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My weekend. 2015 SCNCA district cyclocross champion in my age group, 50+. California is the only state that gets divided (north and south) for state championships. Our half is So Cal/So Nevada. I get to wear the bear
First major championship for me since semi-retiring from cycling back in 2004. Feels great to be back.
Would prefer an internally-geared hub, but otherwise exactly what I need.
The fact that "continued coverage" is $120 a year made me do a little googling. There aren't many bicycle-insurance providers in the US (loads of them in the UK), but I requested a quote from one, Markel Insurers. Replacement-value policy on a $900 bike (incl. accessories) with $100 deductible would run $100 a year. Depending on how frequently you expect the bike to be stolen, that works out to about the same as the "Invincible" bike.
I already own two of the best locks money can buy, both Kryptonite. One is the Evolution series U-lock which, along with a 7' double-loop cable (for the wheels) is what I carry on-board and use while at work and on errands. The other is the model 1217 "New York Chain" which, along with the Evo 4 disc lock, weighs 13.5 lbs. This one stays at home, and gets used at night (in addition to the U-lock and cable).
Realistically speaking, I doubt anyone is going to put in the effort to lift a $750 bike which is thusly secured, though I have no way of stopping accessory theft, which would include **** like hydraulic disc brakes if so equipped. The best solution I've thus come up with is to permanently secure accessories to the bike using JB-weld both on the fastener threads as well as in the head of the fastener. So far, it's worked. My light brackets, bidon cage, etc., are all secured in this way, and none have walked. For the saddle, I bought some 3/8" insulated steel cable from Home Depot, looped it through the saddle lower and the frame, and secured it with U-clamps which are also JB-welded in place. You could cut it, but it would be time-consuming...
This does take a little practice, but it is hands down the best dual purpose chuck I've ever seen. In fact, forgetting Schraeder valves, it may be one of best Presta chucks around:
This does take a little practice, but it is hands down the best dual purpose chuck I've ever seen. In fact, forgetting Schraeder valves, it may be one of best Presta chucks around:
For what tubing id/od?
My ancient Topeak chuck got smushed, sorta still works.
What's the standing forum record for number of flats in a one week period of ordinary road use?
This summer I had three on one hot 100 mile training ride. Ran out of tubes, patches and light then my valve extender cracked (deep carbon rims). Friend who I race with happened to drive by while I was futzing with thing 6 miles from the shop. Up to that point I refused to give up and was looking for road side trash to make a temporary seal for the valve adapter. Decided a ride in an air conditioned truck sounded like an acceptable alternative.
This summer I had three on one hot 100 mile training ride.
I read things like this, and I think "Jesus, 20 miles is enough to turn my legs to jello if there's any sort of significant elevation change involved."
I read things like this, and I think "Jesus, 20 miles is enough to turn my legs to jello if there's any sort of significant elevation change involved."
It's all relative. First you get good at riding 5 miles, then 10 and so on.
I can't imagine sitting a terminal programming something in linux for 8 hours but that's a cakewalk for some on this forum.
What's the standing forum record for number of flats in a one week period of ordinary road use?
I went through 5 tubes in two CX races a couple years ago, both in one night.
Over the summer I super-smashed a sharp-edged crater in the road. Ended up putting three sidewall holes in two tires, went through both spare tubes on the way home because I only booted one hole in each tire. It was bad, two people broke Roval wheels that day.
It's all relative. First you get good at riding 5 miles, then 10 and so on.
I can't imagine sitting a terminal programming something in linux for 8 hours but that's a cakewalk for some on this forum.
+1. The legs aren't properly warm until mile 15 or so. I think my longest ride is only ~82 miles or so, did 73 last week with fast bros and was hurt. I'm ramping up on distance right now as I have one more straight cat-5 race in mid-January, will ride like a rapscallion bastard and sneak-in a top-10. All part of my quest to make it to cat-3 in the next five years so that I may turn 40 and race with dignity in Masters.
You don't have enough ADD then. Even when I was in cycling shape, anything over an hour or 2 I got bored as hell and wanted to go do something else.
I guess they're lucky. I have yet to get to the point of boredom, mostly because I first reach the point where I start wishing for death.
As a city-dweller, the only bike trail of any significance which I have access to is Central Park. It's a hair over 6 miles around the full loop, which is conveniently closed to automotive traffic on weekends, so all you have to contend with is a mass of pedestrians, a ton of other cyclists, a bunch of rickshaws, lots of horses, and of course, lots of horse ****.
(Yes, we still have horses in NYC. I honestly don't know why. And please, no flames from the equestrian-enthusiasts, I'm not attacking you.)
The lower half of the loop is pretty flat. Above 72nd St it starts to incline a bit, and up in the North Woods it starts to get downright hilly. Of course, I feel worse about myself having just mapped out that route, and seeing that my definition of "downright hilly" is actually quantifiable as "4-8% grade for less than half a mile, you *****."
After two laps, I'm hurting. After three, I'm seriously considering just abandoning the bike somewhere and taking the bus home, if I can manage to walk as far as the nearest bus stop.
I like long rides, but, like any endurance activity,they eat time that could be used for other forms of living.
I also like the idea of being in good enough shape, and having enough base, to be able to pull off a century ride at any time. I only have to watch out for tendonitis
Of course, a century can be ridden in anywhere from 5 to 9 hours depending upon many circumstances. (Actually, 4 hours, but that would be purely theoretical for me personally).
My longest ride was 205 miles in 12h:2min, supported solo.. That took specific training, and I was not exhausted at the end, and, actually, enjoyed it.
I never get bored. I love pedaling my bike. My mind wanders, I build virtual cars, draft things I need to write, make business plans, sort through R&D problems. On hard rides, the mind shuts out everything and you only have primal thoughts about pushing your body further and harder. That is a joyt for an athlete. The endorphins released on every ride are far more powerful that caffeine or alcohol. If I had to give up two of these: caffeine, alcohol, endorphins from exercise.. I'd keep my bikes. If I could retire tomorrow, I'd ride 20hrs a week.
Last Saturday's ride. 7195' eleveation gain, 55 mi, 15.4mph avg
Last Sunday's ride. 2670' gain, 71 mi, 17.7mph avg
I never get bored. I love pedaling my bike. My mind wanders, I build virtual cars, draft things I need to write, make business plans, sort through R&D problems. On hard rides, the mind shuts out everything and you only have primal thoughts about pushing your body further and harder. That is a joyt for an athlete. The endorphins released on every ride are far more powerful that caffeine or alcohol. If I had to give up two of these: caffeine, alcohol, endorphins from exercise.. I'd keep my bikes. If I could retire tomorrow, I'd ride 20hrs a week.
Joe I think we need to go to the commuter cyclist thread. I'd be spent jello legs after my 2 mile ride to and from work. Of course it didnt matter if I did it 3 weeks in a row, that just meant it took 5 minutes less to do by the end of those weeks.
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