The fat bike I've been enjoying for some time now has become my #1 commuter, even in summer. While not as fast as some of my bikes, it is comfortable and fun. Given my remaining balance issues, it also erases most worry arising from cracks, potholes and uneven surfaces. However, as I get older I'm finding my neck and shoulders are giving me increasing grief no matter what bike I'm riding. I'm not even in the saddle for long these days, mostly just doing about 14km each weekday on my commute. Maybe I just need to ride more. Hmm. Perhaps. But buying "solutions" is so much more fun!
I have long been intrigued by trekking / butterfly handlebars. I'm thinking these might offer enough hand positions, including a much closer and less wide position that will give my neck a break.
How I cover these bars remains up in the air. Do I want to get my old bolt-on grips on there somehow? I have some good bar tape that's just been sitting around for a few years... or what about FOAM? These bars came with FOAM to cover them. I can't think of FOAM for handlebars without thinking of the gawdawful super puffy porous foam on some doofus' drop bars during my youth that looked like this:
Thanks to Cafiend for naming the actual product, Grab-On Handlebar Foam. The stuff I remember was an even cheaper and more easily destroyed version I think.
They were worse than what came with these bars, which was more dense and less ridiculously puffy:
The bars did not come with the sram tape, just those foam tubes. I just don't know if I can get my head around FOAM use. Thoughts?
Now, on to the 2 High Guys. I watch a depressing amount of CNN, which means I've seen a commercial about a certain car insurance product for older people from a certain insurance company many many times. You can tell what generation of people are joining the AARP crowd by how they behave. Most attendees of Woodstock, for example, are 65-75 years old now. You can tell:
You tell me these 2 guys aren't high as fuck. Go ahead. Tell me that. Tell me.
Lastly, have you ever seen a dog tied up outside a place and felt a strong urge to simply take it?
As you can see I saw this little dog months ago, when it was cold and snowy, which only made my yearning to dognap him stronger. Instead I took a picture and waited for a loving owner to come back, which happened in due course.
That's it for now. Stay well, enjoy everything you can in these whacked out times and I'll attempt to touch base again soon.
Yer Pal,
R A N T W I C K 
6 comments:
I remember foam covered drop bars, so while they were weird they were highly practical. And if you're primarily riding a fatbike for comfort, who cares what handlebars you use?
Stop making sense Annie. Foam is so... foamie. I still have a mental blockage about it, despite the fact that you make a perfectly good point.
I have a bike with foam covered drop bars. But with your current attitude towards them I'm not sure I want to share a picture with you, lol (sticks tongue out and snears) . ;)
It could be a lot worse, think pool noodles.
PICTURE! PICTURE! I promise to be kind in every respect! :)
In 1980-'81, the shop I worked for was building a custom touring bike for a urologist. He was concerned about his hands, so the shop manager showed him Grab-On handlebar foam. The doctor took one in his hand and pushed it away immediately.
"No way," he said. "I deal with that every day!"
Cafiend: Mwah hah hah haaaaahhhhh! I love you man. Thanls to you I found a picture by searching Grab-On! I'm off to edit the post. Annie and John, you'll be pleased to know I aim to use at least some of the foam. Still working out what I want to do though.
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