Cycling?

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Hey, I'm pretty sure I was the first one to bring LMGTFY to TRF. :tongue:

Besides, I can ride a bike, I just don't have one besides my 20" wheel (not frame) one with backwards pedal breaks.

Blue light special :wink:


Braden

Light Machine Gun to fight you? (what does LMGTFY stand for?)

This is MY choice of a bike
Jet-Powered-Motorcycle2.jpg

It gets about 1/78 of a mile per gallon, so it's a good thing you burn 1790 calories per hour pushing it!
 
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I ride a Felt road bike for my junior elite triathlons. My coach is actually working on making the criterium course at the Olympic training center available to us for practices. I started riding on it about a month before the National Championships which were held in San Diego. (It was my second triathlon, and I finished in 62nd place out of 75 competitors) This is my triathlon team https://www.trijuniors.com/
 
Do you guys over there have traffic lights which are only triggered by a sensor? There's one on my commute at a T-junction going on to a fairly fast road, with pretty bad visibility either way if you're joining. And the lights don't detect bikes! I've tried just about everything I can think of, but the only options are to either wait for a car to come along and trigger it, or jump the light when it's safe to join the main road. Drives me nuts.
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Try stopping in the middle of the road and leaning your bike over as far as you can. It gives the sensors a larger metal "footprint" to detect. If your bike is carbon, well, that's a tough one.
 
I just picked up a closeout deal on a 2010 Trek Fuel EX 6 full suspension bike. Total savings was 35% off bike shop price (which was already lower than the MSRP). I rode my 2007 Trek 4300 hard tail (entry level) for a solid 3 years. I look forward to a summer of many local rides and maybe a 3-4 day weekend in NC to hit some of the old trails I used to ride. Aside from the $80 Nike Air Jordans I bought with all the money I had saved as a preteen, this is probably the largest indulgence purchase I've ever made. It sure is shiny.

Here's a link to the Trek Archives with the specs:

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2010/archive/fuelex6

trek_ex6.jpg
 
Looks like a nice ride, eugene. Now get it out there and get some dirt and get some of the shiny covered up. I'm still waiting for the last of the snow to melt and the frost to go out of the ground so we can hit the dirt! I bought some new wheels for the 29er, and I can't wait to try em out.
 
I took my motorized bike out today...passed a whole bunch of Spandex riders and all their dirty looks:lol:
 
Looks like a nice ride, eugene. Now get it out there and get some dirt and get some of the shiny covered up. I'm still waiting for the last of the snow to melt and the frost to go out of the ground so we can hit the dirt! I bought some new wheels for the 29er, and I can't wait to try em out.

Absolutely! We're headed out tomorrow (Sat). We received a lot of rain this week so I don't know what the trail conditions will be like. When I used to live in NC rain = no riding. The red clay dirt would actually get really squishy and slippery. Not only that, but riding wet trails was discouraged since it was actually more damaging to the trail itself. According to the co-workers I ride with down here they say it actually improves the trail conditions. I guess the rain packs the loose white dirt in some places and makes the singletrack faster. Anyhow, we'll see how it goes. I still have to make some suspension adjustments. This is the first bike where I actually have a fork pump to add or remote air from the suspension components.
 
Cycling as a means of transportation. . .Let me be clear; before two back operations and another on my right knee I was a cyclist for many years owning at one time as many as six different bicycles, each served a different purpose.

I used these bicycles for everything from commuting, as much as 25 miles each way, to exercise, minimum 300 miles a week if you count the commute, to recreation and vacation touring including a seven month camping tour of Alaska, Canada and the West Coast of the U.S. I even bought a big trailer to haul behind one of those bikes for grocery shopping and doing my laundry.

So if there is anything about bicycles I don’t know it probably isn’t anything important. I mention all of the above to try and establish my bono-fides so that when I start giving advice it might be taken seriously.

For a person to commute to work takes a serious commitment that most people are incapable/able of making. Are you really going to move so you can be close enough to your job that commuting by bicycle is even possible?
Are you going to drop the big bucks for a decent bicycle that would actually and reliably allow you to commute? Are you going to continue to pony up the bucks to maintain said bicycle? I bought all the necessary tools and did all my own maintenances something I don’t expect most people would be willing/able to do. Are the roads leading from where you live to where you work even remotely “Bicycle friendly?”

Then there is the condition of the roads these days. Many a year ago I used to ride a bicycle equipped with 28 spoke wheels with 220gm Clement Sew-up tires. I could ride those tires until the casing was showing through the tred and never suffer a flat nor wreak those lightweight wheels. By the time I had to discontinue my riding I was using the heaviest tire/wheel combination that could fit the frame and I suffered flats at least weekly and dented rims about twice a year.

Who the hell wants to commute on a thirty+ pound bike just to avoid all the above???
 
snip...Then there is the condition of the roads these days. Many a year ago I used to ride a bicycle equipped with 28 spoke wheels with 220gm Clement Sew-up tires. I could ride those tires until the casing was showing through the tred and never suffer a flat nor wreak those lightweight wheels. By the time I had to discontinue my riding I was using the heaviest tire/wheel combination that could fit the frame and I suffered flats at least weekly and dented rims about twice a year.

Who the hell wants to commute on a thirty+ pound bike just to avoid all the above???

Continental Ultra Gatorskins. From the Atlantic to the Pacific (4,506.7 miles) on a single pair. Six flats:1 tire wire, 1 unknown, 1 internal object chaffing, 3 goat heads—and that was my fault for walking the bike through a field. Great tires.
 
I would love to start cycling again, but the roads around here are filled with ***holes in giant lifted pickup trucks who drive like maniacs and think they own the roads. I honestly would not feel safe riding around here.

As an example, a group of us from my command did a roadside cleanup last summer. 90% of the pickup drivers swerved to try to get as close to us as possible. Some even threw trash out the windows at us.

In contrast, while I was stationed in Japan, I rode my bike all the time. I had no problem with the drivers on the narrow, twisty roads.
 
A few posts earlier I mentioned upgrading my entry level 2007 Trek 4300 hard tail to a full suspension 2010 Trek Fuel EX6. My initial plan was to sell the hard tail on Craigslist and hopefully get $150-$200, but in the grand scheme of things I asked myself what the cost would be to replace the bike if for some reason I needed or wanted a 2nd bike. Besides, like rockets, you can never have too many bikes. :) So, I decided to keep it and instead repurpose it for road use. (Or, should I ever want to invite a friend along to ride I now have a 2nd bike.)

Around where I live there are a lot of established paved trails that I'd like to ride for the cardio benefit not to mention the many sidewalks adjacent to the beaches here. I did some reading online and evidently converting a mountain bike for road use or touring is quite common. I started by replacing the knobby off-road tires with 26"x1.25" slick Bontrager tires. On order is a Surly 80mm corrected rigid front fork that will replace the heavier front suspension fork. I added some handlebar extensions that help with a lower or forward leaning posture. The last upgrade will be to use the clipless pedals off my new Trek on the newly converted road bike since being clipped in on single track trails doesn't offer me the level of bail out freedom I feel comfortable with. :) Anyhow, attached is a picture with the new tires and handle bar extensions.

For anyone that's traveled someplace for a touring expedition I'd love to hear from you as I am fascinated by the concept. Thoughts and comments on the bike repurposing are welcome. :)

Trek4300_Roadie_150dpi.jpg
 
The road conversion is looking good! One thought I just had from when I did something similar, is replacing the quickrelease wheel thingies with hex key ones (I used these). Very handy if you're going to be locking it up outside anywhere - it's not going to stop someone determined, but puts off any random passerby from undoing/stealing your wheels.
 
Getting back to your original question - Due to the extremely poor condition of the roads in my locale, I no longer ride a bicycle.
Rode for many years, off and on.
In 1963, living in Detroit, a young man in my middle school let me ride his Italian racing bike, and I was hooked.

Won my second race, as a junior, and earned prize money for transportation to the Tour of Somerville.
In 1964, still as a junior, placed first in the Michigan State Championships.
Would love to have back the 1963 Black Schwinn Paramount track bike that I rode there and in the National Championships.

Now old and pudgy, all my riding is on a Triumph Legend 900cc motorcycle.

No matter the ride, it's still nice to be on the road.
 
I drive a total of 70 miles a day for work so cycling won't work for me.
But a motorcycle might do just fine. :D

.
 
Continental Ultra Gatorskins. From the Atlantic to the Pacific (4,506.7 miles) on a single pair. Six flats:1 tire wire, 1 unknown, 1 internal object chaffing, 3 goat heads&#8212;and that was my fault for walking the bike through a field. Great tires.

1 pair of Specialized Nimbus Armadillos - Vacouver, BC to St. John, Newfoundland - 7500 kilometers - zero flats. When I finished you could just start to see some of the inner puncture resistant jacket (nylon or kevlar) through the top of the rubber tread on the back tire.

I have also used Gatorskins - they are an excellent product.
 
Anyone want to join me on the Tour de Summerlin in Las Vegas on 30 Apr, 80 mile route? Now I just need a rocket themed jersey, other than my US Air Force one.
 
Anyone want to join me on the Tour de Summerlin in Las Vegas on 30 Apr, 80 mile route? Now I just need a rocket themed jersey, other than my US Air Force one.

Sounds like a great time although I've got plans for that weekend. I'm headed to North Carolina for 4 days of riding singletrack MTB - 2 days in the Piedmont Triad and 2 in Tsali. (Great video here - 1st one, 6:53 in length: https://www.sirbikesalot.com/showfiles.php?sid=8&ci=57&pk=41&tr=1&ft=2&grp=4)
 
Death Race 2011 happened over the weekend. 36 riders on all kinds of different motorized bikes attended. MB raceing is in it's infancy but growing. The motors, for a Chinese motor, are very cheap. The fastest bikes use Italian moped motors that make as much as 10+ horse power from a 50cc motor! Try THAT on your weedeater :wink:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZtPwlJXKv4
 
I completed my 2007 Trek 4300 mountain bike to road bike conversion earlier in the week. I can't believe how heavy the entry level RST Gila front fork is! Holy cow! It's like the bike is 50% lighter with a plain rigid front fork. Total mods to convert the bike: 26"x1.25" slick road tires, Surly 1x1 rigid front fork, clipless pedals, and some new rim brakes for good measure. I have a Bell wireless computer, front LED headlight, and flashing LED tail light for evening rides. I totally don't intend this bike to be a complete replacement for a "cycling" roadbike, but it'll serve me well as a local commuter or for evenings when I want to hit the streets or paved trails after work. Of course, it may pique my interest enough in a future Trek roadbike purchase. :)

Per my co-worker, who has about 11 bikes, he says the equation for bike ownership is N+1B where N is the number of bikes you currently own and 1B the bike you don't. Sounds a lot like rocketry collecting huh? LOL!

Trek4300_Conversion_150dpi.jpg
 
I just got a GoPro Hero 960 plus a handlebar mount and did a test run with it on a "green/beginner" trail this past weekend. The results on the sections with roots/bumps weren't as smooth as I'd like them to be. I've seen a good share of helmet mounted videos which seem to produce great results; however, I'm not fond of the extra weight on my head.

Next weekend I'll be in North Carolina riding the popular trails of Tsali in the Nantahalla National forest. I can't wait! For now, here's a local ride at Flatwoods whose trails are indeed flat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWQdNC7SGcI&NR=1
 
Well, after becoming disgusted with the incredibly poor quality of the Chinee motorized bike motors I sold all of it off. I got 3 motors and all 3 had the magneto coils go out, twice leaving me with a long walk pushing the bike home:mad:

Tomorrow I'm ordering an Italian Morini motor. They are as good as the Chinee motors are bad. They come on KTM pit bikes and mini ATV's. Motobecan mopeds use them as do many, many European Moped and scooter companies. Their dependability is legendary, many go over 10,000 miles with nary a complaint.

I would trust it to get me to the Swan Falls launch site used by TIR, the pavement anyway. The dirt "road" going to the launch area is another story ;)
 
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I've been road biking for almost 30 years. I bike around our metroplex mostly, and with various groups I've covered the whole thing at one time or another. My longest out and back was 135 miles, done about 20 years ago. In more recent years 40-50 miles was an average long ride.

I had a bad crash 11 months ago and I haven't ridden since. You've heard the nursery rhyme... well we called all the kings horses and all the kings men and they did manage to put my face back on. About 6 months after that I didn't scare little kids quite so badly.

I had 2 bikes like this one, this particular one is very much shorter (length not height) than it was in the photo, pretty much a total loss. I don't know if or when I'll be back to riding.

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I just started cycling after a couple of decades as part of a new fitness plan (I also walk, swim, work on a treadmill, and do strength training). I was loaned a Montague Commuter which is basically a big hybrid. Neat thing is it folds up.

Since I got it I've done 10, 16, and 18 miles and want to get to 20 in 1:45 on a routine basis. I'm going to stick to pavement for the time being as I just find exploring the local community interesting.

Was gonna go tonight, but the WX just turned ugly.

Oh yeah, this fitness plan combined with Weight Watchers for diet planning has allowed me to lose 170 pounds w/o surgery since 1/18/2010. Not bad if I do say so myself!
 
Oh yeah, this fitness plan combined with Weight Watchers for diet planning has allowed me to lose 170 pounds w/o surgery since 1/18/2010. Not bad if I do say so myself!

You lost one whole me! :y: Wow - AWESOME work! I think that kind of achievement is monumental. I hope you feel incredible since dropping that kind of weight.

Since my last posting I caved and bought a road bike, SPD-SL Bontrager cycling shoes, and a Bontrager cycling helmet. (The downward buying spiral into a new hobby continues!) In the cycling aficionado realm I committed a sin by buying online from a notoriously inexpensive website rather than paying twice for a local bike shop Trek with the same components. (This is akin to buying rockets online versus at a local hobby shop.) Simply stated, had I not gone this route I wouldn't have even gotten into cycling. Later, when I develop a much higher interest, or if I decide to take cycling to another level, I might consider a top dollar Trek.

While I am still no fan of drivers choosing to share the road here in Florida, I have found enough places where I would feel good/safe enough to ride - i.e. Suncoast Trail, Pinellas Trail, Upper Tampa Bay, Bayshore/Davis Island, etc. I am going to meet up with some newbie group rides to also get a feel for pack riding on city streets. It's not that I'd be immune from auto danger in a pack, but at least if we got taken out I'd know it wasn't because I was riding someplace that I shouldn't have been. Thus far I've managed average speeds of about 19-20mph for 16+ miles. (In a previous post I showed photos of my Trek 4300 MTB converted for road use. On it I'd maintain 16-17mph average speeds.)

Attached is a picture of my new 2011 Motobecane Vent Noir (Shimano 105 components)

On June 12 I'll do my first ever sprint triathlon - 1/4mi swim, 12mi cycle, 5k run. Of the 3 legs of the race, the swim will be my weakest. :( I was never much of a swimmer, but have trained for about 4 weeks and feel confident about covering the distance. We'll see!

vent_x_2100.jpg
 
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