Cycling - a chat about all things bike.

[Dominique]

Originally Posted by honeybarbara

I'm an extremely aggressive cyclist. I get road rage, yell at cars, flip the bird a lot, cycle at three times the speed of most people in oxford (london too ingrained in my cycle system).
I was wondering if there was a such thing as signalling lights for my wrists! you've answered that question.
.

Honeybarbara, you made me laugh. As little flickers of me misbehaving flashed before my eyes. I am usually the perfect ambassador for bicyclists sharing the road with cars....I give the little thank you wave, I turn around and let them know they can make the right on red, I'll stay put....I ignore that they have pulled their car across the cross walk and are causing a problem at the intersection. One day, not too long ago (and I really thought some one was going to post some ignorant comment on craigs list because I was out of control) anyhow, I was obeying traffic laws and waiting to turn into traffic when a red jeep pulled up behind me
and he didn't share my idea of entering traffic safely, so he passed me (on the illegal left to turn right) and yelled from his open aired jeep STUPID CU%#! I hate that word. Traffic was bumper to bumper from traffic light to traffic light, so it wasn't long till I caught up to him and I rode right down the middle of the road and got right beside him (driverside) and said *excuse me, tell me that word you called me back there* I was right in his face! I remember a city department of water truck was in traffic going the other way and he said *Oh shit*.....so red jeep was all nervous now and he said* You know what I said*......I thought I heard a little lisp so I started to yell, in rush hour traffic and had my arm raised up and was pointing at his jeep Hey, this guy has a little dick.......little dick .....little dick.....then I peddled around the jeep that was not moving in traffic and I was over on the sidewalk side yelling the same thing and pointing at him......people were looking......traffic moved some, about a block, so I let him get away from me, then of course I caught up to him again and started to point and yell again, (whole new audience) this cheating scum bag has a little dick and I was making a little dick hand gesture.....scum bag has a little dick.....little dick.....wait, I need to call the news so they can get a camera down here......and I pulled out my cell phone......traffic began to move again........I thought if i did it again, i'd be pushing my luck.
I know, I should be ashamed of myself. But I am not.

And for the record, I do not ride my bicycle to work in my high heels and skirts....I wear bicycle shorts some ratty top and that vest. I go to the ladiesroom, I call it the lockeroom now, and get redressed, fix my hair and put on my makeup.......I allow 20 minutes for that. It's only a hair short of two miles so I'm not a total sweat ball when I arrive. I repeat the leave the house clothes, for the journey home. I can't imagine riding in high heels. I could do it in a dress, but not those shoes.

[shadows papa]

Wow, where do I start? I LOVE bicycles and everything about them. I love riding,working on them,looking at them,learning EVERYTHING about components and what works best for what! I'm now finally able to get back into riding since I'm out of school and working. I love road cycling,mountain biking, cyclocross, time trialing; if it's on two wheels I'm all over it! Now for the bikes, we have quite the collection started: 2005 Trek 1000 Team Discovery Channel edition. I upgraded the wheels,the seat,the brakes,and the stem. I also added a set of aerobars with flip-up arm pads as I used this one for training and for the hillier triathlons and as my primary bike after I sold my 2007 Trek Equinox 7 triathlon/time trial bike. I have a 1991 GT Timberline hardtail mountain bike that I ride and race on the wonderful trail systems we have in our area. It will be the first bike to get upgraded as I want to race this fall and I want a full suspension 26" bike to race on! I also have a 1991 Trek 1200. It is flourescent yellow with black crackles mixed into the paint. I stripped it down to a single speed and will be adding bullhorn bars and bar end brake levers to it in the near future. Miss Pink and I will be entering the Soldier Ride in September here in Nashville TN. It is a benefit ride for WoundedWarriors.org, an organization that provides support and empowerment to our returning soldiers who were wounded in the line of duty. I love charity rides for good causes of that sort and plan to enter more in the future. I am entering a short sprint triathlon in September as well and will use the Trek 1000 for that event. NOW for the wish list... I currently have approximately 4 to 5 bikes I want to add to our collection. 1. a full suspension 29'er mountain bike, probably a Giant Anthem X. 2. A cyclocross/commuter, probably a Surly CrossCheck or a Trek XO1. 3. A full carbon fiber road bike, probably an older model Trek 5200,that I build up myself. 4. The ultimate triathlon/TT bike, a Trek Speed Concept 9.8!!

Oh how I wish I could still race.

Hey shadows papa. That's quite list of bikes there.

Here's another of my rides

apologies for the really bad picture.

Wish list time for me.

I'd love a Windcheetah. I rode one years ago that had been customized (by the manufacturer) for a person of similar short stature to myself and it was a blast.


A Moulton Double Pylon would be nice too


A touring 'bent would be useful


My wish list however will probably only ever remain wishes rather than reality.

[Dominique]

A unicycle.....wow, I thought they were only used in the circus.

I wonder if I could ride one of those ????

I really don't want to be falling 10,000 times to learn. Just a pipe dream,

I never really see any. Those recumbant bikes are nice. All this talk about seats.....(the moulton)

I was supposed to be taking a kayak group out at 9, but we have heavy fog. They want to merge the nine a.m. with the 11 a.....most of the 9 a group has left.....I think I am leaving too. It'll be too hot.

[Diavolo]

Originally Posted by Linus

I noticed that in California, a lot of people listen to their iPods with both headphones in their ears. I never understood why someone would do that.

OMG this one makes me crazy. I have to ride on the canal trail for a while to get off of the hill and down to the part of town where it's safer to ride. I'll be hollering "on your left" and they are oblivious to me. At this point I make a mental note that we're going to hit and am always thankful when we don't. Idiots.

I don't understand why you'd fuck up a perfectly good run by pumping noise into your head.

The idea of moving around outside while that plugged in is bizarre to me. I just think about that guy that got shot because he ignored the police instruction to get down on the ground and was found to be wearing earbuds. It was a police mistake that took his life but Jesus, the dude is still dead. Was the music that important? I don't get it.

Unicycles are ridden by many folks outside the circus. There's all sorts of styles of riding. Street, flatland, mUni and just regular riding (which is what I do). Get a load of this guy - Kris Holm, unicycling god!


As a person who does certain circus-y type balancing activities like rola bola/balance board...


...'cept I don't balance girls on my shoulders and it's a few years since I built up to balancing several layers up, I can say that learning to ride a unicycle is one of the hardest things I've ever learned. I'm still a beginner and can't freemount. However, I can now turn corners and figures of eight and I can ride away from young lads who always want to have a go and as yet not one of them has managed to get on the uni - they're not good at taking instruction and think they know best even when I'm telling them the best way to mount . It amuses me greatly that they think it's that easy. I can say that I haven't injured myself learning to ride uni apart from falling off backwards the first day I got my first one and getting a nice pedal bite and a bruised arse! It's pretty easy to just step off and let the uni drop to the floor before falling.

Recumbents are wonderful to ride. HPV's hold pretty much all the human powered speed records. Having one's back up against a seat back means that big power can be transferred to the cranks - like doing leg presses in the gym. I personally prefer under seat steering as shoulders are in a more natural position. One advantage of the trike 'bents is that when out for a ride one can have an ice-cream or a cup of tea without leaving the bike

Sorry you weren't able to get out kayaking today, I hope you get to do some form of sporty activity this weekend.

[shadows papa]

Learning to ride a unicycle is on my list of "TO DO" things, Incubus! Today me, Miss Pinky and SnackBro went for a nice bike ride out in the country south of Nashville. Found a really neat route that I want to ride at a later date that will start where we started and end up at home. It's great to get out and get back to riding on the backroads. I refuse to ride my road bike on the main highways in Nashville because these folks have no respect for other cars,much less for someone in bright colored Lycra on two wheels! I have also decided to get a new 29'er hardtail as my next bike. Looking forward to adding one to the stable in mid-August when the 2012 models start making their way to my local bike shop. It's a Trek Gary Fisher Collection Mamba and should be a blast to ride on our local trails!

[Dominique]

Originally Posted by shadows papa

I refuse to ride my road bike on the main highways in Nashville because these folks have no respect for other cars,much less for someone in bright colored Lycra on two wheels!

SNIP!

I learned my lesson, Shadow (wine dog) (?) Hello again!! riding pretty far out, training, alone. You know how that goes, let me squeeze in 25 miles here.....I was squeezed off the edge of the road and where the poorly poured asphalt ended there was a three, maybe four, inch drop and then it was gravel and debris. I couldn't hold the bike on the asphalt and the front tire fell down into the gravel and that was all it took to knock me off balance and i fell. Fortunately, I fell into the gravel and not into the traffic or I would not be typing in this thread (I don't think)

Funny how when stuff like that happens, and the way you behave. Some very caring motorists pulled over and called for the police. They thought I was I was hit. It's funny now, but wasn't funny then. My Specialized RAAM
is a very expensive bicycle and I wasn't getting into an ambulance unless it was too. I was going to just get on it and ride home. I was a text book case of fight flight flee. The policeman was nice and took care of my bicycle.

That U tube clip of the unicycle was pretty neat. A different form of extreme sport. I'm serious, I've never seen anyone (outside the circus) ride one.

I'm liking the trek bikes more and more. Trek makes bikes for women too. Is this your bicycle^....that's what I'd call a wedge seat. Ouch, my butt hurts just looking at it.

Too humid today, I'm seeking refuge inside my igloo. My honey agreed to go for a bicycle ride with me as soon as the sun came up.....geeze, we were going so slowly, I could hardly keep my balance....but I didn't dare complain. Glad yinz had a nice ride!

[shadows papa]

Hi Yellow band! That is a pic of the new bike I am getting in August or September,whenever the 2012 models hit the bike shop floor. After I get my new bike, we are getting Miss Pinky the same bike in Trek's WSD (Women's Specific Design). We will then let go of two or three of the bikes we have now that don't see much riding time. I'll either use them to trade for a cyclocross bike or we'll give them to a local shop that gets kids that don't have bikes on used bikes and teaches them to ride safely. I currently ride a Selle San Marco Aspide seat on my road bike and a Terry Liberator seat on my mountain bike. Neither have much padding and they ride like a dream! I've done a LOT of research into seat fit,and it's all about where it hits your "sit bones" not about how much padding it has on it. We are getting Miss Pinky a Specialized Body Geometry seat after they do the proper measuring to ensure she gets the correct size. Because we all know if the cyclist's ass ain't happy, that cyclist ain't gonna ride very LONG!

[Dominique]

I read your post about sit bones.....I must sit right on my bones, no lie.

I really like the seat I have on the *old lady* bike I ride now, my cargo bike. I even have a top case mounted on the back. It's like my purse, well, thats where my purse goes. But I'm not dumb enough to leave my purse in there.

I followed you on twitter on your aids ride. Just wanted you to know I still read your tweets. Every time I roast a batch of coffee beans, I think of you (crazy how small the internet world is isn't it?) I think of you and all the wine folks sitting at the computer in your sunglasses tasting for flavours of flowers or hints of spice. Geeze, that calls for a good cigar!

I think donating to a potential future rider is a fantastic gesture. I'm involved in the Ghost Bikes project here (I know, how moarose) but it's my way of fighting for our right for space on the road......Those all white stripped down bikes (unfortunately) make people think.

I'm still a maniac in the gym, haven't seen a gym thread....are you just doing bicycle? It's good to *catch up* with you again!

I've been 'bitten' by the edge of asphalt too Yellow band and I still bear the scars from landing upside down in a thorn bush laden ditch. I was riding a prototype recumbent so was most concerned that the bike was ok as the guys lifted me and the machine out of the ditch. It was a group ride and all the ladies stopped to tend to my rather extensive surface wounds. I ended up rather battered, bruised and broke bones in my left hand...in other words I got away quite lightly really.

Were you badly injured Yellow band?

To be honest most folks don't think anyone rides unicycles outside the circus. "Are you in the circus" is one of the most common things folks ask when I'm out on the uni. Second most common is "Can I have a go?". As far as I know I am one of just two riders around my town.
The younger uni dudes are crazy


Shadow...do it, get yourself a unicycle - the received wisdom is start on a 20in wheel to learn the basics...it's not so far to fall from a 20 I ride a 24in wheel but would like a 26...not so sure I'm tall enough to ride a 29in wheel and I know that unless I cut down the frame I'll never ride a 36in wheel.
I learnt the basics on one of these
http://www.unicycle.com/unicycles/by...e-purple.html/

[shadows papa]

"I followed you on twitter on your aids ride. Just wanted you to know I still read your tweets. Every time I roast a batch of coffee beans, I think of you (crazy how small the internet world is isn't it?) I think of you and all the wine folks sitting at the computer in your sunglasses tasting for flavours of flowers or hints of spice. Geeze, that calls for a good cigar!"

I believe that was Diavolo that you were following on Twitter. Diavolo does the Aids LifeCycle event about every year, I think. I would LOVE to do one though!

Me again with videos. Have you guys heard of Danny MacAskill? What this guy does on a bike is a step beyond awesome.

[Dominique]

Originally Posted by Incubus

.

Were you badly injured Yellow band?

I'm not *RIGHT* but that can be an entirely seperate conversation

I was sort of in shock, I'm sure you know what I am talking about, like I said I was very preoccupied with my bicycle. Then my focus shifted to my trophy legs. I had a nasty slice on my right shin that grabbed a piece of the front of the calf muscle, that sucker had a pulse and was bleeding like a sieve. I could see that and I think thats why I was focused on it. My riding gloves did what they are suppose to do. Only the nail on the little finger was broken. I tore my riding shirt sleeve and most of my injuries were shoulder/cervical related. It took 48 hours for most of that to show up (maximum swelling) other than the road rash. The scars on my shoulder are small and that gash on my *trophy leg* is now a clean line. They closed that with surgi-tape, because I was such a nag. When I think about what could of been (had I of fallen the other way) uugh. I am fine, and thank you for asking. Kind of explains why I ride loudly now, but I still ride. It's what I do. I was born on a bicycle.

[Rockinonahigh]

Sorry I havent replyed to your post as of yet,but I havent forgotten.I havent tryed craigs list in looking for a bike but I did put out a request for one on freecycle.com today so I will see what comes out of that.I really would like to ride when it cools of some,but with 101 temp today the only rideing im doing is the stationarey ones at the gym.Besides with my asthma extream temps are a no no even tho if im careful I can get by a little.

[Cowboi]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

Sorry I havent replyed to your post as of yet,but I havent forgotten.I havent tryed craigs list in looking for a bike but I did put out a request for one on freecycle.com today so I will see what comes out of that.I really would like to ride when it cools of some,but with 101 temp today the only rideing im doing is the stationarey ones at the gym.Besides with my asthma extream temps are a no no even tho if im careful I can get by a little.

Hey Rock, Check the pawn shops. A friend of mine picked up a really nice bike there, and a good price to boot!!!

[Chancie]

I have an old mountain bike with thick heavy tires.

Will it make my bike much lighter if I ask Bicycle Guy to switch out the tires for lighter thinner ones?

Is it worth it? Will it make it easier for me to tool around town?

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

Sorry I havent replyed to your post as of yet,but I havent forgotten.I havent tryed craigs list in looking for a bike but I did put out a request for one on freecycle.com today so I will see what comes out of that.I really would like to ride when it cools of some,but with 101 temp today the only rideing im doing is the stationarey ones at the gym.Besides with my asthma extream temps are a no no even tho if im careful I can get by a little.

No apologies necessary Rockin. It would be ace if something comes back from freecycle for you. A free bike is better than no bike

I know exactly what you mean about extreme temperatures affecting your asthma. I have asthma and copd which are affected by the cold, high humidity, the wind and exercise too. Cycling is my way of keeping the 50% lung function I have left and I do feel my lungs are being less affected by the things that usually affect them with the more miles I put in. I hope that when you get a bike you experience the same improvement with your asthma.

Originally Posted by Chancie

I have an old mountain bike with thick heavy tires.

Will it make my bike much lighter if I ask Bicycle Guy to switch out the tires for lighter thinner ones?

Is it worth it? Will it make it easier for me to tool around town?

Don't think changing over the tyres will make your bike *that* much lighter if it's not a lightweight bike to start with. However changing the knobbly off road tyres to something more road worthy will make tooling round town a little faster. Less rubber on the floor is good!!

Another idea for bike sources Rockin is police sales. In my town stolen bikes not reunited with their owners are sent to a local sale room. May be worth looking into what the cops do with stolen bikes in your town/area.

[Rockinonahigh]

We have police sales twice a year,so I will check to see when one is comeing up,and check at the pawn shops then maybe something may pop up on freecycle who knows stranger things have happened.
Last week at the health club I was on a bike thing the had a screan in frount of it so it was like road rideing,the thing is really stable so I doubted I would fall off it,by time it was said and done I had gone 61/2 miles staying at no less than 80 pedals a minit to as much as 120pedals a minits in sprints.With all that sweating and pedleing I only burned 81 calories,I really thought I had done better than that...oh well thats 81 calories less.