noglider 

I'm super curious to hear what kind of work you found there.

FBinNY 

20:1 it's something related to the Medical School, which is the dominant employer on the island.

acidfast7

A lot of Europeans go over in teach/research if they can't get something in Singapore.

Classtime 

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.

HoustonGal

Bingo.

Darth Lefty 

Sounds uncomfortable

alan s 

No kidding!

nasabiker

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

nasabiker

also looking at those hills you might want this for your down hill portion

johnlp37

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.

BBassett

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.

HoustonGal

Well, I'm going there to teach, not study. But I definitely don't want to get to class all worn out.

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)

HoustonGal

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.

noglider 

@HoustonGal, I'm glad to read this followup. I remember your inquiry and story. What Brooks saddle do you like?

HoustonGal

Just a standard B17. It's already broken in, and my friend who has my Surly isn't riding at the moment due to injury, so I figured I might as well have it sent down here. I don't have an LBS that I can just pop into and grab another saddle. The closest one is over on St. Maarten and I'd have to quarantine for 2 weeks if I visited there so.....

momsonherbike

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.

HoustonGal

You are so very right about that! I also got lucky in that this bike was imported from Europe, where it seems they are way ahead of the North American market. It's absolutely perfect for the type of riding I do here.

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.

rhm

Okay, I know, this thread is many years old. But still, I mean, in glee they did gyrate around the dragon who ate the pirate, right?

Google "Angelus Leather Paint." You can paint a leather saddle any color(s) you like, only costs a couple bucks (plus shipping).

balto charlie

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.

HoustonGal

Oh, cool, thanks.

HoustonGal

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.

balto charlie

We are interested. Airports are freaking me out these days so will wait for the vaccine. Do enjoy your little piece of paradise.

HoustonGal

BEHOLD:



(I think the honey brown looks pretty nice with the blue frame)

noglider 

Gorgeous! You arrive in more style than anyone else there.