Bikes!
I'm still working off the Euphoria of two hours in the saddle so why not try another bike thread? I do this at least once a year hoping some of the new folks ride.
Breaking News rides so that's two...Pete is three, she intended to ride 10 miles at lunch today and did 30, good grrrl!
I had a pretty quiet loop today. They've resurfaced some of my best descents with tar and stones which makes things a little dicey but my ride is a Trek 520 touring bike which weighs 1.3 tons but handles ugly stuff like a dream. The bike disappeared under me right away today, I don't even remember the hairpin turn that usually gives me the jitters coming down our mile long hill. More later g
I jus' hafta say there's nothing better than a root beer float when you've just ridden off the equivalent of five of them!
I had one of those moments today when I passed two riders going the other direction and I was going a lot faster. I felt like a kick ass rider til i discovered that I had a tail wind. Good ride though. No better way to play hookie from work.
Yeah, it's not so much fun being a cyclist and living in New York City. Riding is tough, not only because you have to venture out into city traffic, but because tall buildings and strategically positioned trees make the after-work hours a very dim time. We won't get into moronic roller bladers and people who ride their bikes the wrong direction in Central Park while talking on their cell phones. Totally absurd.
I'm looking into getting a new bike this winter. I'm riding a bit of a modern tank - a 1999 Lemond Zurich. Factory specs say 21.8 pounds, but with Mavic open pros, a generic seatpost and a Forte (Performance Bike) stem, it must be nearing 23 pounds (not to mention the 250g set of Look 396s). Might as well be dragging cinder blocks when I ride.
My brother rides a Trek 5900 with 9-spd Dura-Ace and Bontrager race-lites - beautiful bike! I took it out for 40 miles a few weeks ago ... climbing was incredibly easy, though I have to admit I didn't have a very good time on descents. His bike is one size too small - I'm dying to try the next larger.
Sunday I just rode a bike for the first time since college. Went from Collegeville to Green Lane and back on the Perkiomen Trail. I had rented some sort of mountain bike, a lot better than anything I'd ever ridden before. I mean, I used to ride Sears-special bikes with traditional (read: shitty) derauillers and no working brakes, and here I am on something with sequential shifters, brakes that grab like (um, can't post that at work), a frame of something other than lead-filled steel, front suspension, and wheels that were actually round and everything.
Anyway, I had a good time but I'm not sure I want to get into biking. I'd have to get a bike, then I'd have to get two bikes (one for the road and one for the unpaved stuff), and then I'd never get out on my skates any more.
I somehow left this part out in my last post ...
I really want to get back into racing, but cycling is soooo damn expensive! It's a great lifetime hobby, and I'll definitely do it as long as I can ... but for now, trying to keep up with the wanna-bes in the racing scene is really draining on the wallet. :(
Anyway, I had a good time but I'm not sure I want to get into biking. I'd have to get a bike, then I'd have to get two bikes (one for the road and one for the unpaved stuff), and then I'd never get out on my skates any more.
[Jeri]You will be assimilated.[/Ryan]
Folks don't realize how well engineered modern bikes are, especially with the big box stores selling badly assembled junk. The good stuff is expensive but bikes can last a long time if they're maintained well. My mountain bike has eaten two sets of wheels and some components but I've had it since '92(?).
My brother rides a Trek 5900 with 9-spd Dura-Ace and Bontrager race-lites - beautiful bike! I took it out for 40 miles a few weeks ago ... climbing was incredibly easy, though I have to admit I didn't have a very good time on descents. His bike is one size too small - I'm dying to try the next larger.
That's a very sexy
machine. When I hit the lottery I think I get the titanium
Moots YBB. Those road racing machines are twitchy but in your size I bet it handles a lot better. Did you find that the carbon fiber soaked up much of the roughness of the road?
[Jeri]You will be assimilated.[/Ryan]
Can I swap 7/9 out for Mystique?
That's a very sexy machine.
At $4800? See why I don't want to get into biking? Even the most expensive racing skates ain't THAT much.
When I hit the lottery I think I get the titaniumMoots YBB.
$2475, just for the frame. Or $2650 for the SL frame. Yikes.
You can get a quality bike for $600, but if you're gonna dream...
Can I swap 7/9 out for Mystique?
[mystique]You will be a-simulated.[/mystique]
Yeah, bikes and bike equipment is just god-awfully expensive. Especially if you want to get top-of-the-line junk (which is totally unnecessary, just nice to have - kind of like a car).
My brother's racing team is Trek sponsored, so he got his for $2200. I thought about asking him to get another 5k series, but I suppose if I'm going to drop all that freakin' cash, I might as well wait for the new series to come out.
I'm looking at titanium - possibly buying an '04 Litespeed Tuscany frame and building it with Ultegra 10. Or dura-ace 9. I'm not sure how much I'll be needing the 10 though - if I race here in NYC, the terrain is very very plain, so gear variety is not a huge issue.
Anything will beat my steel Lemond. Reynolds alloy is a great material, rides very well on flats and even climbs like Greg once did, but if I can shed about 10 pounds for $2500-3500 (and maybe 10 more off my fat ass), that would be worth the investment.
Griff, ever consider the Jersey double-century? Dunno if they do one out your way in PA, thouugh I'm sure there is.
There is an MS ride up in Utica (?) I think that's a double. Pete and I talked about it but I haven't had the time to train for it. I'd like to aim at one next summer if we don't do a week touring somewhere else.
Steel is real as they say. I had an aluminum failure last summer (old frame design flaw not material failure) so I kinda lean steel, titanium would be it though.
When I worked in a shop we always tried to get folks to take the inexpensive (belly) pounds off before moving up in bike price.
but my ride is a Trek 520 touring bike which weighs 1.3 tons
Yeah! Hard tail steel frame all the way! They last forever. My old Trek 820 has seen better days, but it continues rolling quite well. Getting it up the steps at the end of a ride is the hardest part.
Anyone want to share their highest milage? I've ridden the Suncoast Parkway two times in recent years -- 55 miles, total. I'm never in shape for it, either. I collapse and hurt for a good three days afterwards and I'm never sure if it was really worth it. I have no idea how people can ride century rides.
So, here's my question to those of you that own $1000+ bikes: does it really help? I know actually getting in shape is the best option, but do the lighter bikes make a huge difference? If someone can crank out 10 miles on a normal bike, will they be able to do many more on a racing bike?
trying to keep up with the wanna-bes in the racing scene is really draining on the wallet
Then don't try to keep up. I pedal up and down the bike paths on what is supposed to be a mountain bike, that I paid $300 for some years ago, that I put street tires on and while I don't ride behind someone in their airstream, I certainly don't enjoy my ride any less. Its still a great workout and I'd hate to think that the need to keep-up would take the pleasure of riding away from anyone.
And god dammit, someone out there please manufacture a comfortable seat!
Anyone want to share their highest milage? I've ridden the Suncoast Parkway two times in recent years -- 55 miles, total. I'm never in shape for it, either. I collapse and hurt for a good three days afterwards and I'm never sure if it was really worth it. I have no idea how people can ride century rides.
The past two years Pete and I have done the MS 150 out of Seneca Falls. That's 100 miles on Saturday and 50 more on Sunday. The Sunday fifty is much more painful. For me any mileage over 60 doesn't matter. Once you've ridden 60 you can do it. Of course I haven't done 60 this year, which leads me to believe that I'll be curled up in a fetal position this coming Sunday morning after Saturday's century. We toured in Ireland once and and did 300 miles in 5 days. We were not in shape before that trip but came home in pretty good condition.
So, here's my question to those of you that own $1000+ bikes: does it really help? I know actually getting in shape is the best option, but do the lighter bikes make a huge difference? If someone can crank out 10 miles on a normal bike, will they be able to do many more on a racing bike?
My 520 is sub $1000 just barely but under. When you road ride with a competitive group it matters after you've tuned yourself to the highest degree. [commercial]The 520 has a nice group of components assembled for durability and precise shifting in bad conditions.[/commercial] It's made to be a reliable bike for heavy (self-contained) touring. When you ride longer distances you want a bigger chainring for more mechanical advantage than most mountain bikes come with and a more comfortable geometry for a relaxed ride. I'll let BN address the racing stuff.
Mountain bikers are generally a little less competitive and that's how I spend my summers. My old Jamis is fine for that stuff although a front shock would allow me to descend faster. My old hardtail is dominant when we're climbing. The nice thing about the Trek is that I can get in shape without the constant little injuries you get riding single-track.
And god dammit, someone out there please manufacture a comfortable seat!
This
baby fights that um...er... numbing problem.
And god dammit, someone out there please manufacture a comfortable seat!
This is such a sticking point for me that I refuse to ride. It's not a question of "Gosh, that's a little sore" after a few hours of riding; I cannot sit on bicycle seats. They cause me outright pain. My husband keeps telling me that "professional-grade" seats are comfortable, but so far, every one he's had me try has been the same.
This baby fights that um...er... numbing problem.
From the site: It's a completely thought-through design. But does it work? In a word, yes. Tests conducted by Dr. Robert Kessler, Professor of Urology at the prestigious Stanford University Medical Center, have conclusively proven that the Body Geometry design is clinically effective, both at preventing problems and even reducing or eliminating existing pain, numbness and erectile dysfunction.
Whoa! I was just complaining that my legs and feet go numb over long distances. Maybe I am in the wrong sport! :eek:
I have a bicycle seat with a hole in it that helps prevent the nerve pinch problem, but I've found it also helps to stand on the pedals every few miles and stretch. With continued problems, though, I just might upgrade to a "granny seat". :D
This is such a sticking point for me that I refuse to ride. It's not a question of "Gosh, that's a little sore" after a few hours of riding; I cannot sit on bicycle seats.
Clodfobble, have you ever considered getting a recumbent bicycle? My friend went through back surgery for an injury and so he cannot sit on a normal bicycle very long. He eventually tried out and purchased a recumbent with excellent results -- he cruised past me on the suncoast trip with little difficulty and was comfortable the entire journey. He did complain that hills are sometimes are serious problem, though.
That's ironic griff, cuz right now I have an old model of that specialized saddle on my Lemond. :) I do have a fancy san marco racing saddle, but I swapped it out with the specialized one because its rails are a tad longer and the positioning felt better. I also don't really have a need to use it right now .. figured I would save my ass as much as possible until component weight becomes an issue.
I recently read somewhere that those wide granny saddles are actually worse for you, because it's not natural for the body's positioning (think how your ass gets really sore from sitting on a bench or a flat chair for a while). The narrow racing-style saddles actually support all that needs to be supported - and puts less strain on your ass muscles because of the greater range of motion.
If your tail hurts, get a good pair of cycling shorts with nice modular padding. Performance's elite series is on sale for about $40 and for me has a great fit in the crotch region, though I'm not very particular about what I wear to ride.
Yeah! Hard tail steel frame all the way! They last forever. My old Trek 820 has seen better days, but it continues rolling quite well. Getting it up the steps at the end of a ride is the hardest part.
Hey, I had one of those too! Great fuckin bikes ... Antelope series, I believe. Incredible uphill ride, excellent acceleration, but those came out in the early days of rock shox - which would have helped me tremendously. My fork really took a beating and I think is now busted, but I retired it rather than taking it to the shop. Bought a Giant afterward, but don't ride it much since I got into road cycling.
Anyone want to share their highest milage? I've ridden the Suncoast Parkway two times in recent years -- 55 miles, total. I'm never in shape for it, either. I collapse and hurt for a good three days afterwards and I'm never sure if it was really worth it. I have no idea how people can ride century rides.
I've gone about 90-95 miles, just shy of the full century. Griff's right - once you hit the 40/50-mile barrier, pretty much any distance after that can be handled very easily (with proper training of course).
So, here's my question to those of you that own $1000+ bikes: does it really help? I know actually getting in shape is the best option, but do the lighter bikes make a huge difference? If someone can crank out 10 miles on a normal bike, will they be able to do many more on a racing bike?
Of course it's mostly the kind of thing where if you understand the technical stuff, you'll mentally feel better about your riding. :P
The most notable difference though is frame material - higher priced bikes are just so incredibly well engineered. It's particularly important for carbon, and slightly so for titanium. For example, the Trek 5900 is made with OCLV 110 carbon, which is extremely light yet very sturdy. You could be riding on a 6 percent uphill grade, give one heavy pedal stroke and the bike will literally take off from underneath you (frame stiffness factors into how responsive the bike will be to your pedaling). Aluminum, on the other hand, won't have this kind of zip, but ppl say it handles cornering well and has a very soft overall ride.
Titanium is not as light as carbon, but stronger, which is important when you are exerting a lot of stress on the bike, such as fast downhill corners/turns/sweeping bends. And when climbing hills out of the saddle ("jogging" on the bike, as Mr. Armstrong calls it), stronger materials won't sag. That's something I didn't notice until i tried my other brother's aluminum Cannondale R1000, which felt kinda flimsy when I was out of the saddle and cranking hard on the hill in Central Park. I weigh more than he does though, which is why it probably works better for him.
Then there comes the components. If you can afford nicer stuff, great. Otherwise making sure all the parts fits YOU is the most important thing. If you find a bike doesn't fit well, ask about changing some of the parts - longer/shorter pedal cranks, obtuse or longer stem (part that holds the handlebars), different styles of handlebars, different saddles, different seatposts, taller/shorter headsets. Buying expensive components won't necessarily mean that they fit - unless you ride for U.S. Postal (soon to be Discovery Channel) and Shimano *custom* makes parts specifically for you.
This is all highly technical stuff that I hardly think about. Some of it didn't even become apparent until watching the technical spots on the Lance Chronicles. Bottom line is a more expensive ride will get you better handling, better feeling, stronger acceleration, but it takes a while before any of that makes a difference.
Tyler Hamilton won the Olympic time trial yesterday and Bobby Julich took third. The US is turning into an absolute force in cycling. :) Anybody watch Paolo Bettini using Sergio Paulinho to take the Gold in the mens road race? Pretty interesting strategy conflict between the two of them.
As far as saddles hurting, there really is a break-in period for both the saddle and your butt. Thats one of the things I've been worried about going into Saturdays ride, my butt isn't in the condition it should be because of lack of training. It's tough for shop owners because by the time you really know a saddle isn't going to work for you, it's used merchandise. Pete bought a Terry saddle that never really worked for her but then picked up an inexpensive Nashbar saddle that really is comfortable.
Terry is a pretty cool company, it is run by women for women. They were still new in the business way back when I was a shop guy. They are all about lady cyclists getting the right equipment, bikes, saddles, and clothing.
My father-in-law switched to a recumbent after his back surgery as well. He claims that hills are not a problem but I haven't seen him on any. :D He really likes the bike though and it brought his leg around after it had atrophied pretty badly.
Damn you guys! After reading this thread, yesterday, I couldn't resist: I pulled the bike out, cleaned it up, and braved the roads and traffic. I only did seven miles, but it still felt great!
The bike had a little bit of "sand squeek" in the chain, which I managed to clean out with a bit of oil and a brush. While it still looks good, I think it might need replacing at some point in the near future. The brakes also feel a bit loose. Do you guys take your bikes into a shop to get them "tuned up" or do you do it all yourself? How often do you replace parts and what do you replace? Rather sadly, I always wait until something actually breaks before I replace it and since I started doing trips over twenty miles, I realize that isn't the best plan, anymore. Walking home that far with a broken bicycle really ruins a day.
Somethings, I guess, can't be fixed on the road. My friend lost a pedal while we were out on a long ride, once, and the crappy little toolkits we all carried didn't have what we needed to reattach it. Note: a leatherman tool is a really good thing to have on a ride.
Little spurt of ethusiasm, eh Kit? I'm hoping to get out for a bit tonight, but the forecast is for more rain here in NYC. I really should drag a camera along the next time I do a ride through central NJ - some really beautiful scenary up in the "mountains" of Princeton.
I take my bike in sometimes once a year for a major cleaning. Not always necessary, but a good preventative measure. Plus once your bike is disassembled, shop will sometimes find damage you wouldn't otherwise notice. Otherwise I maintain everything myself, which is actually pretty easy, but should only be done after some experience with tune-ups.
Bike should always be inspected before/after every ride (often can give a quick glance, and you'll learn to notice something quirky right away after you start pedaling). Check brakes, derailleurs, cables, and make sure your quick-release wheels are properly seated. My rear wheel popped out last summer when I hit a pothole - not only did I mangle my wheel (wobble wobble), I came to a dead stop in the middle of a busy intersection and nearly tumbled.
Always ALWAYS take a bike to a shop to be checked out after crashing or taking a severe beating. Many offer a "crash check-up" - the shop near me in NJ does it for $30-35.
I'm hoping to get out for a bit tonight, but the forecast is for more rain here in NYC. I really should drag a camera along the next time I do a ride through central NJ - some really beautiful scenary up in the "mountains" of Princeton.
This is why my bike has sat on the deck and needed serious cleaning: we've had rain in Florida every afternoon now for two months! And while rain makes riding difficult on the roads, it has aboslutely killed what I love to do, which is ride the bike paths in the parks which are all closed due to flooding -- nearly all of them are currently underwater, so they've locked the gates and I've been forced to hit the streets. The problem is that I'm very nervous in traffic, perhaps because I'm not so used to navigating it yet and wet roads compound the danger. It didn't take me long to see why many people dish out good money for disc bakes! That, and the rain streak up the back is always ugly. Note to self: fenders wouldn't hurt.
God, I hate riding in traffic. I've never felt so close to death so many times in so few miles.
So I've taken to riding my bike around campus, which has lighter traffic in the evenings that permits lots of bicyclists and rollerbladers. And I should take my camera, too, for the, uh, "scenery". ;) Its the only thing that breaks up the monotony of riding around in circles on the streets.
Tyler Hamilton won the Olympic time trial yesterday and Bobby Julich took third. The US is turning into an absolute force in cycling. :) Anybody watch Paolo Bettini using Sergio Paulinho to take the Gold in the mens road race? Pretty interesting strategy conflict between the two of them.
Yeah for Americans! Great rides, great performances in both men's and women's. I wish we had done a little better in the road race - the entire U.S. men's squad was written off right from the start, but I suppose when you line them up with Europe's elites, they're really not huge threats.
The time trial looked to be a solid course. I expected more from Ullrich, but I suppose you have your up and down days. Julich really turned it on, even with the broken wrist, which now is casted.
Something interesting was Julich's <A HREF="http://www.velonews.com/tech/report/articles/6807.0.html">chain rings</A>. He's been using these ovular rings all season, similar to Shimano's biopace design (Kit, your Trek should have them). I always though they made a lot of sense, but they haven't made their way into the mainstream for some reason.
God, I hate riding in traffic. I've never felt so close to death so many times in so few miles.
Dude, you have no fucking idea. Come to NYC and I'll take you for a spin around town. I've already been hit by a car once, nearly squashed by a bus and almost took a nasty spill on some cobblestones amid rush-hour traffic.
Oh, the scenary is central park is definitely worth the trip. :)
<img src="http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~gvidas/photos/mongoose.jpg">
I bought it a few days ago. $75 from a yard sale. The rust sort of worries me, and I had to replace the springs on the brakes (the plastic that held them had broken on all four, so neither adjustment screw accomplished anything.) Additionally, the handlebars squeak a little under vertical strain (pulling up/pushing down). Future projects include reseating the front brake pads (they jitter a lot), setting the rear indexing, and aimlessly dismantling the front shifter in the hopes that I will incidentally make it less finnicky.
However, I figure it'll be stolen in a few months, so what the hell. It's fun to ride, problems aside.
As far as traffic goes, I find people to be fairly observant. I think Eugene has enough bike lanes, sidewalks, and other bikers that people tend to avoid me more than, say, Astoria, where I once had someone pull up alongside me in a large, commercially-marked panel van on a two-lane one-way street with cars on both sides (and no bike lane) in order to suggest I ride on the sidewalk.
Are Eugenes bike lanes legit or are they door zone lanes? A lot of towns put a bike lane along side parked cars, which is much much worse than no lane at all. If its there cars expect you to use it and if you use it you will eventually get creamed by a door. I try to stake out a place for myself in traffic but let people pass when safe.
Something interesting was Julich's <A HREF="http://www.velonews.com/tech/report/articles/6807.0.html">chain rings</A>. He's been using these ovular rings all season, similar to Shimano's biopace design (Kit, your Trek should have them). I always though they made a lot of sense, but they haven't made their way into the mainstream for some reason.
Funny you should mention Biopace. My Univega (~1989) has Biopace and I get teased for it frequently. "Oh - I see you got suckered into Biopace eh?" I hear that it doesn't do any harm but doesn't really do any good either. I think they come and go out of style cyclically.
Well we're about to jump in the car to head up to Seneca Falls. Looks like a rough night for camping and maybe a wet start in the morning. It's cycling! There is no bad cycling! later g
I love Seneca Falls. Friends owned a house right on Van Cleef Lake, across from the Lutheran church that's on the cover of nearly all the tourist brochures for the Finger Lakes Region.
If you weren't riding, I'd suggest you do the wine tour. You might have to teach one of the girls to drive a little early, thoug.
longest ride , probley about 50-60 miles ,
Now biggest climb on a bike , i rode up the mountin to cades cove Tn once 9 miles up and 2 miles down 11 miles around the loop 2 miles back up , then 9 miles down the hill FAST !!!!!! A station wagon tried to pass me but i kept pulling away !!!! Thank GOD i had had my wheels trued befor we went .
From what i understand they don't allow folks to ride the hill any more , something about falling a few hundred feet if you mess up or some such .
This ride was on a Motobican nomad , steel frame , i have since aquired a fuji olimpian 12 speed . I unforntuently haven't ridden any distance in more than a few years :thumbsdn: :thumbsdn:
Get on that bike Zip!
It turns out that not doing any long training rides didn't destroy our weekend. Day One. 103 miles.
We took off in the rain around 7am with a belly full of bananas and gorp. It was under 60 degrees F. Pete can correct my misrememberins'. I think it rained until 9:30-10:00. This was actually kind off ideal for me. Heat is my enemy, if I can keep my body temp reasonable I can ride and ride. One guy with us was suffering pretty badly at the rest stop having lost too much body heat, I was suprised since he was a pretty beefy guy, although he has little body fat. The rain stopped a little earlier in Seneca Falls itself at which time the bulk of to 100 milers left but it was too late we were way ahead of the speedsters and would not be caught! This is not a race but it still hurts to have someone pass. Cayuga Lake is gorgeous with low cloud cover. There were many stunning vistas but we didn't carry the camera in the rain.
The first 80 miles reeled off pretty easily. The keys are to stick to a good pace, stand on the pedals occasionaly to get the blood moving, and eat and drink plenty of water and bananas. There were a lot of volunteers from Lions Clubs etc... who were invaluable. We then got to the last 20 odd miles feeling good I even considered skipping the last break area. I bonked at mile 97. The last 20 miles were brutal going right into the teeth of an headwind which kept shifting in intensity. We couldn't maintain a steady pace because the shifting intensity kept us from settling into a good gear. This is where I paid for my lack of training. One guy we ride with commutes 45 miles a day by bike whenever the roads are not snowy. He breezed the whole ride on a bike with full rear and handlebar packs carrying stuff for some other folks. We hit the cafeteria only to find that being wheat free my only choice was salad, since cyclists often gorge on pasta for energy. Pete and I ran down after dinner where we went to Baileys Ice Cream Shop. They've changed locations to the canal side of the building while they refurbish the old place into some sort of cyber-cafe'. Its a nice place to hang out when calories don't count. We made it back and got into the wine tasteing followed by the awards for fundraising. We hit the sack about the time the band started their second set. Don't blame the band, we were tired.
Day Two. 57.7 miles.
Contrary to expectations, we were not balls of pain needing to be extracted from our tent Sunday morning. We both had a little right knee pain which we blame on driving not cycling. The weather was gorgeous as we rode along the shore of Cayuga Lake then passed across to Seneca Lake and back to Seneca Falls. more later g
And don't forget that tail wind on Sunday. It was a gift! A reward for surviving Saturday
BTW - I just climbed the stairs here at work and my thighs felt rock hard by the time i got to the top - I think I;m hearing some sarcastic remarks from my muscles.
:thumbsup: OK, that's it. The cellar has officially changed my life. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to ride RAGBRAI, but of course life happens and a dream has thus far continued to be just a dream. Well, I have recently recieved a small inheritance ($1000) and thanks to this thread have finally decided to just do it, and buy the road bike I have wanted for sooooooooo long. I took off early from work yesterday and hit 3 bike shops in the area, 2 M&Ps and one larger one. I have it narrowed down to two, the '04 TREK 1200 ($720 on sale) and '04 GIANT OCR2 ($765 on sale). I am test riding today if i can sneak out of work again, but am leaning toward the GIANT pre-ride due to features (don't care about color). Does anyone have any tidbits to share before I take the plunge? :confused: Maybe I'll see you on RAGBRAI someday :D
http://www.ragbrai.org/Sounds like these bikes are
very similar. I'd go with the LBS you like best. If you're going to put a lot of miles on a bike, you want a shop that's going to take care of you.
Yeah, there was a definate difference in the shops, definately liked the smallest of the three. the salesman took the most time with me, (even though there were other customers in the store) and i really liked how he explained things to me. i have done some research, but acted like i hadn't, and he didn't try to BS me at all. Plus, they had the best price!! i am SO excited. thanks for the advice!
i have done some research, but acted like i hadn't, and he didn't try to BS me at all. Plus, they had the best price!! i am SO excited. thanks for the advice!
That's a good strategy. I'd go with the small shop, they're usually more willing to work with you on changes like if you want to switch stems for a better fit. I'm not really familiar with the Tiagra component group but in the (very) long run you might want a crank with replaceable chainrings (I don't know if they are). I wouldn't call that a deal breaker though. It looks like you'll get a good frame with any of these bikes. The Giant has a compact frame which lots of folks find more comfortable. Just ride them all. If it's comfortable support Mom and Pop, they'll remember your name and think about what kind of riding you do. Enjoy! g
That tour looks cool! It's gonna take some training though.
I think you'll get a better ride out of the Trek, but both are comparable bikes. I personally am not a fan of compact geometry (on the Giant), but you'll be more comfortable when cornering and cranking out of the saddle.
And go with mom n pop, if that seems the right thing to do. Unfortunately in Princeton there are two competing shops; the smaller one does much better work and is generally more knowledgeable, but they are a bunch of assholes. The other store has maybe 1 or 2 mechanics that really know their stuff, and they have pretty consistent pricing and a solid selection of bikes. Hafta go to different places for different services. :(
Tiagra components will do fine, until you're ready for something lighter and sturdier. As long as you keep the bike in good shape, it'll treat you well after 500 miles in the saddle. :)
Sounds like a fun ride. I was in Colorado with my brother one summer, and we passed the Ride the Rockies group. They were climbing a devastating hill near Grand Junction that day - riders were strung out literally over 40 miles of terrain.
Any buying advice for someone who knows little about the things?
Any buying advice for someone who knows little about the things?
Make sure it fits properly (you should be able to stand with both feet on the ground and have about an inch of clearance with your crotch), and when you're in the saddle with your hands on the drop-down part of the handlebars, look down and the middle of the handlebar should block your view of the front wheel's hub.
And don't pay more than you want to. That's why Trek makes 5,000 different models. Giant has fewer options, as does Cannondale.
Well, i rode 'em, and I pick up my new OCR2 on Sat, WOO HOO!!!! :joylove: I feel like a little kid :D Got the bike, shoes, pump, tube, lube, computer, water bottle & cage, and a lock for $945 total. So that leaves me $55 for bike shorts. (already had a helmet, gloves, bag, and plenty of coolmax gear from my running hobby) Is it Saturday yet? Is there anything else I am going to wish I had? It felt SO SO SO good to be on a bike again. I rode A LOT when I was younger. The only things I want now are a pull behind carrier for my tot ~350 new i think (been looking for used forever can't get 'em), and a stand for the winter ~200. Christmas is coming.... :beer: Oh, I bought from the M&P, World Of Bikes in Iowa City.
I feel like a little kid
This is pretty cool -- I get to actually blame an online message board for getting me out (and perhaps others as well?) to get in some exercise, again. Thanks, guys, just for bringing up the topic, as it was what got me motivated to get the bike out, clean it up, and start hitting the trails!
Since there seem to be a good number of people here that do a lot of street riding, can anyone suggest safety gear besides a helmet? I went looking at lighting sometime ago and they had some insane headlight setups, costing hundreds of dollars, that used a battery that fit in a water bottle holder. Me? I just have a blinky red light under my butt. Yet, as the year goes on, the days will be getting shorter and I no longer want my riding to be restricted by the amount of daylight.
Again: damn you guys! :p
I don't have time to ride, but I must!
No experience here with headlamps or the like. I don't even have reflectors on my racing bike, which I really should considering I've been swiped by cars three times since moving here. You suddenly made me very self-conscious ...
Would you seriously ride at night when it's so dark you have to use a light? Crazy, especially on a trail. Man. Gonads.
Since there seem to be a good number of people here that do a lot of street riding, can anyone suggest safety gear besides a helmet?
High viz clothing is useful. I swear an old lady was about to turn right into Pete, who was wearing an asphalt gray wind breaker, until I came out from behind her in a high visability green one. She was looking right through Pete. Kinda scary how blind people are.
Thanks for the jacket sweets.Any buying advice for someone who knows little about the things?
You really need to try to figure out how much and what kind of riding you're going to do. Different bikes are good for different things.
Would you seriously ride at night when it's so dark you have to use a light? Crazy, especially on a trail.
Oh, no, the headlight and such are for people to see me, not to go places where I can't see. The streets are lit up by the streetlamps, but that doesn't mean cars can see you, even with reflectors. Any kind of light helps, hence the blinky LED taillight. I suppose just one of the $10 lamps that eats double A's would work fine.
There are some local groups around here that do night trail riding that requires headlights to see. They're insane! Tree roots and other obstacles come up a little too quickly. Hit one and the person who was behind you suddenly has a new obstacle to worry about. :)
When my kids were little night riding was the only way I could squeeze in my bike time. We were riding single-track and dirt roads. I only had one serious accident...
Nice bike weekend coming up in Binghamton. The Chris Thater races are going on at Rec Park. Pro racing Sunday. :thumbsup:
I went on the <A HREF="http://www.times-up.org/cm.php">critical mass</A> protest ride here in NYC last night. My first time. I knew it would get ridiculously political re: the convention, but I felt compelled to go for the cause, which was a real take-back-the-streets rally-against-oil-companies-and-cars theme. It's true, there could be a lot more done for cyclists here and everywhere across the planet.
Police said there were about <A href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/28/politics/campaign/28protest.html">5,000 cyclists</A>. The ride went well, until the end when people just didn't seem to want to stop, which ended in 100 people being arrested. I left shortly before that because I wanted to go get wasted last night. :P
A few pics from the ride. First is from Union Square before it started - taken mostly because the reporter was cute. :)
Oh, apparently my pics are too big. I'll have to upload to web then, which I don't have time to do now, damnit.
Are Eugenes bike lanes legit or are they door zone lanes? A lot of towns put a bike lane along side parked cars, which is much much worse than no lane at all. If its there cars expect you to use it and if you use it you will eventually get creamed by a door. I try to stake out a place for myself in traffic but let people pass when safe.
It varies. The smaller residential roads often have no marked lanes and light enough traffic that you can just go where you want. The larger streets mostly don't have any parking on the side. In the few spots of 'door zone lanes', I mostly just hit the sidewalk. But yeah, it's pretty killer when they try that stuff on you.
Well, i rode 'em, and I pick up my new OCR2 on Sat, WOO HOO!!!! :joylove: I feel like a little kid
Ok, LabRat. Share with us. Did you get out for a ride on your new wheels?
Couple neat shots from the critical mass. Kinda disappointing results with my Sony P-8. Apeture settings weren't good enough, and on-board flash certainly didn't cut it either.
First failed attempt at taking a pic while on my bike
<IMG SRC="http://www.supdogg.com/wfphotos/criticalmass/images/image_5.jpg">
Kind of a dark shot, but you can see how many heads there were in the crowd
<IMG SRC="http://www.supdogg.com/wfphotos/criticalmass/images/image_9.jpg">
Approaching Times Square
<IMG SRC="http://www.supdogg.com/wfphotos/criticalmass/images/image_13.jpg">
Neat Times Square shot
<IMG SRC="http://www.supdogg.com/wfphotos/criticalmass/images/image_14.jpg">
At most intersections, a few riders would sacrifice themselves to stop traffic. And on a Friday night in NYC, indeed they did.
<IMG SRC="http://www.supdogg.com/wfphotos/criticalmass/images/image_18.jpg">
Ok, LabRat. Share with us. Did you get out for a ride on your new wheels?
Yeppers, yesterday was bee-yoo-ti-ful here in eastern Iowa, so we dropped the offspring off at grandma and grandpas (i don't have a trailer yet), hubby went jetskiing with a buddy, and i went for a spin. We went to George Wyth State Park, in Black Hawk Co. a place where i did a lot of mountain biking when i was in college at UNI. There is an incredible network of paved paths that go thru the park and into both Cedar Falls and Waterloo, which is what I rode. My butt could only take 14 miles, but it was wonderful. Of course, before i even left the parking lot, i did the mandatory fall over while still attached to the damn pedals and mucked up my right wrist pretty good. took a nice chunk out of the left handlebar too, but at least no one :blush: saw it. (i didn't hear anyone laugh anyway) The shifters on the brake levers are new to me, and i thought they would be hard to get used to (my 93-94ish trek 820 has grip shifters) but it turns out i love them. after loosining the spring tension on my pedals, i practiced attaching and releasing my shoes while riding and that is a lot easier now too. hopefully won't be putting on any shows at busy intersections... the only thing i'm not familiar with is changing a flat, but at this point i won't be going anywhere remote so i'm not too worried about that. all in all it was a great day, and i figure by next weekend my butt will be ready to try another spin. till then i'll just stick to running, it's less technical :D on my christmas list is definately one of those seats with a cut out tho. never really needed one for my mtn bike, because you're out of the seat enough that even if you go for 2-3 hours, your butt isn't really all that sore.
thanks for asking!!
Breaking, AWESOME pictures!!! looked like a whole lot of fun!
on my christmas list is definately one of those seats with a cut out tho. never really needed one for my mtn bike, because you're out of the seat enough that even if you go for 2-3 hours, your butt isn't really all that sore.
thanks for asking!!
You might be interested in this
bicycle saddle page.
Very cool pics. :cool:
We saw the tailend of a nasty crash early in the Thater Memorial Cat 1/2 mens race. We heard a couple sick thuds. I turned in time to see a pile of bikes and a wheel bouncing away. A mess of riders went down and two stayed down. One guy hit the curb and the other other pancaked on the pavement. Apparently someone shot into a gap which wasn't there when he arrived. Last I heard there was a concussion a broken arm and a lot of road rash. That was rough.
Road with some out of shape folks Saturday. We did about 35 miles, nice day for a ride. I got a frozen yogurt at the half-way point, everyone else went the ice cream route. Pete had the ice cream and a hamburger, lives to ride/rides to eat that one. :)
Sunday the guys came over for a mountain bike ride before we went to our various clam / Rolling Rock oriented events. My trails are in pretty rough shape. Blood was let, tubes were blown, skin was flensed, and demons were exercised. I'm gonna have to work on my cassette and cog cuz I'm getting slippage when I crank in the granny. Good rough fun.
ALERT !!!! I just found this page , it has a video of the lock being opened with a ball point pen !!!!!!!!
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=66128&page=1&pp=25
Just thought i would pass this on .
Oh, that's bad. Either the manufacturing tolerances are very poor or the springs on the pins are very weak or both.
That is really weak. Folks spend a lot of dough on those Krypto locks.
We got up early and went up to Oakley Corners (near Owego NY) to mtn bike this morning. It was pretty rough and tumble, very slippery. I lost my mojo at one point, if anyone finds it drop me a line. I found a slightly used one, a few minutes later, that I put some dents in but it's still servicable. It was friggin cold out there this morning my lungs still feel pretty burnt. Great ride though we went hard and and broke stuff.
Here's a funny auction on Ebay of a bike lock.
bike lock w/ two keysGriff or any of your northeast folks, you guys get slammed with those ridiculous winds on Saturday? I tried to go out for a 50 mile solo - I got to the NJ side of the GW Bridge and just couldn't do it. Way too exhausted pushing through the wind by myself. I turned around and headed for Central Park - where a sharp pebble tore through the top of my rear tire. SUcks.
Counting the days until a new bike arrives ...
Nah, it was pretty quiet up my way.
NEW BIKE! Cool. What'd you go with?
Well, I haven't actually bought it yet. But I am nearing a decision (counting the days to a decision, I guess).
Buying an '03 Litespeed Tuscany frame, and building hopefully with Dura-Ace 10 (if I can get a good price); otherwise I'll probably buy an Ultegra 9 custom kit from COlorado Cyclist.
Their custom build kits are great, great deals - full component group, Ritchey handlebars, decent Douglas saddle/seatpost. The real seller, I'm sure, are the Velomax Ascent wheels. Never ridden them, but I've heard positive things.
Very sexy bike.
So I tested out the system the last two days. It is about 1.5 hours in the saddle to work. I don't have time to ride 3 hours on any given day so Thursday I drove to work with the Trek on the roof. I rode home from work leaving the car in the lot. It was a sunny warm ride with a nice swath of new pavement on Powderhouse road. Powderhouse is one of the few smooth ascent/ decents around without any really steep sections. You can really mash the pedals along there. That is followed by a substantial climb up West Hill road. Then this morning I rode in in the fog and actually had the driver of a van pull up next to me to say my dayglo green jacket was all that. He went on and on about how well he could see it. Very Cool. Its nice to have a pleasant interaction with the car set. I got to work and accepted accolades far beyond the scope of the accomplishment but what the heck. Anyway it worked like a charm. I got to work in a really good mood and carried it through the day. :)
I rolled out early to meet the guys and ride Shindagan Hollow State Forest up near Ithaca (ten square miles surrounded by reality), NY. Fantastic ride if you've got the time to get up there. Miles and miles of single track and jeep trails.
Some of the local youts have put together something they call Area 51. It's basically a whole bunch of playground equipment for mtn bikers. Elevated ramps, jumps, teeter totters, log barriers and other stuff designed to break things. Brian and I had to hold our guts laughing at our bud Sam as he failed miserably on several obstacles we were too um sensible, thats it, sensible to attempt. I watched Sam load and attempted to unload his front wheel to hit a ramp properly except that when he loaded the wheel (put weight on it) he basically stuck it in the ground. His rear wheel came almost 2 feet off the ground and he was pedalling like a cartoon when he biffed, freaking hilarious.
The real joy was in the single-track though. I'm finally in decent shape and was able to hammer the full time we were there. Usually you get tired and you start making foolish mistakes which cost blood and treasure but today everthing was clicking perfectly.
Couldn't have asked for better weather, today? Freakin' beautiful here in NYC ... I got out for 60 miles, which felt fantastic because I haven't done that much mileage since mid-summer. Up to the GW bridge, over to Jersey and up 9W (Palisades Pkwy) to the NY border. Now there are always 5,000 cyclists on the route, and if I'm riding solo I usually link up with a group within the first 10 miles or so. But as many riders as I saw going the opposite direction, I never caught a single rider on my side of the road (except for one older lady). That really sucked too, because it was pretty windy at one point. Oh well.
I almost spilled going from grooved to fresh pavement on Riverside Dr. A car came flying up my left side and squeezed me into a nasty rut. Not fun.
But I felt awesome after the ride, despite having a raging hangover. Then I wandered over to Central Park and parked it on the great lawn, and saw quite a few hotties sunbathing in bikinis. Gotta love that ghetto urban lifestyle. :)
I do some biking myself. Actually I only really started this year an did about 500km during the summer. I'm more the swimmer and runner, but i'd like to do some triathlon.
So last week I did my first race : 106km. I never did as much. And the first 80km were very pretty, because there was a lot of plain riding in group and you just do incredible speed (roughly 2h45 for 80km). The last 2 were very hard, I got real problems and had to stop for 1/2 hour, due to cramps. I pushed my bycicle for 5km uphill. I couldn't ride. So I finished after 4:46. It's okay with me. This race is very popular in Luxembourg, named after our best racer ever :
http://www.lacharlygaul.lu/ (sorry only in french or german) I did B-Race with 106km and 1100m heigh differences. Very nice and not so easy.
I own a Trek 1500, bought it for about 1500€. But I'm not very happy, I had to change some pieces and also the chain (too short). I think I also have to change the handlebars...
:thumb: Well, I bought a Burley Encore last night, and took the munchkin on her first ride. I was so excited I didn't even care it was sprinkling. She loved it!! After the first big hill, all I heard was: more! more! MORE!!! Now I can ride whenever I want, so long as I bring Blankie and plenty of fruit snacks! Go me!
Very Cool. Make sure you put a really obnoxious flag on there so you're seen by the gas burners. We had one (burley cart) when our youts were little, its good fun if they are entertained or asleep. :D
Whenever I am walking on certain trails, it makes me wonder how many kids are growing up looking at their dad's ass.
Whenever I am walking on certain trails, it makes me wonder how many kids are growing up looking at their dad's ass.
or mom's :D
friday did 9 mi, sat, 10mi with kid in tow. it was great. she had her baggie of cereal, sippy cup, a book, Blankie, and Puppy and still plenty of room for her. On sat's ride i stopped at a park and let her play off some steam. while we were there a couple of boys put up a chair with a sign by the side of the road that said basically "wanna go with us to homecoming?" lots of people honked, and i might have offered to go if i thought i could still fit into an old formal dress. went for a run Sun instead since my tush was too sore. trees along the trail were really pretty now that they are changing. sorry, no pics. i'll have to talk my hubby into bringing his work camera home some night so i can get one of my rig. hope the weekend was as great for all of you!
:thumb: Well, I bought a Burley Encore last night, and took the munchkin on her first ride. I was so excited I didn't even care it was sprinkling. She loved it!!
You are so lucky! My own children hated the bike trailer and after the maiden voyage could never be coaxed into it again. I'm still bitter about it too....
Duct tape Jinx, remember the duct tape. ;)
I broke out the wool yesterday. A little rain, very little sleet, wind gusts, and police patrols... all in all a perfect day for a ride. The rain/sleet in my eyes kept me from my normal 45-50mph descent through a 30mph zone, which was fortunate since SP Officer Bacon was on the scene. I had a tough head wind coming down powdwerhouse which forced me to pedal harder and I had a tail wind going up Powderhouse which gave me life causing me to pedal harder. By the time I finished my 3 hour cruise my thighs were completely burned, perfect. I'm gonna search the net for cold weather gear cuz that friggin rocked. g
Watched my buddy trash his old GT frame on a ramp today, ugly ugly wipe. He was coming down off it and stuck his front wheel something had to give, at least it wasn't his neck. GTs old frames were practically bullet proof but enough hits over enough years and it had to crumple. Met a couple guys with a map of Shindagin, turns out there is a 15 mile loop we hadn't found yet... must keep riding.
Sat was REALLY windy but almost 70F here, so I took out LO (little one) for about 2.5 hrs. We went to the library and got some books and videos about real animals (why must there be so many cartoons????); stopped at FAREWAY and got groceries to make monster cookies (where I left my wallet to be retrieved this morning. lucky girl); then stopped at a park and went down the slide 50 million times. After all of that, when we got home, she refused to get out of her Burley. So, she sat in it another 20 min while I put stuff away and got lunch ready. Definately $$ well spent. Was a great morning. My tush gives me no troubles anymore, so that makes it a lot more pleasant. (original seat) Was thinking about getting an indoor trainer to keep up what progress I've made over the winter, anyone have any experience with these? Waste of money? Worth their weight in gold? Hoping to do another triathalon before I get knocked up and have to be off again for another 2 years.
Was thinking about getting an indoor trainer to keep up what progress I've made over the winter, anyone have any experience with these? Waste of money? Worth their weight in gold? Hoping to do another triathalon before I get knocked up and have to be off again for another 2 years.
I just got a new mag one that should be a lot quieter than my old fan one. They are not much fun since you don't have fresh air and such but if you can convince yourself to use it during tv time that can help. I use mine while watching football. I prefer to cc ski in the winter but you need snow to go with the cold. You can get some really expensive high techy trainers that allow you to hook up with your pc and do interval training under race type conditions, cool.
I'm getting this one:
Snazzy lil machine! Set yah back a couple bucks?
I just snuck a mtn bike ride in before the sun fell with a clunk. Cold, wet, too much gunfire... close enough to perfect for me. :)
I just got a new mag one...use it during tv time....... prefer to cc ski in the winter ... expensive high techy trainers that allow you to hook up with your pc ... cool.
I have read that the mag ones are better due to increased resistance as you increase speed, vs fan ones where this is not the case. what is your opinion of this? why did you get the new one? was it cooled vs. not? the dude i talked to this weekend at Scheels basically told me that if i don't get a cooled mag one, it would get so hot it would burn up the magnets (and be a potential hazard if my little one touched it) However I know they work on commision, and the cooled one was $100 more... I'm not exactly greg lemond, so I doubt i'd burn anything up. My husband has agreed to donate 1/2 of the price of one for my Christmas present, so now I just need to decide what would be best for me. Although the PC hookup would rock, (seen 'em) in reality I doubt that I'd be spending enough time on the bike to warrant spending that much $$. I am just looking for something to help me keep in shape. I LOVE to CC ski, but the last few winters have been pretty sparse in the good snow dept. Sad, because there are some really pretty trails and golf courses around here to use if I could.
The mag trainers get very hot after about 15 minutes, but you're not going to burn up anything (at least not in the short term). It will get extremely hot to the touch though - I have a burn on my arm from accidentally touching the roller too soon after a workout about two weeks ago.
The other option is fluid trainers, which seem to work pretty well. My oldest brother has one - pretty cool gizmo. Has a mountable lever to change the level of resistance on the fly. I actually don't have a cadence sensor - I'm considering one of the new Cat Eyes with the full readout functions.
I broke my seatpost mtn bike riding Sunday morning. I had to do about 40 minutes of single-track standing on the pedals. Wow talk about shakey legs man I had them when I got back. I blame
Geor...how in the world does one break a seat post?? GWB aside :)
There must have been some metal fatigue. The post had about a decade of torque and crashes going for it and was pretty light weight. I was getting up to mash a climb when it snapped, weirdest thing. My weight was against it since I fell over the back of the bike and bruised the back of my left thigh and knee on the exposed seat tube.
You are very lucky to have only bruised yourself a bit.
But you are already in the gene pool.
It was a much closer thing than I wish to consider. Like you said though the youts are already out there preparing their snares, looking to carry my mediocrity forward. Anyway I picked up a new seatpost after work and was treated to a seatpost horror story by the mechanic. It involved a significant amount of blood loss. Looking at the forecast I'm not sure much riding is gonna happen this weekend but I have the trainer and 3 hours of Duce grinding up the NY Jetjetjets to look forward to.
after some research, I figure i'll probably get a (cooled?) mag trainer. reviews of the fluid ones had way too many people complaining of leaks for my liking. the one that i am leaning towards is a Minoura Hyper Mag, based on reviews on the web. griff, what did you purchase, why, and did you try others? thanks for your time :) haven't gone to the stores yet and actually tried any...
I picked up an Ascent trainer. I got a closeout deal on it from Nashbar. I didn't really check them out that closely but this one looks to be well made. I'm sure the Minoura will be fine. The one I got is much nicer than my old fan model, the bearings are nice and smooth, its quiet so I can read while I spin, and it looks to be well built. Does your trainer come with a block for your front wheel? If not you'll need a block of wood or something to keep your weight back.
I have one of these:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=12089&subcategory_ID=4122
I have used a wood block in the past, but I like this gadget because it cradles the front wheel and feels a lot more stable. Has three levels of incline for whatever reason. On sale too! Only $13.
Went to the store yesterday and looked at the new Trek Madone line-up. Great machines. I'd like the SSL model (what Lance's teammates ride; he's on a newer model, the ponte verde or something), but the 5.9 is probably the most I could afford. Maybe a 5.2SL. Must give them a test ride though.
Here's my pride-n-joy in her fancy ride...
Tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo CUTE!
Woo Hoo! Just bought this yesterday, can't wait to get my bike on it. Now I just need to convince my husband to let me put it in front of the TV...
PS thanks Griff, she is as sweet as she is cute. (must have been switched at the hospital)
Despite my riding outside Sunday morning the trainer is doing good work. I just finished another book, while spinning, thats been hanging around here. Winter starts tonight though, hopefully we'll need a XC skiing thread.
from Weather Underground
Forecast for Susquehanna County
Updated: 3:30 PM EST on January 4, 2005
Winter Weather Advisory late tonight through midday Thursday...
Tonight
Cloudy...rain...snow and sleet likely after midnight. Little or no snow accumulation. Lows in the mid 20s. Light and variable winds. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
Wednesday
Cloudy with snow likely. Snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Highs around 30. North winds around 10 mph in the morning...becoming light and variable. Chance of snow 70 percent.
Wednesday Night
Snow with a chance of sleet in the evening. Freezing rain and sleet after midnight. Total snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches. Lows in the lower 20s. North winds around 10 mph in the evening...becoming light and variable.
Thursday
Cloudy. Rain likely through the day. Freezing rain and sleet likely in the morning. Highs in the mid 30s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
I used my trainer last week for the first time, for 20 min. Wow, I was surprised how much I sweated, at least as much if not more than when I run that long. I thought those little T-shaped sweat catchers were kind of silly, but I see now why they were invented. Since I was warned about the magnetic ones getting so hot as to burn skin, I was curious. After I got done, I felt the magnets, and they were just barely warm. I guess I wasn't going fast enough long enough to really heat up the unit. Probably won't either :) All in all I am VERY excited about the setup, and glad I made the purchase. Sometime I'll get a shot of our little home gym area, the treadmill, bike, exercise ball and free weights. Not bad at all for a non-contender...
Next thing you know you'll be trolling for sponsors for your
world record attempt. :biggrin:
Indisputably the world's best cyclist, Armstrong, the six-time winner of the Tour de France, has been hinting broadly that he might take a year hiatus from the event he has dominated since 1999. He has also speculated that his next goal may be a sporting challenge virtually unknown in the United States until now.
For the rest of the world, however, the Hour Record, as it is known, holds as much magnetism as ascending Mount Everest. The object is for a solo rider to ride as far as possible in 60 minutes on a banked velodrome. banked velodrome.[/i]
:rollanim: :vomit:
I'm still spinning and I have a new motivator :) arriving by Fed Ex next week. :thumbsup:
I am racking my brain about what this might be...guess I'll have to wait till you tell us.
I just read "RAGBRAI Everbody pronounces it wrong" written by one of the two original men who came up with it, and it was a great read. They were just average joes (like those of us here) who decided what the hell, lets ride across the state. Very fun read. I liked it a lot better than the other one I just finished, Cycling for health, fitness, and well-being by James McCullagh. He is a great cyclist I am sure, but his book was a little to full of himself for my liking. I really didn't learn a whole lot reading it either. Anyone got any suggestions?
Besides Armstrongs "Its not about the bike." I really liked "The Immortal Class: Bike Messengers and the Cult of Human Power" by Hugh Culley. Neither book has anything instructional to say about cycling but they both open up different worlds.
New motivator!
Here's the story. I've been hunting for a new XC machine on and off since last fall. I worked in a bike shop during my undergrad years so I know the sales game and I kinda know bikes. Since I worked in a shop, I have had a bias towards using bike shops rather than the internet for bike purchaces. Unfortunately, when I went into my local shop looking for a new ride the sales guy tried to sell me what they had in stock not what they could get. The bike he was pushing was a middle of the line Trek that was set up not for XC but rather for nothing in particular. The riding position was too upright, the top tube was too short and too high, and the components were crap. Having broken my confidence in their shop, I started poking around on the net and found a lot of quality machines for much less money. The bike I got is a last years model KHS Comp ST, which I got for about $200 dollars less than the Trek. Way more bike for way less money. The on-line guys built the bike, set it up, took it partially apart for shipping, and sent it to me no tax or shipping charges. As far as service goes, most XC riders do their own maintenance anyway because its part of the fun and isn't exactly rocket surgery. So now I'm one of those evil on-line purchasers who is killing the old bike selling paramacallit.
Thanks man. I finally got to the point in the last couple years where my old bikes capabilities were holding me back. I was getting dropped on downhills and dropping folks on flats and ups so now I have a ride that can descend at speed... I'm definitely breaking a collar bone this summer. :biggrin:
Nothing perks one up like something NEW to play with, fun! That shop is helping to put itself out of business by not providing the customer the service they deserve. Don't feel guilty about being intellegent and picky! Congrats on the savvy purchase, and here's hoping none of your injuries are too serious :)
Some of my trail is still snow covered but I still got a nice ride in today after noodling around with the youts on their machines for an hour or so. The compliance of the rear suspension suprised me and it was a little noisier than I anticipated. I think the rear suspension gave me more traction on steep climbs and I know the front gave me more control on twisty downhill single-track. :love: I can't wait to get out again!
color me green with envy...I was at the dentist this morning :D
Lance is done after this year's Tour de France. Let's cheer him on as he goes after No. 7.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) _ Lance Armstrong says he will retire after this year's Tour de France.
Win or lose he's had an awesome run. :beer:
Bent the derailler hanger on my new ride in my first ride with the mtn bike crew Sunday. I bent it back nice and easy by using my Alien Tool as a lever leaving the allen wrench in the derailler bolt. We kept riding but now I've got that weakened hanger in the back of my head.
Bike rookie here. Son of V has recently graduated to two wheels only, on purpose and in control! Now I have a new riding buddy! Promise to post in "my kid doing something cool" soon.
Anyway, I want a bike to ride with along with him, and I know very little about bikes. I would like some input from knowledgable veterans like y'all.
Some particulars that may help narrow the focus. I'm 6'4", 250#, and I don't intend to race the bike, or make cross country trips with it. I would like to be able to follow my son wherever he may ride on his little dirt bike (Giant 145?). Off pavement travel is highly likely, so those reeeeeeeally skinny tires don't seem appealing. I would like to have something that I could ride to work, 10 miles each way, urban traffic/bike lanes, some hills (Seattle). Oh, and I'm cheap. I will definitely be looking for a used bike, but I don't know this from that to look for.
We're involved in scouting and on many trips, the bikes come along camping with us. I'd like something that I can participate with.
What buzzwords features traps luxuries warnings makes models styles sizes accessories etc should I be aware of? Plus all the stuff I left out?
Thanks very much in advance.
You may want to get an inexpensive mtn bike and swap the stem out for one that gives you a more upright riding position. You can put
smoother tires on it for riding to work. I prefer not to be so upright but most folks who haven't ridden in years are more comfortable that way. Its hard to give someone advice other than try a few different bikes and see what you like. Make sure you have fun with it whatever you decide. Good Luck!
Yeah, okay to go inexpensive, but I would go after a sturdier brand (most stores these days mostly carry Trek, Giant, Raleigh anyway). Basic Treks and some basic Giants are very good. Go for steel, or aluminum if you find something you like, but steel will be much more comfortable riding off-road.
You shouldn't have to pay more than $200-300 all said and done. Switching tires is no problem - ask the store what they might be willing to put on there for you. Anything in between racing slicks and hard, knobby tires will do just fine. It mostly depends on how much road riding you think you'll be doing.
Oh, it's also very, very hard to ride a bike with front suspension on asphalt and at a leisurely pace, so you might want to avoid that.
Yeah, okay to go inexpensive, but I would go after a sturdier brand (most stores these days mostly carry Trek, Giant, Raleigh anyway). Basic Treks and some basic Giants are very good. Go for steel, or aluminum if you find something you like, but steel will be much more comfortable riding off-road.
Thanks for the responses, I really appreciate them.
Your remark left me puzzled--how in the world could the difference in frame material steel v aluminum be translated into a different feeling ride? I understand they're different, density weight elasiticity--but so much so that the ride is different? And how would the ride be different? Maybe it's something I could understand better if I had more comparative experiences... hard for the beginner to sort out from all the other variables, though, like tires, inflation, terrain, seat, suspension, speed, etc. Not tryin to be a smartass, but I am trying to learn.
Thanks.
also, from your post, you talk about trek and giant.. Are you implying that these are the sturdier brands? I was riding on my older son's mtn bike (don't remember the model) and as I was standing on the pedals on an uphill stretch I cranked down with my leg and bent the pedal shaft where it connects to the crank! So, now the pedal is no longer parallel to the ground..That was a problem. Sturdy is good.
Frame material makes a huge difference in the type of ride. It's very obvious when riding a road bike at aggressive speeds; honestly, though, I don't have a tremendous amount of experience with different mountain bike frames. Last time I rode serious terrain, I never sat down long enough to get a good feel - too bumpy to notice, anyway.
But you have the right idea. Different materials have different characteristics, and it also dictates how the frame is put together at the joints. If you ride a lot, you'll be able to tell the difference especially when cornering, powering up a hill, taking a fast descent, etc.
Trek is a good brand. Giant is also good, but some of their equipment is so-so. What you busted on your son's bike was the bottom bracket. It happens - why you should pay up a little bit to get better components.
Nice ride to work this morning. Yah it was 31 degrees F but what the heck, what does anyone really need ear lobes for?
I saw Bikes but alas it is the pedal variety. Aw well.
Nice drive to work this morning. Yah it was 31 degrees C but what the heck. What does anyone really need A/C for anyway.
I like the sign off in the thread starter "More later g" I might adopt that.
More g later.
I got stranded today 2 miles from home, 30 minutes from an appointment. I had gotten a flat tire and had to walk, so I figured I'd drop it off at a bike shop. These people charge you up th nose...almost 70 dollars just to get my brakes fixed as well as a new tire since this one was OLD. And I'm getting my bearings adjusted. Labor was almost 40 dollars. What a rip. But...I didn't have a choice and since I was there...
Then K carry a spare tube , tire tools ,a patch kit, a pump, and some knolage with you , or quit byotching about haveing work done !!!!!
LCanal, I think Big V started a motocycle thread a while back I remember seeing an old Vincent...
You do need to be practiced and prepared, of course I carried nothing repair related yesterday...
Wow, I just had a showdown with a Ford Explorer and one of those new boxy Mercedes SUVs. Went for a 50-miler this morning (across GW bridge to NJ). I was cruising home on my street (two lanes each way), riding on the right-most edge of the far right lane, when this damn Explorer comes flying down the street in the left lane and cuts right in front of me, missing me by about 1.5-2 feet. I shout, but my voice is muffled by the rumble of the Mercedes, which then did the SAME EXACT thing (apparently in pursuit of the Explorer).
The trucks are side by side at the red light ahead, so I wheel in front of both of them and flick 'em off. The light turns green, I drop into my highest gear, take off sprinting down the street. Only problem is there is a beer delivery truck blocking the far right lane. I'm pulling about 30-31 mph at this point, and I hear the Explorer accelerating in the left lane (Mercedes is behind me) as we're approaching the truck. I cut into the left lane to avoid the truck, but a bus is coming in the opposite direction and the space between the bus and this big ass beer truck is too tight for the Explorer. The asshole driving the Explorer slams on his brakes, and the Mercedes, which was trying to jump behind the Explorer, almost crashes into him. Let's not forget the dozen or so cars that were behind those guys. And then, like a sign from the heavens, in front of the beer truck was an NYPD traffic cop, who signals for the Explorer to pull over. I didn't stick around to make myself the scapegoat.
I know, I know, *I* am such an asshole. :)
Sometimes out there on the pavement you can just smell the love. I think that's why so many of us have gone feral (mtn biking).
*speechless* :headshake
lucky you didn't end up :greenface
I had a perfect moment of centrifugal forces, gravity, momentum, friction, compression, weight shifting and nerve while riding single track Sunday. My front wheel almost totally washed out on a slick rooty downhill. My wheel slid and the fork compressed until the tire found purchase and I freaking bounced up and on. A rousing cheer came from behind me and I couldn't help but let out a victory roar. As Chris Farley would say that was Freaking Awesome!
Lets not get slaughtered out there BN.
Hard to believe that I finally rode my first race of the season tonight. I really was not in shape to do the pre-season events - and tonight made me realize that I'm not even ready for these races. :)
Rode in the cat 5 race at the Floyd Bennett Airfield in Brooklyn. It's a 2.3-mile rectangle (old runway strip), completely flat with LOTS of wind coming off turn 3 and especially so into turn 4. I was astonished - we averaged 26 mph, which is pretty damn fast for that level. I made a huge mistake of jumping too early and I got stuck in the front for 3/4 of a lap. Then I got squeezed off the inside and touched the brakes a little too hard trying to avoid a few potholes - by the time I recovered and started pedaling, I was already 25 feet off the lead group. I looked back to see where the other half of the pack was ... and they were hardly in sight. Had to slog through the last 4 miles completely solo, but I kept the lead group in sight and only finished 8 or 10 seconds back.
Oh well. Next Tuesday night!
26!!!!!
You're in much better shape than me anyway. Keep spinning.
Pretty frickin fast, eh. I was really surprised - and my legs got zapped a lot faster than expected. Next time, though, I know exactly what to do: Ignore all the attacking and sit in the middle of the lead group until 1.5 miles to go - then jump and sprint through the finish. I think people wasted a lot of energy waiting to see what would happen with 1 km to go. Better to get out ahead and try to give yourself a comfortable distance.
I have never even considered a bike race, there aren't that many around here. 26mph??? How many laps was the race? Yikes. I saw some bike races last year, and was totally intimidated, but intregued (sp??). I'm looking forward to a PB in a 5K foot race this Sat, have to look into bike races a little closer. Haven't had the road bike out of the basement yet, been too focused on running. Did get the mountaing bikes cleaned up and greased tho. Good luck in the next one breakingnews!
Toured the local pawnshops and found several cool looking mountain bikes. I think I can overcome my distaste for profiting from another's misery and shop at these stores, because the price seems reallly right. So, I know you've previously recommended Giant and Trek, but I found a couple of other makes that seemed to have cool components like front and rear suspension, disc brakes, gel padded seats, handlebar winglets (grablets? right angle add-ons, 3 inches long at the end of the bars pointing forward like horns...) etc. The other two makes were Gary Fischer and K2. Both these bikes were a little more expensive, but also "on sale". The Gary Fischer model came to $200 and the K2 was $150.
Whatcha think?
I was in a rush looking for other equipment*, not bike shopping, but they really caught my eye. I will probably go back this weekend for a ride. More info to follow.
* Turns out I was looking for a "splined wrench, 8 mm" I am in the process of replacing the clutch in DaughterofV's new VW Golf. They didn't have one though. More info in another post in another thread.
I have a question for you bike folks. When I ride my 10 speed, which is admittedly not so often these days, I have never been able to go through the gears, 1-10, in that order. There are 5 gears in back, and 2 up front. It's easy to switch between gears 1 through 5 on the rear wheel, and then use the front gears to jump up to 10. But how do you go from 5th gear into 6th gear? In order to make that switch on any bike I've seen, you have to downshift from 5 to 1 on the rear wheel, and then jump directly from 1 to 6 with the pedal mounted gears. It's always been such a complicated maneuver for me, that I often loose all my steam, and have trouble once I get it in gear. I end up going 1-2-3-4-5-10, and feel like I'm being cheated out of using 6-9.
Am I missing something? Do all 10 speeds perform like this? My bike is an old Schwinn Varsity, which cost $200 25 years ago. A decent bike, but no racer.
Um, yeah, you don't really need to shift gears in order (just like you don't really have to in a car). You should accelerate, then soft-pedal while shifting into the big chainring and then downshifting in the rear.
Try going to 4th gear and giving yourself four or five extra-hard cranks ... then, while lightly pedaling (to keep the chain moving) shift the front derailleur to the big ring ... then downshift to 2nd or 3rd cog in the back. Start pedaling - if it's too much or too little, up or downshift to compensate. This is a lot easier with STI levers (the brake levers double as shifters) - you probably have the traditional levers mounted on the forward downtube, which are a pain to use.
I rarely use my 9th cog. Since I'm heavier and carry a lot of momentum, I'll usually go to the 5th cog, then shift to big ring in the front. That's a good "medium" gear for me - some people will ride longer using small chainring and a small gear before shifting to big chainring, and vice versa. Whatever works for you.
cool components like front and rear suspension, disc brakes, gel padded seats, handlebar winglets (grablets? right angle add-ons, 3 inches long at the end of the bars pointing forward like horns...) etc.
Gary Fischer will be alright. Dunno if I've ever seen a K2 bike, to be honest.
Just based on what I know - I've only worked on suspension and disc brakes once or twice - be careful buying that stuff second hand. If you do, make sure they're better quality parts because they're tough (and $$$) to replace if something does go wrong.
But front shox would be pretty cool. Keep in mind that it's really exhausting to ride on pavement with suspension, especially rear shox, so you should consider how much trail vs road riding you'll be doing. Otherwise, at those prices, you should be good to go!
Oh, the aero bars are very helpful on mountain bikes. They're there to let you change your hand positions (which you should be doing every few minutes) to avoid problems.
Am I missing something? Do all 10 speeds perform like this? My bike is an old Schwinn Varsity, which cost $200 25 years ago. A decent bike, but no racer.
If you really want to know and understand all of your gears, you need to work out the ratio of front to rear sprockets. Once you know the various ratios, you can put the ratios in order and you will know what sprockets to set to move smoothly from gear 1 to 10.
Here's a
web page to help.
I never did that though. With every bike I've owned, I've eventually found about a half dozen gears for various situations and use those.
Wow, that page is pretty neat.
My brother has a computer with downloadable data - he really knows how to analyze all the different factors (wattage, output, cadence, etc.). I understand the basics, but maybe I need to sit down and read closely.
I guess I just figured it out for myself, using just the rear five and then jumping up to the highest gear by switching front sprockets.
So does anyone use all their gears? Seems like a 5 speed with properly spaced gears would be enough for most situations. A real low gear for starting off, a real high gear for racing, and three intermediate gears for getting between the two extremes should be all you need. Seems crazy to have ten gears and never use most of 'em. Mountain bikes have even more gears. I don't get it. Maybe it makes a difference when you are racing/riding long distances to have 12 speeds so you can find the one "sweet" gear for a particular situation, but it seems to me 5 or 6 gears would probably be enough for 99% of the situations you might find yourself in.
Well why limit yourself when Shimano/Campy can build more gears into the gearset at even less weight than before?
Racing bikes now sport 20 gears (10 cogs in back), and I believe mountain bike standard is still 21 (7x3).
Have all the gears you could possibly need. I have Shimano Flight Deck components, which if I bought the actual computer would tell me what gears I use and how long. Really, I only use the middle 6 cogs (of 9) - seems to cover all the bases in racing situations.
it seems to me 5 or 6 gears would probably be enough for 99% of the situations you might find yourself in.
That's certainly been true in my case (even now when I have 21 gears :eek: ). But we live in more-is-better land.
On the other hand, I think the racers really do use all those gears. As I understand it, they try very hard to keep their cadence at one exact speed and vary the gears to the terrain.
I suspect that those of us who don't race would do fine with six. The kids and I have 21 gears on our hybrid bikes. My wife never has any trouble keeping up with us -- and she rides the same 3-speed Raleigh that she rode growing up.
Each additional two gears adds a half inch to the biker's penis, don't they? It's the tradeoff for the testicle damage from the seats.
Each additional two gears adds a half inch to the biker's penis, don't they?--snip--
So wolf, what
exactly are you saying about dar's wife?
:lol:
Shopping for a new mtn bike for my husband, and 24 gears is what the sales guy's were pushing. I agree with only using 5-6 gears 99.9% of the time. A nice Specialized with heavy duty frame (hubby's over 300#) and front suspension is going for $329...
The other two makes were Gary Fischer and K2. Both these bikes were a little more expensive, but also "on sale". The Gary Fischer model came to $200 and the K2 was $150.
The K2 is probably a legit bike as well. You do have to be careful about cheap suspension. You're probably alright with either bike but you may want to write down the model name of each bike and look at the manufacturers web site... or let one of us do it for you just to be sure you're not paying more than its worth. It's prolly cool though. Have fun!
I rode home from work tonight. It was pretty sweet got a thumbs up from a Toyota pickup while I climbed the brutal West Hill (Vestal) nice to get positive input from the fossil fuel set. Got nice waves from a couple kids. One little guy in a pedal car who I've seen before really admired the speed. I must bring him to the good side of the force. The boys at school were pretty mellow today so I didn't NEED the ride but it sure was nice to have the ride along with a couple Negra Modelos when I got home.
K2 is cool. Is that the one with the trick rear suspension where the spring is in tension and the rear shock is inside the frame. Thinking outside the box.
both sold one hour before i got back to the pawnshop. :grr:
But I'll keep the money handy and strike the next time the iron's hot.
About the only time I go all "oriental" and wax about karma is with shopping. Obviously either one of them was not mean't for you. You'll find your bike.
I also dislike this 21st century retail marketing which bury's a little worm that says "Better buy it now, because tomorrow........" They want all purchases to be impulse that way the price/quality becomes less important.
Went shoppiong this weekend for new mountain bikes, ours were 10 years old with no suspension. Hubby got a Specialized, I got a Trek again, but Woman specific this time. LOVE the WSD, highly recommend it especially for shorties like me!! Mostly for riding around the neighborhood. There are some nice offroad areas around here, but the Burley tends to be a little wide for most of the singletrack :)
When the Burley Rat gets too big and wants his/her own bike. Don't waste time with training wheels and what seems like hours running down the street stooped over holding the saddle . Simply remove the pedals, crank and chain from "the first' bike and let Burley Rat walk the bike around for a week. (see attached)
After a week and no less, because BR will whine and plead to have pedals reinstalled after a couple of days, reinstall the pedal etc. and BR will pedal off into the future.
An Austrian guy told me this and it worked with my then 3-ish year old.
Am I correct in thinking that one cannot practically use all the gear ratio combinations because of the angle of the chain across the cogs? So even if one has 7 or 8 on the rear cassette one doesn't use the two larger rings in conjunction with the smallest of the front set and same applies the other way around. so practically mountain bikes have say 13 or 16 useable combinations.
You are correct!
Argueably, my 9speed cassette actually has too wide a selection to be usable. The 44tooth rear in combination with the granny may provide too much mechanical advantage to be useful climbing causing you to break loose.
Okay I left the house about 6:15am and rode the Trek into work. Its been extremely muggy here for a few days so I was thinking that the ride home would be brutal. I realized that I have Team Meeting this week so I needed to get all my data in before leaving work. I finished just as the thunderstorm started sliding into the area. I got really wet which doesn't help loosen up legs which sat in little chairs playing the autism game all day. I rode a few miles and thought I'd stop at a little market for some chow, since I hadn't had dinner. The market is out of business... crap where is the Resevoir Dog Cart when you need it. :cool: I settled for a hot fudge sundae and a coke while I waited for the rain to slacken and the lightening to mellow. I made it home before dark! Wet,tired, and sore. Oh, happy as well.
...legs which sat in little chairs playing the autism game all day.
What does this mean? :confused:
Please select from the following:
a. He sat and rocked and flailed his hands about and wailed occasionally.
b. The people he was meeting with were similar to people with autism in their level of understanding the data presented.
c. He is a teacher of autistic children and is trying to get the end-of-year paperwork wrapped up.
d. All of the above.
c. well almost. We don't shut down in the summer because our kids would lose too much ground. The data is inputed weekly but every five weeks or so we meet and look at the graphs, talk about any problems we see in each childs program, address behavioral issues etc... but with a crushingly intelligent administator present who can bring fresh eyes to the situation.
Arrrrgggghhh ... bad day at the races this morning. Full field (50 riders) in the cat 5 race at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Probably a half-dozen really inexperienced racers swerving all over the road; one caused a small pile-up pretty early in the race (halfway through first lap).
But on the final lap, it came time for breakingnews to pull an extremely amateur move and try to jockey his way along the outside of the pack into sprinting position, only he misjudged the finish line and did it about a half-mile too soon.
I was pulling around 32 mph when I see the rider in front of me cut back into the pack - only to discover that he was avoiding a triangular median jutting out onto the road way (a "right turn" median from an entrance onto the park road). I managed to get my front wheel up and over the curb, but my back wheel slammed into the median and exploded. I jumped another curb and, fortunately, there was a clearing in the woods and I just kinda cruised until I slowed down. Really, really fucking stupid move, but oh well.
At least I didn't go down - there were at least three other crashes today, one involving a guy on a unicycle who cut right on the park road without noticing the 50 riders barreling down the street. He took down 6 racers, one of which completely shredded his shorts. I think each of the four races going on today had at least one crash apiece.
But before that, pack averaged 24.5 mph, and I maxed at 43 mph! Fucking fast.
I guess I will be buying a new rear wheel.
Ouch. Sorry for your loss. But did you at least have fun doing it? I've been known to say "Holy crap........WHEEEEE!" While flying off various wheeled apparati.
I had a fantastic time, much better race than I expected, despite it the gun going off at 6:45 am.
Oh, I got a new camera, too. :) Totally loving the thing.
Yeah - those are some good pix.
Well at least you have the rest of the day to nurse your injuries, or to buy a new wheel.
Sorry to hear about the mishap, that sucks. But great pictures...whad'cha get?
I got me a Nikon 8800. I've been debating between an SLR or an advanced P&S, but then I realized that I just couldn't justify spending all the $$$ on SLR and lenses, more or less for recreational use. Got a great deal on the 8800, and there's a Nikon summer rebate too. :)
It works beautifully - once you actually figure out how to use the thing. Major learning curve - took me almost 150 shots before stuff started coming out remotely close to how I wanted it.
Otherwise, it's built like an SLR, fully programmable with plenty of functions. The nikkor lens is great, but a little slow to focus beyond, say, 150-200mm. Sadly, many of the "cons" that were posted to dpreview.com are VERY prevalent with the 8800 - but with a little tinkering, I've been able to work around some of the shortcomings.
That little dent means buy a new wheel? Don't they have vice-grips where you live? Is is still circular? Sheesh.
That little dent means buy a new wheel? Don't they have vice-grips where you live? Is it still circular? Sheesh.
Come again? :)
Bike shop is doing its best to fix the wheel, but it's now a training wheel from here on out. Ordinary riding is fine, but for racing, it's too dangerous.
- No way they could make the rim wall (braking surface) level again, which could lead to braking problems
- It's already 6 years old, with some 8,000 miles, and the bump likely caused more spoke problems than I already have (3 loose spokes)
- If the clincher edge isn't straight, lateral pressure could pull the tire off the rim
It's probably fine, but I don't wanna take chances. Just gonna order a new rear wheel, which is only $125 with Ultegra 9-speed hub.
Sounds like you definitely got your money's worth. Choose a safe path.
Could've sworn I congratulated you on not being very dead following your mishap. Man that must have been hairy!
Just bought a 12 speed 23" Raleigh technium. Used. ($100)
The rear wheel had a broken axle, and it was a Campagnolo freewheel, so I replaced that ($140), plus chain, and moved up to 2x7.
The brakes and limit screws need some fiddling, but it looks to be a significant improvement over my old Mongoose mtb with bent handlebars and hanger.
(The photo's from the craigslist posting that I bought the bike from; I've since put pedals on.)
How's she treating you, Skunks?
I learned last night that the bottom bracket on a racing frame is a lot lower than on a mountain bike.
I'd discovered before that that cornering was a lot different (I think it's the difference between 700c and 26" rims), so I was playing around with turning sharper. I went down a gentle hill, made a left turn pretty sharp, leaning into it a lot. Inside pedal hit the pavement, and (I gather) bounced me up. Came down again on the rear wheel, bent it pretty severely, flew a few feet, landed relatively gracefully (one small bruise, one small cut.)
So I'm hoping the guy who I bought the wheel from, a nice bike shop right around the corner from my house, will be able to do something about its odd shape. (From side to side it varies by about two inches, but I don't think there's any rim damage.)
Yesterday I rode the 20th annual North Jersey Cycling Classic, which was a pretty well-run event in Park Ridge, NJ, with about $10,000 in prize money.
It's a great track - 0.8 mile rectangle through downtown PR. Course starts with a <I>brutal</I> quarter-mile climb at 17%, then downhill into a sweeping, almost 180-degree turn through a four-lane intersection back into the finishing straight.
I would have loved to run the Pro-1-2 event for the $1,000 purse, but on the 3rd lap of my 8-lap race, I realized why I was not ready to do 25 laps with the top riders.
I got dropped by the lead group on the third climb, but held on to finish 9th and win myself some socks, gloves and other gear. I should be happy based on the fact that I even finished - I think less than half of the riders crossed the line.
But I made a huge mistake pussying out and letting myself trail off the back. No one was moving too fast - all I needed to do was stay with the leaders, but I got scared and backed down, basically gearing up for a solid ass-whoopin'. Talk about a brutal day. Will post photos when I get a chance.
Wow BN that's cool. You must be in good shape.
We also did a bike ride over the weekend, but it was a family trip to the library two towns over ~4 miles each way.
We did a road ride for our Sunday morning today. I'm simply not in shape. We did 35 miles at 19mph. I pulled a few times but the boys basically carried me. I was in that loopy place where your focus is just not there. I need to get cracking so I don't blow up on the MS ride. I can hide my fatness on the mountain bike but I was exposed today.
I'm a piker compared to y'all here, but I just have to toot- I rode a 14 mile trail last weekend, and that's something for this old broad. We tried out the new car rack, and took the bikes out to a park trail. I rode my birthday present, a basic but wonderful hybrid trek bike. Its smooth! I'm loving it. More! More!
piker?
Good for you! I'ts all about the fun, and it sounds like you had a lot of it!
Piker-
must be a regional/ temporal phrase? or did I just make it up? = wannabe/novice/wimp
... has all but completed what looks to be his final career trip into Paris this Sunday wearing yellow for an unprecedented seventh victory.
Armstrong sits almost three minutes ahead of his nearest competitor, Ivan Basso, and has left long-time archrival Jan Ullrich (5:58 back) fighting just to make it onto the podium this weekend. Tour victory margins range from 8 seconds to something like 30 minutes; Armstrong is sitting above the average mark.
At this point, a severe crash - one that would put Armstrong on the sidelines - is pretty much the only thing stopping him from achieving his seventh win.
Beyond the obvious, today marked another tremendous day for Team Discovery (formerly the U.S. Postal Service squad) when Italian Paolo Salvodelli outlasted 16 other men in a long breakaway to take Stage 17, his first Tour de France stage victory (I believe).
His win comes on the heels of George Hincapie's brilliant ride across several brutal alpine climbs last Sunday to win his first Tour stage in 10 years of riding the race. As a dedicated Postal domestique for seven of those years, Hincapie had never left Armstrong's side until this past weekend. Even then, his original plan was to go with the attacking group and fall back to help Lance on the day's final climbs. With about a quarter of the stage to go, Discovery director Johan Bruyneel told George to put the hammer down and ride his own race.
Salvodelli's and Hincapie's victories are big because the Discovery squad has come under sharp criticism for twice leaving Armstrong by himself on difficult mountain stages (8 and 14). The second time, Armstrong independently fended off three very strong T-Mobile riders - including Ullrich - who were all considered as top contenders for the yellow jersey and eventually busted apart the group in that usual, outlandish Texan fashion.
Are they to blame? Are they not doing their jobs? How did all 8 riders managed to fall off from the lead group? But after all, it is a race, and everyone on a team needs to learn what to do when the strategy breaks down. It happens, and rather often. Fortunately Lance kicks a huge amount of ass and stepped up to every challenge that was posed those two days.
In my opinion, these two stage victories - unprecedented moves for the team during the Lance era - proves that Salvo and Hincapie are, in fact, incredible riders, and shows that they are more than just Armstrong's servants. They know how to fight, jockey and grind their way to a mountaintop finish. The team might have slipped once or twice over the past three weeks, but what makes a great squad is its remarkable leader, who picked up the pieces and carried the flag home anyway.
In short, if Lance keeps his yellow through Sunday, there's no reason to think anything but that Team Discovery is the best effin' group of riders in the world.
It has been so sweet to get a free trip to France through some incredible coutryside watching the Tour.
And I am so proud of Discovery's captain for giving Hincapie that well earned stage - especially since it didn't hinder Lance's chances. (yeah, in Frances, in his pantses, do a little dances, etc.)
What wast he name of the place on the top of the mesa? Looked like something out of some fairy tale. I could visit. Just hope there isn't a fire, with that sole evacuation route.
Don't usually watch televised sports but wow, what a journey.
We tried out the new car rack,
anyone have recommendations for racks -- Yakima vs. Thule... vs. ? roof vs. hitch? My new bike is a Trek 7700 hybrid.
...and yes! loving the Tour de Lan... I mean France! All the classic sights in 3 weeks.
We got a little Yakima mighty joe rack that clamps on our nissan trunk, rest on the bumper/liscense plate. Has carriages for 2 bikes and strong rubbery button straps. Easy to take on/ off. We like it.
My bike's a trek 7100, hubby got the 7300, we're like a freakin commercial riding around. Meeting lots of other trek owners.
sheesh, give a person a chance to answer...:)
Petes got Yakima tray racks on the roof of her Subaru. One is a tube clamp and the other holds the crank arm. The crank clamp is pretty universal in case you buy a bike with an atypical frame. If you've got a bad back or shoulders you might resent the lifting. I prefer the roof mount because the bikes are more secure and safer from the general public. If you have a garage and tend to be forgetful a roof rack is a terrible idea.
:blush: excuse me, i thought that 174 and 175 were by the same person, my bad. carry on... I have no opinion on the racks, I just take the front wheel off my bikes and they fit in the backseat longways. I put a towel on the hump part to keep grease off the carpet. Yes, I am anal, why do you ask?
We got a little Yakima mighty joe rack that clamps on our nissan trunk, rest on the bumper/liscense plate.
That has the advantage of covering up the overdue registration sticker.
We're starting the search for Pete's next bike. My Trek 520 is pretty heavy but a good reliable ride. She's thinking something more light tour. There are getting to be more cyclo-cross bikes out there. The Jamis Nova might work...we've just started.
I did 3 hours on the road today. I felt sluggish starting out but hammered home. :)
Ulrich tried today but Lance beat him back. :thumb:
Did the Perkiomen Trail this weekend, Collegeville to the dilapidated bridge which would, if it were open, lead into a junkyard in Green Lane Borough. There's enough lumber and beams nearby to make me think there were plans to put new decking on the bridge and continue the trail through there, but that stuff was there last year too.
As for the rack, it's a Saris Bones, about the only thing that'll fit on a Miata without welding a hitch on. But the Perkiomen Trail I can do from home.
excuse me - i'm not even a cyclist or fan of the sport. but Lance Armstrong has to be one of the biggest studs on the face of the planet. 7 straight tour de france championships? and you can't do any better than going out on top. for years to come the winners will know that they won, "but they never beat lance."
you left out ... and he did it all with only one testicle.
my friend's dad who trains and races, etc. told me something about how Lance has higher oxygen saturation than 99 % of the population, whicha llows his muscles and lungs to perform more ideally, blah blah blah...in other words, no matter how good you are or how hard yo utrain, you'll never beat Lance because he's a Freak.
hmmmm, i wonder if i can get a gov't grant to study the correlation between nut removal and higher oxygen content?
You might draw that connection, but truth be told, Lance's lactate threshold and VO2 max level were beyond that of the average human even before he got cancer. His therapy somehow improved it.
Some news report I saw said his heart was 20-30% bigger than a normal human heart before he started, and with training he got it up to 50%. No report on how big other cylists got on the same scale, though.
Having never envisioned living this long, I felt free to ride a little bit loosey goosey today. I almost paid dearly. We went up to Shidagin Hollow where conditions are dry and fast right now. We had to ride over a lot of logs which actually went very well today. Unfortunately after clearing one on a slight uphill I felt the need for speed and topped a rise moving pretty good but cheating to the left edge of the single track. I basicly took a jousting pole to the left breast. I saw it happening at the last instant and twisted away from the broken branch making it a glancing blow rather than a rib cracking hit. I then had to choose where and how to hit the ground. The safest spot was closest so I locked the front brake flipped over the bar and landed comfortably on my back. Nice. :) I'm gonna have a nice bruise.
Son, you're younger than me, but that's still too old to be flipping through the forest and impaling on branches.
Happy Birthday! Cheers! Pass the ice pack. :)
Just bought a 12 speed 23" Raleigh technium. Used. ($100)
The rear wheel had a broken axle, and it was a Campagnolo freewheel, so I replaced that ($140), plus chain, and moved up to 2x7.
The brakes and limit screws need some fiddling, but it looks to be a significant improvement over my old Mongoose mtb with bent handlebars and hanger.
(The photo's from the craigslist posting that I bought the bike from; I've since put pedals on.)
Sorry for the late reply Skunks - still finding my way around all of this site. Your bike looks remarkably similar to my Raleigh Record Sprint (pics on website via profile - try cyclefrance2005 calais page for best shot) - campag brakes & gears, Reynolds 501 frame, 700 cm wheels. Mine cost me £70/$130-ish six years ago and have since spent probably five times that uprating it for touring, although have tried to keep to original parts wherever/whenever possible. Have thought occasionally about changing it but like the ride too much and is now family!
Pete and I did the MS150 Figer Lakes Tour this weekend. They moved the base of operations to Canandagua, so we road some new roads. As always, the volunteers took great care of us.
Lisa Peck had a very inspirational message for everyone. She and a teammate from Rochester (I think it was Tiffany Pezzulo) rode with us or I should say greeted us as they blew our doors off! Thats one way to meet everyone, pass them all. :) They broke up the ride differently this year doing either 90 or 45 miles on Saturday followed by 60 or 30 on Sunday. We did the 90 mile loop Saturday that included 6100 feet of climbing. One of the guys had a onboard computer that could give a printout of the ride profile based on altitude. Apparently they run a tour called the Highlander out there every year that is 100 miles with 10000 feet of climbing. Petes got the bug now so expect her to train for that one next year. It was raining in the morning for day 2 and I didn't trust that my eczema was done so we waited for the sun and did the short loop. Riding the short loop was pretty impressive because many folks on that ride suffer from MS and really made me feel like a pussy for whining about my skin condition.
Canandagua is a really lovely lake and if you like to see big neat farms and wineries its worth the trip.
After 2 years of yearning, I finally got a bike! I had been pretty religious to attending indoor cycling classes at my gym and really wanted a bike because riding outside is nothing like riding inside... so I saved up all of my graduation money and bought a bike yesterday. It's a 2004 Trek 1000 and I really think it's a good starter bike. I really wanted a Cannondale r1000, but I didn't have $2000 and the sales guy at that shop kept pushing me to finance the bike - no thanks.
I took it out yesterday for a five mile spin... just to get a feel of it. Today, I'm going to take it out a bit farther and possibly participate in an organized ride this evening. The weather is so nice today - it's going to take a lot to keep me off of the bike.
I might do another organized ride this weekend... not sure at the moment.
I love my bike... what can i say.
congrats! I hope the enthusiasm lasts!
I love my bike... what can i say.
Make sure you get a good saddle - otherwise you'll have short romance with your bike and elsewhere...!! This one's off a UK web site but it gives you an idea...
that may be the wrong... geometry for melidasaur. i'm just sayin'.
Of course if you're a lady....
The little stars make the woman's seat so much cooler, don't you think?
That will work, but
this has proven to be more popular from what i hear.
That will work, but this has proven to be more popular from what i hear.
Remind me never to offer to share my tandem with you....
that isn't the right equipment for me, i prefer and inny, not an outty. that being said - i don't cycle anywhere but in the gym.
that isn't the right equipment for me, i prefer and inny, not an outty.
Well, that's a relief....!
I love my bike... what can i say.
Did you get out?
I took Merlin mountain biking yesterday afternoon when we got back from our local pro road race, the
Chris Thater Memorial. My trails are in good shape except for the multiflora rose on the lower section. I'm gonna get down there with a weed wacker today.
[QUOTE=Griff]Did you get out?[QUOTE]
yes, I did and it was GREAT! I did about a 15 mile ride last Tuesday and about 10 or so on Friday and about 25 on Saturday. I actually got in big trouble on Saturday. I have a county map from the bike shop and I parked at a park and then took my ride from there... I was gone for 3 hours, didn't call home to let Mr. Saur know that I was okay. I wasn't riding the whole time - I actually found two farms that had horses - one had miniture horses and the other had big Belgians... so I stopped and fed the horses. My mom yelled at me too... said I shouldn't be cycling alone out in the country. I didn't see many cars, but I guess I see their point - you know - girl alone, out in the country with just a bike.
It was a good ride though. It's getting dark early again, so I may just have to use my lunch hours and Saturday/Sunday mornings for my rides. Dang.
My mom yelled at me too... said I shouldn't be cycling alone out in the country.
Tell your mom that you have a cellphone and have a friend that can advise you on the purchase of a small pistol ...
Congratulations on your bike! After many years of wanting a road bike, I bought one too. (see the earlier posts about my new Giant) I haven't had as much time on it as I'd like. In fact, I bought a trainer so that I could get my butt used to it over the winter, and my road bike is still attached to it in the basement. I ride it occasionally when watching TV, but this summer, my new mountain bike has gotten all the action towing my kid in her Burley. (10 mi this past Sat, she fell asleep for 40 min during the ride) You should really check out RAGBRAI, it sounds like you're definately in shape for it, and relatively close enough to do it.
I just flushed a bear out of the woods mtn biking! Thankfully he beat feet er paws directly away from me. Somehow Merlin missed the whole thing. Anyway cool way to start the day.
Congrats to me!!! I survived a total hip replacement, last December (oh don't ask why) and got myself (with a little help from my spouse), a Trek Hybrid 7100, 2006 which is a great bike. It's a little treat for them that "enjoy" orthopaedic problems more than they should at any and especially, younger baby boomer, folks like me.
Congrats to you! :) Is there much discomfort when you ride?
No discomfort, it's just that I have to start slow and my legs are rather weak from sitting around a lot (about 10 months) before I was prepared to have the surgery done....
I expect in a few months I will be "up to speed" as they say. Thanks.....my hip is great absolutely a total success, praise be!!!
I am a lot more out of shape than I was at 12 or so....I gotta take it slowly, methinks, as I have been a sedentary sort for so long. Twenty minutes every other day will have to be sufficient for now.
That is exactly the right attitude. You have to build muscle tissue around your joints to protect them from injury. Once you do that you can choose the level of intensity you want.
Classes & rain started last week, so I made myself a fender.
(I also loaned my digital camera to a friend. Alas.)
Basically, I wasted $30 on a tire a few months ago, & then destroyed it in the process of being lazy and hasty about taking it on and off (23mm wide tires require far more finesse than I had at the time). So last night I cut it, then ziptied it to my frame and added bits of cut up spoke to shape it more practically. It stays basically centered and off the tire thanks to the easy-to-reshape metal wires that run through the whole thing.
Today's test ride to campus post-rain (with some water and puddles that I did my best to go through) left no visible water or grime on my ass, bag, or hoodie, and because it's entirely plastic/rubber, there aren't any screws to rattle or noticeable rubbing noises when it bumps the tire. (I figure that my front tire, also being 23mm, is not going to kick up a significant amount of water, and additionally will mostly be blocked by the frame, as I ride predominately in straight lines.)
My friend went through back surgery for an injury and so he cannot sit on a normal bicycle very long. He eventually tried out and purchased a recumbent with excellent results -- he cruised past me on the suncoast trip with little difficulty and was comfortable the entire journey. He did complain that hills are sometimes are serious problem, though.
Pardon me for busting in on your thread here guys. The recumbent bike theme has been of interest lately and when I saw this thought you might be able to give some additional info.
What type of 4 wheeler was that? About how much to they cost? There's one listed on the net for about 2k and another reeeeeaallly nice one for 8k.The fantasy of shit-spiking my automobile ( and all related perpetual costs and fees) is still running around in my head now that I'm planted here and spending some real money on something like this would be a possibility.
The problem is that I'm looking for something for transportation not just goofing around on the weekends. That's a toughie. Especially in winter.
Getting run the fuck over with a Rumpkies truck early in the morning doesnt sound too appealing either but I'm trying to build a fantasy here.
My father-in-law has a Vision recumbent which he is very high on. It is the two wheeled variety though. The position is very good for his back and although he denies it climbing hills is harder on a recumbent. Be careful though, you could easily slide into the "local character" compartment riding such a machine.
.....I'm trying to build a fantasy here.
Look no furtherBe careful though, you could easily slide into the "local character" compartment riding such a machine.
I don't think that's a major concern as he got that within two weeks of arrival.
Possibly sooner.
I finally broke down and bought lights for my mountain bike. Merlin and I had a fine time last night doing singletrack in the pitch dark. We didn't see a single mountain lion. :) Of course my spending on this has caused the snow storms to start lining up...
I got a BIKE!
I've been patiently staking out the local pawnshops, and this one came at about a $300 discount from the MSRP. In addition, it has been fitted out with a lot of little extras, like front and rear lights, toe clips, a pump, mirrors, "slime special" tires, etc. I'm stoked! and the bike is already sized to close to my size--big and tall. I'll give it a tune up fit-wise in the daylight, but I've already had a short nighttime in-city ride already. I love it!
I have a good helmet, lock, and motivation. I can see I'll need some wind protection, especially gloves. The wind chill at city speeds tonight was very cold. It would not be pleasant or safe to ride with hands that cold. Also, no kickstand. Waaaa.
Going for a ride around
Greenlake , Seattle's most popular park, early tomorrow. After I ride to school with SonofV. :)
Going for a ride around Greenlake , Seattle's most popular park, early tomorrow. After I ride to school with SonofV. :)
That's great! But, um, sweetie, you DO know it's winter, right?
Nice bike! Of course Bri is right it's cc ski season in Grifftopia now.
Until a coworker informed me a few days ago, I had no idea Seattle does not get snow during the winter. Who knew.
If it's just cold, by all means, get out there and pedal, BV! But don't forget to bundle up.
I went for a spin around central park Sunday ... on my way home, I was turning the corner at a crosswalk and ran into a huge block of snow. Toppled right over, much to the delight of two girls sitting in the nearby cafe. In any case, my injuries (shoulder, wrist and knee) still hurt three days later - is this a sign I am getting old?
Yes, it is quite cold. It took me ten minutes to clear the frost from MrsV's windshield this morning. But it is not winter, it is still the luxurious fall, remember? And frankly, I believe there is no such things as too cold, too wet, too dark, too rainy, etc, only inadequate preparation.
If you enjoy being active outdoors, and I do, and you live in this region, and I do, you have to choose an attitude like mine or brush up on your scrabble game, web surfing or couch potato skillz. The window of opportunity to play outside in unflawed weather conditions is extremely narrow. And there's fun to be had in all seasons.
But you're right. 'scold outside! SonofV remarked with surprise that his tires were covered with snow! (frost) as we pulled out this morning on the way to school. There never was any mention of not riding and pleading with me to take him in the car. Indeed, the playground was closed to the children where they normally play kickball, basketball, foursquare, tag, tetherball, etc, etc, because the pavement was iced over. It was treacherous to walk on. We even took the scenic route to school, maybe 50% longer just for the ride. It was great.
Here's a pic I snapped from my front door after I read your posts. No snow :( but white roofs, hoods, windows, bushes and so on. It'll burn off, but it's pretty (and slick) now.
I just got in from cc skiing. The snow conditions are ideal, except where I thought I'd zip below the pond and picked up ice. It's 13 F but quite still out there with a good moon. nice
The new neighbors, who we allow horseback riding up here, put feelers out about snow mobiles... I try to be nice but there is a limit to my generosity. They bumped into it. :headshake
In any case, my injuries (shoulder, wrist and knee) still hurt three days later - is this a sign I am getting old?
Nah, measure the pain in months and years then you're an oldster.
friggin shoulderMonday, holiday.
Tuesday, rode with SonofV to school and carried on to make circuit of Greenlake. About 5 miles total. Coming home I face two killer hills. First gear in your car hills. As a challenge to myself, I strove to make the hill straight up, not switchbacking, nonstop. I made it. I took my pulse at the top, but there were some technical difficulties. I was searching for my carotid pulse (I know where it normally is, seriously) and found only an angry buzz. I persisted and could eventually discern indivdual beats and counted 54 for 15 seconds. 214 bpm. I make one funny looking hummingbird, I gotta tell ya. Well above my recommended maximum. I thought I was gonna pop. A minute later, it was a more human 154 bpm. Whew.
Wednesday, school but the follow on ride took me to a different park, Golden Gardens. Same mileage, same altitude gain, much easier slope.
Both rides were 50-60 minutes, and I did work up a sweat but I took today off--really raining and I wasn't digging the rain. I don't have a good gear answer to riding in the rain yet. I did get some good gloves, Yorktown something something. Really good. Coat, ok, but no good pants or shoes and they get really wet. Not that fun.
More details after Monday, cause I'm going snow camping this weekend with SonofV! Seeya!
This is the ride profile of my big goal this summer. Pete and I have proven that you can ride an out of shape century, so this year we're taking it up a notch to enforce fitness. You are looking at 10,000 feet of climbing :thepain3: over a 100 mile course. I'll post links etc... when the 2006 page is up. Live long and prosper.
Oh.
My.
Goodness.
My quads just cramped looking at that. That very last climb to CR12 SAG is going to be a bitch. You go, guys! When/where is it?
I got head and tail lights for my mountain bike for Christmas so that I can pull rugrat in her trailer this spring. I really missed being able to do a quick ride when we got home at night this fall. Been using my road bike on it's trainer in the basement once in awhile. Glad I got it.
Thanks! It'll be this fall out in the Western Finger Lakes NYS. It is supposed to be the toughest century in the East. Out West they have some more brutal events. I'll post more when I know more. The bike lights are cool when conditions allow. I xc skied and then hit my trainer for NFL pregame today. It is time to shed some weight. I'd like to be 165lbs or less for cycling this summer so I've got to keep chipping away at my holiday excess. Watching my Dad laid up from his accident is making me realize how much I value easy movement.
I rode mtn bike with burning lungs today... now we're approaching 3" of fresh snow. weird
Another couple of rides this week. Today I did the loop trail at Discovery Park, Seattle's largest and wildest park. I will take the camera next time. Very beautiful (if you like green, lots and lots of green). A long ride for me, about 3.5 hours, including stops at the Locks and at the bike shop (just looking).
I did some window shopping, they tuned my bike for me for height, leg length, etc. I got the lowdown on a new seat, a bell, Ortleib bags, computer, heart rate monitor, front fender, ... maybe I better get a job. ;)
On the loop trail, I defeated one hill--very steep, for me. But on two others, I ran out of traction a little bit before I ran out of power. I actually spun the rear tire for one power stroke, WOOF! and momentum dropped to zero. Time to walk. Oh well. Something to shoot for next time. Attaaaaaack!!
The locks were awesome! Did I mention it's been raining a lot here lately? 27 straight days, 13+ inches, then Sunday, a break, then rain mon, tues, wed... whatever. Well, 4 of 5 spillways were open, from 10 percent to 50 percent and the area downstream of the spillway was boiling! Very very cool. The whole ladder save the highest 4 or 5 steps was entirely underwater. I saw a commorant swimming in the fish ladder about one third the way up and he had plenty of room to paddle higher. Rested through a couple of lock cycles and pedalled home.
I'm learning that I live on a hill relative to my local geography and everything is downhill from home, meaning there's guaranteed to be a punishing finish UPhill.
Hey! I found the
online copy of the City of Seattle bike map (warning, 1.5 MB pdf). We live at about D3 and from there you can see the trips I've made to Greenlake (east), to Carkeek (north), To Golden Gardens (west) and to Discovery Park (south). I noticed that all of them are water destinations. I don't know where I'll go next, all the other big/water parks are pretty far away for a morning ride. I'm sure I'll be repeating these four many times. They are some nice rides.
Griff, I thought of you during today's loop trail at Discovery Park. I really will bring the camera next time and take some pics. You'd love the ride.
Griff, I thought of you during today's loop trail at Discovery Park. I really will bring the camera next time and take some pics. You'd love the ride.
I must see it man!
We were talking trainers here a while back and I think I suggested a mag type since that's what I *had*. Pete and I have been hitting it hard this winter and the bell inside the mag housing warped from the heat. Long story short we just took delivery of a
Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer. Yes you can watch Bob Roll ride this trainer in the nude on that site. :eek: We got very good turn around time from
1 up usa and the best price they're allowed to give without voiding the warranty. This was a snap decision so we'll see if we get screwed but the machine itself appears to be very well put together and much quieter than our old one. It is in the high forties here ride now so I'm going to get some actual saddle time this morning.
Yes. How many days of rain in a row is it for you guys now? Very green. I rode saturday and Sunday and had a snow day today. very very odd
Equinox tomorrow, clocks on next weekend here, and light mornings and evenings on English roads means cycling can start in earnest for 2006. Time also to let the old Raleigh Record Sprint have a well-earned rest, so have bought another bike - a Trek 7.1 FX - initially for training, but might just take it to the Somme. Will take some pics at the weekend and post.
BigV, that is absolutely awesome!!!! I am totally jealous. The view from my bike is our TV :lol: I doubt I'll ever burn out a trainer, but did get my treadmill replaced (and upgraded) a few weeks ago. I enjoy seeing where you guys spend your outdoor time, when I get to get out, I'll bring the camera and try to get some decent shots. Won't be nearly as cool as the mossy one though...
I'm thinking about doing
Border Raiders Tour -- 8 days from Lawrence, KS up into NE over to IA and then back thru
Mizzery. A historic tour of 'Bleeding Kansas' and Underground Railroad sites leading up to the Civil War in the plains. Any other takers?
I'm afraid I'll be taking classes this summer. :( This sounds like one to put on the eventually list though.
Here come dee bike! - Broom handle eezi-stand was an optional extra. As soon as I'm back from travels at the end of the week, serious riding of the new beestie begins - need a name though - any suggestions (keep it clean,guys!)
Just a couple more - that extra gear clinched the deal!
.
That is a purdy lil bike. I like the basic black.
I just broke a chain out in the snowy woods. It is always a pain with muddy fingers and compact tools. I was dropping pins left and right and saying to myself, you can build a freaking timberframe house, teach an emotionally disturbed child with ASD to read, cross log piles on a bike... then I got rational. The chain, being old, was stretched. I removed an extra link but didn't push the pin through the back plate, put the chain together and pushed the pin back through easy as pie.
Crossed one obstacle for the first time today. A tree fell against the root ball of another fall. The last couple times I went through I stacked limbs against both sides of it building a little ramp which I cleared today right across the root ball.:cool: Of course I fell later in the ride and my elbow is swelling up but let's stay positive.
The old Raleigh just has 12 gears - although I did fit a new mech that had a low ratio on it a couple of years back. I'll be interested to find out how the new bike compares and whether the addition of the extra lower set of gears proves an advantage or not (it might take some of the effort away but that might not necessarily be a good thing from a fitness point of view). Purdy could be a good name for the new bike BTW....
Haven't had a chain go on me yet (maybe I shouldn't risk saying that), but then I seldom go off-road (usually suffer punctures within minutes if/when I do!) - worst we had was on one of our France sorties a few years back - we were forced to negotiate a flooded village (no way around it) through 3 foot of water for about 50 yards - it rained most of the trip as well. Somehow the old Raleigh survived unscathed, but my pal's crank seized and he just about managed to limp (creak) into Calais (being a weekend there was no pace we could find to make a repair).
Nice bike CF! I have the
Trek 7700 model
Looks like the same tires err, tyres... So far *desperately looks for wood to touch* no flats over very many miles! The Kevlar belts in these are very tough. I hit a piece of plastic the other day that had 2 spikes thru it. The thing was well embedded into the tyre and I thought for sure that this was going to be the first patch job. I pulled it out and nothing happened.
Black beauty was the first thing that came to mind, but I'm not very creative. I've never named my bikes, cars, body parts. Huh.
Think I'm in the minority?
Difficult to choose the right bike - the Trek range is so large to be bordering on the ridiculous. In te end went for the model the shop had in srtock that looked right for my type of cycling. Pleased to hear about the anti-puncture treatment - mind you, BS, your's could be different tyres on the 7700 - I'm not sure mine are the hardcase invert.... I guess there's one way to find out.
Griff said : Get on that bike Zip!
Ok Griff I think i'll take your advice .
I picked up this ride just today .
I am SO tired of being fat , tired , and sore all the fucking time that I have desided to do something about it .
So I am going to try rideing again .
Try and sweat some of this lard off , get stronger , get back on my game !!!
I beleve it was said in Fast times at Ridgemont High , " Going thru life fat , drunk and stoned is no way to be !!"
Get yourself a decent saddle Zippy - the backside's the place that hurts most. Legs and lungs adapt quite quickly, but the rear doesn't and starts to dictate the distances you travel if you're not careful. I use a Specialised Body Geometry saddle that is very comfortable and not too expensive...will post further details when I get home - my work pc is blocking pictures at the moment
Griff said : Get on that bike Zip!
Ok Griff I think i'll take your advice .
"
Good man! Yep on the Specialized saddle as well. I've got one on my touring and one on my mountain bike. As you get in shape you'll find the wider saddle less comfortable. You can run it as is until you get firmed up though. Being Gomer Pyle, I know you'll take this advice [COLOR="red"]ride through the pain[/COLOR]
Here's the saddle - I have done a straight 65 miles using it and I can confirm that it works:
Thanks guys !! I Intend to ditch the granny seat SOOON !! Also the wheels are weird , it has been years but I still rember how a bike is SUPOSED to roll , these Wide semi knobbie thingees don't seen to be cutting it , WAY to much rolling restance !!!
You can get some good semi-slicks with kavlar or some other lining that provide a high level of puncture resistance for dry-semi-dry off-road cycling, while at the same time eliminating a lot of friction drag on road - below a good example, but plenty of others to choose from:
.
@ zippyt
Your bike looks like that one that was stolen from my patio about five years ago.
exactly. humm I am looking at your bike recomendations cyclefrance and taking them to heart too.
I'm on the fence about riding to work tomorrow. I'm not too fit yet so it will be painful, especially on the return flight. *chewing on it*
woosing out
excuse list
1) radio says rain
2) computer say wind (no rain?)
3) sick kid
I keep an old MTB at work which I've added slick tyres to so it works as a part-time road bike. If the weather looks dodgy or I am just not into the whole cycle, then I drive to work and at least manage a few miles on the spare bike at lunchtime. Do this all through the winter and occasionally during the summer (should say frequently given English summer weather!)
I live in one of the rainiest places in the US but the UK rain has got to be tougher. Occasionally, I like to bring the bike in on the roof rack, ride home, and then ride back in the next day. Sometimes doing 18 miles of our hills on both ends of a day at my job can be a little much. I can also leave fresh clothes in the car so I don't have to haul anything.
I guess this is the proper spelling of wuss, g r i f f
Looks like the same tires err, tyres... So far *desperately looks for wood to touch* no flats over very many miles! The Kevlar belts in these are very tough. I hit a piece of plastic the other day that had 2 spikes thru it. The thing was well embedded into the tyre and I thought for sure that this was going to be the first patch job. I pulled it out and nothing happened.
It was questionnable whether they were the same tyres or not, but the question has now been answered - merrily riding home from work on Wednesday, all properly asphalted roads, and suddenly I'm running on rims.
Have no idea what caused it but still managed to get a puncture....
im suprised to see such a large following of cyclists... either that or just alot of shit talking amongst the few that are here!
Just saying hi. :)
im suprised to see such a large following of cyclists... either that or just alot of shit talking amongst the few that are here!
Just saying hi. :)
It's no good trying to sweet talk your way into our conversations you know.
I hear NZ is pretty good for cycling - what's it like in Hamilton - near Auckland in the North Island, isn't it? Post us some photos if you have some.
For myself I cycle to keep enjoyably fit - you can have a look at my websites via the profile link for more info. Don't claim to be the most knowledgeable of cyclist and if you start talking gear ratios and technical jargon you'll lose me within seconds! Just pass on what I discover for myself as I learn mainly from personal experience.
Hi back BTW...;)
Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day. This is my favorite time of the year: warm & sunny & girls taking their clothes off for no other reason than those two.
I think it's about time I take off my fender.
Just saw what a young whipper-snapper you are. So guess anything an old fart like me says will come out sounding like shit! That aside, still pleased to hear further from you. BTW not much on yr website - I thought students had loads of time on their hands.....??
Ah, one more shit talker. I believe we are now a movement. :cool: Welcome to the greasey bike corner of the cellar.
Yes, welcome to The Cellar NZLcyclist! I've done a bit of riding last year on the South Island (around Nelson towards Moteuka) -- great place for bikes.
[Dieter voice]Dis is zee part of Shprockets ven vee danze![/Dieter voice]
Here are some pics on my ride on New Years day... did about 75km that day and got royally burnt.
http://cyclepics.fixed.net.nz/
These are in the Franklin District to the West of Pukekohe - a town that is south west of Auckland.
I will endeavour to take more pics in time to come!
Brendon
Nice bike, Brendon - it looks expensive but bet it rides well. Also like the lack of traffic in your pics - wish it was the same around here (one of the main reasons why I take my cycling hols in France - to get a bit of peace and quiet when cycling on the roads)
very nice pix Brendon! Now I want to go back a do some riding on the wron... oops, I mean lefthand side of the road. It does take some getting used to but with so little traffic, not very long.
That bike is now almost finished in it's rebuild as a Time Trial rig... now have a nice SCOTT road bike :) will take my camera out again at some point and get some photos of a different area.
That bike is now almost finished in it's rebuild as a Time Trial rig... now have a nice SCOTT road bike :) will take my camera out again at some point and get some photos of a different area.
Looks like your a bit of a devotee to the sport, Brendon. Are you riding as a professional or is this for pleasure only? Something tells me my max 50 miles a day when touring is going to look a little miniscule when I hear more about your exploits.
My maximum day has been 65 miles for a charity run from the outskirts of London (Hampton Court) to the coast (Hove), which I just about manage as it's towrds the end of the summer by which time I can handle the distance. Having said that I'm contemplating a two-day charity ride this year involving a cycle to the coast day 1 (60 miles) followed by a trip by ferry across to Dieppe in France for 100 miles on day 2. I think that will be my 2006 swan-song if I do it!
Had a short 25 miles yesterday around the Chiltern hills north of London. Just a couple of hours in the morning followed by an exceptional lunch. I'm afraid that's my formula for biking these days - cycle to make room for food so that eating doesn't involve a weight increase!
Don't know where this belongs, but I just saw the weirdest contraption at lunch today. It was some kind of bike, being ridden by four or five people. They sat around it facing each other and all of them were pedalling. The damn thing was always about a block away from me as I was walking on the sidewalk, so I never got a close look. It almost looked like a bunch of people sitting around a small table, riding down the street. The two people on the sides were facing in from the side, so they had to turn their heads to look in the direction they were travelling. Then the two people in back were facing forward. It wasn't very fast. Looked kind of awkward to pedal. They were pedalling like crazy, but it was always just slightly ahead of me. So it travelled at about a joggers speed.
Crazy. Have any of you heard of such a thing? It looked like a professionally manufactured thing, not like something thrown together by someone in a garage. Very strange. I wish I got a closer look.
I've seen pictures. I think ther's some sort of corporate "team building" scam that uses them.
I knew I'd seen the thing somewhere. crazy
Looks tailor-made for the Magic Roundabout!
Just bought
one of these cycle tyre pumps - amazing!
I've found the normal style pumps wanting when trying to put 75-80 psi in my tyres. This one works a treat - all done in less than a minute!
sweet pump CF, is it a Schrader with a Presta attachment or?
sweet pump CF, is it a Schrader with a Presta attachment or?
Usual ability to swap between the two types of valve by changing around the two washer/gasket thingies in the connector at the end of the flexible tube (hope that makes sense!)
Well call me stupid and throw me in a cell, but I have just decided to do a 320km event at the end of november. twice around Lake Taupo. :O lots of training is needed! Ciao, must hop on the bike and ride to class. It is cold this morning!
www.cyclechallenge.com
Brendon
Well call me stupid and throw me in a cell, but I have just decided to do a 320km event at the end of november. twice around Lake Taupo. :O lots of training is needed! Ciao, must hop on the bike and ride to class. It is cold this morning!
www.cyclechallenge.com
Brendon
Hi Brendon,
320 km is 200 miles, - so that beats twice over my 100 miles in a day charity run I'm doing in September! It should be 160 miles over two days, but the first day, a Friday, I cannot do, so I am just joining the event for the 100 miles on day 2.
Details
here
Good luck - I reckon I'll be all in after half the distance you will be doing!
Will you be looking to get sponsorship for a charity? If you are, then let me know and maybe we can do a swap sponsorship so that each of our charities benefit - I've just done this with Stevebsjb.
All the best
CF
Sounds painful and fun Brendan! The Mrs. and I are doing the MS150 and the Highlander this summer. The first is 100miles day one and 50 miles day two. The Highlander is "only" 100 miles but they work 10,000 feet of climbing in there.:thepain:
Jesus!
The profile alone's enough to give you nightmares.
So, are you sponsoring any charities? - always on for a swap deal
CF, I'll get back to you on the MS ride maybe we can do a swap.:)
That Highlander is NASTY!
I have done and died doing
www.k2cycle.co.nz last year, took me about 7:38 for 192km.
Brendon
I know you'll find this hard to believe, but I tried some off-road cycling last week. Not exactly planned from my side, but my pal who lives north west of London in the Chilterns proovided the route which he claimed 'had one or two small bits with grass or hard flint surface'.
Forget that description and replace it with 'several miles of muddy, deep-puddled, pot-holed terrain' and you're getting closer.
New bike performed well though and will cause me to do more of this sort of riding. To busy keeping my balance to take any photos of the rough stuff, but here are a couple to show the ups and downs of it all even if without the mud!
.
Griff, keep me up on the MS ride, too. I'll be in you guys' posse.
Thanks Warch! Will update.
Our partners are all abandoning us on the Highlander but we are still locked in.
I rode
Shindagin Hollow last weekend. I made some smart decisions about staying out of Area 51 a very scarey North Shore type place with all kinds of mtn bike playground toys. We actually showed some young guys-n-gals from Syracuse how to get in there and watched as a couple of the guys ran through some of the drops without even taking a peek. Very impressive physical stylings and I commend my fellow old farts for not succombing to the call of testosterone.
A bit of a sore Monday morning here. I took a hard loop on the road bike in the heat Saturday and a steamy mtn bike ride yesterday evening. Some doubts have recently been expressed about the Highlander but I really have a problem with chickening out so we'll see. My mtn bike partner finishes teaching for the year this week, meaning he will start running and lifting making my threat to kick his butt by the first week of July seem idle.
First, an introduction:
Meet Modesty. She's a 23" Raleigh Technium, the brand they gave to their frames with a steel fork/triangle & aluminum top/down/seattube. I got her used; I don't really know how old she is. Parts remaining from when I first bought her: front brake calipers, handlebars, seat post (not seat), 1 crank, 1 chainring.
I built both of her wheels, the front one from a used rim & hub with new spokes, & the rear with entirely new components (Suzue fixed/free hub). She's rocking 38/13 with 170mm cranks, which gives a
gain ratio of 5.7 (76.8 gear inches).
Yesterday, I went for a 120 mile ride (round trip). It was a little grueling.
A nice day, though, & pretty out. (
other photos.)
How are your knees this morning Mr crazy fixed gear man?:eek:
My knees are just fine. It's my butt that got most sore, and sometimes my thighs and calves were a little tight, but that's only because I kept forgetting to stretch enough.
I've gotten pretty used to the fixed gear pretty fast (picked it up maybe three or four weeks ago?), and all the "cool" points you get, particularly for trackstands at stoplights, are so totally worth it.
Holy cow! Push button before entering tunnel.....then what happens? :eek:
I was talking to a guy here who had done this with an old Motobecane frame. Does this movement have a name yet?
Yeah; "being a trendy youth." It's intrinsically tied to metropolitan bicycle messengers, who drew it from track racing, although in my case I drew most of the motivation from an aging Bostonian bicycle man (
Sheldon Brown). See also:
Fixed Gear Gallery
The button makes the set of lights above the tunnel flash, which is somehow supposed to suggest that drivers slow down (55mph to 30mph). Mostly it seemed to make them honk even more. (What the shit to honking in tunnels.)
As of this afternoon you have one more gear than I do. :sniff: I've now got an extremely dodgy derailler hanger and a broken derailler on my mtn bike. Where did you buy your hub etc.. I have an old Jamis frame that I wouldn't mind converting.
i would just like to say in all seriousness that you bike nerd, er, people impress the shit out of me.
I'm impressed too.
I'm also impressed by bed of nails sleepers, firewalkers and those muslims that pierce their cheeks with weedwhackers. :speechls:
LBS. In this town (I don't know if an endorsement of Eugene bike shops would really be helpful) it seems that every shop has some kind of a track hub. I just went for the cheapie. And any freewheel hub can be made into a quick ghetto play-around version; a standard threaded cog (of the sort that fits onto a BMX or track hub) will thread on fine, & then a bottom bracket lockring will sort of hold it on. Then it's just a matter of adjusting spacers on either side of the hub until the chainline is straight, then re-dishing the wheel to something close to centered.
Be aware that the cog in question is, through some fluke not entirely clear to me, only going to fit a BMX chain; the same chain will fit your old chainring, mostly just meaning that you need a new chain.
http://www.63xc.com/ -- has some good articles, particularly under 'howto.' Although I consider Sheldon to be the definitive.
My knees are just fine. It's my butt that got most sore....
Go for the Specialized Body Geometry saddle - I've just bought the BG2 model for the Raleigh Record Sprint and it's twice as comfortable as the mark 1 version that I have on my Trek 7.1FX.
Specialized claim that the saddle almost cancels out saddle soreness and they are just about spot on with that claim. I've always found that it's the backside that says how far you can go and so these saddles are a major plus.
See
here and
here...
Does this movement have a name yet?
"fixies"
The fixed-gear bike, or "fixie" as it's called in some circles, has been around a long time, some people will tell you. (Some of these people are bike messengers who grump about how the media always tries too hard to look for the latest "trend.")
woof. knock yerself out, man.
My brother's really into fixed-gear. He's got two of them, one of which is painted to match the DC flag.
Hi. It's me.
I've been avoiding this thread assiduously for quite some time now due to my complicated relationship to bikes! Many years ago, after I was a baker and before I was a woodworker, I worked as a bike mechanic.
This was back in the days when you could still find mafac brakes. we're talking 1979-1986 roughly, with some bakery overlap.
I was never a racer. I'm not sure about now, but then racers and mecahnics held each other in disdain. (We mocked their inability to do even the most rudimentary of repairs, and they, in turn, mocked our ability to fix their bikes. Maybe they mocked our preference for riding as an excuse to grill hotdogs and drink beer after, I'm not sure, so few of them could compose a thought, much less carry on a conversation. I digress)
I used to live on my bike. I moved from New Rochelle, NY to Brattleboro, VT via bicycle. I cycled form Jackson Hole to Glacier one summer. Another time I cycled from Rockwood, ME to Quebec. While I was living in Burlington, VT a bunch of my fellow mechanics organized a ride we called the 100/200 which was an all day ride held on June 21 (solstice) that ran from Canada to Mass, via Route 100 for about 218 miles. (hence 100/200) It was my suggestion to jump to route 30 in Jamaica and then to route 5 to Bernardston since that was my old stomping ground and I assured everyone that the scenery was better.
That's me digressing wistfully up there.
Anyway. At the pinnacle of my cycling life I was working 32 miles form home and had no car since me and the GF at the time broke up, so it was a 64 mile R.T. commute each day. In Vermont.
A year or so later I bought my first car. That was pretty much the end of cycling as I knew it. That was 1986.
20 years later I've gone from 6-0 and 165# 32" waist to 210# and a 36" waist. My blood pressure hit some crazy ass numbers like 146/94 resting pulse of 87. So...
Today my sewups arrived in the mail. My wool cycling shorts with the real chamois liners have been consumed by moths, my toeclip straps have dry rotted, and no one sells those crocheted biking gloves any longer.
I am getting back on my bike after 20 years of carrying it around.
Rip Van Winkle rises.
I will not go through this whole thread, it is too much for me emotionally, the purpose of this excerciese is to lower my blood pressure.
At one time cycling meant as much to me as music means to Ibram. Maybe more.
I've come back and the world I knew is gone. I was a gear head, but became downhearted when the gear kept changing seasonally. I found a shop in Wisconsin that still has a lot of old school parts and accessories. So I can give it a go.
After this season, if I can log a thousand miles (formerly two weeks riding) I'll buy some clipless pedals and retire my duegi cleats.
I also noted that the rear derailleur on my touring bike which was broken by a friend, is now a vintage collectible selling for $250. on ebay. A huret duopar titane. A marvelous derailleur, but not that marvelous.
I'm off to glue on my sew ups.
Welcome back.
Some things are constant, like road racers being pricks, some things improve like clinchers, and somethings get worse like component companies changing product lines every couple years. The riding is still awesome and you'll probably appreciate it more with 20 years behind you. Kick butt man!
Wow F3.
Good luck, don't get too discouraged at first, it will be very hard to not compare what you can ('t) do now to then.
Um, what are sew ups?
I'm plugging away with kid in Burley again this summer. My usual ride is after dinner, about 6-7 miles long, with a stop at various parks depending on the route. Nice change of pace from running.
Wow F3.
Good luck, don't get too discouraged at first, it will be very hard to not compare what you can ('t) do now to then.
Um, what are sew ups?
I'm plugging away with kid in Burley again this summer. My usual ride is after dinner, about 6-7 miles long, with a stop at various parks depending on the route. Nice change of pace from running.
sew ups are to bike tires what stockings are to legs. Clinchers are the pantyhose of tires.
As for discouragement, I keep looking down to see if my brakes are grabbing or my wheel is rubbing the rear forks. No, it's just the extra me.
Yeah the inch is attached to my touring bike via a burley and my road bike is just plain.
Welcome back.
Some things are constant, like road racers being pricks, some things improve like clinchers, and somethings get worse like component companies changing product lines every couple years. The riding is still awesome and you'll probably appreciate it more with 20 years behind you. Kick butt man!
Thanks Griff, I'm glad you started this thread. I admit I did read a couple of your posts. Your post ride posts reminded me of how good it feels to have been riding.
Nothing better than the biking life. As a kid, bikes were my best friends. I remember them all. My first was a Schwinn Sting Ray. My friends and I would spend hours and days taking bikes apart, putting them back together, switching handlebars, adding extenstions to the forks, etc.
Then in 1986 I became a bike messenger in Boston. I actually used a Raleigh 3-speed my first few months, but moved up to a Specialized Rockhopper shortly thereafter. I lived 17 miles from Boston in Natick, MA, so with the round trip commute and the daily deliveries, I was riding a whole bunch. Then I took a solo trip from Boston to Toronto on the same bike; kinda heavy, but I liked its durability, and when I camped at night I could ride in the woods. When I returned, I was tired of the messenger job, so I traded my job for my best biking friend's job at a print shop. Me and this guy would ride centuries on our mountain bikes, screw hex-head screws into our Ground Control tires to ride on frozen lakes, and do insanely stoned night rides into the wee hours. This guy, Scottie Roberts, died from hitting his head on a curb one night; he had a bunch of champagne and was baked, but I truly think he musta hit some rock or other object in the road. I remember I had taken the most recent picture of him, so they put it on his casket. It was him and his bike. They were inseperable, like I became with mine. Scott's dad gave me the bike he died on, a nice custom mountain bike made by Fat Chance in Sommerville, MA. I sold it back to the company and bought a nice road bike with Columbus tubing and a mixture of Campy and Shimano 600. Then I REALLY started riding, making sure to do at least 200 miles a week with some good hill grinds and sprints to boot. I raced on Sundays at these dangerous criteriums, and did the Wednesday time trials in Maynard, MA. Never joined a team, however. I went to college, got married, and moved to Chicago, so the biking slowed down a lot; but I kept in the saddle. Now that I live in Atlanta, the city that is rated the worst for cyclists in the whole nation, I just don't ride that much anymore. But reading this thread makes me want to start again. At my peak I was so slim, so fit, so full of energy; I could eat any amount of anything and not gain weight. I took a lot of pride in my cycling. Now I feel I let myself down.
So thanks for the inspiration, people.
Gee whiz guys, now you're making me feel good.:)
I am proof that even the chubby, clutzy and old can ride a bike, even a little, every day. Yea!
Speaking of clutzy, my new friend is named vicadan. I will be putting on a few pounds as I mend fractures of the ulna and radius. crap It turns out pavement is not forgiving. again, crap...
Oy. Best wishes for a speedy nad soon painfree recovery.
Ouch with a capital OW. vicodan been berry berry good to me.
Get well, lucky for you, you have all that practice at one handed typing;)
Thanks guys, keeping chin up.
Since my typing hasn't been slowed, I may as well tell the story. This is all a "near as I can figure" commentary. I was riding behind my friend off his wheel to the right, on top of my bars so no brake levers (I think the lawyers took away suicide levers). I drifted back and switched sides (this is all happening unconsciously) to get off the shoulder which was limited. I gave a quick stroke to put me back on his wheel and relaxed waiting for deceleration to match his speed. He thought I was on his right and decided to get out of his saddle and burn some calories. He bounded up, swung left tipping/turning my wheel abruptly. Somehow I hit on my right side maybe trying to recover? So I'm road rashed on my right arm and shoulder but broke the bones in my left arm in compression.
I tried to get back on my bike but my wrist felt mushy when I put my weight on it. We made a sling from Sams jersey and a tube. My buddy road back to a house to phone another guy who rides with us to pick us up and it was off to the ER. We got to survey flood damage on the way and solved the various world crises. Pete met us at the hospital and Sam headed home. The only screw up at the hospital was a nurse who came in and removed the spint I had on switching it with a foam one that didn't give me any support. My ER Doc is a mountain biker and we chatted about gear while he checked me over. A car wreck came in so Doc left me to his PA who put a plaster(?) splint on and set up yesterdays appointment with the orthepedic guy.
The ortho guy was hilarious. He hung my arm by three fingers from wire chinese finger traps while we talked about Bingham's swamp. I couldn't relax enough to pull things back into place so he hung some weights from my arm for 10 minutes. He then put a sock on my arm and wrapped it with a bandage that hardenes into a cast. He then shaped my wrist giving it a good squeezing that sorta hurt quite a lot. The follow up xrays looked good.
Pete co. is out of town so here I am changing the road rash dressings on my good arm gaining empathy for folks with real problems.
sounds like you caught his tire, it lifted your front end up, and the devil take the hindmost.
I remember riding with a friend who had just gotten a bike and she said "What happens when I touch my front tire to your back tire?"
I didn't have time to answer.
Sounds like you had good medical care. As they say, It'll feel better when it stops hurtin'.
I got on the bike today after a mini overhaul. It was great.
When we mtn bike we screw around bumping tires and such but not at speed and not on pavement. Quite a screw up. Ride well and write about because this is as close as I'm going to get for a while.
I have a question on bicycle upkeep. Do you:
1) Replace the chain with a new one after X miles to prevent the cassette from wearing down as well or...
2) Wait until the chain starts to slip and replace both the chain and cassette because they both wear at the same rate and a new chain on an old cassette will simply degrade the new chain and they'll both have to be replaced, anyways?
I have a question on bicycle upkeep. Do you:
1) Replace the chain with a new one after X miles to prevent the cassette from wearing down as well or...
2) Wait until the chain starts to slip and replace both the chain and cassette because they both wear at the same rate and a new chain on an old cassette will simply degrade the new chain and they'll both have to be replaced, anyways?
Yes.
Seriously, option 1) brings up the following thoughts:
What wears out the chain/ freewheel? Metal on metal friction? Your herculean strength putting tension on the chain and then transferring that to the cog? (i.e. plain old use) Particles of dirt?
All of the above to varying degrees, but it is the grit and dirt that will cause the most rapid wear. The point of the lube is to reduce metal on metal friction, but you want a lube that will not gather dust (or moss). There is a plethora of lube available. No aspersions on your heculean strength, but I doubt that will make much difference in your chain "stretching". Your chain will elongate, mostly from the wear within the links. When that happens, you get skipping problems since the links are now spaced differently from the teeth of the cogs.
The cogs also will change their shape somewhat due to grinding and a slight peening over of the metal. (Your H.S.)
Option 2) When the chain starts to slip or skip, it is time to replace both elements since often they both wear out at about the same rate. Another thing that is fairly common is a drivetrain that will be working fine, the customer installs a new chain for some reason. (dirty, ugly, needs the *new* cool one, sticky link, etc.) and all of a sudden the thing starts slipping like mad. The previous chain and cog had some kind of affinity, I'm thinking they had worn together, but the new chain won't work with the old cog.
That's why we mostly told people to get a new freewheel at the same time. The old cog won't wear out a new chain as far as I know.
More than likely, it's just the cogs you use the most that will wear out quickest. Some freewheels allow you to selectively replace bad cogs.
I only start replacing those things as they wear out and start skipping. When I was a mechanic, I endlessly tweaked my bike. After a while of fixing people's amazingly run down bikes, I began to relax a bit and realize that my bike isn't going to last a whole lot longer by the endless tweaking, I certainly would never recover the value of my time vs the savings on parts, so I just let some things ride until they really need fixing. Freewheels and chains are two of those things.
keep it lubed, but not wet. I like Superlube, it comes in a gray can. Goes on quite gloopy and dries almost immediately.
http://www.super-lube.com/Don't know where this belongs, but I just saw the weirdest contraption at lunch today. It was some kind of bike, being ridden by four or five people. They sat around it facing each other and all of them were pedalling. The damn thing was always about a block away from me as I was walking on the sidewalk, so I never got a close look. It almost looked like a bunch of people sitting around a small table, riding down the street. The two people on the sides were facing in from the side, so they had to turn their heads to look in the direction they were travelling. Then the two people in back were facing forward. It wasn't very fast. Looked kind of awkward to pedal. They were pedalling like crazy, but it was always just slightly ahead of me. So it travelled at about a joggers speed.
Crazy. Have any of you heard of such a thing? It looked like a professionally manufactured thing, not like something thrown together by someone in a garage. Very strange. I wish I got a closer look.
Who knew?While we're at it, here's one that could easily live in WTF?!
RevoPower Wheel! I want one. :)
How is your wrist, Griff?
I can move my fingers pretty well now without much pain. I still have to avoid turning it and once in a while I'll make a mistake and try to use it and it hurts pretty good. The road rash is healing up nicely. thanks g
The road rash is healing up nicely. thanks g
What? No pictures? What kind of a train wreck are you, how are we supposed to gawk?
:D
While we're at it, here's one that could easily live in WTF?!
RevoPower Wheel! I want one. :)
On their list of potential buyers they list;
Close to 2 million drivers lose their licenses each year because of DUIs or other traffice violations. *For the period of their license suspension, each of these people represents a potential RevoPower customer.
That wheel makes your bike a motor vehicle, meaning plates, inspection, insurance and motorcycle license.....duh.:smack:
On their list of potential buyers they list; That wheel makes your bike a motor vehicle, meaning plates, inspection, insurance and motorcycle license.....duh.:smack:
Close -- they don't get inspected or have to show plates, but I was surprised to find that in most states you
still have to have a valid DL!
Oooohh, a blue cast. Glad you're making progress. Thnxs for the update.
Well, I could've gotten hot pink but I think there are job interviews in my future...
Close -- they don't get inspected or have to show plates, but I was surprised to find that in most states you still have to have a valid DL!
PA requires a moped plate, insurance and class c drivers license but no inspection if it's a;
MOPED
DEFINITION: A motor-driven cycle equipped with operable pedals, a motor rated no more than 1.5 brake horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission, and a maximum design speed of no more than 25 miles per hour, or an electric motor-driven cycle equipped with operable pedals and powered by an electric battery.
Aside ~ Motorized scooters
Motorized scooters are a two wheeled vehicle that is powered by an engine or an electric motor and does not have a seat or saddle for the driver. These vehicles are not exempt from titling and registration requirements as set forth by the Department and would be required to pass equipment standards and inspection requirements. However, these type of vehicles do not comply with the equipment standards and inspection requirements for motor vehicles and cannot be titled or registered within the Commonwealth. In addition, these vehicles cannot be operated on Pennsylvania roadways or sidewalks.
Griff, are you able to use it as an excuse for omitting some items on the honey-do list? :D
Nice! Keep em out of the sun and you won't look like you had your tatts removed. The shoulder one is perfect placement.
Speedy recovery.
I have mentioned RAGBRAI earlier in this thread, but bring it up again because it is goin gon this week. The highlight though, is that Lance Armstrong is riding today and I think tomorrow. He was quoted yesterday as saying that he would dip both his back and front tires next year. IOW he would ride the whole week. If you ever considered doing this, now is the time to plan. I mean, seriously, a chance to meet and possibly RIDE with Lance Armstrong? How cool would that be. I'll post actual links to info when I have a chance to find them.
Hope that wrist is doing well, Griff.
Lance Stops for a Beer
By John Campbell, TV9 Sports
LAMBS GROVE - The centerpiece of this year's RAGBRAI ride was the center of attention mid-afternoon in Lambs Grove, a small community just west of Newton.
Lance Armstrong stopped to have a beer on Phyllis Franzen's front yard.
"I was going up the hill, breathing really hard, and this whole group comes up talking and whizzing by me, in Livestrong jerseys, and I said, that has to be him," said Kristi Kiefer of Des Moines. "I came down the hill and stopped right here. They were stopped. He got off his bike, went and sat in a lawn chair, had a beer!"
Riders couldn't get enough of him -- exchanging small talk, welcoming him to the ride, posing for pictures.
"It was phenomonal! we sat out here all day watching for him, and had just about given up when they announced that he was coming and he wanted to stop at my house," Franzen said.
VIDEO Pretty cool. How come I get no love when I drink on strangers lawns?
The cast is off as of yesterday. It is very stiff and my fingers are weak but I'm stretching it out. Things are looking up. Pete drove by the bike shop we use yesterday. The mechanic was out front...with his arm in a cast.
My 7 year old has been riding around on basketball courts, etc. for a couple of years. She likes riding her bike, but the roads around here are so busy, we've always kept her to the empty basketball courts.
Well, last weekend, my wife took my son to a birthday party for a couple of hours, and I figured it was the perfect time for me to introduce my daughter to the bike paths of Arlington county. I was a little nervous, because about a third of the people who use the paths are very serious riders who go fast. My daughter, weaving on her wobbly bike would have to really focus to stay safe.
So we had a little talk about how we were going to ride single file, with her in front setting the pace, and how she had to stay on the right side of the yellow line painted down the center of the path. She started off kind of nervous, but then soon gained some confidence. We rode by some of the playgrounds that were near our house, and then started going a little farther. At on intersection, I offered her the choice of heading home or continuing to explore. She very enthusiastically wanted to press on. So we kept going. After about an hour, we came upon a really cool playground that is clear across town. She couldn't believe that we had ridden our bikes that far. It normally takes 20 minutes in the car to get there. I could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she realized that her bike was a serious form of transportation. We pressed on even farther.
After about an hour and a half of leisurly riding, the plastic chain guard on the crappy kid's bike I was riding snapped, and my bike started making annoying sounds. So we turned around and headed home on a much faster trail. She had to really focus on this one, because there was a lot of bike traffic and most of it was going fast. Only once did we have a near collision, and that was when we went over a narrow foot/bike bridge, and she looked at the stream below as we went over. She swerved into the oncoming lane just as a racing bike was coming up fast. The other guy screeched to a stop just as I was yelling to my daughter to watch where she was going. The guy was a little miffed, but he didn't say anything, just shook his head and went on his way as I apologized. I think she learned from that incident.
After we got home, I got out GoogleEarth and mapped out our route. We went 6.8 miles round trip. I was pretty impressed that she went that far without any trouble. We'll have to do this alot more often, and I'll have to tune up my ten speed buried under a pile of junk in the basement.
That's awesome Glatt. Pete was a kid who used her bike to go places on her own. I dunno if its more or less safe today?
I dunno if its more or less safe today?
Beats me. I think I'll wait a year or two before letting her take off on her own. But the trails keep her out of most of the traffic. We're lucky we live 2 blocks from an entrance to the trails.
That is a great story glatt. Her horizons are expanding.
I remember biking with a friend when I was a wee bit older and we got to the "lifesaver" building in Portchester, NY. I had no idea how far we had gone, nor where we were. It was quite a few towns away, all on US 1.
Things weren't so safe back then. Another time my friend and I rode in theother direction into parts unknown and were in the process of having our bikes stolen from us when the perps's social worker pulled up and intervened.
We hightailed it out of there and stuck closer to home after that.
Not meaing to frighten the passengers, but it's a good thing you're dusting off your ten speed Glatt.
Lance Stops for a Beer
By John Campbell, TV9 Sports
LAMBS GROVE - The centerpiece of this year's RAGBRAI ride was the center of attention mid-afternoon in Lambs Grove, a small community just west of Newton.
Lance Armstrong stopped to have a beer on Phyllis Franzen's front yard.
"I was going up the hill, breathing really hard, and this whole group comes up talking and whizzing by me, in Livestrong jerseys, and I said, that has to be him," said Kristi Kiefer of Des Moines. "I came down the hill and stopped right here. They were stopped. He got off his bike, went and sat in a lawn chair, had a beer!"
Riders couldn't get enough of him -- exchanging small talk, welcoming him to the ride, posing for pictures.
"It was phenomonal! we sat out here all day watching for him, and had just about given up when they announced that he was coming and he wanted to stop at my house," Franzen said.
VIDEO
Great story, superb video, memorable experience - next time he drops by could you be so kind as to let him know that there's a nice cup of tea and a comfortable chair waiting for him at Cedars Lodge, Headley, Surrey, UK...?
Not that I would buy one, but I was strangely drawn to
this bike-trailer ensemble...
The video's worth a look!
That design is much more elegant than the bob, although capacity is more limited.
glatt-
Awesome!! I can't imagine how far I rode my bike every summer as a kid. Pretty much that's all I ever did! There weren't any bike trails in my neighborhood growing up (still aren't), but that town is adding them slowly and surely.
Where we currently live there is a small trail not too far from my house. From the driveway to the end of it and back is a tad over 6 miles if you go directly to and from. There are however bike lanes painted on some of the roads, which is basically a white line painted about 2.5 feet from the curb. This is nice because the sidewalks are a pain to ride on with the Burley. Poor kid gets whiplash up and down the street crossings. Plus there aren't shocks on that thing to cushion all the bumps from cracks. (We live in an 'established' neighborhood.) I can't wait till she is big enough to ride on her own. I fondly remember going on bike rides with my parents, with my little brother in the seat behind my mom.
A bike is a kid's first taste of independance.
Anyone remember/come across
these? - I hold a memory of seeing a rather attractive Parisienne hopping side-saddle mode aboard one when I was a lad visiting Paris, and then putt-putting off into the traffic and side streets of the city....
Ahh, attractive parisians, yes. The bicycle, no. But I did own two different rod brake raleighs. Three speeds. Oh I miss my three speeds.
All righty then you spoke heads !!!
Some X-mas list functional sculpture ,
http://www.bikefurniture.com/index.html
Cool stuff !!!!!
Do they have that in an off road version? ;)
you could probley put any tires you wanted on it , now as to shocke and the such well I didn't see any thing with those ,
You were talking a while back about feeling the need to do some welding , go for it and post some pics !!!
Completed that 100 mile charity ride last month - have made a small website for those interested -
click here.
It turned out to be a small group of some 20 riders which broke down quickly into a number of smaller groups sharing the same stamina and speed. We soon became a group of 5, and then after half-way split into two (obviously not 2.5 riders per group!). A magic day though and one I plan to repeat next year.
Hope you enjoy the site!
a week ago the inchling and I drove sag wagon for our local bike club's autumn ride. Separate groups:a century and a half century. On the century ride in Arlington, VT a driver got his knickers in a twist over one of the riders and knocked him over with his vehicle.
When the cops came to arrest him he admitted that he did it on purpose.
Nutty nutty nut case.
The rider was not seriously hurt, more damage was done to the moron's vehicle than to the bike. Three riders dropped out of the ride because of it.
I'm back, sorta. It really hurts when I shift the mtn bike because I have to flex my wrist to get a long enough throw. It is coming though. I could change the angle of my shifters but I want to get full range of motion back. I've found an opportunity to add 20 minutes or so to my mtn loop, things are looking up. Now if only I had the spare time...
ride people
When the cops came to arrest him he admitted that he did it on purpose.
man there is too much of that nonsense out there
There are bikes....... and there are bikes.:D
#2 is the fixie from hell. :eek:
There comes a time..
When you break out the wind shell and the fleese !!!
Beautiful day for a road ride today. 2 1/2 hrs @ 18 mph It is a little disconcerting to have your thighs hitting your gut when you go to the drops. My buddy has a theory of propulsion based on storing energy when your leg compresses the gut and then is pushed downward by the released pressure... anyway we're outta shape and pretty sore tonight.
your thighs hitting your gut when you go to the drops.
So it's not just me...
Ya, its tough having giant thighs isn't it?
Long legs man , I have LONG legs !!! ( yeah That's the Ticket !!!! )
Ya, its tough having giant thighs isn't it?
massive. oil 'em up. I'll crush you like a little walnut /hans und franz
I took my Arnoldian thighs out for a 2 hour dirt road ride with the guys early this morning. 25 degrees F my lungs were burning and my throat's still raw but we did 'er.
Did 30 min on my trainer indoors Sunday, my legs were fine, but my tush cried uncle. It is still tender today. On my christmas list this year? A new seat. I still have the original one on both bikes, I was waiting to buy a new one as a reward for riding more, but I tend to not ride 'cuz the seat(s) are so uncomfortable. Gonna hit the bike shops this week and test a few.
How's your wrist Griff?
before youdrop coin on a new seat have you had a fitkit done to be sure your bike is properly set up for you? Most sore hinder problems are casued by improper postion on the bike or pedalling in too low a gear. Then again, there are some really really cheap seats out there.
Actually not even sure if Fitkit is still being done, but get a pro to check your bike set up. Then look at the $200. Terry saddles.
Gonna hit the bike shops this week and test a few.
i'll be yer huckleberry. *cough* i mean - i got yer seat right over here. *he he he* maybe i just mean, good luck with your search.:blush:
Oh look out , you seat sniffer you !!!!!
Did 30 min on my trainer indoors Sunday, my legs were fine, but my tush cried uncle. It is still tender today. On my christmas list this year? A new seat. I still have the original one on both bikes, I was waiting to buy a new one as a reward for riding more, but I tend to not ride 'cuz the seat(s) are so uncomfortable. Gonna hit the bike shops this week and test a few.
How's your wrist Griff?
The wrist is improving. You're going to find that riding on the trainer hurts more than regular riding. Fit kits are few and far between since the transition from bike shop to bike store.(did they have chains when you started riding F3? ;)) Pete found a Nasbar women's seat that worked for her after a Terry didn't work out. Womens seats are pretty personal so you'll probably end up going through a couple before you get it right. As always, the helpful guys at the cellar will be happy to observe your... position.
I bought both bikes from World Of Bikes, an Iowa City mom and pop shop (details earlier in this thread) and was fitted at the store. They are just really uncomfortable seats. I have gotten used to them in the past, but it's taken a few weeks. I want more cushion, and am also curious if cutouts are better. Also, I have never used the padded bike shorts before, and figure a pair of those will help too. I've seen ones that look like regular dri-fit shorts with the liner/padding inside and will likely get a pair of those instead of the traditional spandex type.
One of the bike shops in CR has a demo area with a bunch of seats on a wood plank so you can actually sit on them and compare. We are going there tonight, but I'll be leaving the camera at home, sorry ;)
[SIZE="1"]Dirty birds![/SIZE]
Bought
this last night. Won't be able to tell you how it works till after Christmas though. :rolleyes: It was the one that hurt my still slightly sore tush the least.
Yes, we had chains, but they were made of wood.
Lab, I've got the guy version of that seat on both my bikes. It works very well for me.
I always hated carving replacement links...
I did a three hour mtn bike ride Sunday with my bud. I never really got comfortable between the lungs and the stiff legs from doing fencing footwork with my kid. It was however a ride making it better than just about anything else.:cool:
for you folks in the snowy parts ,
www.ktrakcycle.comBought this last night. Won't be able to tell you how it works till after Christmas though. :rolleyes: It was the one that hurt my still slightly sore tush the least.
Hi LR - the Specialised Body Geometry range works for me - I bought the MkI (similar to yours) 2 years back and was amazed at the absence of suffering it produced. I now have the MkII which I used on the Somme trip last summer and on the 100 mile one day excursion around Dieppe in September. When you are pedalling it feels hard but the weight is all on the pelvic bones and there is therefore very little soreness - dismount and any pain seems to disappear (as opposed to staying around as at least a 48-hour reminder with a conventional saddle).
Endorphin OD today from mtn biking. Good Times.
So, back in 2002 or so, before we were married, Mr. Clodfobble bought a rather expensive mountain bike, thinking he would really like to take up the hobby. Unfortunately he rode the bike a grand total of six times, and it has been hanging out in a series of garages ever since. We tried to sell it in 2005, but got no takers.
Completely out of nowhere this morning he decided that he wanted to take a ride on his bike (he's taking some vacation days from work today and tomorrow.) As he was leaving, I casually told him not to crash and get run over by a car.
About 15 minutes later he calls me.
"So what if I crash and dive headfirst into a stagnant pond instead?"
Did he get a duck kiss on his tuchis?
Surprisingly, no real injuries except a cut finger and a bruised pride. :) He sure smelled bad though.
I was just reading an article about cycling to work. The author is afraid that gas prices will put more inexperienced cyclists on the road. You're much more likely to crash when you first start. So now that your husband got that out of the way he should start riding seriously now!:)
With mountain biking, I've always felt that if you're not crashing, you're not learning anything new.
I hope the bike was ok.
Took a quiet pedal through the woods today. Feeling oh so mellow... I'm iceing my wrist, it may be improving all is right with the world.
My old Schwinn Varsity 10 speed has a messed up rear wheel, so I haven't been using it much lately. Broken hub which means two spokes are missing and can't be replaced, and the spokes are all out of tension. It pings and pops if you try to ride it. It's been a problem, since my daughter wants to go riding, so I've been riding an extra kid's bike we have. A Mongoose trick bike.
Lucky for me, my neighbor just threw away his mountain bike last week. It looked to be in really sad shape, the tires were flat and falling apart, the brakes were out of adjustment and not working, it was all dirty/moldy, and the handlebars were all twisted around. It really looked like trash. I took it out of his trash pile, and an hour or two of TLC later, the thing is working like a charm. It still could use new tires, but other than that, it's in great shape. He's even my height, so it fits me.
All the logos on the frame are worn off so I don't know the brand, but the wheels say Specialized, and all the derailers, cranks etc. are Shimano. It's got some sort of eliptical cranks. Actually they aren't eliptical, they are
Biopace chainwheels. Shifts smoothly and rides well.
Now that I think about it, the seat is really uncomfortable. Some gel thing with a hole/channel in the middle. Felt like I was messing up my junk on an hour long ride I took with my daughter. So I need to switch a seat from one of the other old bikes, or buy a new one. And get new tires. Otherwise, not bad. Free bike!! Anybody know what kind it might be?
Its probably a late '80s Specialized Stump Jumper or Rock Hopper. You can look
here for the specific model. They were the bomb back in the day.
Nice find!
SonofV and I rode to the last scout meeting. After some griping about being ambushed with the change in wheels, we had a good ride. It's about 15-20 minutes and on the way there, we crossed paths with the SPL, who was driving. SonofV had his competitive fires stoked by the encounter and pedaled like a madman to "Beat him to the meeting". We didn't arrive first but we sure rode like winners! :)
[COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]I was going to Leadville, Colorado, for a meeting and decided to bring my bike so that I could ride the Mineral Belt Trail. When I got out of the meeting, the sky was black. The trail runs right past the Aquatic Center, so I decided to leave my car there and go clockwise around the loop.
I thought that I could stay ahead of the storm, and then sneak around behind it. I got 0.4 miles before the rain hit and the temperature began to drop, but I had brought my bike to Leadville, and I was going to complete the loop.
I said that if there was lightning, I would turn back. There was lightning, but I kept going.
There was wind and hail. There was a monsoon.
My shoes were full of water and I couldn’t see because of spray coming off my front tire.
Every time I pedaled, water would pump out of my shoes.
I was breathing through my mouth. Hail lodged in my esophagus. The temperature was 39°.
By mile three I couldn’t feel my hands.
There was a long down hill section with a road crossing at the bottom. The bike wasn’t slowing, and I couldn’t tell how hard I was braking. The brakes began to make a noise like a sasquatch trying to mate with a wood chipper. I remember thinking that at the time, “sasquatch trying to mate with a wood chipper.”
[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]To occupy my mind I wrote a poem. I’ve already forgotten it. Something about death.
[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]I finished the loop and got back to the car. My hands were so cold that it took me several minutes to get the car key out of my pocket. I think I had hypothermia and frostbite.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]
I’m glad I brought my bike to Leadville.[/FONT][/COLOR]
Sounds like you were crucified by the weather....
We encountered one of what the locals refer to as a 'pisse comme la vache' rainy day in France a few years back. Persistent rain hour after hour rather than the variety of stuff you had, but with much the same effect on vision and feet. It culminated in having to get through a village (there was no way around it) where the road that was flooded to crotch height - of course we didn't realise it was this deep immediately - for some twenty or so yards. Instead of approaching the obstacle in the correct way (hoisting our bikes over our shoulders - perhaps the fact that they were laden with full panniers for and aft had something to do with it - we tried to cycle through. Not possible, and extremely inadvisable - my pal's bike ended up with a broken/corroded crank while both of us enjoyed soaking wet clothing (both in and out of the panniers) as a result of our hasty decision to sally forth!
Who said cycling wasn't fun?
Cyclefrance - I think you had it worse. At least after my ride, I was able to go into the aquatic center and take a warm shower and dry my clothes a little under the air dryers.
These are the memorable rides.
Absolutely! We did the 100 mile leg of the MS150 in the rain one year, it leaves an impression. Watching the riders fall like rose petals in the heat a few years back left another.
Finally got the 'ole rig out again for the year a couple weeks ago. The pup fills her trailer out a bit more than last year :). She's pushing 45-46lbs this year, and I can definately tell.
"Mom? Why are we going so slow?"
"Because, *pant* we are going, *huff, huff* uphill, now *pant* shush!!"
Finally got the 'ole rig out again for the year a couple weeks ago. The pup fills her trailer out a bit more than last year :). She's pushing 45-46lbs this year, and I can definately tell.
"Mom? Why are we going so slow?"
"Because, *pant* we are going, *huff, huff* uphill, now *pant* shush!!"
I didn't know Iowa had a hill.
Har Har. You are thinking of Nebraska.
LR - that's a nice bike. Does it have a double or triple front chainring?
Triple. I rarely use either of the extemes though.
If I was towing that much weight, I'd be using the full range of gears. I spend a lot of time in granny gear (which still isn't low enough).
My neighborhood ride is just a 9 mile loop through the subdivision, but has cumulative elevation gain of about 1300 feet. It takes me almost an hour to ride those 9 miles. I need everything from the smallest combination to the biggest. (My max speed last week was 40.1 mph, but for 2.5 miles I didn't get out of granny gear.)
Definitely right HLJ, as we put years on our knees we have to be careful about use and form. I was talking to a college fencer last night at practice and he mentioned that some guys on his team went down with knee injuries.
Now we know who sees LabRat's ass more than anyone else.
Now we know who sees LabRat's ass more than anyone else.
He shoots, he scores!
So I'm riding to work the other day and I catchup to a 20-something comely lass riding a softail up off the seat -- expending most of her energy with the whole bike going up and down. I was just about to tell her that she needed to firm up her rearend when I though better about it... :blush:
I did a 6 miler Wed night with the pup in tow and paid particular attention to what gears I was using. Oooooh, long one I know. But that's all my tush could take. It's still getting rebroken in. I need to switch my seat to my new one off my road bike this weekend.
I used the front granny chainring twice, for two longer steeper hills for the easiest gear ratios. The rest of the time I used the middle one and just shifted the rear. My right knee made itself known a couple times, not painfully, but sort of an *Ahem* little catch. I know I'm due for new running shoes so until I get those I am chalking it up to my milage increasing on shot sneaks... Experience has taught me that when my knees start to bug me, it's time for a new pair.
I guess I figured that more pedalling in lower gears was worse on your knees than breaking a little sweat in a slightly higher one. But you guys are making me see the possible error in my thinking.
LR - Everything I've read indicates that you should keep your pedalling cadence high - maybe 90 RPM (when possible). This is the reason for using the granny gear (smallest front, largest rear chainring) on steep terrain. It's supposed to be better for your knees and endurance.
Yeah but, you get a lousy finish time...:D
For running, I know I'm not 'pushing' myself too hard when I can breathe in for 3 footfalls, and out for 2. (IN: left,right,left OUT: right, left IN: right, left, right etc.) Pushing myself I fall into a 2/2 and get tired a lot faster. Stride length however matters.
Also, I like to run to music with a certain beat/min, which is escaping me right now. (150?) I own several aerobics music CD's that have the BPM listed, and they sell this type of thing for cycling too, though I don't own any of those
What do you use to gauge how fast your cadence is?
Yeah but, you get a lousy finish time...:D
...
What do you use to gauge how fast your cadence is?
The computer on one of my bikes includes cadence (it requires an additional magnet on the crank) -- unfortunately, the two bikes that I ride most often do not have cadence, so I just try to stay in a gear that keeps me spinning pretty fast.
A guy I ride with came into the shop one day with a perfect print of an 8" maple across his shoulder and chest. The guy with him was sure he was dead, but he just couldn't catch his breathe.
Spectacular
finish! click Hushovd wins stage four.
Good ride today 2 and a half hours on the pavement. Pete road to work this morning so I road in to ride back with her. nice
Griff -- that sounds great. I've hardly ridden this year.
Griff -- that sounds great. I've hardly ridden this year.
I'm not doing well either. I've been fencing twice a week, so squeezing in the rides has been hard.
I don't intend to make a habit of this, well not more than once a year anyway, but I am cycling again next month for the UK Seeability charity that works to help partially sighted people lead a normal life and gain employment.
If there's anyone out there who is doing a charity event themselves and would be interested in some cross-sponsorship, please let me know. If we can boost both our charities then that can't be bad thing now, can it?
My event takes me over 150 miles in two days from the county of Surrey near where I live to the town of Le Mans in France, scene of the annual 24-hour car endurance race. So probably not surprisingly the Seeability event is all about getting to Le Mans within 24 hours... by bike.
If you want to know more you can visit the Seeabilty Le Mans website
here and also see my online donation page
here
Thanks for looking.
Interesting government-backed scheme over here.
If you are salaried and get paid through the PAYE tax scheme, then you can qualify for a thing called 'cyclesheme'.
You get your company to buy the bike net of VAT (saves 17.5%) and then pay back your company over 12 to 18 months by deduction from salary, with the bonus that your deductions are BEFORE tax (additional saving between 30% and 40%)
So you could end up with a bike for half-price. Officially it's part of the 'green' incentives from the government and meant for people who cycle to work, but it seems to me that it is open to all who get salaries through a company as there are no checks required on mileage riding to work.
I'm going to upgrade from my Trek 7.1FX Hybrid to a
Specialized Tri-cross Comp Double - a bit like my old Record Sprint, but mich lighter and with up-to-date gearing, brakes, ansd everything else too! Can hardly wait to get it and put it to the test - the annual trip this year is Calais to Paris one way (train back)!
...
I'm going to upgrade from my Trek 7.1FX Hybrid to a Specialized Tri-cross Comp Double - a bit like my old Record Sprint, but mich lighter and with up-to-date gearing, brakes, ansd everything else too! Can hardly wait to get it and put it to the test - the annual trip this year is Calais to Paris one way (train back)!
Cyclefrance - did you get this bike? If so, can you give a report?
OK, let's dredge this back up to the top.
I'm toying with getting a bike to tool around on, just for general fitness, amusement, and getting out of my chair a little more often.
Coincidentally I'm looking for one for my son too. The one he has is all but too small, and needs more work than I think it worth it.
My question is... where do I look to buy one? I've pretty much established that, theoretically, we can get something for $100 or less at Target or Wal-mart. There are also a couple local bike shops whose lower end, price-wise, seems to be around $375-$400.
Now, I said theoretically... in fact, we went to Target and Wal-mart last night, having resigned ourselves to buying the cheapies, as the higher price just is not happening. As it turned out they had all but NOTHING in stock that would fit my son (he's just under 5" and everything was either 20" wheel kids' bikes, or bigger adult sizes). For me, there was nothing except a couple models of mountain bikes, which isn't really what I'm looking for (preferably more of a road or hybrid). I tried out one as much as I could on the sales floor and I popped the chain off. No doubt I violated some gear-shifting protocol, but it didn't inspire confidence.
Anyway. Having decided to settle for the ultra-cheap option, we discovered it wasn't really much of an option.
So. suggestions for a happy medium pricewise? Used? I worry about buying older models, even in good shape, when I read stuff like "modern gear shifts work so much better" etc.
If there are good shops around the Philly area with used stock, I'd definitely be interested in checking them out.
Ty looking at
Sports Authority or
Dick's
I think their prices are more in the middle of your extremes.
Portland has gone whole-hog with bikes, and Bend is famous for cycling.
I'm not into it, but I do enjoy the videos we get about how people are challenging the sport.
Here is an PBS episode of Oregon Field Guide about "free riding" on mountain biking in the nearby forests of Mt Hood. The biking segment starts at time 19:45 (
link) and is about 10 min long.
"It's as safe as you make it."
"Just don't ride over your head"
"You definitely don't want to break your bike... that's expensive"
And here's an episode for the "unicyclists" among you...
[YOUTUBE]K70dFXWmVTo[/YOUTUBE]
Steve, I recommend used bikes over $99 rubbish from cheapo-mart. The latter will probably fall to bits within a year, probably while you are doing 30 mph down a hill. In six months, it will be a "used" bike anyway, just a used crap bike not a used good bike.
A decent second hand bike, 2-3 years old, for slightly more money, would be much wiser. The tricky things like gears and such might be better if new, but the (new) cheapo bikes will probably have old-style equipment anyway. 3 year old gears should be fine.
Beware cheapo suspension - not sure if you want it. Proper suspension uses gas dampers and springs, like in a car. Cheapo just has springs which cause bouncing which makes control harder, not easier. They just give the appearance of having cool suspension.
I have a few friends who are serious mountain bikers. When looking over a bike, the first thing they check is the brakes. Calipers are poor - disc brakes indicate quality. Easiest way to sort serious bikes from poser toys.
Is your son still growing? (God I hope so, since you said he is only 5 inches tall ... ;) ) He might need to upsize his bike every year or two. No point splurging on a new bike.
[worrywart] Buy a good helmet for him, force him to wear it. Pain fades, bones heal, chicks dig scars ... but brain damage lasts forever. [/ww]
Naw, it gives them a false sense of security, causing them to do risky things.:haha:
Funny stuff from Hyperbole and a Half on childhood experiences of riding bikes. (in this case, not representative at all of how I feel about bikes).
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/07/bicycle.htmlWe have Electra Townies Keryx's is a 21 speed, and mine is a 7 speed. They are very good bikes. The two bikes were rite at $1,000.00, you can get them used for about $200.00. I highly recommend them.
Steve, I recommend used bikes over $99 rubbish from cheapo-mart. The latter will probably fall to bits within a year, probably while you are doing 30 mph down a hill. In six months, it will be a "used" bike anyway, just a used crap bike not a used good bike.
A decent second hand bike, 2-3 years old, for slightly more money, would be much wiser. The tricky things like gears and such might be better if new, but the (new) cheapo bikes will probably have old-style equipment anyway. 3 year old gears should be fine.
Beware cheapo suspension - not sure if you want it. Proper suspension uses gas dampers and springs, like in a car. Cheapo just has springs which cause bouncing which makes control harder, not easier. They just give the appearance of having cool suspension.
I have a few friends who are serious mountain bikers. When looking over a bike, the first thing they check is the brakes. Calipers are poor - disc brakes indicate quality. Easiest way to sort serious bikes from poser toys.
Is your son still growing? (God I hope so, since you said he is only 5 inches tall ... ;) ) He might need to upsize his bike every year or two. No point splurging on a new bike.
[worrywart] Buy a good helmet for him, force him to wear it. Pain fades, bones heal, chicks dig scars ... but brain damage lasts forever. [/ww]
I concur. I just brought home a bike for Pete my buddy built for his kid using a nice aluminum mtn frame and quality components he bought or had lying around. He took too long building the bike and his kid is now like 6'2" so an 18" frame wasn't going to work long term for him. Get good used if you can.
I bit the bullet and got a bike! $95 used from Volpe Cycles in Philadelphia. If he's half as good as the glowing reviews on Yelp, things should be good. (I just put half down on Saturday; he's going to adjust & tune up everything. I'll have time to go back and get it this weekend.)
It's a Raleigh Eclipse with a new gear system. It has the thumb-operated trigger shifters, which I really liked when I had tried them on a new bike. The wheels and brakes seem to be in good shape, as far as I can tell.
The last time I got my bike tuned up it cost more than that. That seems like a great deal.
I finally got to ride again post pneumonia. The weather was unseasonably warm on Christmas Day, so I rode what remains of my home mountain biking loop. There was a lot of carrying since some sections are thick with falls but I was out for over an hour with no ill effects. :) Its about 34 degrees here now, so I'm gonna try to get out before the snow.
Merlin and I got out again today. I cut a lot of trail and am within 50 or 60 yards of closing my main loop. I added some nice terrain and Merlin took the time to mark the new sections so we'll be able to do them in the dark. :)
It was really warm down in Denver yesterday (but windy). I saw a lot of people out on bikes.
Its crazy warm here as well 44° F. Pete did a road ride too.
It was over 60 here today.
49.3 F, at 6pm, on New Years Eve... amazing.
It is getting back to seasonal temps today, 31F. I did finish my loop yesterday so next chance I get I can ride the whole thing.
I rode from dusk to dark last night. My lungs were wheezing pretty good at the top of the light-line climb but I am alive.
I rode from dusk to dark last night. My lungs were wheezing pretty good at the top of the light-line climb but I am alive.
and what doesn't killl you.... :thumb:
Are you riding in cold temps ?
Sometimes even walking gets my wheezing started.
and what doesn't killl you....
Kills your knees.
I rode from dusk to dark last night. My lungs were wheezing pretty good at the top of the light-line climb but I am alive.
Tomorrow you shall ride with Jurgen in the garden between dawn and sunrise.
...a wonderful
garden: yet nothing therein was strange.
and what doesn't killl you.... :thumb:
Are you riding in cold temps ?
Sometimes even walking gets my wheezing started.
It was over 40 my wheezing used to be reserved for sub 20.
...a wonderful garden: yet nothing therein was strange.
"Well, friend, and whither are you going?"
"To the garden between dawn and sunrise, Jurgen."
"Surely, now, but that is a fine name for a garden! and it is a place I would take joy to be seeing."
"Up upon my back, Jurgen, and I will take you thither," says the Centaur, and heaved to his feet. Then said the Centaur, when the pawnbroker hesitated : "Because, as you must understand, there is no other way. For this garden does not exist, and never did exist, in what men humorously called real life; so that of course only imaginary creatures such as I can enter it."
"That sounds very reasonable," Jurgen estimated, "but as it happens, I am looking for my wife, whom I suspect to have been carried off by a devil, poor fellow!"
---
Here's the entire book, available electronically:
Jurgen, by James Branch Cabell
Cops: Man, 65, shoots teens who pushed him off bike, kills one
Police say a 65-year-old man attacked by three teenagers in Pennsylvania shot two of them, killing one, after they knocked him off his bike and assaulted him in an alleged robbery attempt.
Police say on Wednesday the man was riding on a trail in Reading, about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia, when the teens pushed him off the bicycle and two assaulted him, reports the Reading Eagle.
The man reportedly took out a handgun and shot the attackers.
According to the Eagle, police did not release the name of the boy who died but said he was 16-years-old. The other injured teen was reportedly taken to the nearby Reading Hospital and a third was taken in for questioning.
Police did not release the name of the man, who has not been charged, the Eagle reports
D.A John T. Adams gave this account:
Johnson was on probation for previous offenses. Juvenile probation officers had gone to his Oakbrook residence earlier Wednesday and found the three teens playing video games.
They told the two 15-year-olds to leave. The officers put an electronic monitoring device on Johnson's ankle, ordered him to stay home and report to their office with his parents at 4 p.m.
Instead, the three met up and decided to jump and rob random victims.
They first robbed an elderly man in West Reading shortly after 10 a.m., taking money from his pockets, then tried to rob another man in West Reading, kneeing him in the stomach and pushing him to the ground. Neither man was hurt.
The bike rider was on the trail between Reading and West Reading.
As he rode past the teens, the 15-year-old whose name was not released punched the man in the face, knocking him from his bike. Johnson ran and kicked the man, who was sitting against a chain-link fence along the trail.
As one of the teens ran toward the man, he shot Johnson and the 15-year-old. People who found the man called 9-1-1 and waited for police to arrive. It was unclear if the people heard the shots or were on the trail.
The teens weren't armed, but the shootings were legal because the man was unable to escape, thought his life was in danger and had a permit to carry his gun, Adams said.
The man told investigators: "I was scared for my life. I was in big trouble. If I could have kept my bike on the trail, I would have gotten out of there."
Michael A. Gonzalez, 15, was charged with robbery, aggravated assault and related offenses and committed to the county youth center in Bern Township.
LinkMy goodness, why didn't the police prevent that crime? :rolleyes:
What to do with your old bicycle? How about: [Warning! Graphic?]
[youtubewide]JLTkR8TfGoA[/youtubewide]
Cool, but there are starving children in Ethiopia who could ride bicycles just like those...
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Some of those look like they could be classics someday.
Was that the pink power ranger taking a video I saw?
Why would they chop up good bikes?
Blame it on the marketing people. They are the ones behind most boondoggles.
I couldn't find a boondoggle, but here's a boonekitteh for you.
Haaaaaaa....
That begs a caption contest.
Accidentally bought a bike while shopping for Hex' b-day pressie..... Diamonadback Clarity 1 on sale fore less than $300. it has rained ever since.....
I need some help please.
I'm riding more which is good, but on the last ride the cable sheath for the rear derailleur failed making shifting impossible, which is bad. I have a cable kit and I've managed to get the old cable out, and the new cable partly in. The twist shifter was a bitch, and the front sheath was a bigger bitch, and now I'm lying on the floor trying to coax the ever shortening frayed cable end through blind eyes of needles and fuck this shit. BEFORE I throw the bike through the window, I thought I'd come here for some help.
I'm KILLING MYSELF fighting the frayed cable end pushing it through holes and caps and sheaths and shit... if it weren't frayed, this would be pretty easy. I'd be on the road by now. But. But but but but... number one, I don't have a tool that is sharp/powerful/magical enough to cut the little fucking cable without fraying/crushing/bending/distorting the end. Two, once I do have an end that is... kind of mostly the same height and direction amongst the individual strands, pushing on those chiseled tips causes them to bite and .. it's not working.
I've tried soldering but I can't get that to work, though it seems like the most elegant solution. I can't get the solder to adhere to the cable. Maybe I need to go back to the store, get a monster cable cutter with admantium blades or a variable sword or something, and a soldering iron capable of just melting the individual stainless steel strands and fuck the solder. Then I can push on that (wire) rope.
I'm seriously frustrated. Help please!!!! How do you bike hacks handle cable ends?
I can picture exactly what you are complaining about. I have no solution though. I might try dipping the end in epoxy or something to glue the strands together. But that's just a guess and I don't know if it would work.
We buy new cables that have tinned (soldered) ends. Then clip them to length afterwards. You don't need a beefy cutter, just a sharp one. I use a pair of Craftsman dikes to cut the cable housing. A pair of Channel lock dikes would be plenty sharp to cut the cable. Bike shops sell inexpensive cable cutters for $20- $30.
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/cutting-cable-housingEven with a sharp cutter, you end up with a bundle of wires cut off square. Not conducive to threading through a maze, as the blunt end of the wires on the outside of the bundle are going to catch. The wires have to be secured together, preferably in a way that can form a point, or at least rounded edges. Since you don't have the proper stuff to solder them, probably epoxy would be best. After it sets, you may even be able to contour it a little with an abrasive.
and more beer.
Here's a YouTube that shows the cables being threaded into a "housing cable"
and terminated with a ferrule and lubricated before being attached.
[YOUTUBE]veTpataOTeY[/YOUTUBE]
You did the threading with the housings off the bike and replaced the housing at the same time, right? Cuz old damaged housings are probably as much to blame for shifter issues as bad cables.
Even with a sharp cutter, you end up with a bundle of wires cut off square. Not conducive to threading through a maze, as the blunt end of the wires on the outside of the bundle are going to catch. The wires have to be secured together, preferably in a way that can form a point, or at least rounded edges. Since you don't have the proper stuff to solder them, probably epoxy would be best. After it sets, you may even be able to contour it a little with an abrasive.
and more beer.
That's why you cut them last, after they've been installed. And more beer.
OK Nelson, telling him he already fucked up doesn't help him. He's looking for a save here. You know, a way to bail his ass out before he damages his house and health.
Oh wait... lutefisk... never mind about the health. ;)
A new derailleur cable is about 3 dollars. It isn't 3:00 am Sunday morning and the guy is in Seattle! You can't spill a latte without hitting a bike shop.
But the only thing you can do if you fuck up a cable is to trim it back and when you run out of length, you have to replace it. Sort of like asking how to fix a light bulb filament. Hey I don't make the rules.
But what if he ain't got 3 bucks, and he's in a residential area with no bike shops, and obviously no bike to get there, and it's snowing, and he can't put gas in the car because he ain't got three bucks.
Now are you going to let him smash his window throwing the bike out, letting in the snow, then curl up whimpering in the corner, or are you going to come up with an ingenious fix to spare his mental health and snow stains on the carpet?
No, he's pretty much fucked.
He can make it into a single speed.
You guys are sooo funny.
tl;dr
So. I'm done, I used superglue to solidify the loose end, it's working I've been riding and shifting and enjoying myself.
Long story long:
I watched your video Griff, thanks. Did you see the sample shifter cable at 2:50? That's what my cable looked like, they put different cable ends (I have temporarily forgotten the name of these anchors at the ends...). The end that matched my shifter was the kind where the cable entered the cylindrical anchor along the axis of the cylinder, so I cut off the other one where the cable entered the anchor perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. AT THIS POINT, I have an irritated, uneven, sharp tipped rope to push on. The guy in the video just completely finesses this point, maybe his cutters are super awesome and finish the end just super, super clean. Mine do not. Pushing that cable end through the labyrinth of the twist shifter, then through the hole in the ferrule, through the hole in the opening in the cable housing, through another ferrule, then through another ferrule and cable housing and ferrule was just a few bridges too far (I have one of those bikes that omit a section of cable housing in this middle, ala bikini style versus one piece).
I got the cable and a needlenose visegrip and put that cable end in the flame of my new stove, celebrated elsewhere. I didn't want to bother worrying that my little 15watt soldering iron wouldn't get the cable hot enough. The stove sure as hell did, it was cherry. And the solder just beaded up and dripped off. Bastard. So... I thought I'd try lead and got a fishing weight and rubbed a shiny groove in the weight with the hot cable. Same result. Grrr.
I then tried some superglue. It is thin enough to not add any appreciable bulk to the end of the cable, and it wicked nicely into the strands of the cable. This seemed to work, because I then re-cut the cable through the little half inch stretch I'd painted with the superglue, like you'd cut a stranded rope through the tape you put on it so you wind up with two taped ends. Anyhow, this did do the trick and I finally got it through the last two ferrules and the last cable without opening any windows.
For the record, I had been using the bike as a one speed, there is a bike shop two blocks away, you can spill a latte without hitting a bike shop, but probably not two lattes. And it did snow last week here, cold in the morning but clear and beautiful in the afternoon. One more thing, I've never repaired a light bulb filament, but I did successfully shorten and reconnect the heating element of my electric drying twice before I ran out of patience and filament.
So you leave us on the edge of our seats, chewing our nails, getting ready to call the Seattle PD, for three days. Fuck it, we don't need you to have fun. :p:
I'm so buzzed from my ride today. The winter pounds are coming off, trail conditions were perfect, and people were happy. I was onto the big ring a lot today. At one point I was working this tight track down a washout and realized I was pulling a Michael Jordan with my tongue. Do not! Always keep tongue behind teeth while riding. Entered the flow state quite easily today. Younger guys were pulling off giving the crazy old bastards the line. Sweetness.
I just read in
the obituaries that the godfather of the Schwinn Stingray just died. The guy heard of this new trend some of the kids in California were doing, pimping their bikes, and he pushed the idea through at Schwinn, against everyone's advice. It became Schwinn's best seller.
Those were pretty sweet. I had the Philly Sales knockoff. Beat the crap outa that thing. good times
I had a Raleigh. Not sure it it was this model but pretty close. I do remember the gear shift lever! I think mine was a bit earlier model and had the same size tires. Oh and mine was red, not pink!
Twil and I are going for a bike ride now! We're gonna cover a section of the Burke-Gilman trail starting at Gasworks Park and heading north.
Interesting design. No front brake, rear disc break, looks to be a beer jug in the carrier, and a nasty-looking pinch point between the front of the seat and the cross bar. :eek:
A Growler is a beer jug. The purpose of the bike is to carry the Growler.
Never trust a bike not made of triangles.
You need Growlers. ;)
A Growler is a beer jug. The purpose of the bike is to carry the Growler.
Never trust a bike not made of triangles.
Griff, relax, we used bikes made of triangles.
xoB, get out of my head. We used our bikes made of triangles to visit
The Lake Trail Taproom. I had four glasses of water and a
Hoppy Bitch while Twil enjoyed a
Ginger Cider, both icy cold served in frosted glasses (a mug for me and a brandy snifter for Twil), and both on tap. Please note in the description that the entrance to the taproom is immediately on the trail. I hung our bikes on the wall and walked in with my pannier and helmet. We were right at home. I give it five frosty stars!
Here's our route. The link opens the map at the turnaround point, the Lake Trail Taproom. Zoom out to see the whole route.
Griff, relax, we used bikes made of triangles.
Now I can breath easy.
Latest bike news road mountain bike Sunday. Hot like a griddle out there. Broke my chain but fixed it fairly smoothly.
???
rOAd
Or
rode?
Road mountain bike? Huh?
I musta broke my engrish. I rode a mountain bike on a single-track trail in a wooded state forest.
that sounds really fun. I'd love to go for a ride with you sometime. You're patient, right? You don't mind relaxing at intervals while I carry my bike up the steep parts, right?
just kidding. I enjoy all the terrain, just not at high speed.
The thing people often don't get about riding single-track is that faster is easier. If you're pushing bigger gears you glide over short climbs and the gyroscopic effect helps your balance. If you go slow, you'll struggle more. It is fun and I am patient.
I've been on *some* forested tracks and I don't see myself hauling ass through them. The trail surfaces I've seen are often criss-crossed with roots, mined with rocks, everything covered in moss, usually wet. To me, a city mouse, this is tiptoe territory, trails riding style, not bombing downhill, powersliding through the sweeping gravel turns. I'll look for some pics of my greener rides for examples.
I totally understand that momentum is my friend when it comes to intermittent ups and downs. But on pavement or well groomed trails, yeah?
Here is a nice report by a hardcore bicyclist about Banner Forest, one place we like to ride. There are a bunch of nice pics; check them out. Are these the kind of places you'd gain and conserve momentum?
Speed will carry you over roots and rocks as well, but you have to be aware of the surface if you're turning or braking. My riding buddy has been talking about getting a GoPro camera. I would be nice to show the local rides as every locale has its differences. Our trails are almost as lush and rooty as yours in the PNW but rockier with a fair amount of mud, while up in NH and Me its a lot rockier but sandier. We don't really do much downhill stuff, sticking more to trails with some balance in descents and climbs.
Different stuff from all over ...
http://www.reddit.com/r/MTB/search?q=mtb+video&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=allHere is a nice report by a hardcore bicyclist about Banner Forest, one place we like to ride. There are a bunch of nice pics; check them out. Are these the kind of places you'd gain and conserve momentum?
Yeah, that looks to be not unlike what we ride here. (I gotta get out there sometime.)
This is the next big trip I want to take, the
Lake Washington Loop Trail. I live about three miles northwest of the starting point of this trail report, Gasworks Park. Want to come with me Griff? Let's go!
Nice. See you at the start Saturday morning! :)
When I start whining next February point me to this.
[youtube]aETZvLNHviU[/youtube]
Wait, you want us to chastise you for not being stone crazy? :eek:
Wait, you want us to chastise you for not being stone cold crazy? :eek:
Funny guys. :)
I can ride comfortably down to about 20° F as long as my feet stay dry.
So I've got two offers of employment in San Francisco. Since there won't be mountains available to run during the week, so I am going to go to the ends of the earth to ensure I have a bikeable commute if I end up moving.
Any suggestions on commuter bikes? Any general bike commute tips? Any opinions on bikes with CVT? Are they user-serviceable at all or am I going to break the bank every X years?
One of the jobs has showers and indoor bike parking, which is pretty awesome.
Nice! I'm sure you already know this, but bike theft in San Francisco is HUGE. My friend has had her consumer-grade, double-locked, inside a garage bike stolen twice now. Take it all the way inside your apartment every night, know what I'm saying?
I've heard that bikes are basically currency among the street crooks there. No idea if that's true or media hyperbole, but after what Clod said ...
Congrats on the job offers though.
Just pack the top bar with C-4 and a remote detonator.
Well, eventually that should work, but you'd go through a lot of bikes before word got around.
Congrats on the job offers!
The bike really depends on what you're comfortable riding. If it were me, I'd ride a touring style bike like the Trek 800 (in my basement) or a similar bike. It has a granny gear for the hills and braze-ons so racks and packs fit conveniently and the tires are a bit wider than a regular road bike. If you'd rather sit more upright there are urban bikes out there which may give you a riding position you may be happier with. Mountain bikes would have the gearing as well and you can swap your stem for an angle you're comfortable with. Ride them all but remember you'll get better over time so you probably don't want to buy a piece of crap that will frustrate you and won't grow with your skill.
Well, eventually that should work, but you'd go through a lot of bikes before word got around.
Faster than you'd think. ;)
Gears are good, because this isn't just a couple of picturesque streets, there's a lot of them like this.
Kick ass brakes also required!
A couple of things to ponder, first the theft issue.
You can keep dragging the bike to and fro and that mostly works, I'm not sure if your place of employ will let you bring your bike into your cube. The theft from the garage that Clod mentions indicates an inside job or at least someone on the inside tipping thieves off. I've worked with guys who could rationalize telling their friend where to steal something and feeling like they were doing nothing wrong because they, themselves didn't steal the thing. These guys had jobs with certain levels of responsibility, like the garage attendant you give your car keys to...
So, there are clearly people who make their living in stolen bikes and they'll be noticing you ride around town, going in and out of your house etc. as aware of you as a horny teenager is aware of women in short skirts and tight sweaters.
Bearing that in mind, I always assumed if I left my bike anywhere out of my sight it was going to be stolen, lock or not. My strategy in Burlington was that I had a shit commuter bike. A crappy three speed that was crappy looking but had a re-built three speed hub and a lower gearing for hill climbing. In a hilly place you are either going up or down. You don't need big gears on the downhill side, gravity will move you along fast enough.
Gear your bike for the climb and you can use a three or five speed internal hub with the biggest rear cog you can fit and the smallest front ring you can get. You can accessorize with a basket, rack, and fenders. And squirrel tails or streamers as you see fit. an Air horn is good too, especially one with a quick release holder.
No one will waste time with an ugly crappy bike. And if they DO steal it, they are cheap enough to replace.
That's my take.
amen to all of footfootfoot's sermon. only bet what you're willing to lose. consider insurance perhaps, if you have something that is expensive enough to want to recoup your losses. Or, integrate fully into the bicycle economy and be a grower and a consumer. maybe you could get a great deal on some new rolling stock...
Good advice all around. Thanks everybody.
One of the jobs has indoor bike parking (as in a room in the office dedicated to bikes) and showers for us sweaty folk. I wouldn't worry about it getting stolen there. But I plan to use the bike for most of my transportation needs, with a liberal dash of public transport and my car, when I really need to get out of the city.
I looked into a couple of bike builders and was a little surprised at how they source their frame stock. They seem to get it through bike-specific suppliers. I don't know what they pay, but I'd be surprised if it weren't more expensive than buying it closer to the source. Though I'm sure the price of the materials is nothing compared to the labor of building the bike and the more specialized components..
And the specialized tools. The frame finishing tools (for steel) are very pricey. Cutters, reamers, threaders. The Campy tool kit, for example:
http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/campagnolotoolkit.htmlTwo thoughts:
Wire cable locks are easy to cut. Chain is tougher. Those hardened steel D-locks are monkey-fighting tough.
Or, just offer your local junkie $10 bucks a week to bring you a new bike every Monday morning.
I used to work with an old man that preached there's no advantage to a 15 lb bike, over a 25 lb bike, if you have to carry a 12 lb lock and chain.
Hardened steel U- or D-locks, like Kryptonite and derivatives, take less than a minute to cut with an angle grinder. These days, every major tool manufacturer sells a cordless angle grinder.
You can also break them apart with a generic scissor jack from a car, although that might take 3-5 minutes if you're being ginger about it.
That said, I rely on a kryptonite U-lock. All the bikes I've had stolen were someone taking advantage of my laziness. If it's going to be somewhere overnight, take the front wheel off and be sure you're locking both wheels + the frame. Otherwise, lock the frame + a wheel. Never ever ever lock just a wheel, unless you're at the neighborhood coffeeshop and you might be able to get away with locking the back wheel through the frame, since it's unridable and anyway you're sitting right there.
Probably the most effective lock is one of a size that you'll actually carry and use.
Probably not good for uphills, or down :mg:, but it solves the theft problem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=L-QLcO-aw6A
Ely, Iowa to the
Czech Village in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Linn County Trails Map
Ely is the small town southeast of CR. The Cedar River is on the right during the end of the movie.
My neck of the woods, though I have never ridden this particular section of trail. I have to now though.
Thought some of you might enjoy this. :-)
Hi rat. :hug:
Looks pretty flat, one gear to start and one gear to fly.
At $3200 you'd need a hefty lock.
[YOUTUBE]RdULMUVdVUs[/YOUTUBE]
At $3200 you'd need a hefty lock.
[YOUTUBE]RdULMUVdVUs[/YOUTUBE]
And a good job.
Great ride this morning! Hit the trail at 7:30 ended about 11:15. It was very dry and fast. My fitness level is pretty good but I seem to be getting some arthritis in my left wrist, the one I broke, still I was plenty fast today with a lot in reserve. Some kind of event was starting just as we left. My buddy stopped to check it out but you know me anti-social... didn't want the humans to steal my buzz.
Anywho for your reading pleasure here is an ultra mountain biker's blog. It is worth a read.
http://leopershall.blogspot.com/Tour Divide - 2745 miles along the spine of the Continental Divide !
I've read several accounts of walking the Divide... envy, envy, envy
but this is the first I've read of biking. double, double, double-envy.
I know of most of the places mentioned for Canada and Montana,
but only behind the steering wheel comfort of a car or pick up.
Fantastic country
... further south I imagine would be miserable riding.
Thanks for the link.
ETA: I found a link to the individual route histories of the riders...
here is Pershall'sYeah, the Southern end would get ugly. I can see riding it but not as a race.
Just bought a bike for SonofV. I got it from the local thrift shop, it's a Rockhopper by Specialized circa mid 90s-00s. It has a number of upgraded components, a new suspension fork by Bomber, front disc brake and front rim brake (and levers) by Avid, a new seat (Bell) and handlebars, etc. I replaced the brake cables and housings (the old ones were shift cable housings--totally inappropriate for brakes). I trued the rear wheel, bought a kickstand, cleaned it up, lubed it, etc. I spent $70 for the bike and about that much on cables and tuneup stuff (side note: I got a pair of
dedicated cable cutters similar to these--they're the Real. Deal. I chastised Luke at the bike shop for not compelling me to buy them earlier.) It's a nice ride now. It will give him a way to get around town for short-ish trips so he's not burning up his bus card or my gas to get to the store or his friends' houses.
For the record, the bike has a front disc brake and a rear rim brake.
D'oh.
OregonLive
Harry Esteve
9/10/13
The beer growler bike: Is there a better Portland ride?
If ever there was a perfect symbol of Portland politics
and culture, the Growler City Bike could be it.
The brainchild of Joey Ruiter, a Grand Rapids product designer,
the high-concept machine is designed to hold a traditional
half-gallon growler and, frankly, nothing else other than the cyclist<snip>
[ATTACH]45412[/ATTACH]
In one of its less partisan moments, the state Legislature earlier this year
passed a law to allow wine to be sold in growlers at stores and restaurants.
It also loosened the rules under which beer could be sold in growlers.
Finally started resurrecting my bike today. Replaced the tubes and cleaned it a bit. I can never seem to get the rear tire on with the tread pointing the right way. Even dumber, I took it for a spin around the block and forgot to reconnect the rear brakes.
Exciting and dumb. This is why I probably shouldn't be a mechanic of any description.
As forgetfulness goes, on some newer bikes with full suspension, there are lockouts so the suspension doesn't bob on climbs. A guy shared that he locked out but then only turned on his rear suspension for the downhill... ass over teacup. Sometimes its best to keep it simple.
Now here is an innovation that really sounds ingenious...
Bits
NICK BILTON
10/21/13
Start-Up Reinvents the Bicycle Wheel
It’s rare that a company comes along and reinvents the wheel, but it looks like that is about to happen.
Superpedestrian, a start-up in Boston, announced on Monday that
it has received $2.1 million in financing to help build a wheel
that transforms some standard bicycles into hybrid e-bikes.
Superpedestrian’s solution is to slip a motor into an existing analog product: the bicycle.
[ATTACH]45763[/ATTACH]
The Copenhagen Wheel replaces the rear wheel of a bicycle.
It includes a motor powered by a built-in battery and sensors.
When someone pedals with the new wheel in place, the bike uses sensors
and an app on a smartphone to measure the amount of effort the rider
is putting into each pedal. It then offers an additional boost when necessary.
One of the most interesting components of the new wheel is
that the rider doesn’t need to tell the bike when help is necessary,
the wheel just figures it out using the sensors and gives the bike a push.
<snip>
The wheel doesn’t need to be charged or plugged in on a nightly basis, either.
Instead, the wheel captures the energy from the brakes when a rider goes down hill
and then stores that power in a high-capacity lithium battery.
The motor also acts like a generator, creating power for later rides when the rider pedals in reverse.
The company said the wheel will last for 15 miles in each direction and will fit on most standard bicycles.
Now, if someone will just invent a smartphone app to stop the rider from doing stupid things in traffic.
.
The company said the wheel will last for 15 miles in each direction...
Up and down? Back and forth? In and out?
[YOUTUBE]Sv3xVOs7_No[/YOUTUBE]
That put a smile on my face!
Benny and I built trail today. I want to improve my home ride to the point where I feel bad if I don't do it at least weekly. Benny has a pretty good eye for flow so I let him make the call on a couple switchbacks. Check out this collie!
[VIMEO]83947019[/VIMEO]
What is involved in building trail? I'm picturing saws, axes and shovels.
It depends on how much use it's going to see. It can be a big shovel job to avoid erosion and whatnot but for my purposes it's more hand saw and pruner work.
Check out this collie!
Damn, I love that video. :biggrinlo
Such a polite puppy, waiting for him to catch up when he couldn't cut it. :haha:
What's is it the kids say... YOLO?
[YOUTUBEWIDE]0Bt-NqV4Gq8[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Or dum yo.
This is more my speed.
http://vimeo.com/97675075Hebe got a new bike (new to her). it has never really been ridden and is a Dynasty Free spirit 230SE ATB ;) Turns out it's a Sears bike, ten years older than she is, cost around $200 then and now considered a "10-speed classic" by some :lol: No wear on the tires or brake pads, looks like it will last her until she goes to college. Thanks to my ceramics teacher. (confirmed bachelor, huge house full of bikes and bike parts, even in one of the bath tubs)
I flatted today and finally got to use my co2 inflator. Too cool for school.
A useful man. :)
Hell yeah. He fixed my bike after beest broke it, helped Thor "build his own" bike, helped Hector overhaul Hebe's old pink bike and respray it green and helped hebe with a working model for her science fair project "how do gears make bikes go faster". He also builds supremely lightweight electric bikes for fun.
We figure we should rename pottery "ceramics and cycles" -everyone there gets bike help at some point.
(we also take all done-with bike to him for "recycling" ;) )
Excellent move, he's the man to make sure it, or at least it's parts, will live on. :thumb:
Going fast...
[VIMEO]70921986[/VIMEO]
needs some ivy leaves tattooed on there.
Just dropped off two bikes for recycling....
This project might be good for bragging rights at the bar, but I think it's a horrible thing to do to a little girl.
Collectors Weekly has
an article titled;
The Hippie Daredevils Who Were Just Crazy Enough to Invent Mountain Biking
It's a pretty interesting story about how it evolved. It starts out...
On October 21, 1976, a small group of cyclists and a dog named Junior gathered on Carson Ridge, which rises just west of Fairfax, California. It was mid-morning and the sky was bright blue, a beautiful day for racing 50-pound vintage Schwinn Excelsior clunkers down Cascade Canyon Road, whose winding dirt surface plunges 1,300 feet in less than two miles, past serpentine outcrops, low-lying chaparral, and scattered oaks on its way to the confluence of San Anselmo and Cascade creeks.
Among the bike riders assembled that Thursday morning, at an hour when most folks were dutifully toiling at their boring 9-to-5s, was Fred Wolf, an early off-road cyclist, and owner of Junior the dog; Charlie Kelly, a roadie for a beloved local rock band called the Sons of Champlin; Larry and Wende Cragg, who carried her trusty Nikkormat 35mm camera almost everywhere; and an airbrush artist and vintage-bicycle customizer named Alan Bonds, whose recorded time of 5 minutes and 12 seconds that day (average speed, about 23 mph) was good enough to take first place in a race that quickly became known around the world as Repack.
Then the Lord looked down and saw it was good...
Uh Oh, Mom's gonna kill you. :thepain2:
motor and transmission, nice.
You give me hope, Griff. I need to get in shape. I wanna have muddy legs.
I've come to realize that fitness is always a work in progress. Old injuries try to get in the way, work gets in the way, important commitments get in the way so I commit to my exercise routine especially on the days I'm not feeling it. It helps that my riding partner is a true hyper-competitive hard-ass. I'm pretty tenacious but he really has a vision of how fit he intends to be when he hits retirement. I have a base minimum of 3 fitness activities a week. I'm doing two fencing nights and one mountain biking morning and just lately I've added some youtubed pilates routines which help my lower back and hamstrings. I'm coming to grips with the reality that I cannot eat like I used to and still keep the weight off with enough exercise. Right now I'm a pretty fit guy with a substantial gut which could wreck my back, so I'm slowly cutting back on the chow.
Bottom line: I find activities which I enjoy and commit to them and now and then I get an endorphin rush so strong I'm worried the suits in Washington might try to ban it.
It also helps if it's built into your routine. I walk every day to the metro and back. Have to. So that's 40 minutes of moderate exercise every single week day. No getting out of it. Then I do other stuff on top of that, when I'm motivated.
Jim, I know you are close to work, but are you close enough to walk? Would you feel comfortable riding a bike there, or are the roads terrible for that? It would be great if you could build exercise into your daily routine like that.
I'm gonna throw a bike question here. So, I finally have a chance to go biking. I'm thinking of going along with my cousin on a bike trail. I bought a bmx bike a long time ago because my legs are too short to reach the ground with even the smallest mountain bikes. And I was too afraid to ride one that I could not reach the ground because I wasn't confident about my biking ability. (Didn't want to fall off the side of the mountain. Bought it to ride the trails in the mountain.) When I told him I have a bmx, he said I won't be able to ride a 7 mile trail with it. So, I'm wondering if you (thinking of Griff but anyone else with the knowledge could answer) think I would be able to pull a 7 mile trail ride with my bmx bike?
It depends on the trail conditions. If you were riding on flat paved or gravel trails, you could do 7 miles easy. 7 miles is nothing. But he knows the trails you will be going on, and I don't. If they are really steep with lots of climbing and obstacles, and your bike doesn't have low gears, you could have trouble.
Yeah, if its really a rail to trail or similar you can do it but if there is climbing to be done a single speed bmx may be too hard on your knees. There are women specific frame builders out there. We carried
Terry at the shop I worked at BITD. Their sizes work for small women although their prices may not. Trek has a women's line as well.
It's 2.6 miles. I should walk, but then I'd I get out at 11pm.... That's gonna suck
Thanks, guys! I'll attempt it with my bmx. I think the trail is a paved bike trail in a park. Gonna double check with my cousin. I'm finally able to take Griff's advice in doing what I enjoy. In addition to biking, I'm gonna try out crossfit tomorrow. :D I didn't have a chance to thank Griff for his advice a while back. Thank you, Griff!
Take a water bottle. Sounds fun.
Bicycling for ladies : with hints as to the art of wheeling, advice to beginners, dress, care of the bicycle, mechanics, training, exercise, etc., etc. by Maria E. Ward. Published in 1896.
Ms Ward was more than a casual rider, this 200 page book covers it all. From care and feeding of the bike, to care and feeding of the rider, to handing rejection by old hands. The three dozen illustrations are mostly pictures of her, walking the walk.
She sounds like a cool person with her shit together. You can see the pages
here.Hot on your tail...
Man. I hate when that happens.
I approve. Simple, but very cool.
A lovely ride is the woods...
[YOUTUBE]eK0pO79YkvY[/YOUTUBE]
Two results when you mtn bike on 12/29. Better than a snow dance...
Ha, ha, ha, earned rest is the best. :thumb:
No reason to let a little winter slow you up...
Someone is about to open a 320,000 sq ft indoor, 100 feet underground bike park in/near Louisville.
Louisville Mega Cavern
It's in an abandoned limestone mine.
Raining? Ride in comfort, it's underground.
Cold out? Ride in comfort, it's 58 degrees, all the time.
Too hot out? Ride in comfort, it's 58 degrees, all the time.
45+ trails, jumps, dual slalom, BMX, single-track, and a cross country course.
LinkDamn, that's crazy. $40 a day doesn't sound bad considering the investment, but a little high to just go for a ride when it's raining. It could get noisy to.
These places turn into destinations for cyclists. I think the original ones were built in the wintry North as an alternative to taking your your bike out in unfriendly conditions. The layouts are fantastic. I just enjoy the skiing instead.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/rays-indoor-mountain-bike-park-milwaukeeAw, you just like getting molested on the lift. :haha:
If you ride in the winter you can burn this for warmth in an emergency. ;)
Meh, the fork could use some work, but, the rest is kinda beautiful. In a way.
Louisville's underground bike ridey place:
[YOUTUBEWIDE]bywQ7lwdD04[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Pretty cool. I wonder how it flows?
I'm not sure if this a restoration, or a steam punk bike, but I suspect it's not old. Sure is pretty though, in that romantic nostalgia sort of way.
Biking in the winter takes dedication...
... a fast-moving cold front must have stopped him in his tracks.
A barn find.
That is outrageously awesome. 1936 model Evinrude-powered, water-cooled bicycle. With all hard lines looks like.
When I was an early teen I saw an old motorcycle that all copper hard lines on it. I wanted to run my brake and shifter cables on my ten speed through copper or brass hard lines.
Didn't happen.
That would have looked very cool. :thumb:
Speaking of looking cool...
I don't see anything good coming from this on unpaved roads, and horse poop covered cobblestones.
I don't see anything good coming from this on unpaved roads, and horse poop covered cobblestones.
That is from the movie Wild Wild West, with Will Smith.
[YOUTUBE]CfWzeGlaFvI[/YOUTUBE]
That is AWESOME!!! I don't think we can buy it here in the states though.
VOLVO is giving it away only in London and Kent for now. It lasts about a week.
You can get them all here.
https://albedo100us.com/
They also make one tailored for pets fur, and one more permanent.
Unfortunately, the problem around here is being targeted.
That's so cool. I need a can. I want to spray the permanent stuff on my backpack and straps so I'm visible at night from all directions. I have a little dangley plastic reflector that hangs from my backpack's zipper, but it may as well not exist because it's so small.
Not such a big deal now that the daylight has returned, but in the winter I've longed for a backpack made of reflective material.
It's a little expensive. $19 for 4.5 ounces. I'd like to see those numbers reversed.
It occurs to me there are a number of people having entirely too much fun.
Vintage Electric Bike Company.
When I saw these bikes at
NAG I thought they were awfully expensive. But on the news last night they were talking about a car being burglarized and one of the items taken was a $15,000 custom bicycle. Guess I'm out of touch. :smack:
Bikes and bike stuffs.
[YOUTUBE]5GBAekgjSgU[/YOUTUBE]
Gotta use them or lose them. :haha:
Express yourself, it's later than you think.
It occurs to me there are a number of people having entirely too much fun.
There certainly are!
[YOUTUBE]MkulQvz-efw[/YOUTUBE]
We have fun in Ballard too.
[YOUTUBE]sUcRGTYv8aE[/YOUTUBE]
The CycleSaloon!
From the FAQ:
Who should rent the CycleSaloon?
Anyone who wants a new and exciting way to do a pub crawl or a brewery tour! We rent the whole Cycle Saloon for private parties where you can customize your own route. Or grab a seat and come along on a tour of some of Ballard and Fremont’s best breweries!
Can the CycleSaloon go up hills?
Little ones. The CycleSaloon was invented in the Netherlands, where it is very flat. Routes with grades greater than 5-6% for any extended distance may require riders to get off and push. None of the hills on our routes have required pushing (thus far….)
Do you provide a driver?
Always. Our insurance provider requires it.
Who’s in charge of the CycleSaloon?
The driver. If you act in a dangerous manner, you’ll be asked to get off and find you own way home. You can imagine the difficulty we had finding insurance for this thing in America. We need to keep it.
The renter. Only one person on each tour can be the renter and that person is the only person the driver answers to. Can you imagine 16 people arguing about when to leave the bar? We don’t want our drivers getting in the middle of that!
They have a pedal-paddleboat too.
Griff in the witness protection program.
Hiding in plain sight, until I get busted for juicing, then its off on my next adventure.
Shorpy says...
May 1920. "Sailor Tony Pizzo passing through Washington on a Coast to Coast bicycle run handcuffed to his machine. The handcuffs were sealed by Mayor Hylan in New York April 24 and are not to be opened until his return to that city. Pizzo made a California to New York trip in like manner in 1919."
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Must have had a support car with tires and ammo.
I guess back then you would just squat by the side of the road to take a dump?
Tweren't no rupee-dispensing toilets in those days...
Dude looks familiar. And has a flat tire.
Bike Desk
[YOUTUBEWIDE]_WIFs1ZjGgA#t=44[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Not very. You been behind that damn desk all day. It's 5:00. Now ya gotta pedal that bitch home. Uphill.
Then pedal to the desk.
[YOUTUBE]R4Hiclb18RM[/YOUTUBE]
Mirror wheels. Don't be surprised to find yourself in the middle of a dog fight.
They look awfully narrow for cobbled/brick streets. :eyebrow:
Or you could buy a motorcycle and retire the pedals.
So French mtn bikers jumped Le Tour. In America you'd be arrested in France you have a beer after.
[youtube]vorfem3_lbI[/youtube]
If you keep watching the prep is more interesting than the jump.
I never realized the leading motorcade was so close to the riders. Seems like that would be a lot of exhaust to be breathing in while you're trying to race.
Sarajevo
[YOUTUBEWIDE]CdvW71UE94I[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
"Brought to you by Shimano brake pads."
"Video footage provided by the Cock Cam 3000."
Double postin' here.
Because I love my brother. And I have a horrible feeling he started watching Le Tour de France on Channel 4 with my thumbprint on his boyish head...
Although he's raised money every year through various charity ventures
Walk the Tube, And the
Vertical Rush (both Cellar links)
So, duplicate of my post about his bike ride.
Do check out his charity-website though, You don't need to contribute to look.
I've mentioned somewhere on here that I'm going down to London/ Surrey/ Aylesbury at the beginning of August.
My brother is taking part in a 100 mile bike ride, and wants someone to whoop and holler on the hardest part of the course (climbing Box Hill).
Going down the night before, staying in London - courtesy of my bro - then travelling down to Surrey. I really want a shooting stick, so I have somewhere to sit if it rains. I'll have to carry my overnight bag with me, but I learned my lesson from Arran. I'll take two outfits and clean knickers, and a roll-up plastic mac and that's IT!
Because after London I'll be travelling back via Aylesbury, where I'm booked into the bedsit for two nights. Yay! We don't have any plans, it's just silly to travel more or less past Aylesbury and not take the chance to see the aged p's.
And I'm hoping to meet a dashing young Dwellar for lunch - or at least a cup of tea - on Monday. Wearing my flat shoes this time of course.
Steven's given my permission to share any photos, so no doubt there will be a lot of me, and some of Surrey
He says:
Quote:
And if you want to share any of my photos with your friends on the Cellar, please feel free, but there are even more of my suffering on my sponsorship page (http://tinyurl.com/steve100miles), so if you direct them to that with, maybe one of them might feel it's worth chucking a fiver my way at the same time!
It's not begging if it's for charity and not for me, is it?
Although really it is for me; Steven chose the charity for my benefit, bless him. My Brother the Superstar.
Anyway, if you're interested in cycling, photos of my family, pictures of Englishmen suffering, check out the website. It's a Virgin Fundraising page, but there's no strings atttached.
How about a recumbent tricycle from Craig's list in Portland?
Presenting your chance to be the proud owner of the only dinosaur skeleton that has been reanimated through the mysteries of science and technology. She is a beautiful fosillized juvenile Tyrannosaurus Rex who now consents for me to harness and ride her in parades and other special events. She’s a bit difficult to handle, but she’s never attacked anyone in the crowds that form whenever I take her out of the warehouse where she lives. (unlike her cousin from Jurassic Park) I labored for many months on this act of creation but now find that I’m not the right rider for this beautiful creature.
This wonderful rideable dinosaur, this fulfilment of my childhood dreams, needs to go to someone who likes being the center of attention, likes making the news whenever they’re out in public, and likes inspiring joy and wonder in the faces of children. I’m just a quiet engineer and bicycle fabricator and am not interested in celebrity.
Specs:
-12ft long from head to tail, 5.5ft wide stance, 8.5ft tall (size of a 12 year old young-adult T-Rex)
-90lb recumbent tricycle made from chromoly steel, foam, and textured paint (200lb rider weight limit)
-9-speed wide-range drivetrain with a top speed of about 15mph (comfortable cruising speed of about 7mph)
-Seat is ~5ft off the ground so use a step ladder, or if you have good balance, use foot and hand holds hidden along the left side of her body.
-Head is a marionette that turns side to side and opens her jaw; controlled by wire from handlebars
-Arms are attached to pedals and can be controlled in combination with head to create believable performances (Sue can answer questions, wave at audience, snap her jaws in excitement, disgust, hunger, etc.)
-Disassembles using basic tools into multiple pieces to fit within a pick-up truck bed for easy(er) transport to events
Caveats:
-Sue requires frequent touch-ups to her paint and foam. There are always bits of the sculpture rubbing against one another because she is a moving, kinetic, scultpure. I will include a bucket of textured paint with her.
-Sue has handling quirks because of the geometry tricks and illusions I had to pull to make a vehicle that seemed to have the proportions of a real dinosaur. She is not a daily-driver dinosaur but is perfect for parades or the playa. She has good brakes and is stable enough if you know her limits. I’d be happy to offer dino riding lessons to prospective buyers.
Please don’t call just for joy-rides…
Ran across this just now.
First ever BMX quad-backflip. That's a backflip x 4.
[LIVELEAK]4b0_1436811238[/LIVELEAK]
:devil:
Well it's all downhill, how hard can that be. ;)
[YOUTUBEWIDE]uOuzU0vCqBk[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
What's that? You do all your biking on the ground?
Pussies.
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Why isn't she falling over?
I see why this didn't catch on, grease and dirt mean trouble.
Why isn't she falling over?
The front wheel looks to be scotched, so as not to roll, and the back wheel looks like it's offset/out of line with the front wheel by just the slightest bit, assisting in a fine balancing act.
[SIZE="1"]Maybe.[/SIZE]
I've never seen anything so stationary taken so far.
And for the poor technically deprived citizens in places like... Europe. :haha:
In 1920, home inventors led the way.
Motorbikes and Motorcycles, couldn't tell them apart without a program.
Tour of Utah, Stage 6, Guardsman Pass, Wasatch Mountains...The role of Human Battering Ram is played by Irish cyclist Matt Brammeier:
[YOUTUBEWIDE]hRM3bFXlyNk[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Link
I've done almost that same move, nowhere near as dramatic, or fast. A car turned in front of me on my mountain bike, in a parking lot. About 114 years ago...
That's a terrible accident... and deserves a warning to the viewer.
Really? It's a guy falling down, basically. I mean, it's a hard lick and all...
...and deserves a warning to the viewer.
Oh. I see what you mean now. There
were a couple guys coloring outside the line...:p:
"Human battering ram" is a clue. I don't understand the first crash, he was obviously going way to fast to make the corner anyway. With all the activity he should have realize the corner was there. In the "zone", I guess, and the brakes on those bikes aren't that good.
I would have thought this was funny when I was younger, now it looks almost practical. ;)
...now it looks almost practical. ;)
:lol2:
People spend thousands to get a bike that's a few ounces lighter. Unless they're pro competitors, it's a waste of money.
I used to work with an elderly engineer who was legally blind, so he couldn't drive, and rode a bike to work. Fortunately he also couldn't see how close he came to getting killed every damn day. He also collected bikes from high wheelers to exotic imports. He told me it's better to ride a 30 lb bike, than a 25 lb bike that forced him to carry a 10 lb lock/chain.
So why not eliminate all that frame weight and go with the wheels? ;)
In the beginning, god created the Indian motobikes... and they were good.
I remember wanting one of those as a kid.
But I wanted a BSA even more.
Stretching it, going for the record.
Saw one of these commuting on a downtown DC street this morning. Went by too fast to get a picture.
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It looked at first glance like a Smart car, but then I realized it had bike wheels. You pedal it and it also has an electric motor. You can exert as much effort as you like, and they suggest letting the electric motor do the work in the morning so you arrive at work fresh and clean, and pedal on the way home, only using the motor to help on hills.
Organic Transit ELFThat isn't much vehicle for $5500.
The manufacturers liability insurance is probably a grand for each. :eyebrow:
One of the hazards of spoke wheels, especially off road.
no front derailleur, interesting.
Folks are running 1x10 so you don't throw a chain. Most of what I ride could be done middle chainring but I do like to have that grannie on steep long climbs.
Martyn Ashton
[youtube]kX_hn3Xf90g[/youtube]
That brought a tear of joy, thanks Griff.
Here's the vid about the bike. I wondered about how he'd manage the difference in riding style, being sitting the whole time, literally strapped down into the bike. No help from his legs soaking up the movement from the bike and terrain. Turns out, there's just the one shock absorber to soak it up. Amazing.
[YOUTUBE]ZJH4ayFZNK4[/YOUTUBE]
He has a really magnetic personality, I think because he knows who he is and what he needs to be happy. I've been reading The Rise of Superman a book about attaining flow and applying it to everyday life. The author spends a lot of time on "extreme" athletes and it is about brain chemicals not so much about adrenaline as a series of them. One worry for these guys is sometimes finding flow requires going out another step beyond. He has hit the reset button I think.
He probably belongs in Gravs awesome people thread.
If you're peddling your ass around town, why not get the maximum health benefit? I mean you're going to get sweaty anyway. ;)
Somehow I keep waiting for Dysan to put his mark on bikes.
His fan already looks the part and for every action there's a ...
Better not skip leg day if you own one of these bicycles.
And there goes Griff.
I've never wanted to be a bicycle tire more than rfn...
:notworthy
[YOUTUBEWIDE]P3WnQ246f1g[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
:notworthy
I hope her mother had a connection to get BandAids wholesale.
Grav, with her strength and balance, seven undertakers couldn't get the smile off your face. :drool:
The other side of that fat tired monster, and some really big bikes.
When bicycles were most peoples option to a horse.
I want me one of them 'she ain'ts'.:yesnod:
I think these may be electric.
Most people prefer four wheels to two wheels, but why not five wheels.
This appears to be a two speed set up with the switch happening in the hub at the pedals. Makes sense since there's more room and strength there.
Most people prefer four wheels to two wheels, but why not five wheels.
With the big wheel so large as to keep the feet off the ground,
4 more wheels make sense to keep the bike and rider in balance,
during stop-and-go travel.
Most people prefer four wheels to two wheels, but why not five wheels.
Dignity?
Dignity? Royal Mail dude? :eyebrow:
They know what's up. :lol:
Did you know Griff went to Bali?
[VIMEO]138192484[/VIMEO]
Is this for city riders that ignore traffic signals, or country riders that say, hold my beer and watch this? :haha:
Nor does it make you a pedestrian. :rar:
That's pretty quick for human power. My personal best is 47mph but on a hill.
You need a riding partner to go faster. Like a puma. Behind you.
Cats are bad at partner work.
My buddy got up to 55mph with his bike... on the flat.
He was hanging onto the pipe rack on the side of my Dad's pickup and too scared to let go. When I stopped he wanted to know how fast I went so I told him 28. :haha:
207 mph on a bicycle. I don't know if it even has pedals...
...but, it does have 944 lbs of thrust.
And it just ate a Ferrari's lunch:
[YOUTUBEWIDE]WREyAicJXkM[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Ok, it's got pedals.
"darwin"
I watched it, and the part where the camera is showing the exhaust plume and the rapidly receding start line, I'm thinking how crucial it was to have the axis of the rocket aligned with the roadway, because, there's no correcting that kind of thrust, it's just gonna go where it's pointed. Please, baby jesus, point it down the road and not into that tree, or the barrier, etc. Never mind the idea of having that bomb pressed directly against his nuts. I mean, that's nuts.
Just, just, wow.
It takes a certain kind of person to climb on that thing. I am not that kind of person.
This is cool. The Revolights system consists of four rings of LEDs, 2 white & 2 red, weather resistant, powered by USB-rechargeable lithium ion batteries,
bracket-mounted to the front and rear hub. A built-in accelerometer tracks speed and flashes the red lights as you slow down, bicycle brake light, $200.
My questions are how long does a battery charge last, and how long do the batteries themselves last. The aggravation and expense could be a deal breaker.
But a virtual brake light, now that's cool.. till the cop says, you didn't even try to stop for that light. :haha:
$200?!?!??
My last bike only cost $150.
But for the people riding bikes they paid two grand or more for, it's cheap insurance. Plus after dark, people don't know you're riding an expensive bike. This will give them a hint you're not hoi polloi.
For $2000(:eyebrow:), I'll buy a car and drive by the bicyclist.:yesnod:
Chicago was loaded with bike shops, back in the day.
Wonder how old that is? The bike on the right looks fairly modern, until you see it has fenders and no front derailleur. Must be a 3 speed. 1950s?
If the NCU on the sign is the National Cyclist's Union, that lasted from 1883 till about 1955, but that's a British group.
Well I'll be damned, when I found that picture it said it was Chicago... it ain't.
It's in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK, which makes sense for the NCU and the CTC is a British cycling charity. But still no date.
Wonder how old that is?...1950s?
...But still no date.
As usual, the devil is in the details...
From the file info (as viewed in FireFox):
[ATTACH]53578[/ATTACH]
:D
MY cousin bought her last bike for over $8000. I know I know.
... anything it wants to do... at any time
For starters Grav - It weighs like 2 oz. Its insane.
Does she ride for fitness? If she's a racer, I can understand light. Most people ride for fitness, which makes a light bike sort of ironical. A heavier bike would make one fitter, quicker.
Having to carry a 25 lb lock and chain negates the weight savings.
At $8k, it better have lojack. All carbon fiber I reckon... How much are the bikes they ride in the Olympics?
If you don't want the $200 LEDS, there's always this. :haha:
Yes, she rides competitively and for long treks - 25 or 50 miles is nothing for her.
Pierce Arrow had a side business of bicycles doing well, so they tried motorcycles too.
Nuts... 2 minutes of build-up before crazy pays off.
[YOUTUBEWIDE]NTztK0V3C7E[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
So now he can say he's the world's first triple front flipper. I hope there's big money in it for him. Doesn't seem like it's worth it otherwise.
Bragging rights? Street creds? Groupies? Maybe competition sponsorships, or paid appearances.
I'll stick to something safer.
Link
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Stupid money, ridiculous riding position
I think she'd get callouses on the inside of her knees. :eyebrow:
And her neck would get really tired holding her head up. She can't rest her neck by sitting up straight like you can on a regular seat.
Not to mention the pounding your elbows, shoulders, and lower abdomen would endure. Your bending elbows and knees act as shock absorbers for the millions of little bumps you encounter while riding.
It also looks like it would substantially less maneuverable than a standard bike.
She looks less than comfortable in both pics.
Stirrups (?) on the pedals would be an improvement, too.
Be ok for making porn pics, though, unlike this one.
Totaled? Must have destroyed the spokes.
This has to be a tough pedal. :brikwall:
Polaroid sunglasses help see obstructions hidden in the shadows. :blunt:
Piece of cake, just compress your fork let it unload and glide on over.
Piece of cake, just compress your fork let it unload and glide on over, with your feet over the handlebar.
Fixed it.
That's pretty impressive, but I wonder what happened at the camera edit? IT went from wheel POV to overhead POV.
Buffalo Soldiers don't get horses, not even mules. Yellowstone is good duty, but has a lot of hills to pedal on dirt roads with wagon ruts, and horse poopy.
Like the whippersnappers say, YOLO. looks like this person took it to heart.:rolleyes:
Buffalo Soldiers don't get horses, not even mules. Yellowstone is good duty, but has a lot of hills to pedal on dirt roads with wagon ruts, and horse poopy.
You know people argue about who the first mountain bikers were. Looks like the argument missed by a little less than a century.
http://www.historynet.com/the-buffalo-soldiers-who-rode-bikes.htm
That was some serious riding.
A year later.
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Just make sure all your Cavalry charges are downhill. :haha:
You know people argue about who the first mountain bikers were. Looks like the argument missed by a little less than a century.
http://www.historynet.com/the-buffalo-soldiers-who-rode-bikes.htm
That was some serious riding.
Wow, that's a great story, where I found the picture there was none.
Over 50 miles a day, with that heavy equipment, and those conditions is incredible. :eek:
Bicycles are the work of the Devil, a temptation luring proper young ladies to stray.
Proof? Two illustrations from the Illustrated Police News, incredibly both outrageous acts of scandalous behavior from only one year, 1896.
London startup, the Hummingbird Bike Company has designed a folding carbon-fibre bike that weighs just 6.5 kilograms. The company claims the cycle is the "world's lightest folding bike", weighing three kilograms less than its competitors – the equivalent of four pineapples, and less than the average watermelon.
Craciun designed the first Hummingbird after becoming frustrated with the lack of affordable options for bikes that can be folded down to fit into elevators, or be easily carried upstairs.
looks strictly urban in nature to me, and carrying upstairs and in elevators you still have the problem of dirty tires touching anything, especially fellow elevator riders.
Ooh, shiny.
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Well, this is different:
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Well what do you expect when they can't get a driver's license? :rolleyes:
I guess that would be mootivation to get a bike...
Not necessity, drugs/alcohol is the mother of invention. :eek:
According to Calvin, Mothers are the necessity of invention.
Boy was this a dumb idea, sitting like that he can't see any of her naughty bits jiggle. :headshake
I wonder if he has to pedal the air horn compressor too?
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That clearly demonstrates the pain of the parents and siblings of musicians. :haha:
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LinkHoney, do not forget to tip the bellboy. :eek:
This has to be a joke. But, I'm afraid that it's not.
I give you The Vanmoof Boncho.:headshake
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Note: If your bike don't got no fenders, you're gonna get wet, anyway. And it'll be a dirty kind of wet.
A decent idea, that should've stayed an idea.
Yeah but it's water repellant AND water proof, so all that dirty water from the wheels will only soak you from the neck down. Even after a surprise shower, you'll arrive at Mr DeMille's ready for your close up.
You're right, of course. But the bike in the vid *does* have fenders, full fenders, and close to the tires, not those flat visor-y types.
I liked the light in the front end of the top tube.
I visited BD the other day and saw a couple interesting bikes during my visit. The first one was parked on the ferry, still decked out in its holiday costume. It looks like the pickup truck version of a bike. The second one was parked downtown where we were walking. Surly, indeed. Love the melon cover, by the way.
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I got to ride one of those fat boys 3? weeks ago. It was a really interesting ride but it is an awful lot of bike on a climb.
I've seen pictures of that truck bike in Holland, loaded with everything from appliances to three or four kids.
That would be a cool way to roll. An urban handyman could do well with it.
Pretty handy, seatbelts, critter cages, weather protection, etc.
There's a guy around here with one of those. I've sen him a few times and chatted with him once. He said the bike was surprisingly expensive to buy here in the US. He had to basically import it himself or something like that. And it's a little challenging to ride it at first because it's heavy and awkward. But he loves it.
1,776 Euros I don't know what that is in USD but it sounds like a bunch.
You could spend that on a high end road racer or mountain bike...
Yes but then you wouldn't want to do this.
$2,000 for your family transportation, grocery fetcher, kiddie shuffler, everything you need transported transporter, ain't bad. How many people spend way more than that on electronic toys.
the critter cage hurts my brain. it's like one of those isometric drawings that has ambiguous foreground and background. I can't easily keep the bike, the cage, and the opening hatch all in the same perspective.
and in other news, after only an hour, I managed to find the two pics I snapped while driving past this very bike (I'm guessing) back in 2014. Here they are. I thought of you then, too, Griff, but they're not really good pics.
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the critter cage hurts my brain. it's like one of those isometric drawings that has ambiguous foreground and background. I can't easily keep the bike, the cage, and the opening hatch all in the same perspective.
Right, the open side for the dog to get out, of the pointed top, looks weird The short side of that hatch should bend up and not down. It must have little hinges at the bend. :nuts:
Why do I have to wear this stupid helmet, I'm an experienced rider, I know what I'm doing, I don't...
Supposedly the difference in size/weight of the riders was not a problem. However cooperation and communication were paramount, which is why the nickname, "A divorce in a box".
the critter cage hurts my brain. it's like one of those isometric drawings that has ambiguous foreground and background. I can't easily keep the bike, the cage, and the opening hatch all in the same perspective.
See? Now I can't
unsee it.
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Stealth Bomber.
Electric bike, off road style.
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don't forget to bring your mad stacks. $10,000 worth.
I might have offered this one before. Here's another (probably better) shot of this ride.
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I still don't get it.
If you were with a bunch of good friends, it could be fun. But there are lots of other things you could do with those same friends that would be even more fun.
Good business plan. Force the customer to work up a sweat(thirst), save on cable sports TV by providing dodge-traffic/panicked-scream entertainment, and just peddle away from puke piles.
I guess he must steer by leaning?
I guess this was before Dixie and Solo cups...
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Why wait to be cooled when you can start cool.
Wuzzat? Some kind of poor man's answer to the Sting-Ray?:eyebrow:
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This took me a minute. I think they mean 10 if you return it by the end of the day, and 15 if you keep it overnight.
If you ride too far, you won't be able to pay...
...you'll have lost too many pounds.
:jig:
TIHAW, try the wasp's nest soup.
[SIZE="1"]Pssst... Euros.[/SIZE]
All the more reason for me to keep my yap shut.
:facepalm:
Nah, I got the joke right away, then laughed again when the Euros clicked.
Double your guffaws,
double you squees,
prepare for a chuckle,
more Dig'r please.
Seems women have been featured in bicycle ads since the beginning.
Maybe because the men who own them pay a lot for maintenance, have to watch out for thieves, and ride them hard. :bolt:
With sidecar, to whisk your date away from her family.
Fergot how to bicycle...
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Maybe that should be a WTF, because WTF? How did that even physically happen?
I'd love to see a video of that progressing to that point.
Hell, after that point too. :eyebrow:
road bike, clipped in to the pedals, hits sand, bike slows dramatically, rider does not, rider goes headfirst over handlebars, bike does it's best to follow. note left foot still connected to the pedal.
Toe clips. :smack: Thank you, I couldn't figure out how the bike bogged enough to throw him and still managed to run over him.
I've seen pictures of that truck bike in Holland, loaded with everything from appliances to three or four kids.
Winter is no time to put away the bike....Fat Bike this winter!
The thrill of cycling in the incredible scenery of the Methow Valley continues all through the winter with fat biking. The Methow Valley leads the nation with dedicated, groomed fat bike trails.
Methow Trails allows fat biking on a variety of cross-country ski trails. Fat biking trails also exist at Pearrygin Lake State park and the adjacent Department of Wildlife land. Fat biking is also allowed on 23 kilometers of trails at the Loup Loup Ski Bowl Nordic area. More information on fat biking can be found on the Methow Trails website.
methowtrails.org/winter-trails/fat-bike/
Fat Bike this winter!
Fat bike. Cool.
Fat bike this winter:
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Fuq dat.
In slippery going a trike is more stable. Works for high water too.
Need a hand with that brake cable?
Impressive skills are not proof of intelligence.
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You can even have your own font...
This guy asked a few friends and a lot of strangers to
draw a picture of a bicycle, right then and there, from memory.
Of the 376 people who responded to his interview, only 25 percent managed to make an accurate sketch. Some did get close, but most ended up drawing something that was pretty far off from a regular men’s bicycle. Gimini then took the most impractical designs and digitally rendered them, for his project titled “Velocipedia”.
Gimini’s participants came from across seven different nationalities. The youngest one is aged at 3, and the oldest at 88. Nearly 90% of drawings in which the chain is attached to the front wheel (or both to the front and the rear) were made by females. On the other hand, while men generally tend to place the chain correctly, they are more keen to over-complicate the frame when they realize they are not drawing it correctly.
The most unintelligible drawing was made by a doctor.
Today, while learning about
Mont Ventoux, in France (well, actually
I was in Kentucky,
the Mont is in France;)), I learned about British cyclist
Tom Simpson, who lost his life on the mountain in the 1967 Tour de France:
From Wikipedia:
Mont Ventoux has become legendary as the scene of one of the most grueling climbs in the Tour de France bicycle race, which has ascended the mountain fifteen times since 1951. The followed trail mostly passes through Bédoin. Its fame as a scene of great Tour dramas has made it a magnet for cyclists around the world.
The mountain achieved worldwide notoriety when it claimed the life of British cyclist Tom Simpson, who died here on July 13, 1967 from heat exhaustion caused by a combination of factors, including dehydration (caused by lack of fluid intake and diarrhea), amphetamines, and alcohol, although there is still speculation as to the exact cause of his death. He began to wildly weave across the road before he fell down. He was delirious and asked spectators to put him back on the bike, which he rode to within a half mile of the summit before collapsing dead, still clipped into his pedals. Amphetamines were found in his jersey and bloodstream. There is a memorial to Simpson near the summit, which has become a shrine to fans of cycling, who often leave small tokens of remembrance there. In 1970, Eddy Merckx rode himself to the brink of collapse while winning the stage. He received oxygen, recovered, and won the Tour. In 1994, Eros Poli, not known for his climbing ability, stole away at the beginning of the day's stage, built up a substantial time gap from the peloton, and was first over the Ventoux and eventual stage winner despite losing a minute of his lead per kilometre of the ascent.
Did we know back then that amphetamines were bad? Or was he a pioneer who helped educate us?
No, no.
Amphetamines are fine, it's bicycles that we should be warned against.
How about a bike race...
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Not all French are stereotypical...
Here's a bike you can't ride. Nobody can.
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To extend the wheelbase or just to be different?
It would shift your weight back for downhill stuff or maybe it's a one off for an amputee?
Fenders for what looks like an unpaved area.
That's just...
I don't have the words.:drool:
Even today, that bike will get you laid.
Little paint, it'll be good as new...
And a Sear's Slingshot from the "If it's different, but not too different, they will buy it", school of marketing.
The Moto Parilla Carbon SUV e-bike:
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LinkPurdy.
I am presently at war with various creaks my bike has lately developed. You cover a mechanical thing in mud once a week for 3-4 years it turns out it has an effect, who knew?
I was at REI yesterday for the big sale,and found myself looking at bikes. They were all nice. Much nicer than my trash picker's special I rode to work last week. So I looked past the big 20% off tag on the one that had caught my eye, and found the itty bitty price tag. I had to out my reading glasses on, the print was so small.
I knew a new bike would cost some money, but holy cow. I didn't see a single bike there for under a grand, and the one I had been eyeballing was $3k.
Imma tinker with my trash picker's special and just forget I saw those.
You can get good used bike stuff at pinkbike.com.
There is a lot of talk about the demise of the 26". Collecting parts for my clutch of mtn bikes.
That stash may double as a 401k plan. There's a guy in the Midwest who grabbed Jaguar wrecks/junks when their popularity waned, and made millions. Now he's doing SSRs.
People got tired of pedaling their ass around.
One guy's bike tool kit. I don't think he's taking that with him on the bike. :eyebrow:
He's got some old school tools in there. I wonder what the big safety pin and wire nuts are for on a bike?
♫ It was born in a mad man’s garage
[COLOR="White"]...[/COLOR]The exhaust, it’s a deafening barrage
♪ But it's all right now, in fact it's a gas
[COLOR="White"]...[/COLOR]But it's all right
♫ That rocket bike, it's a gas, gas, gas
After a lot of noise in 2009, the Copenhagen wheel is finally coming to market. The self contained electric motor to add to the 26/27 inch wheel on your bike. Developed at MIT, and sponsored(whatever that means) by the Mayor of Copenhagen, it being manufactured in Massachusetts. They show a price of $950, but there are a bunch of motor size and other options so who knows. Rumor has it you can pre-order for $700.
This concerns me...
MOBILE APP
Get more from your Wheel by downloading the complimentary mobile app, which allows you to lock/unlock your wheel, choose amongst a menu of customizable rides, and track personal usage statistics including time, distance, calories burned, elevation climbed and more, all of which can be compared and shared with friends.
Does that distracted riders. :eyebrow:
link and
link.choose amongst a menu of customizable rides
This is the only one that I see as a potential problem because it might be adjusted during a ride, but the rest are for number crunching after the fact. Like reviewing data recorded on a black box for your car.
From Wiki:
A bicycle equipped with a Copenhagen Wheel in effect becomes a pedelec, i.e. a bicycle in which the electric motor assists the rider when necessary but only when they are actively pedalling.
I see a problem.
If it's working when you're not pedalling, it's a motor vehicle.
Folding bike beats marching...
I'm having trouble getting my head around this guy. He says he couldn't cut or force this bike lock in 5 minutes... that's good. But the next time he tried to use it the thing fell apart. But he says buy it anyway, a $125 lock, buy it anyway. WTF?
Weapons of mass invasion... Germans in Poland, 1914.
No more rear flats...
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In strict adherence to the title of the thread:
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Not a spoiler, but at some points, he brakes like I did when I was a little kid, by dragging my feet and screaming.
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Next time go to your LBS. People would bring Huffys into the shop immediately after buying them cuz "it don't stop" "it don't shift". We'd set it up as well as we could and take their money but nobody was really happy about it. If you catch a huffy hardtail with a straight frame you have a serviceable around towner but don't ask it to do more.
There is no smile like the I just cheated gravity twice in 3 pedal strokes smile! I rode my old hardtail today in a vain attempt the push a faster rider. I was quicker than I have been but you really have to be all there when riding without rear suspension. I came into a tight turn a little hot and turned on the base of a tree, excited by that I hammered into a log pyramid built over a fall. I popped over the top but landed my over inflated rear wheel on the top log. I landed in a nose wheelie headed for a small tree but kept my hand off the brake and turned back to the trail. Its all fun when it works out.:cool:
That's a pain in the ass.
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very beautiful, all of it. The territory around 3:45, that's my backyard (a one hour radius of my backyard, though some of those trees are actually in my backyard). Anyone who visits me, I'd be happy to tour that area with you. It's some of the greenest, most majestic scenery I've ever experienced.
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And WTH is going on with that seat?
And why is the kickstand hefty enough to lean the Space Shuttle on?
City rental bikes are designed to fit in a locking dispenser rack so that's what the weird bracket thing is. And they are designed to be ugly and weird so that they have no value if stolen. Also, the parts will fit no other type of bike on the planet.
The inch has gotten massively into Mountain Biking, last year for his birthday he got a cheap department store Schwinn with some money he earned and gifts from family. At first I forgot who I was dealing with (a 12 year old) and tried to talk him into buying a better (used) bike. He had his heart set on the
Schwinn and I eventually realized I was being a colossal buzzkill and what was important was that he loved this bike. So I zipped it and shared in his revelry.
This year we've gone on three rides together so far. It is tough because the mm "hates mountain biking" and the single parent thing creates complications that I'll skip explaining.
I'm trying to set up playdates to keep her busy so the inch and I can go for rides. Today she spent the day with grandma so the inch and I were able to go to this place that he's been telling me about for two weeks, after he went there with a friend.
Again, being relatively obtuse, I didn't realize how much he was looking forward to sharing the experience with me, I thought he just wanted to go biking. Despite some near disasters; we had to repair his shocks and couldn't get them back together because the bastard bolt wouldn't catch the threads. Success after an hour at 7 pm; his front tire got destroyed when his bike fell off his mom's car and the rim was sorely tweaked. I ended up clamping it in my vice and bending it back into shapish shape. Trued it as best as I could; we went to the bike shop - a little too high end - they don't really carry 26" tires these days, but they could order them. "Well... we're heading out to a ride and we have no tire at all..." The dude at the shop was so awesome, he found a tire that they had mounted on a rim as a repair that the owner never picked up and just gave it to us.
So we made it to
the trails, me on my
1984 Ross Mount Rainier, and him on his
Schwinn Ranger. First of all, the trails blew my fucking mind. They were so well laid out and designed. It has been decades since I did any real mountain biking and the intermediate trails tested my reaction time and balance mostly. I also need to adjust to riding with glasses. I did not have them and realized that was a handicap.
When I rode there were no trails laid out like this, we just bushwhacked and made our own trails, following deer paths in the woods, hiking trails, dry river beds. (Old school technical) So this was a real treat to have somthing well groomed with a great mix of twists and turns, climbs and descents, rocks and trees and so on.
It was also about ten thousand degrees and eleventy five percent humidity. NO HEART ATTACK TODAY! W00T
But, in the bike shop I felt like Rip Van Winkle; I didn't even recognize the bikes as bikes. First, they are fucking HUGE. The tires are 27.5 and super bloated, the H Bars are about a yard wide, everything has disc brakes, there isn't a round tube anywhere in the shop, and everything has front shocks, and the choice is 'hard tail' or 'soft tail'.
I grilled the salesman for a half hour about the rationale behind all the changes. (We did not get into electronic shifting, I kept it at tube shape, H-Bars, disc brakes and the pros and cons of rear suspension.)
One thing I noticed about this trail system is that it was designed for today's bikes. There were a number of parts where a soft tail would have allowed me to bomb down the trail much faster (assuming I could react quickly enough) As it was I was able to negotiate it by not sitting down much and letting the bike move under me while I acted as the shocks. What we used to do with varying degrees of success.
I need to get up to speed with the world of bikes and I'm hoping Griff, you might be able to shed some light on the industry.
More specific questions will be forthcoming if you'd be willing to answer.
In the meantime, for budget reasons, I'm sticking with my vintage mountain bike.
I'm happy to answer any questions you have. I've ridden through the changes. A buddy got stuck with a modern FS (full suspension) that does not fit him by purchasing online from a lying sack o shit outfit that rhymes with liceloint but the other guy I ride with bought from the same and made out great. The cool part is the FS bike fits me so I test drove a modern high end bike last weekend. My takeaway is that disc brakes, which I don't have on my older bikes are amazing. You can make a lot more mistakes and get away with it on the modern FS bikes. They go through stuff we usually hop over. I still love the hardtail for climbing though and all that fancy gear is pricey to replace when you break it. My two rideable bikes are a full XT 1999 Rocky Mountain Race soft tail and a mid 2000's parts bin GT Avalanche hardtail. Those FS bikes are very forgiving for middle-aged riders. Both my riding partners at I think 54 and 56 recently went modern FS.
The inch has gotten massively into Mountain Biking, last year for his birthday he got a cheap department store Schwinn with some money he earned and gifts from family. At first I forgot who I was dealing with (a 12 year old) and tried to talk him into buying a better (used) bike. He had his heart set on the
Schwinn and I eventually realized I was being a colossal buzzkill and what was important was that he loved this bike. So I zipped it
Get out of my head!
Seriously, I just went through this exact same thing. Except my son wanted a road bike. He had it all researched and was pointing to what I assumed was a POS Chinese bike from Walmart. I steered him to a local non-profit bike shop that teaches at risk teens how to tune up vintage bikes and then sell them. The non-profit vintage place had a lot of decent old high end bikes, that started at around $200-$250 and his budget was more like $150-$200. Plus they only had womens' bikes there that might fit him.
So he gave me the $169 cash and I bought him
a bike from Walmart.com.
It's actually amazingly good for the price. But it's just like you say, the aluminum frame isn't round in cross section. All sorts of weird shapes. And everything is 700CC now, not 26".
Anyway, he fucking loves it. And it feels like it's decent quality. Shimano components. Shifts nicely. Brakes work well. Made by GMC, but GMC, if you read the box, is Shanghai General Sports Co., Ltd.
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It's interesting, because I was trying to figure out just WTF GMC bikes is. I had seen this GMC bike referred to as a Kent in other locations. The deal is that
Kent bikes sells bikes under its own name, and also licenses the names of Jeep, GMC, Razor, Cadillac, and Little Miss Match. They import their bikes from all over the world, but many of them come from China, produced by Shanghai General Sports Co., Ltd.
Yeah, 27 got replaced by 700c back in the nineties on road bikes plus a smaller 650C? size for women's bikes. It became a pain to get 27 tires but when I bought my last touring bike I switched over. Mountain bikes are in upheaval right now wheel wise. 26 was the standard, then they pushed 29s, then 27.5 (650B), and some super wide stuff. They seem to want to maintain them all at this point but I have noticed a reduction in choice for 26". Mountain bikes always seem to be rushing to the next great thing hence my stash of old XT parts. I can't begin to predict if any standard will emerge.
Have you tried one of the fat tire bikes? They look like they would bounce over any little bumps but would be a little soft in the turns.
Yeah, 27 got replaced by 700c back in the nineties on road bikes plus a smaller 650C? size for women's bikes. It became a pain to get 27 tires but when I bought my last touring bike I switched over. Mountain bikes are in upheaval right now wheel wise. 26 was the standard, then they pushed 29s, then 27.5 (650B), and some super wide stuff. They seem to want to maintain them all at this point but I have noticed a reduction in choice for 26". Mountain bikes always seem to be rushing to the next great thing hence my stash of old XT parts. I can't begin to predict if any standard will emerge.
My touring bike has 27" wheels and my racing bike has 700c tubular rims. I build my own wheels and even after 10K miles on them they are in great shape, I can't really bear to just change them out just because they are out of fashion.
Fashion and consumerism seem to be driving everything these days. I remember in the early 80s that most bikes hadn't had any significant changes in a couple of decades. Shimano led the charge, I believe, when they began changing their components every year; a cable anchor bolt from a 1984 rear derailleur would not fit on a 1985 rear derailleur. Shitty little things like that drove people to need an entire new derailleur when shops couldn't or didn't want to stock 97,000 different bolts, washers, nuts, pulleys, bushings, etc. Parts sales went up, repair revenues went down. Designs and styles also changed, but in terms of actual improvements there were few genuine improvements and a lot of different way to do the same thing.
Which leads me to many of my questions about the changes in today's bikes.
I have to go right now, but I'll continue when I return.
Have you tried one of the fat tire bikes? They look like they would bounce over any little bumps but would be a little soft in the turns.
I swapped bikes with a fellow traveler for a short run on one of those. The tires soak up most everything so it is a cushy ride. It seemed to corner really well. They are heavy as shit for climbing though and are really inefficient for pedaling.
Yeah the intentional move to throw-away parts is really annoying and expensive. The front suspension fork and disc brakes are two actual improvements although I have not gone disc yet. My XT shifters circa 2000 are better than the same level 10 years later...
What about how huge the bikes are? My MTN bike frame is a 19 or 20 inch compared to my road frame which is a 24. It is sparrow-like compared to the newer bikes and I felt it was pretty tight on the course I rode the other day. I can't imagine being on one of those behemoths.
The handle bars were at least 8" wider. Also, what's up with the tubes? Do the big rectangular tubes make the bike frame lighter? I note that the manufacturers don't mention weight on their websites, they instead make some specious claim like, "Weights can vary depending on how the bike is set up..."
Yeah, OK but why not just list weights for frame sets by size? Like they used to? Whenever I see shit like that it makes me think they are being intentionally vague in order to hide the truth. If the information was a selling point it would be on their splash page.
Are these big tubes lighter?
Another thing the sales guy told me was that higher end bikes tended to have single chain rings in front and multies in back. Great for climbing (reduction gears) but I'm guessing coasting downhill and or very little movement on the flats- so essentially a specialty bike instead of a bike that could do OK on pavement.
So the trillion gear freewheels seem to be big, but after 6 gears does one need to cut the ratios that finely? It's not like humans are optimized for an extremely narrow range of RPM that we need so much gearing to compensate, or are we? Usually, it was a question of speeding down as fast as possible and then downshifting to the correct gear to power up the other side. I've only had one derailleur in my life that could reliably downshift under power and that was a Huret Duopar Titane. A sad day when that died.
Are new derailleurs better? Can you shift under power?
The bars are wicked wide. That doesn't work for me slaloming trees. The FS bikes do seem bigger to me. The kids are riding downhill pump style so weight and pedaling are generally not part of it. :rolleyes: They labor on climbs, burn gas, or push. The gear ratios are pretty good on a 2x10 and maybe even a 1x10 but I'd miss the big chain dump on the front when an unexpected climb pops up or the big ring if you get caught on a road somewhere. It does create a little clearance for log crossing.
I've done some bitching about what's become of one of my favorite trail networks because they [strike]won't get off my yard[/strike] groomed some of the best climbs for high speed downhills then throw the bikes in a shop van for work free cycling. There are some hardcore xc kids out there but the bulk market is for all mountain bikes. The money being spent for a quality xc bike is pretty insane. I've been plotting building up my '92 Jamis as a kickass xc bike but my head tube is not compatible with modern suspension forks.
What brand bikes are you seeing with the rectangular tubing? The bikes I'm seeing tend to be ovalized except for the chain stays which they claim are stiffer.
I asked my buddy about his 1x. He misses the big ring except when log crossing
Some of the guys I rode with used their big rings to climb over the logs. They'd approach the log, pop the front over and line up their pedals so the left pedal was up and then use the teeth to grip into the log and go over that way.
This was Vermont and we were bike mechanics so parts and repairs were relatively cheap. We customized our bikes for our riding styles. Mostly what we'd do was go out into the woods and see how long we could bike without touching our foot to the ground. It was follow the leader and the leader would choose the course as he went. [COLOR="LemonChiffon"](no stinky girls allowed!)[/COLOR]
One course was about 200 feet of a dry creek bed. Stones the ranging in size from grapefruits to basketballs. No more than one person made it per ride, but eventually all of us had one perfect run, if I recall.
As for the rectangular tubes, the inch tells me they are on Giant bikes.
The derailleurs seem pretty reliable when new but after some wear?
http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-reviews/surly-karate-monkey-27-5-test-ride-review/
Damn. Maybe I'll keep my frame and just update the wheels when they finally die. I'm not sure I can get brake pads anymore for my dia comps.
Are they the posts or the threaded. I think you can still get the post type new. You can ebay for NOS (new old stock) to dig up needed parts. They're out there.
If you're comfortable on your old bike I'd say keep her running at least until you know what you want.
They're posts for the cantilever brakes. I just checked and it looks like the new pads will fit, I need to check the diameter of the post to be sure.
I'm pretty happy with my bike, my son is badgering me to upgrade. In any event, a new bike is at the end of a long line of expenditures. A very long line.
I just searched your bike on google images, truly old school cool.:cool:
I have plastic clip on fenders now, I don't remember what happened to my Bluemels, I also swapped out the steel bull moose handlebars for a straight-ish True Temper CroMo bar, Also swapped out the pedals for Wellgo platform pedals, and of course lost that POS saddle for an Ideale P-39 That just keeps getting better with age. The current tires are MIchelin Country Rock road tires.
I was retro 35 years ago; I was the only guy still wearing wool and chamois cycling shorts, and for the record they are better than lycra *coughemporersnewclothescough* by far.
Mine didn't come with a shoulder strap nor braze-ons to accept one.
http://mombat.org/MOMBAT/BikeHistoryPages/Images/1184Ross3.jpgSo don't tell Pete but some dude from Ithaca wrecked on my favorite trail system and has like 15 broken bones and a gofundme page...
Be careful. :angel:
Or have fun, ride fast, and take chances. :devil:
That sounds really painful. I wonder how the extraction went.
So don't tell Pete but some dude from Ithaca wrecked on my favorite trail system and has like 15 broken bones and a gofundme page...
How about a sticky thread, "Things we're not telling Pete"?
That sounds really painful. I wonder how the extraction went.
Piece by piece.
How about a sticky thread, "Things we're not telling Pete"?
Thing is she will occasionally read cellar...
Word is extraction by four-wheeler. My buddy and I have a standing DNR. Um... don't tell Pete.
Need to stay on the fenceline.
You've been collecting some good shit. I've never seen this fence rider. I want to know more.
Don't know any more about it, I spotted it in a collection of late 19th century inventions.
Gives new definition to 'riding the rails'.
According to
Caroline Rochford's book, this was a short lived single track human powered railroad.
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And Wikipedia has
this entry on it
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Tall Bikes
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If I hadn't sworn off German girls I'd be in love.
One capable of doing that to an innocent bicycle would be scary.
That's what she gets for taking her brother's bike.
The inch and I went mountain biking last Saturday. It was great. On the last run I stalled in this technical spot and did the slow motion topple over because my foot was in the toe clips and was also wedged against a berm of moss.
Managed to hit the only rock on the moss berm and drew blood. I felt totes legit after that and had the inch take a photo to prove it.
I know, barely enough to feed a mosquito but it's still blood
It's official the foot is back in the saddle!
He's bleebin', he's bleebin'!!! Somebody hep 'im!
Naw, he's a biker, he don't need no hep.
Now he'll start itching for a new bike.
http://surlybikes.com/bikes/krampusItching is one thing, scratching is quite another.
You know what they say about men with a wide stance in the airport bathroom...
You know what they say about men with a wide stance in the airport bathroom...
No, what do they say?
They say "You don't get to be a Senator anymore," usually. (Was referring to a scandal about a conservative anti-gay politician who was caught trolling for anonymous gay sex in an airport bathroom. The secret sign was to stick your foot under the stall wall, but his claim was he has a "naturally wide stance" when he takes a public shit.)
I guess everything else has been done...
I'd think that rope sling would chafe.
How many people did it take to get her trussed up? And how many to get her down when she has to pee?
They don't have to get her down, that's why she's wearing goggles.
You know what they say about men with a wide stance in the airport bathroom...
There was two brothers peeing at the edge of a river. One said the water is cold. The other said, yeah and it's deep too.
tarheel
I may have made some ground in the get Pete riding again department. She was a roadie but you can't ride the roads here anymore because of the hater factor. She was never comfortable on a mountain bike but I finally talked her into riding my full suspension. It is nowhere near as compliant as a modern all mountain being meant for xc racing but it does take the edge off. She came back stoked. Now I'm looking at modern used FS bikes for her on PinkBike.
Goddamn the pusher man. :lol:
Put some snow tires on that and she won't have to walk all those miles through the snow...
Don't want her missing work!
Downhill...
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Or go fly a kite...
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That had to be computer generated. No human can do that.
edit: the Dan Atherton thing
Griff and Red Bull could do it! Griff Griff Griff!
Oh, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Me and Danny.
[youtube]xQ_IQS3VKjA[/youtube]
Beautiful.
after that video are suggested videos including this one that then suggests several others that show how they put together that whole video.
I thought this was cool though. Shows that he's human.
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Is that a parachute on his back? :lol:
He looks like Carson Wentz
He does comedy as well.
[youtube]K_7k3fnxPq0[/youtube]
I'm betting he didn't buy that bike at walmart.
Santa Cruz does not make a Walmart quality bike.
Downhill...
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I realize this sounds kinda weird, but that video reminds me of the sub-two-second F1 pit stop performance. 99 things have to go right, all at the same time, all at ludicrous speed, and the stakes are mortal danger. WTF. Except this guy has to do all 99, for 8 minutes, or he dies a painful death.
related question, why are only five or six trees deemed hazardous enough to wrap in wrestling mats? What makes *them* so much scarier that the other 9000 spinal injury sites?
I don't know shiboopy about this stuff but look at the angles and suspension on this bike. It is truly built for this kind of horsing around.
Bet that's more than $79.95. :rolleyes:
Oh and 29" wheels and the human brain/ time dilation...
and the apparent fact that it is incapable of falling over. maybe it's a wheeble.
A lot of mountain biking is going fast enough to maintain the gyroscopic effect.
You mean like trusty number twelve there in post #944?
related question, why are only five or six trees deemed hazardous enough to wrap in wrestling mats? What makes *them* so much scarier that the other 9000 spinal injury sites?
Embedded, sharp bicycle parts? Blood? Teeth? Skull fragments?
Close call...
[YOUTUBE]WINFNvPjbG4[/YOUTUBE]
Halfbike looks brutal to me, like a mobile Thighmaster. :eek:
Or the stairclimber from Hell.
I'd bet that that thing will make you sore in places you didn't know you had places.
Looks like it would tip over forwards really easily. No likey.
Sponges are the secret to barefoot pedaling...
I wonder if they can ride up too?
Climbing is right out due to the drop. Years ago guys built a series of these North Shore features called Area 51 at a local place but the DEC tore them down.
Great ride this am. A little rain so I'm cold and wet. I'm still running rim brakes so a bit of fade in that department. Wet leaves can be a trick but we hammered today. Time to change into dry colthes.
Cold, wet, tired, and pumped up. :lol2:
Bike accessory:
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IPA. The most overrated beverage ever.
I don't care for IPA myself, neither, too.
[strike]IPA.[/strike] Beer. The most overrated beverage ever.
Agreed, except maybe for coffee.
If it weren't for the alcohol, I doubt anyone would drink beer.
Agreed, except maybe for coffee.
If it weren't for the alcohol, I doubt anyone would drink beer.
I like the taste of Beer.
Agreed, except maybe for coffee.
If it weren't for the alcohol, I doubt anyone would drink beer.
Un fun fact:
for about 17 years I drank non alcoholic beer. There's a social aspect to having a beer in your hand to drink while the rest of your company is also drinking. I was sober by choice. It had some advantages, but did not change the end result I was trying to achieve.
I drink alcohol again, again by choice. I like it. I like beer and I like IPAs, among others.
I don't miss NA beer.
I thought this might have already been posted here, but, I went back a year and didn't see it, so:
[ATTACH]58571[/ATTACH]
Agreed, except maybe for coffee.
If it weren't for the alcohol, I doubt anyone would drink beer.
Beer is fucking delicious. Shut your whore mouth.
I thought this might have already been posted here, but, I went back a year and didn't see it, so:
[ATTACH]58571[/ATTACH]
That is very meta...
Funnier w/o the caption
I've seen a similar picture with about a dozen motor scooters.
Beer is fucking delicious. Shut your whore mouth.
Okay, man, okay...Now, put that knife down and help me find my ear.
:p:
Okay, man, okay...Now, put that knife down and help me find my ear.
:p:
[YOUTUBEWIDE]https://youtu.be/jrJQDnAHrRY[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Talk about yer earworms...
Until I can get those fucking rusted bolts out of my rear strut mount I can use one of those rigs for hunting season. Now do they also have some gizmo to help me drag the deer out of the woods and home?
Lazy bastards hereabouts use a four wheeler for everything. God forbid you take an hour to drag a deer out of the woods. /ranty
[YOUTUBEWIDE]https://youtu.be/jrJQDnAHrRY[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Talk about yer earworms...
not a fan
God forbid you take an hour to drag a deer out of the woods. /ranty
God forbid ya have a heart attack and die draggin a deer a couple miles outta the woods.
:yelsick:
Now do they also have some gizmo to help me drag the deer out of the woods and home?
Foot, Popdigr made himself a deer loader for his 4-wheeler using water pipe, a manual boat winch, some steel cable, and a receiver hitch.
You can kinda see what he came up with here, I'm not sure I have another pic of it. He says it works really well.
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The vertical pipe sets inside a few inches of larger pipe so it can swivel around, the whole thing is mounted to a square tube so it slides into a class 3 hitch.
God forbid ya have a heart attack and die draggin a deer a couple miles outta the woods.
:yelsick:
Point taken. Difference with young/healthies though.
Bicycle hazard... :blush:
Ya gotta wonder if the seat or the ass made those holes...:lol2:
Wheee...
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650 ft down... :eek:
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As death defying as that was, I found myself getting bored after about 30 seconds. You could see where it was headed. Part of the danger there is that maybe the rider was also getting bored. Your senses are heightened during a stunt, but if a stunt has a repetitive and unchanging nature like riding in a straight line for three minutes, then do your senses start to become dull at around the 2 minute mark? Is it easier to make a mistake then?
Also, did anyone even for a second think it might be a female doing the stunt? Of course not. Only guys are that completely bone headed. It's amazing more of us don't die.
But he had his safety green jacket and gloves on. :lol:
I was more concerned about the wind.
My knees hurt after watching part of that.
Mocking BMXers. The sound is only music. More better bigger.
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Trivial trivia: I have that gorillapod tripod.
Wheel and Cycling Trade Review, January 1897.
“With a home trainer, electric fan, and cinematograph, all the pleasures of a tour can be had in a hall bedroom.”
As death defying as that was, I found myself getting bored after about 30 seconds. You could see where it was headed. Part of the danger there is that maybe the rider was also getting bored. Your senses are heightened during a stunt, but if a stunt has a repetitive and unchanging nature like riding in a straight line for three minutes, then do your senses start to become dull at around the 2 minute mark? Is it easier to make a mistake then?
Also, did anyone even for a second think it might be a female doing the stunt? Of course not. Only guys are that completely bone headed. It's amazing more of us don't die.
I think part of those types of stunts is being able to continue maintaining focus. There is a type of chip carving, I have to find an example, that is meditation. You can see in the carving the ability of the carver to maintain precise focus.
True about the presumption of the rider being male.
Also, did anyone even for a second think it might be a female doing the stunt? Of course not..
True about the presumption of the rider being male.
I'd like to think female girlwimmins is smrter than that.
Are there any top women in death-defying sports? I can recall the race car driver and maybe a cage fighter?
Maybe a high level of testosterone is the essential ingredient here.
Yes there are, but those sports don't make the evening news or TV coverage. In other words, there's no big money involved.
Are there any top women in death-defying sports? I can recall the race car driver and maybe a cage fighter?
Maybe a high level of testosterone is the essential ingredient here.
That might explain why I am so smart.
Are there any top women in death-defying sports? I can recall the race car driver and maybe a cage fighter?
Maybe a high level of testosterone is the essential ingredient here.
Zoë Bell.
Check her out in Death Proof.
Daaaaaang.
Mom's a nurse, dad's a doctor.
How appropriate for a stunt woman.
World culture. American culture is viral even if our politics s fully broken.
[youtube]DA8s4Ip_6gI[/youtube]
Bikes are great stress relief, add bubble wrap and orgasm...
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Probably better in super slow motion.
Wheelies...
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Volvo Lifepaint finally available online.
LifePaint is a unique water based reflective safety spray. Invisible by daylight, it glows brightly in direct glare of car headlights. Making the invisible, visible. LifePaint washes off, and will not damage the colour or the surface of your chosen material, lasting more than a week of normal usage.
LifePaint can be used in all sorts of ways. Please note that it works best on textile materials. Applied to clothes, shoes, helmets, pushchairs and children's backpacks – even dog leads and collars.
"Life paint washes off." Good business model.
I wonder if you could face-paint with it.
.19 kilograms for 13 pounds...
Does the weight include the can?
Just how much LifePaint is that?
:eyebrow:
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classic asshattery
Classic ignorance
WTF did I do?
classic, just... classic.
Did someone miss a milestone?
You ain't gonna believe this shit...
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Prepared for climate warming...
Cool. Especially as the water flies all over your backside while you're paddling.
You ain't gonna believe this shit...
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Impressive as hell!
I noticed the four brake levers. At first I thought, whoa, redundant cables, he must crush those things. Then it occurred to me that he has, y'know, four wheels, so, four brakes. Derp. Then I wondered how they're setup. My guess is unlike a regular bike where one hand is front and the other hand is back, I think he probably has it setup so that one hand is left and the other hand is right (brakes). This would give him some skid steer control unlike just front/back. I have seen similar single sided brake levers on a friend's sand rail I used to drive.
Prepared for climate warming...
I can see it moving forward slowly if you pedal like crazy, but I don't see how the steering system would be effective at all. I think it only goes straight.
Fool:
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NSFW language getting a fat bike over an electric fence.
[YOUTUBE]eUL56vrK75I[/YOUTUBE]
I laughed awfully hard at that.
Prolly cuz I'm completely pickled atm...
Griff,
The inch finally saved up enough dosh to guy the bike of his dreams, a GIANT Stance. He picked it up shortly after Christmas with his mother. When he picked it up the guys at the shop told him that he could never ride it in th ewinter because the salt would destroy it.
Back in my pre-auto, bike only days I rode all winter in Burlington, VT an would rinse my bike off with hot water after each ride, then wipe it dry and lube as needed.
Is there something special about today's bikes that precludes a post salt ride rinse? I'm wondering about the disk brakes, their mechanism seems crevice-y.
What are your thoughts?
Sorry I missed your post foot. Wow, the Trance is a nice ride. He has good taste.
I'd guess it's the crevice issue. Our old bikes were pretty clean in comparison. My buddy who is wicked fastidious only uses compressed air to clean his full suspension. That wouldn't be sufficient to remove salt. I'd hate him to get salt embedded in his pivots or brake mech. Any chance he'd ride a pos bike on the salty pavement and save the Trance for trail riding? He is your kid though so maybe he'd carefully rinse and dry the bike...
But if the boy doesn't beat it up, I'll never get handed down to 3foot. :lol:
He says it might be tedious to clean the bike so he will use his POS schwinn until the salt is gone.
He's already handed down his Magic Marys since the new bike came with Ardents.
He's already handed down his Magic Marys since the new bike came with Ardents.
Welcome to the crazy world of incompatibility which is modern mtb bikes. These are amazing machines... of course I just picked up new 2.3 tires and rescued and cobbed some Avid V style brakes from a broken frame for my '91 now I just need daylight... or lights. I should be riding now that the snow got et.
And in the 80s I thought Shimano was bad with their incompatible parts...
Shimano was the blueprint for Steve Jobs. Incompatibility is money in the bank.
What a coincidence! I hate them both,
Took an old friend for a swamp ride this am.
No fenders? You got wet. You were counting on Pete giving you a bubble bath, weren't you, you crafty devil. ;)
You probably shouldn't ride your bike while barefoot, but I did everything else barefoot in the summers back then. Those pedals on bare feet were horrible.
We duck taped carpet scraps to them.
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!
Not you, Bike!
built for and with curves!
right turns are my speciALity!
Standard formula... one competitive sport + Reward($ / fame) = Cheating. Sigh
I kept reading his name as Vajay...
It's going to turn into GASCAR tearing bikes apart after races.
I suppose the teams could have factory certified bikes, but there is always Tom Brady.
I kept reading his name as Vajay...
If your name was Jay Vajay...
...in the phone book you would be liste as Vajay, Jay!
Spit warning you fat, stupid, lazy dumbass dick!
Little punk action. :haha:
Good lord that looks painful
Got an old worn out tire and a bit of spare chain? Of course you do, now build yourself a belt...
Cute.
Try and drag that fucker through seven or eight belt loops.
I thought so.
I think Popular Mechanics had a kid's project making a belt out of a bike tire and a Matchbox/Hot Wheels-type car for a buckle in the most recent issue.
Cute.
Try and drag that fucker through seven or eight belt loops.
I thought so.
Like this? Smart people put the belt on the pants before the put the pants on them. :p:
I think Popular Mechanics had a kid's project making a belt out of a bike tire and a Matchbox/Hot Wheels-type car for a buckle in the most recent issue.
It did.
Funny coincidence too, because a few weeks ago my son made one of these
high end belts. So to see an article about another kid making a custom belt just a week later was a bit of a coincidence.
If you were going to ride your bike in the Tour Divide Race from Canada to Mexico, would you ride it 2100 miles to get to the start?
This girl did.
She is a monster! 183 miles on the first day with full packs, road through a lung infection, and sucked it up despite the route change which took her win. Solid person.
impressive.
I'd like to see the load out for her travels. Where does she get food and water, etc. Camping? I guess she's in a bivy sack. after that everything else would just be ballast.
Imma effort the bike packing packing list.
Spirit: Above all, attempts are intended to be solo / self-supported, self-timed, and observed as one stage, i.e. the clock runs non-stop. The challenge is complete upon arrival to the opposite GDMBR terminus from start. There are no required checkpoints or designated rest periods on course. There is no finish time cut-off, however, current convention considers a competitive Divide Route finish time as approximately 1.5 times (x) course records. Currently this = 25days (~110 mi/day) for men, and 29.5 days (93 mi/day) for women. Item 3 FAQs
Modus operandi: To complete the Route, a rider may resupply food / equipment, rent a room, launder clothing, even service their bike at commercial shops along the way. The intent is to ride unsupported between towns, and function self-supported when in towns. Any services utilized must always be commercially available to all challengers and not pre-arranged[1]. No private resupply, no private lodging.
linkI think he sort of took liberties with the Arabic, but it's cool.
Sometimes the uphills take some urging. ;)
Gots to have gears...
That bike is teh awesome!!:devil:
The Dutch use bikes for everything.
Computers using "Deep Learning" design frames.
Junkyardbike’s story
I was contacted by rhm with the universal C and V (bikers code for I need another biker to help me) SOS signal, which the code dictates I heed. I could sense rhm's excited anticipation. Who wouldn't want to participate in the hunt? It's in the blood!
On initial phone contact, the seller told me the bike was being offered first come, first served. Not wanting to drive 100 miles for nothing, I stated my definitive intentions to buy, and was promised the bike. I headed out into the driving rain, kids in tow (they need training in the field, no?), to arrive there exactly when the seller stated he'd be home.
I arrived early, before the seller. The rains had stopped, always a promising sign. The seller rolled up, took a look at me, then headed to the shed without a word. He rolled the Norman out, and I thought this couldn't be the bike. I was prepared to find frame damage, missing parts (he claimed it to be all original) or some other compromises.
I looked at the SA hub. '49? It couldn't be, it was pristine! I began to have sinister thoughts, thoughts that violate the sacred code. The seller told me it was his father-in-law's, that it could sell for $1000 (well, perhaps that's a stretch?). He suggested I tell rhm it was sold. No, banish the thought!
I was a bit nervous about the ride home. The rain was starting up again. I had brought a tarp and plastic covering for the saddle, as the bike would by carried on a rear car rack, but it could protect only so much. It's likely that's the only rain to ever touch the bike. At home, the kids and I spent an hour with towels and a hair dryer. It was a labor of love.
rhm’s story
Sadly, I have sold the Norman Rapide. As I knew all along, the frame was too small for me, and since I have picked up a Raleigh Record Ace that fits much better, I wasn't riding the Rapide any more. And it is just right for the buyer, who appreciates this type of bike fully as much as I. So... it seemed the right thing to do.
I will now let the new happy owner gloat...
Photogravity’s story
As with other things related to my bicycling hobby, it all started out innocently enough... Back in January after facilitating a bicycle purchase for fender1, I needed to transport a bike to Philadelphia. Since I was pretty close to NJ, it was decided that I'd catch up with rhm to do a ride with him and a couple other forum members.
At some point in the day there was a conversation that went something like this:
rhm: 'I have a bike that would be perfect for you.'
me: 'Really, what's that?'
rhm: 'My Norman Rapide.'
me: 'Hmm, sounds intriguing. Is there a thread about it on the forums?
rhm: 'Sure.'
Upon my arrival home and taking my Peugeot off the car and moving it into the house, I went to my computer and proceeded to google the term "norman rapide site:bikeforums.net" and the first hit was this very thread. I was so excited that, while I didn't get excited enough to pee my pants, I was sufficiently excited to call my wife into the room and show her the thread and started smoothing the way for her acceptance of another bike into the house.
A short time later, in mid February, rhm mentioned he was going to be in my area, so I asked him if he might be able to bring the bike down with him let me see it and take it for a ride. He stated that he'd have room to bring it down, but probably wouldn't have sufficient room to take it back home. Later that evening we had spoke on the phone and somehow I convinced him to bring the bike and leave it with me. Mind you, rhm and I had only met a few months earlier at the Trexlertown swap meet and then again at the ride in January where he mentioned the Rapide. Now that's what I'd call trust!
On the day and time that rhm indicated, I met him at the prescribed location where, upon arrival, the bicycle was already out of the vehicle leaning against the bumper. I got out of the car, exchanged pleasantries with rhm and he introduced me to his daughter who, evidently having seem rhm in bike-geek mode enough over the years, proceeded to ignore the conversation as I oohed and aahed over the bike, and rhm waxed poetic over the finer points of the bike. Since rhm was in a hurry to get to his destination, I loaded the bike on the car and headed home while he proceeded on his trip.
Upon my arrival home, I unloaded the bike and took it for a ride. Frankly, the first ride was a bit tentative because I was; a) worried about crashing the bike and b) thinking how I hadn't ridden a drop bar bike for several months. I could tell the bike had a lively ride with light responsive handling but, while the first impression was positive, I was reserving final judgment after more seat time.
After my second ride I was still getting accustomed to the bicycle, but the third ride which was just short of 30 miles, I decided that I wanted the bike. I was no longer going to wait for rhm to tell me how much he wanted for the bike. It was time for me to take control of the situation and make an offer on the bike. After considerable haggling (actually that's a lie), we arrived at a price that was fair to rhm and even fairer to me, if you can imagine that!
So there you see the slippery slope of the poor wretches hooked on bikes.
linkA 2000 study in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, found that though hikers greatly outnumber bikers on trails, the number of bear encounters for the bikers was disproportionately high. The study attributed the numbers to bikers' increased speed and stealth when traveling.
Usually it's the pedestrian who gets the worst of it, but a big Grizzly changes the odds. Traveling stealthy gets you up close and personal with nature, you just have to remember there's some nature you don't want personal. At least clip a card into the spokes.
Make do...
Shortly after the starting line in a Cape Town bike race, the course goes under a building. There were gale force winds that day, and the building funneled them into a localized wind tunnel. Race was cancelled.
[YOUTUBE]LyuBZeRwSvk[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBEWIDE]LyuBZeRwSvk[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
A cyclist's view.
Race start at 45 seconds. they come to a screeching halt at 1:15, but many in this first wave make it through.
[YOUTUBE]pkmVk6dRvLo[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBEWIDE]pkmVk6dRvLo[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
This guy would clean their clocks. ;)
[YOUTUBE]MAxPvKa8jUs[/YOUTUBE]
Make bicycles great again.
When the alternative was a horse or shanksmare, the bicycles were competing heavily in Europe.
Especially in cites where a horse wasn't cheap or convenient, in this case France.
Googles self driving bike in the Netherlands.
[YOUTUBE]LSZPNwZex9s[/YOUTUBE]
I love that. The best part is the little girl trying to climb into the bike. And the google lollipop.
Pro bike racers are like ballet dancers, graceful to watch, but they both pay the price in wear and tear.
Bicycling in an abandoned salt mine:
[YOUTUBE]3hLO8M0FNRM[/YOUTUBE]
Much better bigger.
Kinda digging that tune in the background, too.:jig:
That was short and sweet.
I guess this is used for training to built leg muscles and wind. :haha:
oh how cute, a baby manual steamroller
A warning from the Boy Scouts, take care of that boner before you leave.
...and make pedaling difficult.
i road after work today, am feeling sooooo melllllooooowwwwwww.
If you search for the aurora, why walk? ;)
The artist/designer said not only bright colors but multiple layers so they wouldn't get lost in the tree limbs behind.
Right after the stone axe...
Jap shipyard commissions racks for their bike riders. Every time I look at them I think I'm seeing double.
A warning from the Boy Scouts, take care of that boner before you leave.
Two Dutch girls are out riding their bikes when one of them suggests taking an alternate, scenic route home. After a while they are in an area that the other girl doesn't recognize and she has no idea where they are or which direction home is. As it is getting towards dusk she becomes nervous and a bit agitated, she says to her friend, "I've never come this way before." And her friend turns to her, smiling, and says, "I know, it's the cobblestones."
Those damn rebels are getting out of hand...
A 7000 mile ride can teach you a lot...
[YOUTUBE]zUTL4Op56CM[/YOUTUBE]
It might even teach you to avoid bears...
[YOUTUBE]V5AN0jRzPMI[/YOUTUBE]
That's something you'll regret.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Not a bike chain!
All chains are dangerous, as are whips, and tricksy ladies. ;)
No flats.
Now there's a user name I haven't seen in awhile...!
Hi Scop, that's what happens when those bike riders take up a whole lane.;)
Don't worry about getting shot, worry about terrorist suicide squirrels...
What the hell were these guys thinking? Well they obviously weren't, so what the hell were these guys drinking?
Couldn't find it elsewhere so facefuck it is.
https://www.facebook.com/TheWebVideo/videos/1500220153353424/I always wondered how my old 3 speed changed gears just by pulling on that ball chain coming out of the fat hub in the back.
This explains it even better, but it sure is complicated.
[YOUTUBE]K3QJTTcDXJo[/YOUTUBE]
What the hell were these guys thinking? Well they obviously weren't, so what the hell were these guys drinking?
Couldn't find it elsewhere so facefuck it is.
https://www.facebook.com/TheWebVideo/videos/1500220153353424/
GAH!!I've rebuilt a few Sturmey-Archer three speed hubs, back in my wrenching days. They are cool AF
My second bike was some English three speed with a Sturmey-Archer hub. I loved it. I bought it for $12 at a police auction. I must have been about 12 or 13 years old. I had $15 to spend and the bike started off with maybe a $10 bid. I bid on it, and then some adult man who had been bidding on a lot of bikes bid against me. So I looked at him, and I can only imagine the expression on my face. I bid $12, and he stopped bidding. I think he took pity on me.
Fast forward two years and somebody stole it from me. It had a cheap combination lock. Pissed me off. I loved that bike. It had a leather seat and green paint. And a cool rack. Really big wheels too. It seemed so fast.
Theft was how I lost my Sears Automatic Five as a kid. Riding it was kinda/sorta like driving a car with an automatic transmission.
It had a 5 speed external rear gear cluster, changing gears manually with a conventional selector lever, on a Shimano internal automatic 2 speed (direct and overdrive) hub. As the bike was ridden, an internal sensor changed the freewheel from direct to overdrive. There was a speed selector dial on the spoke protector, with five sensitivity positions, adjusted by turning the protector plate. That provided a range of RPMs over which to set the 2 speed hub to change automatically. The 5 speed rear gear cluster in conjunction with the automatic 2 speed hub gave 10 different gear ratios with a single chain wheel. On the cap in the center of the rear gear cluster, where the axle came through, it said "Automatic Five." Losing that came as a hard blow at the time.
http://www.sturmey-archer.com/
Still kicking. Sunrace bought them and moved everything to Taiwan.
Things you do on a bike you shouldn't do in the office.
[YOUTUBE]KViko78xYaQ[/YOUTUBE]
Snot rocket was the first thing I thought of when I saw the title
Not in the office, sure. But I do not need a bike under me to fire a snot rocket.
Instead of a yoga mat, a portable(moveable) bike training bowl.
Build up those leg muscles...
Sometimes a lock isn't enough...
Show that biker who's boss.
[VIMEO]219829891[/VIMEO]
that's pretty funny. I have incurred rates above the base rate a number of times.
Webco claims they are(were) making the only magnesium wheels for motocross bikes. As I understand it motocross is a jumpy landy, rockem sockem type of race. I've never had real magnesium wheels, but word on the street was for cars competition only. On the street a pothole ding or a little curb rash could cause catastrophic failure under stress.
The Inch had saved up all his allowance, gift money, Urlaubsgeld, earnings, etc. and bought himself a mountain bike last year. Since then he's just recently bought himself a GoPro and has been making videos of himself and his pals bombing along on the various nearby trails.
[YOUTUBE]YAIGdP8IZAk[/YOUTUBE]
Excellent! Can he ride to those trails or does he need a lift?
Damn. Is that kid's head attached to his body, or is it floating along on a drone or something?
Unique for sure, but just a novelty I think?
[VIMEO]123066397[/VIMEO]
Excellent! Can he ride to those trails or does he need a lift?
Most of the really good trails are 45 min to an hour away. There are a couple of so so trails nearby.
Damn. Is that kid's head attached to his body, or is it floating along on a drone or something?
He's got the GoPro mounted to his helmet. It has image stabilization, I think.
The Inch had saved up all his allowance, gift money, Urlaubsgeld, earnings, etc. and bought himself a mountain bike last year. Since then he's just recently bought himself a GoPro and has been making videos of himself and his pals bombing along on the various nearby trails.
[YOUTUBE]YAIGdP8IZAk[/YOUTUBE]
Way to go Inch!
From watching other's videos the chest mount gives a more natural feel.
Way to go Inch!
From watching other's videos the chest mount gives a more natural feel.
He's been talking about getting one of those. Does more natural mean bouncy or just less hover-ey?
The hovery thing.
[youtube]6DkdKHWC210[/youtube]
Oh and I did a pedal strike endo tonight. I hadn't done that in years. Down stroke on a hidden stump and bam, ass over tea cup. No harm no foul.
Not so gentle reminder? lol
Woods to Griff, we're still here. ;)
♫ Papas don't let you babies grow up to be bikers...
Kids are supposed to learn to ride younger and better with this contraption.
[YOUTUBE]35BzaE6ch7I [/YOUTUBE]
That should be be rated PG 35. :eek: :lol:
Very cool!
A smaller bike I see. Easier to hop higher I reckon. Why pedal backwards while riding backwards, I wonder. It looks like a freewheel hub, right?
I could actually hear that music. That part where he rode the hand rail was impressive. Its a trick bike I'm sure.
Very cool!
A smaller bike I see. Easier to hop higher I reckon. Why pedal backwards while riding backwards, I wonder. It looks like a freewheel hub, right?
I think the back-pedal is just a mental trick for balance. From the look of my body today, I may need to be more subtle like that. :)
Wait, if the backpedal is for balance, what's propelling him backwards? Momentum?
I'd have to look closely but you can pump a bike without engaging the drive train. It's a bmx thing where you amplify the momentum with downward pressure. This is way outside my knowledge base but pump tracks are a thing. I assume you (if your name is Danny McCaskill) can do this backwards as well as forwards.
Thanks, it just seemed counterintuitive, but obviously there's a whole set of physics I know nothing about at work here. :blush:
[YOUTUBEWIDE]uhvNpeWgbMM[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
and this kid applies that to a loooooooooong nose manual
[YOUTUBEWIDE]KALVtI1exjI[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Wow, that looks like a lot of work, I had no idea you had that much control.
I never saw a unicycle with a spare tire before. :haha:
Nice solo ride tonight. 1 hour and 20 minutes of wooded bliss, so to speak.
You should take a minute to read the story of
Major Taylor, the Worcester Whirlwind.I know Marshall Taylor from sitting in an empty bike shop surrounded by industry pron.
Kids are supposed to learn to ride younger and better with this contraption.
[YOUTUBE]35BzaE6ch7I [/YOUTUBE]
I've heard them called "boneshakers" but they look more like ballsmashers.
Power to the people man, power to the people who have an extra $5 grand. :haha:
They are hiding the assist motor in the frames of bikes now using tech developed to cheat at road racing. This promises to help get mountain bikes banned from multi-use tracks. Someone showed up with one for a group ride my retired buddy did. He was livid. It is a great advance for para-athletes and commuters, the rest of us should leave it be. :soapbox:
Yes, a horse of another color, and great opportunity for us old farts to get out. But cross breeding is trouble for everyone.
20 years ago the bike riders in Europe said WTF, we're a big percentage of people on the road, yet cars ignore bike lanes either as parking lots or speedways, and run over us with impunity. Well we're mad as hell and not going to take it any more. So they didn't.
Well shit, what did they do?
Did they just stop dying?
I wouldn't know how to begin to look something like that up.
yeaz i would definitely use a lectric bike to commute, except that 4 miles of the commute would be along serious death-causing roadways.
We've given up on road riding, between outright aggression, poor roads, and distracted driving the risk is too great.
Bad in the sticks, safer in close to urban areas where the streets are straight and speeds low. Not safe, safer.
I love Bikes!!!!
I have a mountain Bike but
I love Bikes!!!!
I have a mountain Bike but
... You have a mountain bike, but...
We'll have to wait thirteen years to hear The Rest Of The Story.. [/paulharvey]
?
oops!! I dunno what happend :D
I have a mountain bike but I havent rode it in a few years..... Maybe I will again soon I dunno.......
I love Bikes!!!!
I have a mountain Bike but
... You have a mountain bike, but...
We'll have to wait thirteen years to hear The Rest Of The Story.. [/paulharvey]
?
oops!! I dunno what happend :D
I have a mountain bike but I havent rode it in a few years..... Maybe I will again soon I dunno.......
That story sucked!:lol2:
Bikes in the city.
[YOUTUBEWIDE]L5NHyeF8q3c[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Good rider to survive there. NYC just reduced their speed limits so it may be a better place for bikes...
Speed limits? We don't need no speed limits. We don't obey no stinkin speed limits. :ninja:
That's a hella sharp pebble, news. :eek:
I suspect this is and electric assist but a cool looking bike anyway.
Riding that bike, I expect one would look like one had been shot ass-first-out-of-a-cannon. Feet waaaay too far forward. Who has forward controls on a bicycle?
Want to park, just stick your finger in a hole in the sidewalk and pull the sucker up. The lock the bike and wipe your finger with alcohol real good. :eyebrow:
Mamas don't let your babies grow up to drink Red Bull.
[YOUTUBE]74fhD_DNGQY[/YOUTUBE]
Pretty fly for a white guy.
i just sold my bike now i need a new 1
pls friends who is a united fan here,if u love the red devils lets know you
My only suggestion is that he should be wearing a helmet.
If it were me, I would be wearing all sorts of pads in addition to a helmet. I'd look like a stormtrooper
I like how he has hopped off the seat and is standing on the little ladder prongs for climbing up onto the thing. Lowers his center of gravity for taking the turns and absorbs shocks better.
Something can be said about the camera man. Really good work there.
My only suggestion is that he should be wearing a helmet.
Doesn't matter, his head is already defective. :lol:
Took my cow-orker to the ER at the low part of my day but when I got home... (she's okay btdubs)
I dare the Inch to pass me now, try it punk!
Oh dear, you're going to pedal your eye out. :eek:
Is that a canilevered rear suspension?
Noyce.
This is way too sweet for me! Unfortunately, I won't get a chance to ride for another week. You can follow
this to a better view of the suspension linkage. cunning (and obviously I didn't pay msrp)
Where did they hide the motor? :haha:
Where did they hide the motor? :haha:
You didn't just go there! LOL
You'll regret your purist attitude on the uphills, against the wind, being chased by a bear, when you gotta pee. :crone:
I finally did a real ride, 3.5 hours, on the new beast. It felt like cheating. The 29" wheels rolled over everything. The suspension was set up a little soft but did not mess with the climbs. I put a little more air in it when I got back to the truck. It is easy to over steer with the wider bars and I need to learn the width of the bike for those speeder chase situations. The bike began to disappear under me. Hydraulic brakes are amazing. They are always there with a feather light touch. There are a couple steep creek bed crossing we do and the slightly slacker head tube and larger wheels made them a breeze. very much mud.
Sound like a guy that traded his VW for a Caddy. :D
When bikes were simple...
Well, sure. If you don't take teh wheels, etc. apart.
Be sure to invest in a strong lock and chain.
I slowed the rebound in the rear shock for yesterdays ride. The setup is getting dialed in. I may rotate the handlebar 90° turning the sweep into a rise.
Someone here in town has theyself one of themthere 'lectric bicycles.
It's a 1950s-looking bike, and the dude is like a 60-ish looking hippie-dude, with a long-ish blonde hair and a handlebar mustache.
He passed me yesterday evening on the square, zipping right along (20 mph, maybe) with the faintest little whir as he went by.
Motor on the rear hub, btw.
Someone here in town has theyself one of themthere 'lectric bicycles.
It's a 1950s-looking bike, and the dude is like a 60-ish looking hippie-dude, with a long-ish blonde hair and a handlebar mustache.
He passed me yesterday evening on the square, zipping right along (20 mph, maybe) with the faintest little whir as he went by.
Motor on the rear hub, btw.
I saw a kid in Nazi gear on one... not sure what he's going for. They seem handy for around town.
Just squeezed in a ride after work. Days are getting short. There is a real flowing section of the trail that I got to while on night vision. It was amazing running it in low light, everything went quiet and relaxed, rolling smooth climbs, swinging through curves, building momentum off the backside of each knoll, it was a beautiful run.
This is your reward for the years of running what ya brung. :thumb:
This amount of joy...
[YOUTUBEWIDE]iSLkIskvjRk[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
When he was riding the iron railing I noticed he was going back and forth with the pedals so it's not a direct drive. Oh wait, we talked about this before when he was riding backwards. [SIZE="1"]nevermind[/SIZE]
I don't remember ever seeing a compilation of Macaskill bloopers.The closest is...
[YOUTUBE]vZoTJad3f-A[/YOUTUBE]
Fancy...
Just hang them out the window...
Not sure of the Bees, but the Birds do it...
Just hang them out the window...
Upping the degree of difficulty for being ripped of. A kid on reddit reported having his bike stolen on campus despite three locks on it.
I'm not one for victim blaming, but 3 locks would certainly draw attention to the bike, and locks only slow thieves down. If the thief felt like they could take the time to get through them, then they probably did more harm than good.
I think if you leave a decent bike outside on a college campus you're asking to get ripped off. It is a shame but that's the world. Stolen bikes can be parted out on ebay in no time.
Bike and camp with the old men tonight.
zoom...
Just hang them out the window...
That's borderline brilliant.
If you live a few floors up. You still have to deal with water, mud, chewing gum across the floor though.
I've seen that done with a motorcycle too.
Maybe it's the Tour de Frenchy.
If you want to go really fast...
I realize this is a homemade rig, I have the same corkscrew, but is that the functional front brake or a parking / hill holding brake?
Could use either hand too.
Cut away driveshaft housing... will that thing coast?
The hub probably lets it coast.
right.
expects to be treated like a car, EXCEPT when being treated like a pedestrian allows him to maintain his momentum.
Load 'em up, fix 'em up, yay profit.
I've never been to Burning Man and doubt I will ever go, but I have huge respect for the organization that puts it on the the lengths they go to to clean the place up so that there is no trace that the 70,000 people were there. They even pick up sequins that have fallen off clothing. They get everything. Including the ash left after the fires.
...sending bikes to Houston/Puerto Rico...
That is an insanely awesome idea.
Insane is right. Have you ever tried to ride a bike to Puerto Rico?
What, ya never heard of balloon tires? :haha"
Aw pipe down or you'll get the hose.
...it rubs the lotion on its skin
or else it gets the hose again...
Make sure you stay on the bike path for safety.
Holy shit, that's an understatement, it even turned the black dogs hair white.:eek:
Interesting front suspension.
I don't know whose was first Harley or Schwinn. I rode my Uncle's when I was in Texas when I was a kid. That Springer front end was smooth as silk.
Motorcycles all used a girder front end up until WW I, The springer, which is a first cousin to the girder, after WW II. The trouble with both is cornering, especially if it's bumpy. Slow it's OK, fast you're in a world of hurt. No idea when bicycles used them, except obviously in '52.
Looks like an awful lot of science and man hours have gone into creating the perfect combinations for your needs. I would think that wouldn't happen unless there's a market to make it worthwhile. Or are they are making all the possibilities available for you to experiment with?
Winter is coming, be glad you have other transportation options.
Took the Mrs. to Jones Park yesterday. That was some technical riding. There were a lot of creek crossings and tight steep climbs. Pete is new to this so some frustration was noted. She'll be back.
Based on an initial glance at that photo, I thought you two had invented mountain unicycling.
That would not be an unreasonable thought, considering the accomplishments coming from Griftopia. :cool:
Based on an initial glance at that photo, I thought you two had invented [SIZE="4"]mountain unicycling[/SIZE].
In
vented? Doubtful.
In
sane? Undoubtedly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUZuyMVdVcc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5A74Qhk-RIA highly skilled technician can make it happen...
No wucking fay. There is know way I'm putting my fat ass on that seatpost.
Let's face it bicycles are not great winter transportation in the northern climes. Soon it will be time to put it away for winter. But that presents the problem of space. You need that spot in the living room for the Christmas tree, those hooks in the hallway for winter coats. and lord help you if you block the laundry room. What to do, what to do?
I've got the perfect solution, bunky. break it down and re-purpose the parts till spring. :blush:
Not winter yet! Ideal fall ride yesterday.
Somebody must have stolen the front wheels so no sense in wasting the rest...
You think the downhill is rough on your fancy bike? Try this...
[YOUTUBE]z5A74Qhk-RI[/YOUTUBE]
You think the downhill is rough on your fancy bike? Try this...
[YOUTUBE]z5A74Qhk-RI[/YOUTUBE]
Badass noted.
Invented? Doubtful.
Insane? Undoubtedly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUZuyMVdVcc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5A74Qhk-RI
You think the downhill is rough on your fancy bike? Try this...
[YOUTUBE]z5A74Qhk-RI[/YOUTUBE]
I did.
Well, I tried the video. My unicyling days are behind me. I gave it away in the last move. I had a bunch of stuff out on the sidewalk as I was emptying the garage and a dad and his 9 year old daughter came walking past. She was so excited about the unicycle, I gave it to her. Dad kind of rolled his eyes, but he let her take it. I expect I'll see her in the next Norwegian Day parade.
It was an old Univega, blue and white seat with a chrome fork, similar to this one.That's the kind of touching, coincidental moment that gets recounted in a memoir 50 years later, after she takes the world by storm and becomes the world's first sitting President to unicycle across Asia for charity, or something.
Just Griff on a Sunday afternoon jaunt... :D
Strange construction, undressed welds, art? Practical?
They were cursing the cobblestone and looking for a way to smooth the ride.
1st Nun on a bicycle - I've never come this way before.
2nd Nun on a bicycle - That's why I picked this route.
They were cursing the cobblestone...
Callback:
Two Dutch girls are out riding their bikes when one of them suggests taking an alternate, scenic route home. After a while they are in an area that the other girl doesn't recognize and she has no idea where they are or which direction home is. As it is getting towards dusk she becomes nervous and a bit agitated, she says to her friend, "I've never come this way before." And her friend turns to her, smiling, and says, "I know, it's the cobblestones."
:lol2:
I saw one of these ridiculous things on the freeway the other day. It happened to take the same exit as me, so I was able to get a closer look at it as we drove into town.
The one I saw had a big airfoil on the back, like this:
The driver pulled in to the local Elks Club bar. Guess he wanted to show his goofy new toy to his drinking buddies. :lol:
Looks fun and impractical
I'd rather have the 3rd wheel in front where god intended.
Looks fun and impractical
And expensive. They run run
$20,000 to $30,000. :eek:
At least the builder was...
Big warning sign, what more could you want.
Even has a glove holder to fool the cops...
Picked up at the border, some silly rule about having to fill tires with a gas, not coke.
A proposed 50,000 mile bicycle route is far from complete.
It must be difficult to balance with balls big enough to ride that 20 foot monster...
How fast around the corners would ya have to go to lean that fucker over to 45 degrees?
I bet he doesn't ride under many bridges in Pennsylvania.
Staying away from PA bridges is smart generally.
Nice wet ride with Benny this am.
You should really get an old bike to ride is the rain instead of Benny.:rolleyes:
Really, much lighter than a heavy duty chain and lock.
How to make riding a trainer less sucky:
Start with a Ted Talk or similar for warmup today Martyn Ashton.
[YOUTUBE]CYebJBcLZHA[/YOUTUBE]
Then move to intervals, Bouncing Souls love to take the pace up and down.
[YOUTUBE]NlMgflQsB1E[/YOUTUBE]
It isn't that rich people have better equipment, it's how they store it. :lol:
I should get a picture of my basement where my son is getting in to tearing bikes apart, right in the path between the washer and dryer.
How to make riding a trainer less sucky:
Start with a Ted Talk or similar for warmup today Martyn Ashton.
[YOUTUBE]CYebJBcLZHA[/YOUTUBE]
Then move to intervals, Bouncing Souls love to take the pace up and down.
[YOUTUBE]NlMgflQsB1E[/YOUTUBE]
[SIZE="6"]
OHHHHHH!!![/SIZE]
I'm not 100% sure those horses are legit.
No more flats, great for rental bikes...
Griff, you simply must... unless you don't give a fork. :haha:
I have an old one from Park tool.
This looks like a workable idea, cheap, durable, won't scratch up the bike.
But only if you're not concerned about theft...
This is a promo or YT bikes. Bike video has been upping its game.
[YOUTUBE]u4ehyHxaGWk&feature=share[/YOUTUBE]
Saracen promo.
[YOUTUBE]K2fq0dXEuKU[/YOUTUBE]
Whistler has turned itself into the place to go. It's on my list. (not a boobie video)
[YOUTUBE]Mnk4GA2xxLc[/YOUTUBE]
Whistler is indeed beautiful, that video is no exaggeration. I've been there twice, once in winter, once in summer. It's very steep, the village is a tiny speck at the base of towering mountains. So steep, so overpowering, majestic, imposing. And speaking for the village, ... heh.. .bring money. Whistler is not cheap. Look for a travel/lodging deal cause you'll need plenty money.
Crazy beautiful...
This old Indian has an interesting frame, looks like a modified bicycle design.
So the pedal is the origin of the kick start?
Most motorcycle manufacturers made bicycles. As engine manufacturing improved they were applied to bicycles. Obviously the frames of bicycles at that time couldn't handle the stress of an engine.
The engines weren't hard to kick over so a bicycle pedal was adequate. As cc's increased something heavy duty was made.
I imagine if the foreign manufacturers hadn't put electric start on their bikes we would still be kick starting our Harley's. Don't get me wrong I love mine, but Harley seems to wait 20 yrs to see what the Japanese have done.
Their worst mistake is the abs system. The fluid has to be purged every 2 yrs or the modules will corrode. Whats with that shit? Do you think they would fix this defect on their own. Oh hell no. 177,500 bike owners are being recalled, because of insistence by Uncle Sam.
I never even considered that bikes would have ABS...
Some bikes link the front and rear braking systems, too.
They also have traction and wheelie control, nowadays.
Mad Cow bike, do not stop quick, never, nada, no.
You could alway stick a card in the spokes, or a zoom zoom recording. :lol:
Just lean forward over those hipster dufus handlebars and go "Vroooom, vrooom!!"
I hope Danny has his tetanus shots up to date.
[YOUTUBE]ShbC5yVqOdI [/YOUTUBE]
You don't suppose he did a practice run first do you? :rolleyes:
He has outtake clips that are as entertaining as the successful rides. Kid knows how to fall. It's interesting that he is better at slackline on a bike than on his feet.
I don't see the point except to be different. :confused:
Design challenge: Make an inefficient bicycle
Keeps the damn whippersnappers from putting cards in their spokes and making that racket.
You've come a long way baby...
[YOUTUBE]HDyl3Ij1Myo[/YOUTUBE]
Ain't nobody got time for that, cut to the chase... :haha:
[YOUTUBE]RdaTeiJl_RY[/YOUTUBE]
Well if you want fast...
[YOUTUBE]BqrBk_vWj40[/YOUTUBE]
This looks like a workable idea, cheap, durable, won't scratch up the bike.
But only if you're not concerned about theft...
Or a bazillion wasp nests.
Whistler has turned itself into the place to go. It's on my list. (not a boobie video)
[YOUTUBE]Mnk4GA2xxLc[/YOUTUBE]
Not a boobie video? You've got the wrong man, I spell
my name DANGER.
The Inch has been saving up to go to Whistler with his pals after granulation.
You could alway stick a card in the spokes, or a zoom zoom recording. :lol:
hilarious
Oh to be young and hip... good on inch.
Rotorua Downhill
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/downhill-live-stream-crankworx-rotorua-2018.html
Ain't nobody got time for that, cut to the chase... :haha:
[YOUTUBE]RdaTeiJl_RY[/YOUTUBE]
Two different events, one amazing place.
Yeah, it lasted what, 9 days? :eek:
Much horseplay!
[YOUTUBE]lClAZdPH9eA[/YOUTUBE]
If you had asked whether we wanted to see a pic of Roy's whizzer, I think there woulda been a resounding "Hell No!"
But, then maybe someone woulda thought bicycle.
Danny again with help from Claudio. Music by Talisco is outstanding.
[YOUTUBE]dr-wLhP_HpM[/YOUTUBE]
I'm amazed at the abuse the tires and wheels take.
I'm amazed at the abuse the tires and wheels take.
I need tires like that for my damned truck! :rolleyes:
I'm amazed at the abuse the tires and wheels take.
The new tech is amazing. It better be when you're paying $60 -$100 bucks a tire... They run tubeless low pressure in a high volume tire along with the suspension, add a talented rider and you can usually avoid damage. I'm still kind of old school on the width of tires running a 29x2.125? These guys are probably running 27.5x3 or more.
The tires currently on GrandCherokeeOne cost $43 each.
My 4 cost $1200 and I wouldn't do that too them. :eek:
Strong wheel...
In honor of Bruce's underground skiing. I give you mine mountain biking.
[YOUTUBE]Thu6AmreSCk[/YOUTUBE]
I figured those were m'homeys. Not a lot of mine/cave parks around.;)
We finally caught a weather break yesterday and I was over hours for the week so...
That snow looks slick.
Your perspective looks *awesome*.
There really wasn't much ice/snow left so I just had to be less aggressive in those moments. Great ride. I'm trying to get in shape and drop the excess weight so my buddy ride is less painful. I lost 5 pounds this week.
I think this is fake, he doesn't look a day over 65... ;)
[YOUTUBE]P4nn8O_wAU8[/YOUTUBE]
Take the slow ride...
cool.
Half step between a bike and a unicycle...
A unicycle w/a training wheel...
Why not, is this a bike with training wheels or a trike with a spare?
Riding slabs in Squamish BC. Gorgeous scenery and likely tougher riding than GoPro makes it look.
[YOUTUBEWIDE]G-XVkYuPCd0[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
3.5 minutes.
No thank you.
Something tells me that was much steeper than it looked. And, that, if I tried that I would not have an unbroken bone in either hand.
I wanna see the thighs on that guy/gal. :eek:
I'm a beautiful old child...
Beautiful? I'd buy pretty old child maybe. :p:
Horses being displaced...
Whoop la, out of the way
We come with lightning speed
There’s nothing like a rattling gait
Of the flying velocipede.
It never runs away
And it doesn’t take much to feed
It’s thoroughly reliable
The new velocipede.
Upon the way you work your legs
And feet depends its speed
And that’s about the total off
The new velocipede…
I'm a beautiful old child...
Bruce has a bike for you.
Knocked off work and had a great ride yesterday. 2 hours of singletrack with the temp over 80F! Lots of new trails being built and I no dabbed the return loop with 4 creek crossings!
Elevation
529' Ascent
-528' Descent
What? it starts and stops at the same place, how can they be different?
Are you with the USGS? :)
The data is user collected. YMMV
Hey Griff
I see bikes *everywhere* around here (Seattle's previous mayor, a few times removed (we kinda go through mayors) was a bike nut). I think of you when I see them, here's one I got a picture of, more to follow.
[ATTACH]63746[/ATTACH]
Now that disc brakes are the thing these utility bikes have some... utility.
What's the space age thingy on the end of the handlebar? Mirror? Running light? Vibrating seat control?
Probably a rear view mirror coincidentally photographed edge on
Why would a bicycle in the city need a rear-view mirror, they don't give a shit about anyone behind them, they're just watching for the next stop sign or red light they can ignore.
So they can see you coming
So you like to go downhill. So does the Padre...
[YOUTUBE]TSkwY9EuP5E[/YOUTUBE]
You can also go downhill in Peru...
[YOUTUBE]IZutG3czrw4[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]ud71draBf44[/YOUTUBE]
Or New Zealand...
[YOUTUBE]zc2Nq-HKGK4[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]C-CMeRytLE8[/YOUTUBE]
Oh, and Austria, don't forget Austria...
[YOUTUBE]1CR0QmCaMTs[/YOUTUBE]
yer freakin me out, dude.
You can tell when the good parts are coming up by the gathering of body snatchers.
[YOUTUBE]C5meXmjDXGE[/YOUTUBE]
Pretty sick, I guess the steps weren't hard enough so they had to jump some of them.
That's just it! He didn't jump them, he landed on them!!
Don't even try to tell me Red Bull isn't hazardous to your health. :headshake
I have a feeling the PC crowd would have a conniption today...
The hangman wears business casual?
I did 3.5 hours of pretty intense trail riding at Shindagin Hollow on Sunday. My legs are pretty torn up but good times even with humans. I punctured a tire so I'm gonna look for some better sneakers for the bike. We seem to meet this one douchie trail runner whenever we ride there. I give him a cheerful "good morning" every damn time, man he hates that. Everybody else seems to enjoy the place. Cuomo is logging the hell out of the State Forests right now. The trail network is being preserved at Shindagin but the Jenksville State Forest was trashed. I would imagine Shindagin was more lucrative since there is a fair amount of sizable hardwood, so it was in the loggers best interest to toe the line.
https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7000687/shindagin-hollow-outer-loopdouchie trail runner
I don't understand, runner as in running on foot, or runner as in running the trails on a bike?
If a douche is involved, I'd say he was on horseback.
At the beach.
What?
That's how the tv commercials show it.
Running on foot. Some folks can't handle the multi-use concept.
Yeah, you fuckers with your machines scaring Bambi, Thumper and the birdies.
Touring, the hard way. Hope that's a first aid kit he's towing.
Bikes are great cardio exercises...
[YOUTUBE]XABk9YxIqj0[/YOUTUBE]
That is a Yuba Spicy Curry Bosch Electric.
$4,500
https://yubabikes.com/cargobikestore/spicy-curry-bosch
Nice web page, lots of choices.
This guy seems sane, what could go wrong with a jet engine six inches below your ass and a backpack full of jet fuel?
[YOUTUBE]_O4mw0OMukE[/YOUTUBE]
This one, titled "Russians having fun" shows him riding it in town, with helpful english subtitles.
[YOUTUBE]kjfFgSZkRcw[/YOUTUBE]
It looks like John D had a trick driveshaft bike?
We all gotta die, some from Chic-fil some from cats.
That's almost profound.
Right up there with "...still a goddamned dragon.".
Cougar kills mountain biker in WA.
I think the moral here should be "Don't smack a starving cougar with your mountain bike."
I missed an Enduro race last weekend. I just might ride here tonight.
https://www.pinkbike.com/video/487559/Pretty mucky still. brutal climb and barely rideable downhill. So... excellent! :)
:lol: Beat me, whip me, thrill me, make me muddy. :lol:
You read the translation now feel the real pain of the Inquisition!
There are awful roadies but I'd float the idea that infrastructure is the main problem. Bicyclists can't give passing room when it's unsafe to ride the edge.
There are awful roadies but I'd float the idea that infrastructure is the main problem. Bicyclists can't give passing room when it's unsafe to ride the edge.
This is true.
But.. the infrastructure can get a little pricey.Why the fuck do they need a greenway?
A simple guardrail of Jersey Barriers will keep them apart.
In other news. great ride this morning endorphins are running amuck.
Yes.
[YOUTUBE]Ym_MBXWHicw[/YOUTUBE]
(Croatia)
On another note, I read an article about New Zealand's increasing discomfort with tourism. A farmer dug a channel on a river to lower the water level enough to block the jet boats from hauling ass by his place. I imagine he had a pretty peaceful situation back in the day. I'm not a power boat fan so I get it. However just maybe my little mtb tourism fantasy needs to be tempered a bit.
If you motorize your Penny Farthing I wonder if you should have toe clips on the pedals to keep up?
If you're going to gamble on road riding...
Yeah.
Dammit.[/fistshake]
She's part of the problem...
"World Famous Printer's Alley"
Been there, done that, got the shirt.:rolleyes:
[size=1]Lost the shirt.[/size]
Epic senior prank
Be sure to scroll down to the map of the bikes in app!
Epic senior prank
Be sure to scroll down to the map of the bikes in app!
I was expecting to see them draw out a dick. It's a neat cluster, but is that supposed to be something?
I think it means they put the bike share out of business for a while, not great if you count on that for transportation.
The bike share companies will send out their recovery teams on these...
I think it means they put the bike share out of business for a while, not great if you count on that for transportation.
Not a chance. The place is lousy with bikeshare bikes. The parking lot at the school *was* out of business for cars for awhile though.
There wasn't really a picture as much as it was a giant pile of lime icons.
Germans having fun-
https://youtu.be/f1xXVzpo4Uo
[YOUTUBE]f1xXVzpo4Uo[/YOUTUBE]
go in 7:30 or so for the little guys, older is later
Pretty near impossible to pass after the first corner from the start.
There is a secondary line that's faster off the lip of that first corner but there is a huge jump which most of the riders apparently didn't want to risk. All 4 riders in the mens elite large final took that line. There is also an inside line that doesn't carry as much speed at the final corner you just need a crazy amount of wattage to make it work. I only saw one ugly fall, of course in the mens masters category... you know, my people.
You could conquer the world with this...
You could conquer the world with this...
Kansas and Iowa, anyway.
No hills.
Guess it's a boys bike...
That hurt my head for just a minute...
ETA: Holyshititsaleftsidedrive!
OR!
It's been Photoshopped by flipping it mirror-wise.
and in other news, this looks soooo cool.
$120? Bring it on.
[YOUTUBE]l_N_AwBnjq4[/YOUTUBE]
Better than World Cup...
[YOUTUBE]vfTM1mMce40[/YOUTUBE]
OR!
It's been Photoshopped by flipping it mirror-wise.
Mmmmaybe.:blush:
Away ride today. I left the girls at Stewart airport and went to Stewart State Park in Orange County NY. Nice flowy trails not real technical but there were interesting features a couple of which I chose not to ride since I was alone...
They were pretty sexy early on.
Some people forget how strong technology has made those bikes...
A group in Europe is viewing old films of the Tour of Flanders races. Since they know the exact dates on the same route they can compare the tree leaves an flowering plants to show changes in the season, aka climate. And you thought those bikers were useless. :lol:
W. T. F.
[YOUTUBEWIDE]MFzDaBzBlL0[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Wow that is brilliant. You can watch his brain seeking pathways, amazing.
Set up a camera and leave the bike unlocked in the city. ;)
Eight months to unlearn riding a bike.:3_eyes:
Pretty interesting. Of course, that guy's vids always are.
Anywho...what I came here for:
This prototype chainless bike suggests the future of cycling could be ceramic
It's driven by [strike]ball[/strike] bearings.
I like that shaft drive variation but they might want to do something about the meat grinder cassette.
They mentioned the whole thing could be enclosed to keep out dirt off road.
Wow that is brilliant. You can watch his brain seeking pathways, amazing.
My favorite part was watching his kid learn the same thing in five minutes (kidding about the time)
This may be why there are so many dusty almost new bikes in garages and cellars.
It sounded like a good idea at the time...
My favorite part was watching his kid learn the same thing in five minutes (kidding about the time)
I wonder if it's even possible to consciously ride a bicycle, or if you can only persist long enough to train your subconscious. Even if you consciously think about one thing or another that you're doing, how many other actions is your subconscious doing at the same time?
Good thought...
Your honor, when I accidentally put my hand on that gun my brain subconsciously took over and shot that sumbitch square between the eyes.
I really had nothing to do with it. :lol:
New Hampshire riding near Plainfield, French's Ledges which turned out to be an old ski area.
That's super creepy. Right up there with ocean fossils in the plains, or the Statue of Liberty covered in sand.
You mean a fifty something woman who hammers single-track? ;)
Watch it buster or you won't be getting any for your birthday Thursday.:haha:
I can get you a square deal...
I wonder how fast he was going?
Thinking outside the box and unique security...
Bicycle inventions...
[YOUTUBE]3rXiyhqS22I[/YOUTUBE]
The main purpose of this device is to simplify the controls of a bicycle...
:eyebrow:
Bicycle inventions...
[YOUTUBE]3rXiyhqS22I[/YOUTUBE]
I saw this drive train in Canmore. Guy on it loves it.
welcome back (?)
unless you're posting from the canadian rockies
That guy at Canmore might like this one too.
welcome back (?)
unless you're posting from the canadian rockies
Just checking in fromCanada.
Keep an eye out for syrup heads.
I've been following this guy all season as he lives the dream. He's a desk jockey at Pinkbike who rides enduro "privateer" on weekends. Pinkpike thought it would be interesting to see how much improvement he'd make with full support bike, parts, training, and paycheck.
[YOUTUBEWIDE]PEAXTOt98wY[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Lil Pete did a headtube badge for me!
So what did that bike he built cost?
What would it cost to put a mature gentleman on the podium?
That bike has the paint job of a Scott Genius. Off the rack, that's a $3400 bike. His sponsors came through with upgrades for his wheel set, tires, brakes etc... I don't know which wheels he got but the Mavic DeeMax line runs from like $700 -1100 a pair. I don't know if they upgraded his suspension, bikes can cost a lot more. If you watch the series you'll see it get professionally dialed in and tuned which means a lot. His physical and mental transformation over the course of the series is pretty impressive. A great bike can only do so much.
Mature gentlemen should leave this to footfootfoot's boy.
Great ride with the old bastards Sunday. I had home field advantage this time. The terrain is super technical. Great time.
Is that, old bastards, or Old Bastards?
I mean do you have off bike meetings, officers, colors? ;)
We throw the occasional campfire.
This was a great ride. There are some features on this trail that I've been working on and a newer loop that some English guy made this summer which is exquisite. Sometimes your brain just melds with the intent of the trail builder and you pace things perfectly, the stream crossings, the split log skinnys, the rock slab drops, the log pyramids... that one loop at the end of a couple hours of riding is just perfect.
Like any hobby or sport it has it's own language too.
I'll post in Engrish next time.
No no, it's fascinating and usually kind of describes what happens.
I was watching a skills video last night and found out "casing a jump" comes from moto-cross when your crank case hits the crown of the jump. It hits your chain ring and bottom bracket in the mtb version. Both kinda hurt.
I bet it hurts worse if the shock of impact isn't absorbed by your legs and is instead transmitted through the seat to your crotch.
Dialog over a missing bike...
Peloton CEO: Sales increased after we raised prices to $2,245 per bike
“It was interesting psychology that we teased out,” Foley recalls. “In the very, very early days, we charged $1,200 for the Peloton bike for the first couple of months. And what turned out happening is we heard from customers that the bike must be poorly built if you’re charging $1,200 for it. We charged $2,000 dollars for it, and sales increased, because people said, ‘Oh, it must be a quality bike.’”
~from the link
An average speed of 183.932 miles per hour over a distance of three-and-a-half miles.
And the gear ratio is such that she had to be towed to get up to speed before she started pedaling, in the slipstream of a dragster.
A whole lot of caveats there, but still, 184 mph is pretty impressive for a bicycle, even if she was drafting a dragster.
[ATTACH]65054[/ATTACH]
I hope she didn't drop her phone. ;)
I like what you did there.
Best thing ever.
[YOUTUBEWIDE]IrOkSyEo24A[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/redbull-foxhunt-2018-.html
PRESS RELEASE: Katie Wakeley Wins Red Bull Foxhunt
The Red Bull Foxhunt took place in the hills of Machynlleth, Wales this weekend with the recently crowned World Champion, Rachel Atherton taking on 200 female mountain bikers.
The event took place over two days, with course practice and timed qualification runs taking place on Saturday 29th September, followed by the main event race on Sunday 30th September. Katie Wakeley was the first down the course, closely followed by Francie Arthur and Stacey Fisher. 200 riders made it down the course with Rachel Atherton managing to catch 39 riders and finished in 40th place.
Fun format!
https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/red-bull-foxhunt-rachel-atherton This is pretty much true.
[YOUTUBEWIDE]yotOZVELSMc[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
I wonder how much medical grade injectable adrenaline is, compared to the Trek gear?
“Man on a bicycle can go three or four times faster than the pedestrian, but uses five times less energy in the process. He carries one gram of his weight over a kilometer of flat road at an expense of only 0.15 calories. The bicycle is the perfect transducer to match man’s metabolic energy to the impedance of locomotion. Equipped with this tool, man outstrips the efficiency of not only all machines but all other animals as well. The bicycle lifted man’s auto-mobility into a new order, beyond which progress is theoretically not possible.”
linkI watched a Nature-type show on Netflix that said the most efficient method of locomotion for land mammals belonged to the kangaroo.
Let's put a kangaroo on a bicycle!!
On a treadmill!!!!
The ride was a 3 amigos gray beard affair, punctuated by one taking of the Lords name. We were ripping along a leaf strewn, wet, rocky, muddy, rooty, side hill when I heard the guy behind me offend our Lord. His front tire had wandered out to the lip of the trail which totally gave way. He disengaged his feet and pushed off his handlebar leaving him standing in the trail with his bike tumbling down-slope.
Two riders kept going. :D
Two riders kept going. :D
Hahahahahaha!!!![/guys]
Hendee bikes were expensive...
Hendee bikes were expensive...
Well, I guess
so. Any software that keeps a bike's wheels attached to the bike without the use of spokes has
got to be pretty spendy (or is this one of those flux capacitor things?).
102 years ahead of it's time. :p:
Could have had steam power.
What to do with old shep...
What to do with old shep...
. . . thefuck?
God, people are weird.
[YOUTUBEWIDE]spOjvdPucTQ[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Ligure!
You might be able to
find details here, but like that of most designers, the webpage is awful.
I was wondering where the handlebars go. There was
one second in a video that showed them; usually they just vanish in the pictures of the folded-up bike.
I was wondering where the wheels/tires go.
The old card in the spokes for rich kids...
Yeah, I just put a Mantle rookie card in there.
Looks like the front fork was made from a French Horn or something...
Ain't sneaking up on nobody, what w/the chain running through that tube...
Don't get too close to the Sun...
You're not going to forget to lower the landing gear.
Strange, kickstarter but there demo video shows half a dozen different bikes...
Do you offroaders have a patch too?
We probably need a patch, it's a right of passage. The funny thing is modern bikes are longer with a slacker head tube angle so "kids today" don't get their heads screwed on right with low speed crashes. Their first crashes are at higher speeds so sometimes instead of learning how to fall they break stuff.
Hope to hell there's no cross wind. :eyebrow:
As long as it's no more than a zephyr.
If Ima ride the wind...
I'm taking the
Sirocco.:cool:
Apparently
only three Zephyr bicycles were built. The article is primarily about tricycles, but there's a blurb on the bicycle in the middle.
Did we see this wacko before?
[YOUTUBE]TSkwY9EuP5E[/YOUTUBE]
armor of god
helmet of bone
racing to get to heaven before you
armor of god
helmet of bone
racing to get to heaven before you
Sounds like death metal lyrics.
needs a ripping bass line
Let's go some more Dad... can we... can we... huh... can we... pant pant pant...:D
Red Bull's Tour of the Dragon.
In the Eastern Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, the Tour of the Dragon takes mountain-bike riders over 15,000 feet of brutal climbing in just one day — and on a journey to find their personal well-being.
That would kill me but I think in a good way.
It's a mowltain bike, see...:jig:
[ATTACH]65848[/ATTACH]
[YOUTUBE]OhnVJeLFfB8[/YOUTUBE]
It's a mowltain bike, see...:jig:
[ATTACH]65848[/ATTACH]
I found a baby owl when I was a kid. It had apparently fallen out of its nest. Extremely cute. Like two balls of fuzz with eyes and a beak sticking out. We kept it for a couple days before finding a bird shelter to take it.
..hell, down is no problem at all.
sure, once you pry my cold dead fingers from the holes I drove them into clinging to life on this god forsaken spire, sure
easy peasy
Good thing it's downhill, hard to pedal a bicycle with knees that don't bend.
Standing up there, looking down, my knees stop working.
Occasionally, even in the bucket.
[YOUTUBE]PbX6kxG6SMU[/YOUTUBE]
Wintertime, and the living is icey...
[strike]Home[/strike] La-bor-uh-tory built...
Looking at it again, and closer this time:), the front end on that bike/trike is more kinds of wtf than I can easily count.
Blow it up. At least 2 sets of handlebars, at least three sets of forks. And the rear (of a trike!) has at least one training wheel.
And it's too short, front to back, I mean.
Being in Norwegia explains some of it I guess, but, there's more than first meets the eye going on here.
It is interesting, though.
3 wheels, 2 front, 1 back.
That convercycle looks interesting. What a great concept.
It's got enough cargo space and max load to make a big difference.
Hopefully they wont cost $5k. Cuz then I'll have to sell my Star Wars figurine collection to buy one.
3 wheels, 2 front, 1 back.
That's why I referred to it as a fucked up
trike.
Fucked up with at least 2 sets of handlebars, at least three sets of forks. And the rear (of a trike!) has training wheels.
And a t-rex?
Now tell me it has one seat.
Wear a jockstrap...
[YOUTUBE]Q9K5WigEdAE[/YOUTUBE]
if I had to pick which fabric sack and straps contraption was a better wardrobe choice, I think "parachute" might rank higher than "jockstrap".
Or a modern take on the chopper...
Skip the first couple minutes. This guy can ride.
[YOUTUBE]7PHZMFjh4ZE[/YOUTUBE]
That guy can ride. I'm a little more impressed with his camera man's skills. That camera man has a bag of tricks. steady cam, drone, tripod. Hard to tell everything that was used. Flying the drone down the trail in the woods while keeping the bike in the shot takes some skill.
I suspect the drone is independent flying within parameters and they have a tracker on the rider. Pretty slick work though.
Burt Munro done got hisself a fixie!?
[YOUTUBE]avPHyG_tW4k[/YOUTUBE]
Brought to you by Griff and his bruised ribs.
Oof.
Re: The Ribs
What did we do to ourself?
I was multitasking. I was spotting ash trees to cut while riding downhill through a rock garden. It was dumb. I washed out my front wheel and really bashed my forearm and ribs. Benny was unconcerned though, he was busy treeing a coon.
What Phoenix will arise from the ashes? ;)
I was spotting ash trees to cut while riding downhill through a rock garden.
I actually larfed out loud at that.:lol2:
I'm sorry 'bout yer ribbage.
I like the fist bump at 0:35.
And I'm not seeing a lot of protection there, except for the skull, which is smrt.
Cool vid, do you ride like that Griff?
Not hardly! I can clean some tricky XC climbs and reasonable Enduro routes but I usually have my self-preservation program running. I don't have the skills for trials type riding or extreme downhill.
Yeah, keep reminding yourself you have shit to do tomorrow... and the next day. ;)
EWS Madeira Stage 6. The lens doesn't due justice to the steepness of the course but check ot the work from about 4 minutes on. Keep in might that Yoann flying as he is was still 9 seconds off the leader on this stage. These guys are crazy fast.
[YOUTUBE]r55QDcJnFXA[/YOUTUBE]
Insane, just nuts, listen to his breathing. :rolleyes:
Insane, just nuts, listen to his breathing. :rolleyes:
That looks like it would be exciting at half speed, and a bit dangerous.
Also, the view was remarkably steady and framed as well as that lens could be. But I wish the view were wider, I found myself tipping the phone back trying to raise my line of sight. A wider lens, even a fisheye would be appreciated.
Springer suspension as imagined by Dr Seuss.
I'm interested.. We traveled recently and brought the bikes but forgot the helmets. Oops.
Having a couple like that in our camping kit would be great.
I just gotta say here.. maybe you don't want a helmet to be collapsible?
As someone who has smashed a helmet, I prefer a pretty decent helmet.
Excellent solo ride on Memorial Day. I ran into a couple other greybeards one doing trail maintenance and the other trying to beat his previous best on a climb using Strava. The ribs did not interfere.
I wondered about a helmet that collapses but then figured the worry is the padding between your head and the point of impact.
Bwahahahaha Danny Daycare...
[YOUTUBE]jj0CmnxuTaQ[/YOUTUBE]
Ok, that was the best thing ever. Pete was laughing out loud. It was also a little touching cuz...
Ya look up "cool Uncle" in the dictionary... that's a reference.
Excellent!!!!
ETA:
I'm referring to xoB's post.
Griff's post... that speaks for itself.
EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"The hardest job you'll ever love"
Yeah, that sumbitch has three beautiful women in his life.
You don't suppose he's a pushover in his own domain do ya? :lol:
At first I thought this might be for handicapped kids but I guess it's really for rich kids...
A free floating tensioner for this tandem...
[YOUTUBE]y9SuvUcMHIk[/YOUTUBE]
This is a really interesting trail build, I wouldn't bother with the jump.
As long as I don't take Montelukast for my allergies my mood can be regulated by outdoor exercise and related endorphins. There is no high like it for me but I never knew it was written all over my face.
Like looking at the face of a lover who just orgasmed. :lol2:
This would be worthy of orgasm.
[YOUTUBE]_8aWMsMlp_k[/YOUTUBE]
And new underwear. :blush:
Great ride in the rain last night on enduro trails.
Day 2
[YOUTUBE]r0-Y19Xg55Y[/YOUTUBE]
Day 3.
[YOUTUBE]AALtmz0e4nw[/YOUTUBE]
In the 1890s, when cars were a rare novelty for the rich to scare the horses, the bicycle must have been the most
common transportation, especially around cities, much like the low countries still are.
Because of the popularity hundreds of businesses popped up to make parts and accessories.
I imagine a lot of them switched to making stuff for cars.
Man and his dog... or vice versa.
Season 2 of the Privateer has started.
Tune the man.
[YOUTUBE]mFjw-kpplIo[/YOUTUBE]
Tune the machine.
[YOUTUBE]9bwy0QJNHrs[/YOUTUBE]
I want to know what metal his rear wheel is made from?
Helmet. Gloves. Eye protection.
Flip flops.<--- = moron.
I hope he loses a toe nail.
Hmm, I recognize that bus in the photo. A few years back, my sister-in-law (a woman of Philippine descent) invited us over to the Philippines for vacation. It seems that the place in this photo is from the Philippines. Far as I know, people don't really wear cycling shoes in that country, so they indeed wear Flip Flops even when cycling or going to the mall. I think it's a "tropical country" thing, shoes being limited only to business professionals and the like.
Here's what we need for those forest fires, thousands of them.
Wonder what happened to this...
Here's what we need for those forest fires, thousands of them.
You would still need a water source.
You would still need a water source.
Have to drink a couple quarts of beer before joining the fire line.
Sent from my moto e5 supra using Tapatalk
You would still need a water source.
That's why you need thousands of them. :lol:
https://www.pinkbike.com/video/503020/
niiiiice
:devil:
Damn, I love that song!! Haven't heard it a long while.
:devil:Damn, I love that song!! Haven't heard it a long while.
that song is great!
I watched (and listened) and I wondered at first when he spun the handelbars "no front brakes?!" then I saw the front disc.. so yeah, brakes. I guess he spins it enough to wrap the cables all the way around the head stock, then on the next jump, spins the handlebars all the way around in the other direction, unwinding them.
I guess.
looks cool, looks scary, I could have as much fun as him at 1/10 the velocity on the same trail.
You could do that as you described or use a detangler like on a freestyle bike. The front brake is actually easier because you can route through the stem with the right hardware. The stuff I've seen was for cable actuated brakes, hydraulic would need a similar but different system.
Coming back from this ride we were looking for a diner when we saw a ton of smoke pouring up around the bend. We immediately though fireman bbq chicken! The truth was more ridiculous and sadly un-photographed. A Dodge Charger was apparently setting the donut burnout world record. Round and round she went and naturally she had a General Lee paint job. My partners in crime are from rural NY so we have a lot of back and forth about which place is more backwards. I won.
I should mention we had a great 2 and a quarter hour ride. Our home area is roots, rocks, and mud. Merli-Sarnoski Park is mostly rocks, rocks, and rocks.
I've seen a lot of that type scenery in New England but mostly on a horse going considerably slower. :haha:
I think that's German for don't be an ass... :haha:
3 hour ride with the graybeards today. Some trails are easier at speed. This one track called the chair trail has an uphill narrow bridge which you can hit smooth as silk if you're pushing harder. I left it all on the trail pushing the pace, railing corners, clearing the logs and now I'm gassed.
The Lion sleeps tonight. ;)
Well it looks like the Steelers won't keep anyone awake this this year. Is it too late for Ben to go on the Brady diet?
Might be time for Ben to sit down.
What?! Who said that?!
I left it all on the trail pushing the pace, railing corners, clearing the logs and now I'm gassed.
:devil:
Might be time for Ben to sit down.
What?! Who said that?!
The Steelers let two other inflated egos go. They go all in and sign Ben to an extension after firing Haley to keep him happy and he shows up fat for the season...
Rear steer trike, I wonder who thought this was a good idea?
Sam Hill makes it 3
[YOUTUBE]4WmLKfpoxyM[/YOUTUBE]
Unbelievable
Wow, awesome. When I start watching downhill videos on yt I never know how to quit. I've been riding since 1995 and I never was brave enough to take "downhilling" seriously. Perhaps that's why I have a hardtail
Greetings camp! Yeah, I'm an old school rider myself but I did get full suspension XC bike last time. I ride some light enduro but these pro tracks are nuts.
I suspect this might have been choreographed. LOL
At 5:53 just before he does a double back flip jump they show a guy chain sawing a log.
There are 5 partial cuts in the log and he’s sawing the 6th.
I wonder if that’s how many takes it took to do that jump?
At the end they do the credits then about a minute and a half of outtakes.
Ouch, no wonder his helmet is beat up..
Definitely embiggen.
[YOUTUBE]ZDbNe3mS0aw[/YOUTUBE]
If you had faithfully eaten Super Sugar Crisp for breakfast you could have Sugar Bears in your spokes.
I don't remember it, but, I almost certainly had at least one of those...
Oh sure, a nice relaxed vacation in the Pyrenees.:rolleyes:
I'll just leave these here...
Glad you're back in the game bud.
Real busy though, came home to serial disasters. :(
Sweden is bike friendly...
And it encourages bikes to wait for the light instead of running it. That’s smart government.
Headline: New strain of influenza mysteriously spreads among bicycle commuters.
Cuz that's handier than a fucking foot.
That post would also protect any pedestrian standing there waiting for the light.
Cuz that's handier than a fucking foot.
If your bicycle seat is at the proper height, that device is indeed much handier than a foot.
Ever wonder what Griff does in his spare time?
I suspect this may be electric powered/assisted so you won't get that leg.
That's pretty sweet. I'm kinda tempted to do a pump track here. Same thing less the jumps.
I can't imagine the work it would take to keep that track smooth... after every damn rain. :eyebrow:
There is a growing disparity in expectations for surfaces. The "park" kids seem to want things highly manicured which is fine in it's place. A lot of us want more of a raw experience. Naturally this leads to conflict cuz humans.
I had to go to Chrome to get that to open again.
My memory was right in that the ride is littered with a gazillion tarps to keep it dry when it rains.
As for smooth riding, I remember mentioning to a pro waterskiing friend how great a local lake had looked that morning, perfectly flat and calm.
He scoffed: "That's no fun, the bigger waves the better!"
He would regularly break himself in pieces on the ocean.
[YOUTUBE]fAEBNEscL0c[/YOUTUBE]
Danny solving the bicycle on a treadmill problem.
I saw one the other night where he rides onto a tennis court, stops dead parallel to and beside the net, then leaps over the net sideways landing on his wheels and rides away. That's not possible, that's cartoon shit, that can't be done by humans... he's not human. :unsure:
The stunt where he ghost rides the bike up the springboard to the pommel horse and remounts on the flip took like 700 reps. The one he used was around the 500th try and he still didn't like it because of where the pedals ended up. He is a perfectionist.
I saw video of him with his childhood friends from Skye. They considered him unbreakable and always "used" him first when someone had a crazy idea.
Tried to get that on IE: "Unavailable."
Same on Chrome.
Damn.
I mean damn.
Some great moments in that clip.
Tried to get that on IE: "Unavailable."
Same on Chrome.
Heh, looks like ya need a five year old Firefox browser.:cool:
Damn.
I mean damn.
Some great moments in that clip.
Almost makes joining a gym seem like fun. almost
Worked on IE, no prob.
That is astounding! Here's more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lutBV_hWX5w
Besides, he has normal calves.
Where is the tennis net clip?
[YOUTUBE]hd5fiuvsNbc[/YOUTUBE]
I like it!
I especially liked the framing, much better than most. When giving the viewer the perspective of the rider, it's very nice to include at least a little of the horizon. And they appear to be good MTB ambassadors, staying on the trail, walking/carrying sometimes. Realistic. And very pretty scenery.
Thanks!
I surprised they are allowed to use those Mt Washington trails.
I think it's unnecessary abuse of the equipment to ride trails like that but it's their shit.
I think I'd want a Bibendum suit. ;)
...a Bibendum suit.
:lol2: Stop making me learn stuff!!
It's the end of the line for Dirt Rag Magazine. I don't know if they'll keep going on-line but sometimes the death of printed media is a bummer. This is one of those times.
https://dirtragmag.com/Car magazines too, 14 last month.
Damn, that's quite a winnowing.
That's because there are a lot of magazines but very few publishers. Less magazines means less employees, smaller payrolls and the belief the subscribers will gravitate to one of their other publications. I found with that specialty publication it was the personality of the writers as much as the topic of the article. They set the tone and if their attitudes didn't clash with mine I'd stick with them. I subscribed to Car & Driver for 50 years, whereas my brother prefered Road & Track. They covered the same subjects but had a different feel.
There used to be a number of bike mags as well. Dirt Rag was nice because they were less about moving shiny new and more about lifestyle. Pete has been moving around food magazines as they keep failing.
Back when two wheels was getting sorted out and everyone was in the same camp.
what was old is new again
[YOUTUBE]uyqDOra2T3I[/YOUTUBE]
Gluttons for punishment. :eek:
Cuz it's white, I reckon...
Yeah, but the rest are all Krates.
Here's a parking spot...
A softer ride? Probably not for off road.... come to think of it the condition of the roads would preclude it also.
We got bikes. Amanda got hers from Santa, I just got mine from me.
It's a good town for bikes. Just gotta decide what I want on my license plate. I don't eat honeycomb cereal anymore, so I'll have to make my own.
They're both single speed coaster brake normal beach bikes.
They have bells! I like that.
Yeah, had to add those
Decided on the plate
Yipes, don't ride that at night without lights. :headshake
Could go together...
Remember slap bracelets, this works that way...
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Who let the farts out, this guy.
[ATTACH]70374[/ATTACH]
Trying to make a safer pennyfarthing by lowering the seat...
I'm guessing the other forward pointing bars are the highway cruising pegs.
For grinding handrails when you take the steps.
Keep your feet from getting blendered on downhills.
I'd expect a clutch mech for that. An extra foot/body position is always nice on a longer jaunt.
For longer jaunts go to three wheels....
[YOUTUBE]OUWNDpePkAE[/YOUTUBE]
Hmm... 463 ft up and 476 feet down.
At the end they buried you 13 ft deep while Ben was ready to go again. :haha:
Usually its pretty close. Yesterday not so much.
Cool how your heart was just hanging out, and then shortly after you started riding, it was like "holy shit, I gotta start really pumping."
Yeah, the route I took isn't a soft start. When we go to Shindagan we have a long tough start, it'll be fun to get the data on that.
The heart rate went way up on the downhill, was that fear?
If you look closely it tracks elevation gain and loss pretty well. The initial climb gets me up to 165bpm or so. It drifts down on the downhill pieces but shoots back up with even slight climbs mid-descent. The big spike is on the really long steep climb from my lowest elevation. There is a spot at 6 ' where I almost ate it when I got a stick in my shoe and 8' which I think is a log crossing which may have popped it up for a little bit. I think if I sync to the phone app I can take pictures and it will place them along the route.
This is the long climb from the bottom. Photos don't do it justice but the elevation map gives a better sense of it. I'm a little fitness challenged at the moment but this loop should get me squared away. The a-hole in the black and white jersey lapped me.
Lapped you and stuck his tongue out too, how uncouth. :lol:
You could pick up one of these for about $10,000.
I enjoy the pics of Benny. He reminds me of my friend's bordie. He's been gone for about five yrs now. The dog, not the friend.
He was a great dog.
My love for this dog is way over the line but damnit he's a good friend.
Loyal doesn't begin to describe BCs. I've never met one that wasn't a great buddy.
I lost track of how many times I said "No fucking way!".
Way, I reckon.
How many cases of Red Bull did that take? :rolleyes:
Probably never drinks the stuff...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAHQY2FHcOo&feature=emb_logo
Don't room with Fabio Wibmer if there's a lockdown.
This is what you get when
Danny MacAskill and
Joseph Herscher have a baby on the YouTube.
Today's work after missing a couple rides. I still had trail work to do in the lowest elevation and the swamp but it's smoothing out.
Recovery time 62h, is that hours?
Here's a handy accessory, a wrist mirror for watching for Pumas tracking you and lay out lines for escaping them.
Yeah, that seems long though.
I was reading about the Hellbender 100 in the Carolina Mountains.
It's a 100 mile foot race but seems to be mostly off road on paths a mountain bike could handle.
I think it said the first 5 miles was on pavement. It would be a challenge, lots of fresh air. :D
It should be done in thinner air though.
LeadvilleBut Leadville is so far away you'd be tired before you got there. ;)
Well you could repeatedly ride the Skyline Access Trail to the Ben Lomand trail like Ben Hildred did for 19 straight hours completing one Mt Everest. Lil G and I hiked it as part of our Ben Lomand day.
https://www.trailforks.com/trails/skyline-access-road/
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/video-ben-hildred-climbs-55000-vertical-meters-in-30-days-while-working-full-time-in-true-story.html
He also did 55,000 meters in 30 days before work.
Perhaps he can find a kindly shrink to cure him. :facepalm:
I used to work with an Engineer at Westinghouse who was around 60 and legally blind. He had a two car garage
full of bikes including 2 of these. he'd actually ride the damn things around the block on the street. Risky business.
I used to work with an Engineer at Westinghouse who was around 60 and legally blind. He had a two car garage
full of bikes including 2 of these. he'd actually ride the damn things around the block on the street. Risky business.
Did he grow up to be Al Pacino?
(Scent of a Woman)
Did he grow up to be Al Pacino?
(Scent of a Woman)
Risky business.
Tom Cruise, then?
This Al Pacino...
[YOUTUBEWIDE]8JGsb0Cgy2o[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Do as I say not as I do...
Seems like an unlikely traffic safety spokesman, but as a kid I'd have listened to him. He Evel Freaking Knievel!
Looking at the front sprocket, I think the rest of the caption reads..
"Help me help you, but first give me a push, please."
????
[YOUTUBEWIDE]sUjgKeO7YtQ[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
More bike madness:
[YOUTUBEWIDE]LLi9MxseNhg[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
????
[YOUTUBEWIDE]sUjgKeO7YtQ[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Ridiculous!
Got the best of my partner this morning.
I got yer (indoor) pump track...
[YOUTUBEWIDE]uqCioZvswx4[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Got the best of my partner this morning.
Heh, tuckered doggeh is tuckered.
The three old bastards rode today.
Lord, no.
At least that first guy got to coast on the way down, presumably.
I think they all do some coasting time. Just a brutal exercise though.
Just a brutal exercise though.
The most I have climbed in a day under my own power is about 3,500 feet. I can't imagine doing that 8 or 9 times (in 23 hours)
Granted, I was on foot, and she was on a bike, but that's still amazing.
Jules did it in 9 hours and Katie in 10... wow
Top male runner 13:45 dang
Good grief, 29,000 ft INDOORS! :shock:
Where can they do that more than like 15 or 20 feet at a time?
They could cheat...
[ATTACH]70704[/ATTACH]
And give the winner a fancy prize.
[ATTACH]70705[/ATTACH]
Probably staged but a good reminder...
Boy, Danny is really going to be hurting when all those things in the blooper reel come back to haunt him. :thepain:
Cobble stones...
[ATTACH]70773[/ATTACH]
Hey, how do I get this thing out of 2nd gear?
[ATTACH]70774[/ATTACH]
Some guys can just ride.
That blooper reel thought makes me consider my brother. Lyme disease lit up everything in his personal blooper reel and there's a lot of film.
Yeah, guys with a lot of lumps seem to suffer the worst from Lymes.
Places in Europe with more people than land are seriously into bicycles, not just for riding
point A to point B, but doing work we use a $50,000[SIZE="1"]UP[/SIZE] truck for.
When you absolutely positively got to get there and kill that fire quickly.
[ATTACH]70788[/ATTACH]
This independent front suspension trike looks like it's going to be the basis of some kind of hauler.
[ATTACH]70789[/ATTACH]
332 failed attempts at the log slide...
[YOUTUBE]SW6yy7Z9Auk[/YOUTUBE]
They must be paying him a lot. I got to thinking last night, those hundreds of failed attempts, he had to push that bike back up the damn hill, too. :smack:
I feel like once he has a problem in his head he has to solve it. I'm not sure how lucrative his sponsorships are, it seems like a shoestring operation. He has a clothing contract with Endura.
Wonder how many kids were victims of or on these things?
WTF, no blue?
I’m a little surprised that they haven’t been reintroduced to capture the nostalgia market.
Gen X would remember them fondly, but I guess their kids are too old now to be getting bikes like that. Plus, Gen X was never that interested in nostalgia. The Boomers probably aren’t buying bikes for their grandkids.
For all it's faults, the bike industry has improved quality and usefulness of bikes over the years these don't have a lot of appeal in a world where older brothers don't have street rods...
If you're jumping out of a perfectly good airplane you can find your own damn way home.
I'm not a collector but I'd hang that baby on a wall.
My second bicycle was a BSA with a three speed twist shift built into the right handlebar grip.
I loved that bike.
I think it was made by Birmingham Small Arms.
They built a bit of everything didn't they?
Sign of the times at the trailhead this week.
Need one of those cheater bikes the pros were using. ;)
Yeah, everything under the sun somebody attached it to a bike frame.
[ATTACH]71050[/ATTACH]
Even the frames were an experiment over the years.
[ATTACH]71051[/ATTACH]
These two were tough, I can't even imagine walking on that road for very far. :facepalm:
[ATTACH]71052[/ATTACH]
The Ruge Whitworth bicycle built for three.
Wonder how many kids were victims of or on these things?
WTF, no blue?
Had the E.J. Korvette's version with both wheels the same size. We did a lot of jumping over milk crates. My personal best was 11 milk crates.
The injuries didn't happen until my fondness for knights and armor led me to organize a stingray jousting tournement with bamboo carpet poles for lances and garbage can lids for shields.
That was one of those ideas that was better on paper.
Bike news here.
Our most recent ride featured me limping back from the turnaround point on a flat tire. I was too irritated to sort it out properly. Fuckit, I'll ride the rim home, 3.8 miles.
[ATTACH]71067[/ATTACH]
I am... tired of this bike. I did some "research" and decided I like another bike, the Axum 29er from Schwinn. Go on, laugh. I'm getting a bike from Walmart. But it's bigger than my current bike, bigger tires/wheels, more modern-er in every respect. I anticipate upgrading some of the components, eventually, like the fork, and the brakes, and a chain... Guide/supporter thingy, if not a whole new derailleur with a clutch.
As time goes by, that is.
I have to tell you, getting a new bike was A LOT harder than I expected. Here's a picture from the bike section at Walmart. This was the scene at all thr Wal-Mart stores I went to, and both pawn shops and f*ckin Craigslist. NO BIKES TO BE HAD.
[ATTACH]71066[/ATTACH]
Here's a review I watched that influenced my decision :
[YOUTUBEWIDE]fkAEmb1MOZ4[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Oh no, changing bikes will void your security application and you'll have to start all over.
Uh, don't get a haircut either. :p:
That's a good buy at $400. You're not riding Moab, it should be fun.
...You're not riding Moab...
Yet! We never know with V. :unsure:
A new Urban Ready bike from Ducati...
Today's ride, Twil and I are riding the Olympics Discovery Trail from Port Townsend to Milo Curry trailhead and back..
See ya!
I couldn't find horse power, speed, grade or range specs for this bike.
All I found was 4.5 g's, but that was bucks not acceleration.
Back in the car, pics later. What a great ride. I'm very happy with the bike so far, more tuning to come,things I could only perceive after riding.
This German bike used in the War to End All Wars, WW I, was found in France a hundred years later.
Do we have a back story? imma look
You found the back story and then some, thank you.
Wonder what they're driving today...
F1? Formula one? Not likely, most of them would be in their 60's.
Cabs are more likely I think.
That guy must be new look how fat his legs are.
Looks like they aren't checking for juicers.
I'm *definitely* not that guy... But I will be spending this morning on the bike. Today Twil and I will ride a section of the Palouse to Cascades Trail, through the
tunnel!
I have checked the lights and we should be good to go.
Later!
I choose to believe that is a pic of V training.
Keep in mind this is not possible. No way, must be CGI. FX for sure.
[YOUTUBE]PDPZkc_4oyE[/YOUTUBE]
One thousand, two hundred, fifty-four bikes:
[ATTACH]71342[/ATTACH]
Just what, not why.[/PaulHarvey]
It *is* framed strangely.
Or you could buy your sweetie a Lambo...
Another sensible commuter.
This guy in Oregon took his old bike and electrified it. He's near Portland so with all the smoke he hasn't tested it yet.
He promised to let me know how the battery performs and the motor too.
[ATTACH]71546[/ATTACH]
This is the culmination of a quest started in the 19th century.
A trike with a precision 5 cylinder radial in the front wheel...
[ATTACH]71547[/ATTACH]
Same type motor in a bicycle front wheel, then in the back wheel of the next bike.
I guess it's the first multi-cylinder motorcycle. :haha:
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I always carry zip ties. My buddy thought he could ride a tree. He could not.
And you have cuffs in case you have to make a citizen's arrest.
Or meet a kinky maiden in the forest. :right:
I always carry zip ties. My buddy thought he could ride a tree. He could not.
You miss 100% of the trees you can't ride. Or something like that,
You die a little inside every time you don't ride a tree?
Even back in 1948 bike riders wanted more entertainment...
I see an out of focus Kitten coming out of the radio.
[SIZE="1"]..the fuque?[/SIZE]
I'll have some of what he's smoking.
:bong:
You can't see the Cat?
It's coming out of the top of the radio.
I know that it is really the hillside i the background, but it looks like a Kitteh.
That guy grabbed the radio by the pussy.:blush:
You can't see the Cat?
It's coming out of the top of the radio.
I know that it is really the hillside i the background, but it looks like a Kitteh.
Ok, I see it now.:)
Waiting, hoping the mail gets delivered today cuz bike parts are needed.
You die a little inside every time you don't ride a tree?
Unlike that guy topping the palm tree. :eek:
ouch
Speaking of ouch, brokey fixey (not fixie old knees).
Broken derailleur and hanger resulting in a long push home and a Saturday on Pete's old yet classy 26" Specialized Epic. Buddy gave me an old Noleen Chubby for one of my old 26" bikes for backup.
New derailleur and an old tweaked hanger until new one arrives. New derailleur is funny but apparently works.
Noleen Noleen Noleen Noleen
Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you
Noleen
[size=1]He said 'chubby'...
Twice.[/size]
Published in the newspaper New York World in 1895, we present;
The 41 Rules For Female Cyclists:
1. Don’t be a fright.
2. Don’t faint on the road.
3. Don’t wear a man’s cap.
4. Don’t wear tight garters.
5. Don’t forget your toolbag
6. Don’t attempt a “century.”
7. Don’t coast. It is dangerous.
8. Don’t boast of your long rides.
9. Don’t criticize people’s “legs.”
10. Don’t wear loud hued leggings.
11. Don’t cultivate a “bicycle face.”
12. Don’t refuse assistance up a hill.
13. Don’t wear clothes that don’t fit.
14. Don’t neglect a “light’s out” cry.
15. Don’t wear jewelry while on a tour.
16. Don’t race. Leave that to the scorchers.
17. Don’t wear laced boots. They are tiresome.
18. Don’t imagine everybody is looking at you.
19. Don’t go to church in your bicycle costume.
20. Don’t wear a garden party hat with bloomers.
21. Don’t contest the right of way with cable cars.
22. Don’t chew gum. Exercise your jaws in private.
23. Don’t wear white kid gloves. Silk is the thing.
24. Don’t ask, “What do you think of my bloomers?”
25. Don’t use bicycle slang. Leave that to the boys.
26. Don’t go out after dark without a male escort.
27. Don’t go without a needle, thread and thimble.
28. Don’t try to have every article of your attire “match.”
29. Don’t let your golden hair be hanging down your back.
30. Don’t allow dear little Fido to accompany you
31. Don’t scratch a match on the seat of your bloomers.
32. Don’t discuss bloomers with every man you know.
33. Don’t appear in public until you have learned to ride well.
34. Don’t overdo things. Let cycling be a recreation, not a labor.
35. Don’t ignore the laws of the road because you are a woman.
36. Don’t try to ride in your brother’s clothes “to see how it feels.”
37. Don’t scream if you meet a cow. If she sees you first, she will run.
38. Don’t cultivate everything that is up to date because yon ride a wheel.
39. Don’t emulate your brother’s attitude if he rides parallel with the ground.
40. Don’t undertake a long ride if you are not confident of performing it easily.
41. Don’t appear to be up on “records” and “record smashing.” That is sporty.
Don't attempt a century. wow.
@Griff - bummer about the derailleur. It seems that in the 80s and 90s sticks used to pop up all the time and destroy derailleurs. The new paradigm of groomed trails seems to make that more of a rarity.
Yeah, I was riding my home trail. Maybe I should be raking my forest. :right:
I broke the chain I apparently tweaked in the previous ruckus this morning. Trailside repair was smooth though so the ride was not impacted.
Don't attempt a century. wow.
I wouldn't do it on a single speed. :) Pete and I've done a number of them, saying she can't would make it happen.
Yeah, I was riding my home trail. Maybe I should be raking my forest. :right:
I broke the chain I apparently tweaked in the previous ruckus this morning. Trailside repair was smooth though so the ride was not impacted.
If you like repairing bikes, then these happy ending breakdowns are part of the fun. Glad it worked out.
Can't the derailleur have a guard mounted, like a chain guard, to keep sticks from poking it?
Can't the derailleur have a guard mounted, like a chain guard, to keep sticks from poking it?
Sort of. Some bikes have them but it would add weight and for derailleurs with a lot of travel the guard would have to be huge or move with the derailleur and would be subject to catching the sticks itself. It's an imperfect world.
Could lead to a situation like this: (starts at 10:02)
https://omny.fm/shows/selected-shorts/love-prohibitionNeeds an automatic transmission. :yesnod:
Internal with belt drive
[YOUTUBE]7LTZPrksqU0[/YOUTUBE]
Internal with belt drive
[youtube]7LTZPrksqU0[/youtube]
Wow. At first I thought these were automatic transmission. I wonder how far off that is?
Can old bikes be retrofitted with this?
I think so, but I haven't looked into it. I saw one in the wild in British Columbia, the owner was pretty chuffed. I wonder about the lifespan.
So today I popped out the snap ring that holds the plunger for my brakes. Hopefully it holds now that it's back in. Again a zip tie allowed me to ride out by putting the plunger in and holding the brake lever.
Didn't have any chewing gum, eh. ;)
I got an email tonight from a guy who blacked out driving in Philly and killed a couple people so they yanked his licence probably permanently.
He said he was buying a
Zugo Rhino electric bike.
He lives in Cherry Hill, NJ and claims the law enforcement over there has declared if it doesn't exceed 20 mph no licence or registration needed.
That also means no insurance. If you hit a person at 20 mph you could kill them, worse cripple them for life.
If you hit a vehicle or other property at that speed you could cause tens of thousands of dollars damage.
Here's a couple of starter bikes...
Carbon fiber is cheaper than wood?
At least it'll come back to ya if ya wreck fast enough.
Ok, Boomer(ang).
Wow. At first I thought these were automatic transmission. I wonder how far off that is?
Can old bikes be retrofitted with this?
I think so, but I haven't looked into it. I saw one in the wild in British Columbia, the owner was pretty chuffed. I wonder about the lifespan.
I think the word we're looking for is "bulletproof". This guy has put many, many, many miles in the saddle and this vid gives good info.
As for retrofitting an existing bike, yeah, but bring money.
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![1984 Ross Mount Rainier]("http://mombat.org/MOMBAT/BikeHistoryPages/Images/1184Ross3.jpg"){kind=link}
