My Biking Page

April 2006 was a defining point in my life. Fuel prices were going through the roof, I was my heaviest weight ever (near 270lbs) and I didn't have the energy of my youth. I made the decison to try riding my bike to work, just over 17 miles. It's some level and mostly down hill going to work but all uphill coming home. I started equipping my bike with night time safety items, lots of red LED and the very best Xenon technology for the head light. Most my commuting is done in the dark.

Well, four years later that big adventure has turned into a almost daily routine. I still commute with the same old Schwinn mountain bike, nothing high tech or light weight. But I've learned a lot over the last few years about bike clothes (cotton is out, synthetic fabrics are good) and equipment. I've also learned some people in cars are not very nice, but for the most part people are accepting even though I commute where there are no bike lanes or paved shoulders. I do take my share of the lane when riding on public roads.

To date I've lost weight and then put some back on when I electrified my bike. I went down four inches in my waist and then filled back out. I've logged over 20,000 miles on my bike and saved hundreds in fuel costs. Now in 2010 I'm getting all my specialized rain gear put together for riding in spite of the weather.

In 2008 I departed from the purist of bicycling and equipped my old Schwinn with an electric hub motor. The battery mounts where the water bottle used to go and it's equipped with a thumb throttle on the right handle bar. The new Lithium battery powers my bike up to 30mph and comfortably cruises at 25mph without pedalling. The motor has enough power to pull me up a 6% grade at 10mph without pedalling, though I always still pedal trying to get some health benefit from the daily ride.

This is my old Schwinn Frontier with well over 20,000 miles now. The Big black 36volt Nimhi battery was replaced with a much smaller and lighter 48volt Lithium battery. (see picture below) (This new battery, no joke, retails for $700.00, it's so high tech it has built in sensors and computer to control the heat build up and voltage output) I also switched from a rear motor to a front motor.

The new water proof Paniers.

Daily commute gear, rain covers for shoes, rain pants and rain jacket. Lot's of reflective piping on all my clothes, looks really cool in the dark.

Sadly, on 4/11/2010 the frame on my Schwinn broke near the rear axle with nearly 20,000 miles on my bike. I'm trying to find a welder to fix the frame with an added gusset to beef it up. I want to keep the old bike going a few more years. Now on 5-9-2010 the frame has been welded by a friend who does chrome moly welding, he added a gusset and a littel touch up paint and I'm rolling again. I now also ride with solid inner tubes, they are heavy and 2-3mph slower than 65psi air but so nice not to worry about a flat coming or going to work. I would not recommend solid inner tubes unless you have an electric motor because of the extra weight and loss of speed. Our Local Les Schwab tire and service now carries solid one piece tires for bikes that appear to be better than what I have. I may try them out on my regular mountain bike though.

Our family also has a fun old Tandem Bike I fixed up after buying it off a neighbor. It's fun at parties and to take camping. We share it with everyone. Here I am riding with my cousin.

Above is our newest addition to the growing bike collection. We were given this beautiful Trek Tandem bike from the kids Grandma Cheryl and her partner Andy. I'm busy making plans for a few upgrades, but the bike is solid and really cranks when two people put the power to the pedals. Now our whole family can ride tandem with two tandem bikes in the fleet.

This is Sandy's bike, same Schwinn Frontier as mine.

This is my new dual suspension bike I bought Christmas of 2007. I'm still modifying it to suit my needs. Like my commuter bike, I extended the handle bars up, and added some mud fenders. I intend to use this bike primarily for camping, and riding with my family.

My Motobecane all equipped the way I like.

Water bottle holder mounted to handle bars.

Rear view mirror for watching cars.

Removable mud guard up front, just snaps on and off.

Rear fender goes up and down with suspension.

Super bright LED strobe under seat.

Topeak Q-beam rack with optional fender.

Our new Thule bike rack, no more scratched bikes!

Hans's Web Page!

Merry Christmas Happy New Year in 2010.