The Biking Thread

Had my first bike ride outside and not on a spin bike at the gym today. Took it easy, took some photos, enjoyed the scenery. It was very nice. Thanks, @Tig , for the sweet ride! She felt really good.

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They plowed the bike path clear last weekend.

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The Big Wood River crossing my route mid-valley.

The Pioneers. Riding east up a side canyon for the first little hill of the year.
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Gratuitous selfie.
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Oh that's not so bad. I'd need gloves for sure and a jacket...it would be a bit cool in shorts but I've done similar before. Still I'd rather ride in 70 than 40 :thu:
 
First day out on the commuter/cross/gravel/grocery getter bike. Combination errand/pick up check from client/go to bank/ride gravel bike on trail for exercise/get groceries run.

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Didn't do a Strava map or anything but here is a picture of the little trail I rode in combination with riding all about town doing my errands.

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Have I mentioned that every time I see this thread I do a double take because I initially read it as The Bikini Thread? Seriously.
 
for any of you (@Tig , @IamSeaDevil ? ), that have raced MTB, I am looking for input. I am setting a goal for myself for training this year (new bike has me inspired) to do some light citizen racing, and pick 1 -3 races or so to train for. I will start probably beginner class my first race to get the feel, then see if I move up to sport. Will not get too, too serious about it, but will approach it like I did running races when I did those. Start easy, back in the pack a bit, then increase pace as I get comfortable. Nothing too crazy. I am thinking that by training for some events, I will focus more on diet and training so as to get fit and have fun in my normal riding and life as well.
 
sunvalleylaw said:
for any of you (@Tig ), that have raced MTB, I am looking for input. I am setting a goal for myself for training this year (new bike has me inspired) to do some light citizen racing, and pick 1 -3 races or so to train for. I will start probably beginner class my first race to get the feel, then see if I move up to sport. Will not get too, too serious about it, but will approach it like I did running races when I did those. Start easy, back in the pack a bit, then increase pace as I get comfortable. Nothing too crazy. I am thinking that by training for some events, I will focus more on diet and training so as to get fit and have fun in my normal riding and life as well.
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For me, racing XC was like a time trial on the trails, no matter the terrain or level of competition. I found myself managing my effort to keep from blowing up since the only time my heart rate wasn't at or above my lactate threshold was during the descents. It isn't natural for us to train at this level, especially when we are riding for fun.

As Greg once said:
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Tig said:
For me, racing XC was like a time trial on the trails, no matter the terrain or level of competition. I found myself managing my effort to keep from blowing up since the only time my heart rate wasn't at or above my lactate threshold was during the descents. It isn't natural for us to train at this level, especially when we are riding for fun.

As Greg once said:
greglemond-quote-640x421.jpg
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May sign up for one or two of the races in this series. http://knobbytireseries.com/index.html Will do it for fun, and for a focus. And for the beer drinking after the event. It will be time trial like race management for me as well. My Thursday night club rides have been like that for me as well. I flog the horse (me) to get all I can out of myself on that night. If I set a race to train towards, I may just improve my training (and eating) methods a little bit to hopefully get better fit on the way. :)
 
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One of the cool benefits of racing for me was that I got to ride some great trails across the state that I wouldn't have visited otherwise. Improved skills and bike handling also come in handy, even when I'm riding on the road. They have pulled me out of some dicey situations without a scratch. Road bike wheelies are fun for extra credit. :embarrassed:
 
Tig said:
One of the cool benefits of racing for me was that I got to ride some great trails across the state that I wouldn't have visited otherwise. Improved skills and bike handling also come in handy, even when I'm riding on the road. They have pulled me out of some dicey situations without a scratch. Road bike wheelies are fun for extra credit. :embarrassed:
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Yes I am planning on working on bike handling skills, footwork, etc. in addition. Been surfing some youtube, and am looking for a decent clinic or something. Learning to properly manual and etc., how to properly "pump" my bike, a little better than I know how to do now can't hurt. I have ridden a long, long time, but really just ride, and other than one weekend course, have never really learned or worked on handling skills that much.
 
Picked my bike up from the shop today and had my first ride on it. To cut to the chase, it was great!

All shiny and new. Last pic prior to dirt.
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After applying just a little dirt.
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And ok, I am done with posting pics of my new bike. :wink: But it was the first chance today to actually ride it, so it felt like a new bike day! Please forgive my giddy enthusiasm. :)
 
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CBHScott said:
Seriously, tho, I gotta check out that part of the country.
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I have regularly said I will buy the first round of bevs if someone comes to visit!

So, got my second MTB ride in today. Trails are opening up! The shop group ride starts tomorrow with a "gravelbike" ride out on dirt roads across the high desert. I will be on the red bike above a few posts. I took the racks off and put on less of a cruiser handlebar. The rules for the first one are it is supposed to be casual. We shall see. I know I will be casual. Still working off that winter layer! It will be three rides in three days though. Can't argue with that.

Pics from today. Got some loamy mountain forest dirt on the bike today. Stuff is starting to open up! This is in Adam's Gulch, considered to be one of Ketchum/SV's original fat tire classics.

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(yeah I know I said I would stop with the bike pics. But it must have photobombed the pic. Or I forgot. Or something.). :wink:
 
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