April 7, 20187 yr Discuss gear, rides, training tips, recovery regimen, how to piss off motorists and live to tell about it, etc. Anyone else brave the cold winds this morning at the Salado Smokin' Spokes? It's a good ride, though I like it more when the elements aren't such a factor.
April 9, 20187 yr Good thread, probably smart to leave the Pro Cycling thread to itself. Just order my new BMC Roadmachine, hopefully have it in a couple weeks. Speaking of the elements, went for a light 30 miles yesterday morning in the sleet and snow because I'm regarded.
April 9, 20187 yr The lingering pissy winter has cut into my road riding. Will be getting at it hard pretty soon. There's over 150 miles of paved trails (mostly old rail lines) within a 45 minute radius of my house, so I have a lot to choose from. Any of you degenerates ever do RAGBRAI? It seems like every person I met on the ride last year from outside of Iowa was from Texas.
April 9, 20187 yr Yes, 20+ years. Although now I am a bagger and come across the route only a few times. I've taken friends and found serious racing cyclists hate it, but weekend warriors enjoy it. Iowa is a wonderful cycling destination.
April 9, 20187 yr Author I know a few people going this year. I was considering it, but have conflicts.
April 9, 20187 yr 7 minutes ago, idigTexas said: I know a few people going this year. I was considering it, but have conflicts. It's tough for a lot of people because they see it lasts a week, but you don't have to do the entire week. Also, you can ride without registering.
April 9, 20187 yr Author If I'm going to bother dealing with all the logistical challenges to get up there with my bicycle, I'm definitely riding the whole week.
April 9, 20187 yr Yeah, for sure. I've not done it, certainly looks cool though. Currently I'm planning a Euro trip next year to ride either some of the Pyrenees or the Dolomites, so that's basically all the time I can spare.
April 9, 20187 yr Had an interesting conversation at the LBS today. Apparently a lot of people are getting back into MTB's. I'm very much a solo rider (though one of the sales guys there just got his BMC in, so we may go for a spin), and not really plugged into the scene anymore, so I'm out of the loop on these things. The conversation started when I was mentioning in passing I started on MTB's back in the late 80s, was one of the original teens who drove that scene, and got into road bikes as I got older. I was somewhat surprised to hear this, as I assumed MTB ridership had been pretty steady, and road biking had been sort of falling in the race scene, but steady in the general ridership sense. Apparently all the road racers are just dropping road bikes almost completely and going MTBing. In our area it's extra odd, as you have to drive a long ass way to get to decent MTBing. To go on the road, it's just open the garage and roll.
April 9, 20187 yr 2 hours ago, Nolacycling said: Yes, 20+ years. Although now I am a bagger and come across the route only a few times. I've taken friends and found serious racing cyclists hate it, but weekend warriors enjoy it. Iowa is a wonderful cycling destination. It's definitely more about the party and less about serious riding. I'm not an "every year" kind of guy, but I do it when I can. It's pretty much everything I love about my home state on display for a week.
April 10, 20187 yr Author 5 hours ago, G650 said: Had an interesting conversation at the LBS today. Apparently a lot of people are getting back into MTB's. I'm very much a solo rider (though one of the sales guys there just got his BMC in, so we may go for a spin), and not really plugged into the scene anymore, so I'm out of the loop on these things. The conversation started when I was mentioning in passing I started on MTB's back in the late 80s, was one of the original teens who drove that scene, and got into road bikes as I got older. I was somewhat surprised to hear this, as I assumed MTB ridership had been pretty steady, and road biking had been sort of falling in the race scene, but steady in the general ridership sense. Apparently all the road racers are just dropping road bikes almost completely and going MTBing. In our area it's extra odd, as you have to drive a long ass way to get to decent MTBing. To go on the road, it's just open the garage and roll. I hear you. I went through a long MTB phase, and even sold my road bike at the time. I would likely still be riding MTB if I could find miles of rolling single track without having to pack up all my shit and drive somewhere. I'll drive for an event or if I'm in the mood for something different, but most of my rides are from home. I have several shop or club rides that I can ride to, and of course, solo is always in play.
April 13, 20187 yr Author Anyone have experience, good or bad, with any cycling touring companies? I'm considering a trip, but haven't yet decided on the destination. I've been reading a lot of online reviews, but it's nice to have first hand info.
April 13, 20187 yr I know some friends that have done Europe extensively, and have some great companies there, especially in Italy. I can get the references next week when I'm in London, will definitely advise.
April 13, 20187 yr Also, new bike is in. Pre fit today so the integral wiring and tubing could be routed, full fit next day or two.
April 13, 20187 yr 4 hours ago, idigTexas said: Yes. Maybe Asia, Australia, New Zealand. I'm pretty open. I’d love to do Australia Melbourne to Sydney or Sydney to Brisbane.
April 14, 20187 yr Author 5 hours ago, G650 said: Also, new bike is in. Pre fit today so the integral wiring and tubing could be routed, full fit next day or two. Gorgeous. Hope you get it dialed in perfectly.
April 14, 20187 yr Author 1 hour ago, SDG said: I’d love to do Australia Melbourne to Sydney or Sydney to Brisbane. I really am looking hard at Australia. I just don't know if I want to lose two days of vacation for the travel to get there. I have the same issue with Japan. There's a show on NHK, "Cycle Around Japan" that is tempting me big time. A Europe trip sounds fun too...so many options.
April 14, 20187 yr 12 hours ago, idigTexas said: Gorgeous. Hope you get it dialed in perfectly. One reason I got it from this shop is they have a real top shelf fitter. I've refined my own fit over the years which is probably 99% there, but I want this set up perfectly. This guy is great down to all the details of cleat shimmimg and the whole 9 yards.
April 14, 20187 yr Author That's great. I need to find one like that. So many do an 80% job, which I can do myself.
April 15, 20187 yr I’m a mountain biker turned roadie turned back mountain biker. Part of it is my own ADD and losing interest in things after immersing myself into them for a few years. But part of it is safety-driven too. I’ve had too many close calls on Austin roads. I still keep up with my roadie buddies but I ride alone on trails now or occasionally with a group on a night ride in the dark.
April 17, 20187 yr Nothing quite like rotating the crank to feed that OC monster, at least that's been my experience. I'm lucky to have good road riding routes available. Just coming out of rotator cuff surgery, after 5 weeks off the bike, and about a year not able to do planks. Its nice to be on the other side of that, but the fitness hole is going to take all summer to climb out of. I've committed to a metric century with 2500 ft elevation in 4 weeks. I'll be taking that in from way back, I guess. Great looking bike, 650.
April 17, 20187 yr On 4/15/2018 at 12:07 PM, Chuychanga said: I’m a mountain biker turned roadie turned back mountain biker. Part of it is my own ADD and losing interest in things after immersing myself into them for a few years. But part of it is safety-driven too. I’ve had too many close calls on Austin roads. I still keep up with my roadie buddies but I ride alone on trails now or occasionally with a group on a night ride in the dark. I get skittish with road biking as well. I'm lucky to have a ton of paved trails, and that's where I do almost all of my solo riding, and about 2/3rds of my group riding. The main exception is my old man and I ride a 40 mile loop past some of our farms once a week come summer, but that's in the flatlands where you can hear cars coming from miles away, and they can see you. Never felt uncomfortable in that scenario.
April 17, 20187 yr 7 hours ago, NBMisha said: Nothing quite like rotating the crank to feed that OC monster, at least that's been my experience. I'm lucky to have good road riding routes available. Just coming out of rotator cuff surgery, after 5 weeks off the bike, and about a year not able to do planks. Its nice to be on the other side of that, but the fitness hole is going to take all summer to climb out of. I've committed to a metric century with 2500 ft elevation in 4 weeks. I'll be taking that in from way back, I guess. Great looking bike, 650. I understand the feeling, I was off the bike for over 6 months due to all sorts of stuff, life mostly. 12 weeks in and I'm just now feeling barely reasonable. 1 hour ago, Al_4_ISU said: I get skittish with road biking as well. I'm lucky to have a ton of paved trails, and that's where I do almost all of my solo riding, and about 2/3rds of my group riding. The main exception is my old man and I ride a 40 mile loop past some of our farms once a week come summer, but that's in the flatlands where you can hear cars coming from miles away, and they can see you. Never felt uncomfortable in that scenario. To me, the key is really knowing the roads and their rhythms. And it's not something you can get from Google maps, you have to actually know them. Also, I spend a lot of time riding at 4:30 in the morning, which helps.
April 17, 20187 yr 33 minutes ago, G650 said: I understand the feeling, I was off the bike for over 6 months due to all sorts of stuff, life mostly. 12 weeks in and I'm just now feeling barely reasonable. To me, the key is really knowing the roads and their rhythms. And it's not something you can get from Google maps, you have to actually know them. Also, I spend a lot of time riding at 4:30 in the morning, which helps. Agreed completely. I only road ride on roads that I've driven frequently, and like you said, know the traffic rhythms. I tend to pick non-primary roads with low traffic.
April 17, 20187 yr Author Count me in with those who have missed substantial time due to injury. I was out for a year with tendonitis behind the knee caused by a new saddle that was about a centimeter too high. It took me about 4 months to get back to where I was fitness wise, and I'm still carrying some of the extra weight I gained. The body just doesn't recover like it did when I was younger. I generally stick to roads where cycling is common. Drivers can still get annoyed if they have to work to get around you, but at least most of them know to expect it. I also picked up one of these. It's great peace of mind. Edited April 17, 20187 yr by idigTexas
April 17, 20187 yr had big plans for this year, but looks like i probably wont touch the bike until mid summer....booourns
April 17, 20187 yr 16 minutes ago, 52-80 said: had big plans for this year, but looks like i probably wont touch the bike until mid summer....booourns Dayum. What happened
April 17, 20187 yr 49 minutes ago, G650 said: Dayum. What happened delayed h-moon. buying a house / moving. other big boy life stuff getting in the way Edited April 17, 20187 yr by 52-80
April 17, 20187 yr 2 minutes ago, 52-80 said: delayed h-moon. buying a house / moving. other big boy life stuff getting in the way Shit will get you every time.
April 18, 20187 yr any recs on a phone mount? the one i got comes apart where the phone holding part and the bike holding part come together. https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-Universal-Smartphone-One-button-Rotatable/dp/B015PS3ME2/
April 18, 20187 yr 2 hours ago, elfenix said: any recs on a phone mount? the one i got comes apart where the phone holding part and the bike holding part come together. https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-Universal-Smartphone-One-button-Rotatable/dp/B015PS3ME2/ The clamp ones all generally suck. I have one but it's only used on trainer. If you want to actually carry on the road, I recommend getting a phone case, and epoxying a Wahoo or Garmin mount on back of it.
April 19, 20187 yr 12 hours ago, elfenix said: any recs on a phone mount? the one i got comes apart where the phone holding part and the bike holding part come together. https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-Universal-Smartphone-One-button-Rotatable/dp/B015PS3ME2/ what are you looking to do with it? really might just be worth it to get a dedicated cycling computer
April 19, 20187 yr any recs on a phone mount? the one i got comes apart where the phone holding part and the bike holding part come together. https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-Universal-Smartphone-One-button-Rotatable/dp/B015PS3ME2/Get a basic polar/garmin with HR if you want it, but I recommend putting the phone in a Jersey pocket inside a waterproof pouch. I use JerseyBin pouches and have no complaints.
April 19, 20187 yr Every phone mount I've had breaks. I love having the phone there, especially if I'm riding in an unfamiliar place and using maps, but they just don't hold up.
April 19, 20187 yr You can get a good mapping computer for such a reasonable price these days, I wouldn't carry a phone on the handlebars. Mine rides in a jersey pocket.
April 19, 20187 yr 4 hours ago, G650 said: First ride in Roadmachine this morning. Oh em gee. Would love to see a picture of it finished.
April 19, 20187 yr 6 hours ago, 52-80 said: what are you looking to do with it? really might just be worth it to get a dedicated cycling computer holding my phone more securely than a shorts pocket and more conveniently accessed than an arm band (which my phone outgrew anyway). i'm using the phone for podcasts. i'm just tooling around houston on paved hike/bike paths getting in some exercise. i've got no jerseys though maybe that's the best way to go. Edited April 19, 20187 yr by elfenix
April 19, 20187 yr Author 2 hours ago, elfenix said: holding my phone more securely than a shorts pocket and more conveniently accessed than an arm band (which my phone outgrew anyway). i'm using the phone for podcasts. i'm just tooling around houston on paved hike/bike paths getting in some exercise. i've got no jerseys though maybe that's the best way to go. If you want to keep things casual, you don't have to buy a full Rapha kit or even wear a traditional cycling jersey to get something functional. Something like this will allow you to safely carry your phone while riding, and it even has routing holes for headphones. https://www.performancebike.com/shop/cycling-clothing/mens-cycling-clothing/short-sleeve-jerseys/performance-sport-heathered-tee-11-3550 Edited April 19, 20187 yr by idigTexas
April 19, 20187 yr Author 4 minutes ago, G650 said: Everything but computer, bottle cages and sddlebag @Lou That's damn sexy. Looks like a lot of fun.
April 20, 20187 yr 11 hours ago, G650 said: Crazy coincidence, Andy Rihs, owner of BMC, died yesterday too. He died making you that.
April 20, 20187 yr 16 minutes ago, 52-80 said: He died making you that. Honored to have his life's work.
April 22, 20187 yr What’s everyone’s take on disc brakes? Seems to be lots of consumer apprehension despite a big manufacturer push. I’ve been riding a cannondale super six for 10 years and am starting to shop.
April 22, 20187 yr I love them, their modulation is so superior to rim brakes it isn't funny. That said, I don't think it's worth someone running out and getting another bike just for discs unless they are planning on bombing mountain passes in inclement weather. Generally, if you are looking for a bike, I'd get discs. A lot of the reasons roadies give to downplay them are bullshit really, I've raced mtb and motocross for decades, and discs are juat part of the deal and they perform like no other brake can.
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