Down the Road

Photographs and stories by Jim Grey

Since 2007

single frame: On 700

Jim Grey
14 comments on single frame: On 700
1 minute
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On 700

On 700
Apple iPhone 6s
2020

I made this photo a couple weeks ago when we still had summer temperatures. It’s cooled off considerably since then; some days, the high has been just 60 degrees.

Riding my bike feels like freedom. At its best, a bike ride requires no prep. In whatever I’m wearing, I just get on and go! The colder it gets, the more cold-weather gear I need to put on to ride. It’s not that big of a deal to put on a coat and gloves, though I do grumble about it. Eventually it gets too cold for my face, though, and I’ve never found a solution that I have been willing to put up with.

On this early September day I was riding through the cornfields that begin less than a mile north of my home. County Road South 700 East makes a quick jog to the left around an old farm boundary, leading to this scene of a barn in the middle of a cornfield.

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Comments

14 responses to “single frame: On 700”

  1. marcusterrypeddle Avatar
    marcusterrypeddle

    That’s lovely, Jim. A simple composition and such a feeling of open space in it.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      Thank you! The iPhone’s wide-angle lens worked well for this photo.

      Reply
  2. Andy Umbo Avatar
    Andy Umbo

    Nice Bike! My older sister and I are going back and forth trying to remember all the bikes we had as kids, I never did get a ten speed until I bought one for myself as an adult, but always loved my three speed, just for the simplicity, and it looked a lot like this one! I’ve been thinking about a bike purchase again, just for riding around the neighborhood, and am looking at the later series five speeds where all the speeds are in the hub, like a three speed.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      I’m a big fan of in-hub gearing. Less maintenance, less to go wrong.

      Reply
  3. Daniel Brinneman Avatar
    Daniel Brinneman

    Jim, Try one of these cold weather face masks. https://www.amazon.com/face-mask-cold-weather/s?k=face+mask+for+cold+weather

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      I’m sure one of those would work. I have mixed feelings about adding more cold-weather gear as one of the things that sparks me to get on the bike is, “Hey, I have time, I can just get on it in whatever I’m wearing now, and go!”

      Reply
      1. Daniel Brinneman Avatar
        Daniel Brinneman

        Jim, I suggested this approach as I don’t like scratchy masks rubbing my face in the frigid cold. Those foam or stretchy cloths feel better.

        Reply
        1. Jim Grey Avatar
          Jim Grey

          Oh my goodness yes! Scratchy masks are very challenging. Thanks for thinking of the sensory experience!

          Reply
  4. bodegabayf2 Avatar
    bodegabayf2

    What a delightful image!

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      Thank you! The iPhone does nice work under the right circumstances.

      Reply
  5. tbm3fan Avatar
    tbm3fan

    Oh, how much could go wrong? I have a 1983 Univega Viva Sport and 1997 Specialized Hardrock both of which I rebuilt last month. Besides new tubes, tires, shift cables, brake cables, brake shoes, and tape for the Univega, it was no mystery in taking apart the both hubs to regrease the bearings, check the spokes, grease one chain and replace the other. A little oil carefully placed in the derailleur, just like in a camera, and off you go. Neither has been any trouble from the day I bought them and that is a ton of days.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      Nice. I don’t do most work on my bikes. I’ll adjust brakes and the 3-speed hub when it goes off true, but other than that I take my bike to the shop. It’s been 10 years since this one last got an overhaul, and tires, and it’s time to have it done again.

      Reply
  6. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    Nice thing about a bike or walking for that matter, you can drive to areas and then do your walk or ride. -There could be an area close to you but too dangerous to walk or ride to. Three -15 minute car ride gets you there. Sometimes I can’t see out of the box I live in. – I like for walking in cold weather one of those no seam, nylon neck, face things. They are thin, inexpensive if you search Amazon or ebay. Wear around neck, pull up when wind hits, can double if needed, pullover ears and head. Friend uses for 2-3 mile walks of the dog in Wisconsin winters.

    Reply
    1. Jim Grey Avatar
      Jim Grey

      At the moment my car has no good way to carry my bike. My wife’s car has a hitch and she has a hitch-mount bike rack though.

      I will switch to walking when it gets cold enough. Got to keep the body moving. The winters aren’t so cold here in Indy that I’ve needed face protection but on maybe one or two walks a year.

      Reply

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