walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Nov 2, 2020 12:19:09 GMT -8
With the changing of the clocks, coupled with the first snow (salted roads), my bike commuting is officially in the offseason... barring some random 80 degree day.
Got around 1,100 miles this year. Using the current IRS mileage rate, that was a savings of around $650. Not to mention the exercise, which is my primary reason for doing it.
I also made a point to ride several roads that I haven't been on before, and in doing so, opened up many more routes for commutes home (I hate repetition).
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Nov 30, 2020 6:37:14 GMT -8
With the changing of the clocks, coupled with the first snow (salted roads), my bike commuting is officially in the offseason... barring some random 80 degree day. With an unseasonably warm streak, and PTO that I needed to use, I worked a few half-days over the last couple of weeks and got a few more bike commutes in.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Nov 30, 2020 15:45:56 GMT -8
Being retired, and in Florida, I always think I'll ride 5000 miles. This year I made just over 3500. I spent several weeks riding zero, and pursuing other activities. It won't be any better next year, but maybe I can up my mileage during the rides I do take.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 30, 2020 17:56:03 GMT -8
Not even looking at how little I rode this year. I doubt it’s been this low since my kids were babies and I wasn’t riding at all.
ETA: I am struggling with a lot of feelings, including discomfort and fear, around riding. I hate that the accident is trying to take biking away from me, and I’m fighting it.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Dec 1, 2020 5:46:31 GMT -8
rebeccad It doesn't help that you can only ride miles on roads, with no bike trail nearby. It is certainly understandable that you are uncomfortable riding on the street. Hell, for months after seeing Jaws the first time, I looked over my shoulder while in the swimming pool in Kentucky, for god's sake. You've been traumatized and need time to get over it. It'll happen. Stay strong, and know there are many of us with you.
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Dec 3, 2020 6:50:35 GMT -8
Being retired, and in Florida, I always think I'll ride 5000 miles. This year I made just over 3500. I spent several weeks riding zero, and pursuing other activities. It won't be any better next year, but maybe I can up my mileage during the rides I do take. Always a personal conundrum. I'm goal-oriented, so I like like to reach milestones, but I also like to do lots of different activities (so if I'm riding, I'm not running, lifting weights, etc.).
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Post by bluefish on Jan 8, 2021 6:45:39 GMT -8
Not even looking at how little I rode this year. I doubt it’s been this low since my kids were babies and I wasn’t riding at all. ETA: I am struggling with a lot of feelings, including discomfort and fear, around riding. I hate that the accident is trying to take biking away from me, and I’m fighting it. If I try to put myself in your shoes, I'm inconsolable and rendered immobile, so I think your doing pretty well. My wife dislikes road riding with a passion, so to accommodate her I try to trail ride as much as possible. Having spent a little time around where you live, I know there's some off road available to you. Mt. biking is usually anathema to backpackers, but some of the easy trails are tremendously fun and great exercise. Better yet for road bikers that don't want to invest in another type of bike, is putting gravel tires on your standard road rims. As long as your rims are relatively decent, you can , depending on fork and seat stay clearance, swap your 18-23mm road tires for 28-33mm gravel tires. As you aren't too far from FS roads in Lassen NF, it might be a fun thing to do. My riding is a necessity born of my medical needs, but has brought me great joy in the process. Roll resistance isn't that compromised, as we did some 50-60 mile rides on the road with them. We're lucky, as we have a great network of rural roads with very little traffic. Off road they lend greater traction and some shock absorption. They also allow a modicum of flotation, as they run at slightly lower air pressures. Say, 90 instead of 110 as an example. I built an off road bike when I lived in the Eastern Sierra in the 70's. It was merely a conversion of a sturdy road bike that I put Schwinn puff tires on , cantilever brakes off a tandem bike , straight handlebars, with a single chain ring and a large gear on the freewheel. All those roads through the high desert i.e., the Alabama Hills, around Mono Lake, alongside the Owens River, out and up into the Whites and Inyos, became available. Just a thought. Here's my wife on the studded fat bike. Safe as safe can be.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 8, 2021 8:13:26 GMT -8
bluefish, yes, riding gravel roads and some (very easy) trails has been my go-to, and I am enjoying it. Mostly it’s just the dirt road up Bidwell Park, since this isn’t the season for higher elevations! I have a very cheap, very heavy mountain bike bought years ago for hauling groceries, which just adds to the exercise aspect, since it’s a lot of work to ride :D I miss long road rides, but given how I flinch when vehicles pass at more than about 25 mph, I’ll be sticking to very back roads for a while, at least. I am toying with the idea of seeking out group rides, maybe after I get a COVID vaccine. I think I’d feel less vulnerable riding with others.
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Post by bluefish on Jan 8, 2021 13:37:09 GMT -8
bluefish, yes, riding gravel roads and some (very easy) trails has been my go-to, and I am enjoying it. Mostly it’s just the dirt road up Bidwell Park, since this isn’t the season for higher elevations! www.tahoejacks.com/winter-activities/fat-bike-adventure/Rebecca, I looked this up, since almost every Vt. ski resort and many inns now have fat bikes right along with cross country skis. I ride snow everyday. Yes, it's slow, but it burns huge calories and is fun beyond measure for me. I have ridden the Sno-Park at Rock Creek in the Sierra . All you really need is a packed snowmobile or snowshoe track. Go during a moderate temp. night with a full moon and road biking will slightly diminish in your estimation. lol I crossed one road today on a crosswalk marked by prominent chartreuse bike crossing signs and a marked crosswalk on the pavement. NY state law is pedestrians have the right of way if they are in or at the crossing. One truck stopped for me and I creeped out . A van came from the opposite direction and never touched his brakes. Had I trusted laws and signs, I wouldn't be typing this.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 8, 2021 19:17:32 GMT -8
But... it’s cold! How would I keep my hands and feet from freezing? (That’s a real question, since even with insulated shoe covers, my feet get cold, as in numb and white, when I ride in temps below about 60). When we were in Maine 2 years ago, I had to stop riding in November even before snow fell, because it was just too painful.
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Post by bobcat on Jan 8, 2021 19:37:03 GMT -8
When I lived in Minnesota, I had an extra pair of cleated bike shoes a size larger for thicker socks, and my neoprene shoe covers went with that pair. Also wore the shoes looser fastened, so I could wiggle my toes. Just to keep my feet warm. And I used lobster mitts for my hands. And a face mask/balaclava that fit under my helmet. Staying warm in cold wind was a challenge!
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Post by bluefish on Jan 9, 2021 5:59:58 GMT -8
But... it’s cold! How would I keep my hands and feet from freezing? (That’s a real question, since even with insulated shoe covers, my feet get cold, as in numb and white, when I ride in temps below about 60). When we were in Maine 2 years ago, I had to stop riding in November even before snow fell, because it was just too painful. Fat bikes are designed for riding with more clothing. I don't use clipless, I use platform pedals. I could wear Sorels if I wanted to. Flat bars are easy to use with heavy gloves. If it's below 30, I wear heavy wool pants I've used for 35 winters now. That said, I do avoid heater packs, as they are wasteful. It's normal to use below a 1:1 gear and a high cadence to slow cruise through snow. Generates lots of heat and little wind. It's not for everyone, it's a blessing for me because riding keeps me alive. I hate riding rollers or the thought of someone barking at me from a screen. I'm acclimated to a cold environment, not everyone likes or has the metabolism for it.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Jan 15, 2021 3:49:01 GMT -8
I've decided that I don't like the knock-around bike I bought a few years ago, and I've been working on fixing up my old road bike.
I sent it to Toby at Hot Tubes, who did a great job.
Before (yeah, it had some rust).
In the early 90s I had a bad crash. Broke both of my arms (have plate and screws to prove it), sheared the rear derailleur in half (!), bent the rear DS dropout, etc.
I had it "fixed" - bent back into shape and primed, but not painted. Fast forward, and Toby found that the hanger was in bad shape, so he replaced it.
After.
New hanger. I'm working on building it up again. It's pretty much a full rebuild with new components. I keep finding little parts that I need/want to replace.
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Post by bluefish on Jan 15, 2021 12:36:32 GMT -8
That's gorgeous, Reuben. May you never go down again! I want to get my Peugeot painted ( I found decals) eventually and maybe, just maybe do a Campy groupset. I just got a set of used Campy wheels.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Jan 15, 2021 13:25:52 GMT -8
It looks better than when I bought it in the '80s! No clearcoat at the time.
You might want to let a pro paint it. I'm super happy, and communication was great. A good painter will take care of decals, pantographing, clearcoat, and everything. Chrome can be tricky, I think because of the chemicals involved, and an environmental/employee hazard. Toby doesn't do chrome, but says he uses a very nice silver paint. With clearcoat on top it probably looks a lot like chrome.
Peugeot is classic.
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