rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 7, 2018 7:49:14 GMT -8
You cannot outride that thunderstorm. I raced one home last winter. Ours are kind of wimpy, so I made it Both of us were lucky there wasn't hail like in CO Springs yesterday!
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Post by plaidman on Aug 21, 2018 13:14:20 GMT -8
I've enjoyed reading this thread.
I like to ride to work and usually get in 3 days/week, but this monstrous summer has not had many opportunities for that. I got on the bike again last week, and rode again today. I have a road bike (1996 Lemond Tourmalet) that I really like, but I reluctantly put it up on the hooks in the garage when I had one too many scrapes on my commute. At my weight (220), the rim brakes and skinny tires don't stop very well, and I've had a couple of right hooks that banged me up but strangely didn't result in the destruction of the bike. So, I set up a folding Montague Paratrooper for the commute. It has streety tires (26 x 1 3/4) and disc brakes. It also has front suspension, which has spoiled me. It's not very light, but then again, neither am I. I'll count ounces on my backpack, but when it comes to my commute bike, I don't have any climbs to speak of and I need the work anyway. I do miss that fleet feeling of the Lemond, though.
Over the last 10 years, my commute route has evolved away from schools and busy thoroughfares. Now, about half of it is on a bike trail along a "creek" (a poor watercourse that has been concreted and channelized). The rest is on residential streets, with stop lights at 3 major arterial crossings. I used to resent these lights, but now look forward to stopping for a drink of water at them. I also used to have a basic Cat Eye cycle computer, but it stopped working and I haven't gotten around to fixing it. My total time enroute has been creeping up over the last couple of years. I used to knock off 10 miles in just under 30 minutes (the Lemond days). Now, it's more like 35 minutes for 8.5 miles.
A friend at work who is younger, faster and more ardent than I am rides to work on the expressway. He has an air horn tie-wrapped to the handle bars and swears that it works wonders on cars drifting into the bike lane. I don't know how he hasn't been mowed-over from behind, but with a good mirror, maybe he's fast enough to avoid death by smart phone.
The bike has gotten me through the worst of times before, and I am now counting on it to help me get me through the loss of my dear father, who passed two weeks ago. This is--hands down--the hardest thing I've ever encountered. Our son is reading Lonesome Dove right now, and I was reminded of Call's comment that "the best thing to do with death is to ride on from it." That's what I hope to do on my bike. I am new here, so please accept my apologies for the downer. I am really looking forward to the ride home today.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 21, 2018 18:35:28 GMT -8
plaidman I’m really sorry for your loss. That is a hard one, for sure. If riding helps, then I say ride on!
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Post by autumnmist on Aug 21, 2018 20:10:10 GMT -8
plaidman, I too offer my condolences for your loss. My father passed in April and I'm just now starting to get over it and move forward. Give yourself plenty of time and let your grief work itself out at its own pace. I like the idea of an air horn for a bike. I've been wondering what to get to use when telemarketers call on the phone. I could just ignore them, but I do kind of enjoy responding with annoying noises.
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Post by plaidman on Aug 21, 2018 20:46:49 GMT -8
Thanks, Rebeccad and Autumnmist. It's new territory for me. I need to keep moving and the bike is always here when I can't get to the mountains.
Sometimes I just press the buttons on the phone when telemarketers call. "Redial" spits them out pretty fast, and no one else in the house has to hear it. Amazing how the world has evolved such banalities as telemarketing, isn't it? I'm a little rusty, but I don't think there are telemarketers in the Bible, the Koran or other sacred texts. Another good reason to get on the bike and ride!
Thanks again.
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Post by revorunner on Aug 22, 2018 9:33:25 GMT -8
Good stuff plaidman. Cycling can be very therapeutic, I hope it helps with the healing process. There are so many positives with cycling to work. Stay safe on the road.
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Post by plaidman on Aug 31, 2018 8:44:21 GMT -8
We're heading up to Mendocino for the long weekend. I'm looking forward to riding in the hills and the redwoods. I hope everyone has a good, safe weekend on the road.
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walkswithblackflies
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Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Oct 5, 2018 10:20:06 GMT -8
I have no financial interest in the company or product. I just thought it looks like a good product idea and I'm considering buying one or two for me and my daughter, since we run in the dark during the winter. It could also extend the period I bicycle commute, if I feel safe that traffic will see me. www.noxgear.com/tracer360PS - The site says to enter your e-mail to obtain a code to save 30%. I'll save you the hassle... the code is SAVE30.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,666
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 13, 2018 9:01:40 GMT -8
Looks interesting, walkswithblackflies. A really minimalist safety vest, so more suitable to warm weather than some I’ve seen.
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walkswithblackflies
Trail Wise!
Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
Posts: 6,926
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Oct 17, 2018 4:53:49 GMT -8
My new ride... a 2019 Giant Talon 3. It replaces my 15+ year old, steel-framed Schwinn that I bought at Walmart for $150. Other than tires, brake pads, and a chain, I haven't had to replace anything on that bike. But it was just beginning to generally wear out. FYI... the new bike looked a lot cooler before I geeked it out with my commuting stuff.
ETA: Got a flat on my first ride... of course. A nice 1.5" #10 wood screw. I literally needed my screwdriver to get it out.
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Post by plaidman on Oct 19, 2018 12:17:25 GMT -8
Nice bike! Are you going to keep the knobby tires, or put on something slicker for the road? Also, one of my favorite products is Mr. Tuffy tire liners. Even with Kevlar tires, I've gotten punctures, but when I run Mr. Tuffy inside, nothing gets through. The only flats I've had have been from sidewall punctures, which are really rare on the road.
It's a beautiful day here in sunny northern California. I'm going out to test the route for our company's charity ride that's next Friday. I "have" to ride down the Guadalupe River (not really a river) trail past San Jose Airport and then back north, looking for closures, obstructions, hazards etc. After that, I'll head home and maybe do something appropriate for the backpacker bar.
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walkswithblackflies
Trail Wise!
Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Oct 22, 2018 12:34:59 GMT -8
Are you going to keep the knobby tires, or put on something slicker for the road? The existing tires are super-grippy, which means they probably will wear down quickly on roads. So I think I'll get a pair of Bell Flat Defense tires. That's what I have on my old bike and they performed really well. Although a slicker tire would perform better on roads, I like to make off-road forays during my commute sometimes. And I won't have to change tires if I want to do a purely off-road weekend ride. Plus, riding knobby tires on roads will get me in better shape! LOL! I'll save the existing tires for extended off-road adventures. www.walmart.com/ip/Bell-Sports-Flat-Defense-Mountain-Bike-Tire-29-x-2-10-2-25-Black/530496709ETA: I also feel super-cool when I sound like a pickup truck going down the road!
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rangewalker
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Agitate, organize and educate.
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Post by rangewalker on Jan 3, 2019 20:28:32 GMT -8
Who else winter rides or commutes in the snow and ice country? My winter cycle is a 1984 Trek Single Track with 26" Kenda Studs. I am going to retire and restore this beast and replace with a hard tail MTB, disc brakes with probably a 1 x 11, used. The twist grip shifters are getting iffy and wheel brakes get ugly is the slip and slush. 200 me and load of groceries does not help. This photo does not show the light array, pogies and retro panniers. The latest pedals are Race Face studded flats. Fenders front and rear now. UPDATE: FEB 2019 I did have this beast overhauled. Glides it does now. Now a dedicated winter street bike.
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walkswithblackflies
Trail Wise!
Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Jan 7, 2019 10:19:33 GMT -8
Who else winter rides or commutes in the snow and ice country? When I was a kid, we'd ride everywhere on our BMX bikes during the winter. It was fun. I bike-commute during the warm months, and although I've thought about commuting during the winter, our weather (i.e. - lake effect) is just too iffy most days. I don't want to be anywhere near a road in whiteout conditions. Even when the weather is "nice", there is so much salt on the road that it would ruin a bike, not to mention the clouds of salt kicked up by passing vehicles. There's a fairly sizable ground of fat-bike enthusiasts here that hit the trails during the winter months. Looks fun, but I'd rather run, snowshoe, or XC ski.
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walkswithblackflies
Trail Wise!
Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
Posts: 6,926
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Jan 7, 2019 10:33:34 GMT -8
I have no financial interest in the company or product. I just thought it looks like a good product idea and I'm considering buying one or two for me and my daughter, since we run in the dark during the winter. It could also extend the period I bicycle commute, if I feel safe that traffic will see me. www.noxgear.com/tracer360FYI... I got this vest as an Xmas present. It is super bright. By pressing a button, you can choose from around 6 solid colors and about the same number of transitioning and/or blinking options. Two thumbs up!
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