather than just offering one or two. Glad you are enjoying it, and it has reduced your concern re: the hills, and helped you get back into riding with a smile. Have yet to see a Brooks on an ebike, but no reason why not.
As for the Brooks, I'll post a pic when I get it. Tragically, it's totally the wrong color for a blue and magenta bike (it's the honey brown model which looked awesome on a green Cross Check) but oh well. The existing saddle has got to go.
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Google "Angelus Leather Paint." You can paint a leather saddle any color(s) you like, only costs a couple bucks (plus shipping).
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Nothing to do with biking but I was intrigued as I have never heard of Saba. I like it. Month long rentals seemed doable but doubt the natives want anyone from the U.S. due to Covid. The roads you speak of do look steep, very steep. Do you snorkel/dive there? I love both. I will have to look into Saba much more.
Enjoy your experience, looks like a lot of fun and scenic.
Enjoy your experience, looks like a lot of fun and scenic.
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Nothing to do with biking but I was intrigued as I have never heard of Saba. I like it. Month long rentals seemed doable but doubt the natives want anyone from the U.S. due to Covid. The roads you speak of do look steep, very steep. Do you snorkel/dive there? I love both. I will have to look into Saba much more.
Enjoy your experience, looks like a lot of fun and scenic.
Enjoy your experience, looks like a lot of fun and scenic.
You should definitely look into visiting Saba at some point. It's lovely. The diving is world-class. I got my advanced open water SCUBA certification and I go out almost every weekend, weather permitting. All of our reefs are on protected Marine Park territory and they are in good shape. Hiking is really nice (though steep) as well. We have cloud rain forest hikes, rugged coast hikes, hikes to old sugar boiling houses..... all sorts of interesting micro-environments. And some remarkably good restaurants for an island this size. What we don't have are white sand beaches.
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Yeah, the "stay at least a month" plan is the best we can do at the moment to try and keep the island population safe while still providing some kind of tourist income. U.S. tourists are welcome, provided you follow the testing protocol, contact the government to let them know you are coming, and then quarantine in your guest accommodation for 10 days on arrival. After that you are free to party with the rest of us! We have a pretty elderly population, and very limited on-island health care. Major health issues need to be treated on St. Maarten (which is swamped with COVID) or transported to Bonaire or Curacao, so logistically it makes more sense to try for full containment rather than management of the virus. But I'm sure it's a matter of when, not if, we get another case here.
You should definitely look into visiting Saba at some point. It's lovely. The diving is world-class. I got my advanced open water SCUBA certification and I go out almost every weekend, weather permitting. All of our reefs are on protected Marine Park territory and they are in good shape. Hiking is really nice (though steep) as well. We have cloud rain forest hikes, rugged coast hikes, hikes to old sugar boiling houses..... all sorts of interesting micro-environments. And some remarkably good restaurants for an island this size. What we don't have are white sand beaches.
You should definitely look into visiting Saba at some point. It's lovely. The diving is world-class. I got my advanced open water SCUBA certification and I go out almost every weekend, weather permitting. All of our reefs are on protected Marine Park territory and they are in good shape. Hiking is really nice (though steep) as well. We have cloud rain forest hikes, rugged coast hikes, hikes to old sugar boiling houses..... all sorts of interesting micro-environments. And some remarkably good restaurants for an island this size. What we don't have are white sand beaches.
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#49
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Gorgeous! You arrive in more style than anyone else there.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.