Biking: Catch-all

Yeah, that was a pretty shocking way to close out tips, sir. Get well soon.

Geez, man! I hope everything goes well and you'll be back up and running soon!

Thanks everyone. I have no procedures scheduled today and am basically just hanging out waiting on results. I might not not have any until tomorrow. There's been talk of draining more fluid out of me, as there's still some there, but it doesn't seem to be rapidly filling with more, which is good.

Still, it's a hospital. An awesome hospital with amazing, considerate, and attentive staff, mind you, but a hospital all the same, and I'm stuck here until further notice.

Part of me wants to hasten things by dipping into my savings for off-season at the shop and have a friend pick up a 3DS XL for me, which would be dumb because I'm really only wanting to play that update of StarFox 64. The other part is patiently reading books dropped off by some visitors and hoping I don't ultimately need surgery. Not being on a bike for four days is bad enough as is, you know?

Last I'll mention it here, but with the Biking thread being one of my "home" threads, I figured it worth linking for anyone who wants to keep up with me - http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/node/1... Looks like I've got a fight ahead of me.

Oof. 44 miles in 48 degree weather. I think that'll be more then enough for me until warmer weather rolls around.

I've languished in recent weeks, but now have cleared with mgmt to work from home. I'm planning to ride in the mornings, and now get to change routes. Having that one route that optimized commute time sucked the enjoyment out of riding, and that was my primary ride time.

Is there a known good option for bigger tires that don't cost a lot? I've seen some tires on Amazon that seemed decent, and read reviews. Cincinnati tends to have wetter winters than snowy.

What size tires are you normally on? If you ride 700C, I'd vote for Vittorria Randonneurs. On the cheaper-but-doable side, I've been riding Kenda Kwiks in 700x28 and those have been okay. They seem to wear pretty fast, though-- I've only had mine for a few months and my back tire is already starting to square out. Probably doesn't help that I skid to a stop pretty often, though.

700C, yeah. Currently with 700x22, I think. Until I'm putting serious miles on, I'm not too worried about wear.

Norfair wrote:

Oof. 44 miles in 48 degree weather. I think that'll be more then enough for me until warmer weather rolls around.

Wool pants?

Is there any way to donate if we cannot attend?

Yes, thanks for asking! The ChipIn campaign (which some Goodjers urged me to start in the first place) that's been pulling in a whole lot of help is still active. You'll find it at http://nickkeiser.chipin.com/my-batt...

(Copying this directly from my cancer thread so you don't have to click through. Apologies for the clutter but I'd like to see this thing be successful. Though I will say the raffle can net you free bike gear or even a whole bike, so it's not entirely off-topic.)

So that benefit show/party I mentioned? Yeah, it's happening:

http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/Sal......

That's Sunday, October 28 at The Beat Kitchen, 2100 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL.

Live music is by Todd Hembrook and The Hemispheres, a local band specializing in that classic soul/R&B and Mowtown sound.

There's a $10 basic ticket and a $20 VIP ticket. The latter gets you in at 6pm for an open hosted beer bar provided courtesy of Goose Island and New Belgium Brewing. Door is otherwise at 7:30pm.

There's a huge raffle going on, ticket collections done from 7-8pm, with drawings made 8-830pm. Bikes, tons of bike stuff (helmets, jerseys, lights, etc.), some high-end liquor, and more. I'll post a list of all the donors and most of the prizes EDIT: in my cancer thread as soon as my friends organizing this whole affair get it to me.

If you can make this event, if you can drag your friends out for this event...I'd be thrilled. It's both a benefit to help me in my fight against cancer, but it's also my birthday (i'll be turning 31). The proceeds are going to be a big help, but I think it's also going to be a really fun evening. I'd love to see the handful of you I've already met, and I'd enjoy meeting those of you that I haven't yet met. A lot of my friends from over the years will be there, and I'm guessing quite a cross-section of folks I know through the bike shop as well, and they're all friendly, cool people. I think we're in for a good time, and it's all happening early enough where your Monday doesn't have to get off to a rough start.

As I said, more details on the prizes EDIT: in my cancer thread as they become available. If you're in the area and can make it, I hope to see you there.

Been trying to put in some serious miles the last few weeks to get ready for the 840 Gran Fondo, which everyone should make it out for if you're anywhere near Middle Tennessee. They're opening a brand new section of highway (that'd be 840, natch) and cyclists are going to be the very first people to ever get to ride on it. The governor of TN will be there, everyone's favorite cyclist Jens Voigt will be there, Whole Foods is catering, the whole deal. Half-metric, metric, and full century distances.

October 13th. I'll be there if you can make it.

Holy crap, Minarchist. That sounds like a hell of a time. If not for my physical condition, I'd be figuring out a way to get down there for the full century!

Here's hoping you have a good time. I have little doubt you will, as it's hard to beat a ride on virgin asphalt. What distance are you going for?

I would love to do the full century -- I have enough of them under my belt -- but I haven't gotten the base miles in this year, especially for the amount of climbing involved. A couple 40-mile rides over the last few weekends have shown me that. So I'm going for the metric. I want to be there for the historic aspect of it, regardless of distance, though.

Anyone interested in some awesome wheel bling, I have a 20% off code for the new Monkey Light M232 wheel light that's good until Oct 7th. Use the code MONKEYGO at Amazon. I've been using the old model for 5 years and they're awesome, and I've already ordered a set of the new lights for myself

IMAGE(http://www.monkeylectric.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/rainbow_flower.jpg)IMAGE(http://www.monkeylectric.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/m232_patterns_500.jpg)

Serengeti wrote:

Anyone interested in some awesome wheel bling, I have a 20% off code for the new Monkey Light M232 wheel light that's good until Oct 7th. Use the code MONKEYGO at Amazon. I've been using the old model for 5 years and they're awesome, and I've already ordered a set of the new lights for myself

IMAGE(http://www.monkeylectric.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/rainbow_flower.jpg)IMAGE(http://www.monkeylectric.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/m232_patterns_500.jpg)

If I knew I was going back to Burning Man next year, I'd be all over that like, well, like a hippy over blinky sh*t.

Jonman wrote:

If I knew I was going back to Burning Man next year, I'd be all over that like, well, like a hippy over blinky sh*t.

Well, they also make you nice and visible from the side, so there's a safety benefit too!

They just announced that Jens Voigt is going to be at the 840 Gran Fondo, and that Yazoo is supplying the free post-ride booze!

<3

Yeah, that's a 4yr old riding down a trail.

I might buy some of those monkey lights to put my family members at ease about me riding at night.

mrtomaytohead wrote:

Yeah, that's a 4yr old riding down a trail.

"Can you see well?"
"No, I don't need to pee."

That trail looks super fun, lots of jumpy goodness!

fleabagmatt wrote:
mrtomaytohead wrote:

Yeah, that's a 4yr old riding down a trail.

"Can you see well?"
"No, I don't need to pee."

That trail looks super fun, lots of jumpy goodness!

From what I could tell, its in New Hampshire? Search results returned a page full of youtube results instead of a location. After a few more tries I found the bike park's website, I think.

Yeah, looks like NH.

Highland Park Bike Park

Hellion is on the left side of the trail map.

Whistler is a much closer drive for me, though.

The wife and I were planning on selling off our freeride bikes to help fund a motorcycle for her, but some recent viewings of whistler bike park videos as well as a recent bike park opening here in Washington has us seriously reconsidering.

My wife and I have entered a new era of health-consciousness. We're running and eating better. I've been cycling, she's been boxing. I've wanted to find a partner for cycling, someone to pace against, someone to push me. Strava recently updated their iOS app and I think I'll be able to use it a bit more for motivation, but it still would leave a gap.

Last weekend we took my old, small road bike and my new one on a rail-to-trail (Ohio to Erie/Little Miami Scenic). She remarked that while a road bike is definitely what she wanted, she was reaching too much and over the course of eight miles became sore. I think the seat-tube measurement's okay for her, if a little high, but the top tube is certainly too long.

After having pondered for some time lately about how to afford a PC build, we splurged and got her a GT Series 3. She loves it, but hasn't really put more than a few puppy-love miles on it. She has the potential to smoke me, as she carries more leg strength than I do. I can't wait.

This brings me to a question about racks. We have a cheapo that might've resulted in some gnashing of my car's bumper (we've used it before without this issue), and since the clamp sites slide kind of freely, the bikes aren't kept separated. I'm worried our nice new rides are gonna get gouged and scratched. Is there a consensus on types of racks that are good? We don't have a roof rack nor a hitch, so I don't see racks for those mount types in our immediate future.

Of course, I'll be looking around. REI just opened their local store, and there are the various bike shops. But you can't beat word-of-mouth.

If you want something cheap but solid, consider looking at the Bones series by Saris. These things pop on/off with relative ease but I greatly prefer how they brace against the back of a motor vehicle vs. other easy on/off racks on the market. Not only are they stable, but the way they fit against the back of the vehicle has always struck me as a lot less likely to damage it. I also like the way the bikes are secured to the rack. You'll need to double check that the rack fits your motor vehicle, but they're worth looking into.

With that out of the way...goddamn it, Muraii, I can't tell you how stoked I am for you and your wife! One of my favorite things about getting someone on their first road bike is just seeing and hearing how excited they are about it, and how clearly aware they are of the possibilities offered by a bike that's light and fast and responsive. Thank you so, so much for splurging and getting her a solid entry-level bike, particulalry after working out your old one wasn't a good fit for her. I have no doubt in my mind that with you both on bikes that fit decently and are outfitted with quality components, you'll both wind up riding the ever-loving crap out of them. It won't take more than a couple twenty-milers to feel that each investment (yours and hers) was worthwhile. Here's wishing you both countless miles of the sweet bikey goodness as well as time well spent cycling as a couple.

ianunderhill wrote:

If you want something cheap but solid, consider looking at the Bones series by Saris. These things pop on/off with relative ease but I greatly prefer how they brace against the back of a motor vehicle vs. other easy on/off racks on the market. Not only are they stable, but the way they fit against the back of the vehicle has always struck me as a lot less likely to damage it. I also like the way the bikes are secured to the rack. You'll need to double check that the rack fits your motor vehicle, but they're worth looking into.

With that out of the way...goddamn it, Muraii, I can't tell you how stoked I am for you and your wife! One of my favorite things about getting someone on their first road bike is just seeing and hearing how excited they are about it, and how clearly aware they are of the possibilities offered by a bike that's light and fast and responsive. Thank you so, so much for splurging and getting her a solid entry-level bike, particulalry after working out your old one wasn't a good fit for her. I have no doubt in my mind that with you both on bikes that fit decently and are outfitted with quality components, you'll both wind up riding the ever-loving crap out of them. It won't take more than a couple twenty-milers to feel that each investment (yours and hers) was worthwhile. Here's wishing you both countless miles of the sweet bikey goodness as well as time well spent cycling as a couple.

Thank you for the recommendation, and another order of magnitude of thanks for the kind words. I can tell she looks at her bike and just wants to go fast. With any luck, this time next year we're riding a century up through Ohio. And then maybe a Gran Fondo or some equally ambitious group ride.

Cheers and good wishes, ianunderhill.

Anyone got any guidance on bike trainers? Unless you go crazy pricey, it seems as though the feature set is limited to resistance (wind v fluid v magnetic) and flexibility/fixed for side/side motion. After that the difference between $100 and $400 is just build quality?

What are you planning to do with a trainer? If you're looking to do interval training, fluid is the way to go because you'll ultimately need that progressive resistance to properly benefit from all the changes in speed, cadence, and effort you'll be doing. Here, I'm a fan of the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine first and then the CycleOps Fluid2 as a close second. There's substantial talk about both up thread, so check that out, but basically, the former is extremely well engineered with a completely sealed fluid chamber and is also calibrated to a power curve, so you can figure out your power output without having an expensive power meter (useful for when you're looking at most training programs in books, mags, etc.); the latter is still rock-solid and is actually a bit lighter and thus slightly easier to lug around to crits etc. for warming up if circuit racing is your deal.

If you're just looking to ride indoors during the unpleasant months, anything will do. Fluid and mag trainers are both going to be quiter than a wind trainer, but the fluid and the wind trainer both offer more realistic progressive distance vs. the mag trainer, which is going to require you to change from one fixed resistance setting to the next (typically three to five different settings). Spending more usually does translate to better build quality, so spend what you can afford - resale value is a good thing to think about in case you wind up hating indoor riding and need to Craigslist it.

I will say that, though I love Kurt's Road Machine, I think their Rock N Roll trainer is a waste. I has a huge footprint, sways side to side, and costs $200 more than the Road Machine. That's it. You won't get any real advantage out of it. Road riding is still going to feel weird for a bit after three to five months on a trainer - I don't find the Rock N Roll to be all that realistic in how it lets your bike move laterally. It's cleverly designed and well-built, sure, but that's about it.

Whatever the case, I'd advise getting a dedicated trainer tire for your back wheel, an exercise mat to go under things, plus a cover that goes over your top tube and headset (sometimes called a "bike bra" or "sweat catcher"). The trainer tire is made of a different type of rubber that doesn't break down on the trainer's roller as easily as a conventional tire - you have to swap back to your regular tire when you go back on the road, but the trainer tire will last you three to five hard indoor seasons vs the less-than-one you'll get destroying your road tire, plus you don't get flecks of rubber all over. These are made by Continental, Vittoria, Tacx, and others and tend to run about $40USD. The mat will soak up the gallons of perspiration you'll otherwise have on the floor, as well as stabilize your trainer and dampen vibration through the floor slightly. The sweat catcher will keep your bike clean, but more importantly, keep your sweat from getting into your cables, housing, and most of all your headset bearings. Trust me, salty perspiration is really bad for all that, and given how long headset bearings usually otherwise last these days (years) vs. not (months), both you and your shop mechanic will be glad you bothered with the sweat catcher/bike bra when season comes around.

Again, this has all been talked about at much greater length up thread, so check that out too. But most of all, give a shout if you have further questions, and also let us know what you go with and what your own experiences are. Lots of us can't get enough of this stuff, here.

ianunderhill wrote:

Lots!

Thanks - didn't know about the bike bra!
I'm just after something to let me ride indoors when it's dark, so I'll take a look further up the thread.