First Bicycle Ride of 2025

Yesterday I picked up my Trek Valencia from Ace Wheelworks and rode it home, a distance of much less than a mile. I didn’t count that as a real bike ride. The bike mechanic replaced the chain, disc brake pads, and the rear brake cable and housing.

Today I took the Trek out for a six-mile ride. I went east on the Somerville Community Path through Cambridge Crossing and North Point Park, then north over the railroad tracks and under the Zakim Bridge to the Charles River locks in Charlestown, where I reversed course to return home. I run this route frequently.

The temperature was only 42 °F with wind, so I dressed warmly, including my 45NRTH Greazy Cap and my Gorewear lobster gloves.

I put all of my safety lights on the bike and turned them on. I use the Blackburn Grid 2’Fer front and rear lights and the Blackburn Grid Side Lights. The total investment in these lights was $110 plus sales tax. I think all these blinking lights make me more visible to drivers, but I’m still very cautious at intersections.

My bicycling muscles are not as strong as I would like since I hadn’t ridden since last September. I think I will build up my distance slowly, perhaps riding every other day (alternating with running) and increasing my distance three or four miles with each ride until I’m up to 25 miles again.