Day two…

I didn’t manage to go off on a long all day ride Sunday which really would have been sweet. Instead I slept in and then got around to install the Nitto Big Rack on the read of my bike. I also put my Wald basket on up front, it’s just zip tied on so it can come off quickly. Finally I moved my Acorn front bag over from my Quickbeam; needed something to hold tools and other stuff while riding around.
Once my bike was ‘complete’ (in quotes because what bike is really ever complete?), I was finally headed out without much energy. I was bushed. It’d been a long week and I guess it had finally caught up to me. My hip had been about as bad as ever during parts of the week, even with the PT I’ve been doing. And because of some problems with some of the volunteer work I do I’d been putting in lots of extra hours well past bedtime. Nuff said.
My Hunq handled as well as it did the day before and I went first for some coffee. Then, after another tour of the waterfront I decided it was time to give her a try on a few wee hills.
Now no one, including me, is going to say that Diamond Head is a particularly challenging climb (though I have seen folks waking bikes up it – generally tourists who might be walking for enjoyment) it’s still a lovely view and a nice ‘first hill.’
No trouble at all. Mind you I ride this on my single-speed all the time so I hadn’t really expected any trouble. Having gears I can use while riding is nice and I think I did drop down a little bit under what I would normally have on my SS, but not too much. I was even pleased to see that I could pass a rider who was older, heavier, and on an inappropriate bike to boot without too much struggle. In short, my Hunq, even with racks and fenders, a basket, and a guy with a bum hip riding it did fine on the hill. I don’t expect any trouble when I get her laden down with camping gear – the real reason for the gears.
After circling Diamond Head it was getting dark and I headed home. My second ride was finished and I was very pleased.
I love this darn bike (mind you I love all my bikes, but this one is new!).
That evening I fished around in my bike junk and found the correct short bolt for my Pletscher dual leg kickstand. I’d used the longer bolt and clamping stuff that had come with it on Saturday. I’d been too anxious to get going to do a thorough search. The thing is, the Hunq and most (all?) Rivs have a kickstand plate on them and by taking advantage of that you don’t need to worry about pinching or scratching your stays. All good now.
Aloha!