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....for fire lookout bike touring! Not sure how far @sheep_herder is from Kootenai, but darn, it looks SWEET! More than 8,000 fire lookouts were built across the U.S. in the aftermath of the megafires of the early 20th century, with the largest concentration in the mountainous Northwest. It was a network of mountaintop structures unique in the world for its scale and ambition, but airplanes and satellites slowly whittled away at its utility. Though a few hundred are still in use, most were destroyed or left to waste away in the post-World War II era. Fortunately a preservation movement arose in the early 1980s and shortly thereafter a program to rent out some of the remaining lookouts began. It’s grown incrementally over the years, and now the Kootenai National Forest in this backwoods corner of Montana — also renowned for its excellent bike-touring options — is the epicenter of rentable fire lookouts in the U.S. Touring between them is possible if you don’t mind long rides on gravel roads with each day ending naturally with a monster climb. Or do what Dad, Ron, and I did with Garver and reserve one for two nights in a row, leaving you free to explore the high country for a day. In our case, after securing water from a spring a half-mile downslope, we jumped on our unloaded mountain bikes and followed the golden thread of alpine trails until the views opened to an uninhabited spread of forested valleys topped with rocky peaks. We laid the bikes down and hiked up an open knoll to take in the scene. ...and @denniS could identify with this sort of terrain:

Then there's Ted b

...and any other activity trends (running, hiking, etc)? For me, cycling mileage the past five years are: 2021: 4,701 2020: 5,004 2019: 3,740 (not including commuter miles) 2018: 3,430 (not including commuter miles) 2017: 2,931 (not including commuter miles) How about you, @TrentonMakes? @bikeman564™?

Phil is back on a "team" and paired up with @bikeman564™'s fave Alexey Vermeulen. Former WorldTour pro Phil Gaimon will join the new Jukebox Cycling team, which will provide opportunities for a small squad of six riders to participate in gravel, road, cyclo-cross and “experiment with different ways to embrace cycling for a sense of community”. The squad announced an eclectic co-ed roster, with 12-year-old Xander Graham of Tour of Britain fame, cyclo-cross racer Ruby West and three gravel riders focused on the Life Time Grand Prix – Dylan Johnson, Alexey Vermeulen and Adam Roberge. Jukebox Cycling team has listed their roster and event programme on their official website where Gaimon is scheduled to ride for the team at his Phil's Cookie Fondo on October 30 in Malibu.

PCFR: Florida man falls off bike, accidentally stabs himself with sword By FOX 13 News Staff Published January 1, 2022 6:54PM Pasco County FOX 13 News ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. - A man was hospitalized Saturday evening after he fell off a bicycle and accidentally stabbed himself with a sword in his backpack, according to Pasco County Fire Rescue. It happened in the 40500 block of Jerry Road in Zephyrhills. Rescue crews say the man was airlifted to an area hospital as a trauma alert. His condition is currently unknown. https://www.fox13news.com/news/pcfr-florida-man-falls-off-bike-stabs-himself-with-sword?fbclid=IwAR1_YGmJuzc9utBtp6T0Mb8sWgCSYU97tLuueiVgkn0HrZt6S-2f4C7qYV0 -- This is why I wear sword resistant Lycra when I ride my bike.

Good listen w/ Brett Favre https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brett-favre/id1463427673?i=1000546306487

So yesterday was my final ride to meet my goal. Of course I started ride and realized my XOSS is not registering. Fought with it for about 5 miles but wouldn't go. Strange that once my speed sensor dies. The unit will not register if the sensor is around even if I remove the battery. Luckily I keep my Garmin around as back up so I got my 53 miles in to complete my goal. I looked back at my Garmin log noticing I installed a new battery this exact day 3 months ago. I'm wondering how long the battery lasts for others using speed sensors? I do have mine connected via Bluetooth to 2 units. XOSS and Garmin Edge 500.

I've read many comments of riders carrying too much as well as taking in too much. My usual was all water, a bike bottle of Gatorade and a Clif bar at mile 30. Break then head back for another 14 to the end of a 44 miler. Some guy told me I didn't take in enough. Hmm! When I started riding more at night, all water, nothing more for 25 miles. Didn't miss anything. Then a few longer, 30-40 on the road with a couple friends. Didn't miss anything. A few 35-45 on the trail, didn't want to hassle mixing the Gatorade so I pedaled through with water only. Didn't miss anything. Then yesterday, doing 70, I planned to do the Clif bar at mile 35 but the underpass at the end of the trail was flooded at the coast so I just turned around headed back inland. Ended up stopping at mile 56 before eating the bar and drinking the Gatorade. Rested for 20 minutes or so. Then finished off the final 14. I do believe in eating something before the ride. I ate one egg split between two bagels like little sandwiches. And a banana 🍌. I'm finding I don't need to take in much even for a 40 miler. But I read about those that take in gels, chews and all kinds of stuff along the way. Heck, I see some friends carrying a grocery store on 20 mile rides. What is your style, just for conversation sake ? If I took in all those gels and fancy drinks they speak of. As much as they did. I'd be more broke than I am now! 😆😁😆

I think I'd be more of a century rider. In 2005, did 23 centuries. Over the years I have done 4 timed events with 10 000 ft of climbing over 100 miles. 1 with 12 000 ft of climbing, most of it in the first 72. A double metric 126 miles and 7600 ft of climbing. Thought about doing some critical. Went to a few team practice rides. Did really well but found out, it didn't mean much to me after doing really well. Not missing anything. But that's about my best. Riding for 25 consecutive years. That's about my best so now. I'm just a cruiser heading into my old age. 🤣 Got any accomplishments or proud of type cycling?

At the place where I swim, they have Peloton bikes, which I have been meaning to try. So I did. First, I am generally not a big fan of spin classes, which tend to sound good until you find out a few things: The instructors are generally not cyclists They have extremely poor taste in music They won't shut the hell up, ever, and feel compelled to spout nonsense throughout They do the dumbest things, like repeated 2 second "jumps" out of the saddle, then back down, then out again, ad nauseum. Also stupid stretches that real cyclists see immediately for what they are, which are giant injury risks. I was hoping that Peloton found a way around these issues, but upon trying it, it turns out they mostly doubled-down on them. I tried a few different classes, and the instructors did strike me as folks not likely to own a bicycle, or to have a clue about stupid stuff to not do on a bike, like lift weights or 'stretch' (but you can look for classes without the weights at least). They still have poor taste in music, but you can find a class or so based on era or category, so the sucking is more finite. The instructors still will not stfu, ever, or at least didn't in the three different classes I jumped in on. Anyway, all the same limitations and 'one note' approach to cycling, which is the normal spin class that you see out in the world, including the aspects I don't enjoy. Add to that the downsides of not being able to discreetly perv on the hot students in your class. I would definitely prefer an actual ride simulation/non-spin platform personally. Anyway, I am definitely being harsh on Peloton, and I imagine non gym-goers and non-cyclists would glom onto it more than people like me, and it would also be good for other folks that just want to go along with things without thinking much about it, so there is that. Question for the Peloton folks - Can you stream Netflix to the monitor? I can see that being better than just a video of a spin class.

At 9:54, the GCN folks tell it like it is!

RadioShack!!!!! RadioShack, once a brand associated with home electronics, has reappeared as a cryptocompany. As Techradar reports, the RadioShack website now advertises the company as "bringing cryptocurrency to the mainstream" by creating a new protocol allowing everyone to more easily use decentralized finance (DeFi). In reality, it looks as though RadioShack is planning to launch its own Radio token and will start by focusing on swaps, which is basically a service to exchange cryptocurrencies and tokens. Documents available on the RadioShack website describe this as "low-hanging fruit," mainly because of the "incredible levels of profit" available from trading fees. Whatever RadioShack decides to do, it will be in partnership with a company called Atlas USV, which offers a "universal, decentralized, and widely accessible DeFi base layer" to build projects on top of. But why partner with Atlas? Well, you may remember the RadioShack brand was acquired by Retail Ecommerce Ventures back in 2020, which is run by Tai Lopez and Alex Mehr. Lopez and Mehr are also the duo behind Atlas, so they control the entire operation.

Passed a couple on hybrids today. Going up a little hill. I said, "how you doin'!". The guy said he wasn't going as fast as he liked. But I said, " yeah but you're on a bike!". I rode to the top of the trail, 3 miles ahead. Doubled back, stopped at the park and their they were. We chatted for a bit about bikes then asked about riding up the mountains. Yeah, I have a few stories. The he said he doesn't think he could do it. Yeah you can, we're both big guys and if I can do it.... Really seemed to spark his interest in going a little beyond his limits. Had a good time and fun chatting but I lost about 30 minutes. 😄

What type are you? My goal was 300 miles per month. Would be satisfied with 4,000 miles for the year. But now, 215 miles short of 5,000 for the year. With 2 weeks left, would you settle for for whatever becomes of it, or would you push for the 5k? I have a hard time thinking I would stop with only 75 to go. I'd have to find a way to complete the non goal number. Like a century if I had 99 miles, I'd ride beyond the finish for the extra mile then double back. So, would you care if you were 50 miles short of 5k at the end of the year? Would you find a way or simply go the don't worry, be happy, route? 😄

...but maybe I was doing it wrong? Too many breaks between intervals? I'll blame the lack of hills. Florida has no hills

I spoke of timing passing traffic while riding on the streets as my bud posted a video of a close call. He went around a car parked on the side of the road. Van passes really close as he goes around. Very different styles he and I. I myself will listen, look back, and time the passing vehicle. I have no problem backing off half a step if it means staying safe. He's had some serious mishaps during the day and I riding the same exact streets but at night, have not had one. He just got back on his bike a couple months ago after fracturing his neck. He has this thing about drivers should pay attention and give way to cyclists. I believe that too as well but in the real world, I'll do what I can to protect myself even if it means yielding though I have the right of way. I refuse to be one of those "he came out of nowhere" riders. F that! I'm keeping myself safe. Strange he criticizes my thoughts of feeling safer at night with the contrast of darkness vs stroking lights and reflectors. But again, I've had zero issues and he has had several. I saw his video a couple, maybe more weeks ago and thought "HOLY SHIT" he should pay more attention to traffic around him. But he thinks it's up to the driver to give. Well, it ain't working for him, he got hit today. He's in the hospital again with a broken pelvis, ribs, and hematoma on the brain. Seems to be ok so far but said it hurts like hell. I don't know, just one of those guys that always blames the driver but has mishap after mishap. I'm kind of hoping he gives up the bike and takes up speedwalking. Obviously his way of thinking on the bike isn't working for him. 😒

As much as I love cycling and everything that comes with it...it is taking up too much of my time. I am struggling to keep up with the everyday basics of cleaning and maintaining my home, so something has to give. I will be getting rid of all my gear. Below is a list of what's available. Serious inquiries only, and please don't insult me with low offers. Thanks for reading and understanding...

but too scary for me...probably ok for someone like @Dirtyhip

I absolutely love it! The only possible critique would be the countdown because it shows how fleeting and fast time goes. Please make it smaller and in the bottom northern corner like Asheville.

https://www.audacy.com/wwjnewsradio/news/local/velodrome-in-detroit-collapses-after-winds-knock-out-power

EASILY. It's pretty much in the bag. Book it, Danno!

I'm watching on Youtube the races from the Lexus Velodrome in Detroit. And this is the first time I've seen a Cannondale CAAD track bike in action. Looks sweet as heck. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6jKAzn1wB35xyML7JLX31Q

...more than some others, doesn't it? Mark Cavendish said his family were "extremely distressed" after a group of armed burglars assaulted the record holder for Tour de France stage wins and threatened his wife in a raid while his children were in the house. Four intruders entered Cavendish's home in Essex, south-east England, in what police described as a "targeted incident" in the early hours of November 27, as he was recovering from significant injuries from a crash at a track event in Belgium. Police said the group assaulted Cavendish, 36, and threatened his wife Peta in the presence of their young children. None of the family sustained serious injuries and the burglars left, stealing a designer suitcase and two high-value watches.

...women's race - wet and dirty! - and they always do a sweep of the start line as the countdown begins. My eye was grabbed by one rider who looked super old. I thought for a second it might just be the rain & cold that made her look bad, and then the race was off and I never saw her again. Anyway, she was bib #17, and that was Ellen Van Loy, who is not a "big" name but she has been riding for years. She is a relatively old - for racing - 41. Interesting and makes me wonder about some of the other folks' ages in the rest of the starting lists for women and men's races. And watching Brand cross the line and try to "clean" her World Champ jersey for the finish photo. Too funny.