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Showing results for tags 'Cycling Related'.
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Never thought I'd still be riding over 50. I did some challenging rides at 40 just because I thought 50 was out of sight when it comes to riding. I'd view 50+ forums and wonder how these old fokkers were still riding. Now I'm 58, and a half and still feeling pretty darn good. Almost 9 years beyond 50 and I can see how one can ride into their 70's. 80's is pushing it though I did have some cycling friends who were still out there at 86. Not sure I'd want to at that age. I think I'd be more inclined to do some walking miles at that age. But, I never thought I'd still be cycling at this age.
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Welp, my FSA SLK Light crank is toast🤬 The aluminum inserts that are bonded to the carbon arms are loose. Not sure for how long, but the non-drive side is very loose, and the drive is is slightly loose. First I thought it was the pedal, but nope. The insert moves. I have calls into FSA, and to a Cannondale dealer (I bought a bike from them). Being 12 years old I assume FSA will brush me off. But my goal is to get a Cannondale crank installed, which is why I contacted the store. PS this is why I hate carbon, specially when bonded to dissimilar materials.
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...or, rather, he found me??? I was on my ride yesterday afternoon, and on the last 4 miles or so before getting back, when I passed a garishly dressed dude riding in the other direction. Bright yellow kit that was great for visibility. I thought to myself, "I wonder what team kit that is?" but kept riding. Anyway, a short time later, as I rolled to a stop for a road crossing, I heard a bike roll up behind me. That bike continued to draft me all the way home, and while I was waiting at a different intersection, I said hi to him and recognized he was the garishly dressed guy. When I got home, I checked out the rear camera footage, and noticed her IMMEDIATELY turned around after we crossed paths in the beginning. It was not a "natural" turn-around point, so he apparently did it just to get a chance to hop on my wheel for a stretch. As ever, I'm fine with folks drafting me. I prefer they announce themselves. If they don't, I stick to the bare minimum of safety warnings. If they do, I will often either chat with them a bit and/or at least be more active with warnings and comments. Not sure why this guy was so tongue tied that even when I said hi and commented about the weather at a stop, he was not very talkative, nor did he offer the simplest, "Thanks for letting me sit on" sort of thing.
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...are inherently attuned to the wind strength and direction. Who else is in that club?
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...on latex tubes:
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@Longjohn's GOBA video postings (which I JUST NOTICED!) got me thinking of other multi-day rides, and one of the RV blogs I follow posted on their RAGBRAI ride this year from a cycling and RVing perspective that I enjoyed. I think it is a much bigger ride (30,000!?!?!?) but you can also see how it really does have a big impact as it rolls through these smaller towns. Gotta add it to my bucket list. I guess @JerrySTL has his KATY ride, I know @bikeman564™ has mentioned a cross Michigan ride. The video mentions events in Wisconsin (RAW) and in Tennessee (BRAT) and there is the one I wanted to do but didn't up in Seattle (STP). Is the one up by @BuffJim on the Erie Canal an organized event or more akin to the GAP/C&O ride whenever type? I gotta start collecting my "list" for rides after retirement options. In LJs GOBA video, I didn't see too many RVs - almost all tents. I'm a little surprised by that after seeing how many were involved in the RAGBRAI ride.
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@dinneRI bet you know aboot this. My uncle sent me the link. https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/01/01/highest-elevation-winter-race-in-the-us-wyomings-drift-100-a-pain-cave-for-racers/
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One of my duties as VP of the club is to look after insurance. It comes to $8.50 per club member and we had 199 members last year. The policy covers some medical bills up to $10K as secondary insurance. It also covers the club from some lawsuits. However I was reading the fine print, and it doesn't cover individual club directors and officers if we are sued. For example, we kick a club member out for some reason, and they sue. Everyone thought that we were covered and a few even have said that they wouldn't had run for office had they known they weren't covered. We are going to contact the insurance agency and find out if my assessment is correct. If I'm right, it costs $600 a year for coverage. -
...this was where I got mine (on-line). I mentioned I had never heard of bikeinn, so it makes sense it isn't a US thing:
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I mean, jeez, look at those bikes! I'd take the gravel bike with tubeless and crush their souls!
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Yeah I just paid $42 for an inner tube… Aaaand I run tubeless so why did I spend so much in a tube you might ask… One I had $100 gift card burning a hole in my pocket and since it was a virtual card it had to be used on online purchases as stores wouldn’t accept it. Two is my saddle bag on the Anthem rests on the dropper post and limits travel as it hits the base. Sooo. I bought a Pirelli Scorpion tube for $35 + $7 shipping. I was looking at the Tubolito but it seemed it would be too wide for my 2.2 tires. So I’m hoping the smaller tube will allow a smaller saddle bag which I already have (29’r tubes are massive!) and keep the bag from hitting my dropper. Even if it doesn’t fit in the smaller bag I think I can cinch the existing saddle bag in a fashion that keeps it from hitting the dropper. But damn $42 seems a lot for one freaking inner tube…
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...types of challenges with much variation to really distinguish them:
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It looks like the TPU tubes are made from Thermoplastic Polyurethane instead of butyl or latex. They are much lighter and smaller. One downside is that they take a special patch kit. I was thinking that they would make a great spare tube as they would take up less space in the bike bag.
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...but, man, the reporter guy is torture. The video in the story is the real "article", this is the blurb: It’s a story that’s off-the-bike-chain inspiring, about a Maryland high school student, who also happens to have Olympic cycling dreams. In this edition of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax went out for a spin with Maize Wimbush, the 17-year-old junior national champion, who is breaking barriers in the sport, one pedal at a time. Wimbush is eyeing a spot on the 2028 Team USA cycling team, where she could be the first Black woman to represent the country on the Olympic stage in the sport. Part of the inspiration for her dream comes from her dad, Mark, who is part father, part coach, part motivator and a serious cyclist himself. The bond the two share is unique, and their banter will make you laugh out loud. Wimbush begins racing again this February. You can follow her journey on her social media. In the meantime, check out this video of Matt’s (attempted) ride along with Wimbush, where he got a taste of what it takes to be the best behind the handlebars!
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...and prompted by @bikeman564™ doing it:
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Rode the First Dozen, which is a tradition. The ride has been going on for just over 50 years. Frankie Andreu showed up and I rode w/ the lead group which was him and about 8 other peeps. Two of which I know. Speed wasn't super fast, 16-18. For a couple miles he rode next to me and we chatted I gotta say, riding next to a pro is pretty freaking cool.
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...are in full force!
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For the SRAM Red vs the Shimano Dura Ace Aethos - essentially the same bikes just different shifting & brakes. Is Specialized nuts or Shimano? Or both?
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pretty cool https://www.cycologyclothing.com/collections/bartape/products/motown-blue-cycling-handlebar-tape# Other cool designs also https://www.cycologyclothing.com/collections/bartape
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My boss is sponsoring a corporate team for the annual Wounded Warriors DC-Gettysburg ride that takes place in April. Knowing I like to ride, I was asked to join our team. It's always nice to be invited - especially as corporate will pay the registration fees, give us a team kit, cover hotel costs, support at rest areas, etc., and donate to each rider's fundraising. I'm not normally an "April is organized ride month" sort of guy. Jan-Mar are sketchy weather - at best - and April can come in like a lamb and leave a lion, vice versa, or even come in as a lion and stay a lion. WINDS!!! RAIN!!! Signing up for an event in April can result in heartbreak (or weather misery). But, at only around 50 miles a day on Sat and Sun, I don't feel like there is any stress to it. Especially at a likely "easy peasy" ride pace. And it is the end of April, so better chance for reasonable temps.
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The front tire has been around 30 psi low after just a couple of days. During yesterday's ride it felt squishy. Today it was flat. Fortunately, I had a new tire and tube handy. The old tire was still OK as I could see the indented dots on the Continental tire, but not by much. I inflated the old tube and it's still holding air plus I can't find anything in the tire. I even checked the rim tape and it's OK. It's around 55°F, sunny, and just a little wind. I plan on doing at least 17 miles.
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The January-February 2024 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine has an extensive article on self-driving cars, including some cars on the road with collision avoidance, and bicyclists and pedestrians. It sure doesn't look good for us or the walkers. Actually it doesn't look all that good for accidents in general as drivers are expected to take over if the system can't handle an issue. Even if the driver is fully engaged, it takes about 5 seconds for the driver to do so. If they are watching YouTube videos or asleep, it can take much, much longer. Smaller cyclists, like @petitepedal, are difficult for the systems to see. No real surprise there. However taller cyclists, like @Longjohn, are also hard to recognize. Toyota says that is true for their vehicles currently on the road. Also if you are wearing white in daytime or carrying a lot of baggage like paniers, it can be hard to recognize you as a cyclist. Self-driving and driver assistance cars have a long way to go before they are safer than even the lousy drivers out there now.
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I wish that I had taken a photo of a guy's bike that I rode with for a while today. It originally was some sort of big-box mountain bike with all kinds of weird suspension. He added an electric motor near the bottom bracket but said that it didn't have much power plus would overheat on hot days and stop working. So he added a motorized front wheel and another battery! He had different control panels for each motor. He can use either motor; both at the same time; or no motor at all. He can even change which battery controls which motor by swapping cables. The original bike was heavy looking. The first motor probably weighs 15 pounds minimum. The front wheel motor added about 25 pounds, he said. Plus each battery was 30 pounds. I'm thinking that the whole thing weighs at least 130 pounds.
