The Biking Thread

[nuke_diver]

I don't know if I would want to do 70 miles. 60 is about my neck and knees max but I would struggle to find anything as flat as some of those pics you have and still go somewhere. Don't bother paying for the flight, I have no desire to go to Illinois unless I'm on a plane and have a stop in ORD on my way someplace else

 

[Theodore]

I don't know if I would want to do 70 miles. 60 is about my neck and knees max but I would struggle to find anything as flat as some of those pics you have and still go somewhere. Don't bother paying for the flight, I have no desire to go to Illinois unless I'm on a plane and have a stop in ORD on my way someplace else

I don't take pics when it's hilly. *spits*

 

[sunvalleylaw]

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Ridden 600 miles since I started again. Longest was 70 miles on Tuesday but the 47-miler I did today was the hardest so far. The last half was all valley crossings and up and down the hills surrounding them. Tell me Illinois is all flat and I will pay for your flight. *spits*

Illinois is all flat. I have heard that it is so. I am a flat Illinois-er.




Really, I just want a flight to Illinois for some biking and guitar. This autumn, say Oktoberfest season, sounds good.

 

[nuke_diver]

I don't take pics when it's hilly. *spits*

So fake news then .

 

[Danhedonia]

Many thanks to all. Tour de Dan continues; getting old is difficult. I've sent a Strava request to @nuke_diver and followed Doug. I'm hoping others will put links to their page, as it helps to motivate me.

The Gary Fisher article bothered me for a number of reasons. First, he's right up the road. It's true that we have utterly stupid police here (perhaps you have this where you live?). And there are indeed many white bikes around New Mexico. But I don't encounter the hostility he does, and I'm in the "less sophisticated" part of the region (ABQ vs. hoity toity Santa Fe).

On the other hand, it's true that I feel frightened riding the road sometimes. Perhaps not so coincidental with Mr. Fisher, the one ride I have locally that goes through an 'upscale' neighborhood is the only one where I encounter shitty attitude on a regular basis.

And that's one big reason I ride on the bike trails. Only to discover that ... we've had two fatalities on the main bike trail in the past decade, due to bike-bike collisions. Seeing the arrogant pricks (and it is always arrogant pricks) in Pearl Izumi gear and Specialized bikes riding two abreast (and there are myriad signs explaining not to do this) infuriates me. How can experienced cyclists be so cavalier, as they ride past a white bicycle next to a bike/ped trail? Perhaps the problem isn't 'cars,' or 'distractions,' but a national problem of uncaring assholes.

Enough about that.

My Strava is here: https://www.strava.com/athletes/23711998

I'd love a follow (and follow back) just to feel encouraged.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Many thanks to all. Tour de Dan continues; getting old is difficult. I've sent a Strava request to @nuke_diver and followed Doug. I'm hoping others will put links to their page, as it helps to motivate me.

The Gary Fisher article bothered me for a number of reasons. First, he's right up the road. It's true that we have utterly stupid police here (perhaps you have this where you live?). And there are indeed many white bikes around New Mexico. But I don't encounter the hostility he does, and I'm in the "less sophisticated" part of the region (ABQ vs. hoity toity Santa Fe).

On the other hand, it's true that I feel frightened riding the road sometimes. Perhaps not so coincidental with Mr. Fisher, the one ride I have locally that goes through an 'upscale' neighborhood is the only one where I encounter shitty attitude on a regular basis.

And that's one big reason I ride on the bike trails. Only to discover that ... we've had two fatalities on the main bike trail in the past decade, due to bike-bike collisions. Seeing the arrogant pricks (and it is always arrogant pricks) in Pearl Izumi gear and Specialized bikes riding two abreast (and there are myriad signs explaining not to do this) infuriates me. How can experienced cyclists be so cavalier, as they ride past a white bicycle next to a bike/ped trail? Perhaps the problem isn't 'cars,' or 'distractions,' but a national problem of uncaring assholes.

Enough about that.

My Strava is here: https://www.strava.com/athletes/23711998

I'd love a follow (and follow back) just to feel encouraged.

I hit you up on Strava. I also follow @Tig and he encourages me all the time. As does @nuke_diver . I really appreciate it.

I have finally been putting in a little more climbing, and plan to get out there today for an easy pedal pressure longer climb somewhere. Deciding where now. It is hot here right now, and I could use some shade. Happy pedaling, all!

 

[Tig]

Many thanks to all. Tour de Dan continues; getting old is difficult. I've sent a Strava request to @nuke_diver and followed Doug. I'm hoping others will put links to their page, as it helps to motivate me.

The Gary Fisher article bothered me for a number of reasons. First, he's right up the road. It's true that we have utterly stupid police here (perhaps you have this where you live?). And there are indeed many white bikes around New Mexico. But I don't encounter the hostility he does, and I'm in the "less sophisticated" part of the region (ABQ vs. hoity toity Santa Fe).

On the other hand, it's true that I feel frightened riding the road sometimes. Perhaps not so coincidental with Mr. Fisher, the one ride I have locally that goes through an 'upscale' neighborhood is the only one where I encounter shitty attitude on a regular basis.

And that's one big reason I ride on the bike trails. Only to discover that ... we've had two fatalities on the main bike trail in the past decade, due to bike-bike collisions. Seeing the arrogant pricks (and it is always arrogant pricks) in Pearl Izumi gear and Specialized bikes riding two abreast (and there are myriad signs explaining not to do this) infuriates me. How can experienced cyclists be so cavalier, as they ride past a white bicycle next to a bike/ped trail? Perhaps the problem isn't 'cars,' or 'distractions,' but a national problem of uncaring assholes.

Enough about that.

My Strava is here: https://www.strava.com/athletes/23711998

I'd love a follow (and follow back) just to feel encouraged.

Ah, I didn't realize that was you following me until now. Sometimes people will follow you, hoping you'll follow them, and then un-follow you. I don't get the social media validation needs of some people like that!

Anyway, good to see you making so much progress already, Dan. As we age, we need to remind ourselves to take baby steps to prevent over use injuries. Maybe I'll remember that lesson myself!

 

[Danhedonia]

Thanks. For me, it's about getting to a place where I don't have to use a cane to walk as I get older.

I have no idea what sort of progress I'm making; this is why community is so important to me. Today I had the living shit scared out of me because my co-rider and close friend started having chest pains and an irregular heartbeat about 10 miles from where he usually splits off to go home. Given that this is all supposedly PT for me I was frightened and wondering what my end goal is? I have a hazy idea that I'd like to "get back to closer to what I was," and I am very level headed about it not costing me enjoyment.

He's fine, btw.

What are peoples' goals, anyhow?

 

[Tig]

What are peoples' goals, anyhow?

I've made some positive progress in my fitness the last few months, but I know I'm capable of much more. I ride with quite a few guys near my age and older that can hammer with the guys half their age each Saturday. I know I can, too. My current goal is to build my power and fitness to a competitive level for this year's cyclocross races. I just need to stay healthy to prevent setbacks.

 

[Danhedonia]

Anyone else? Tig, you are waaaaaaaay ahead of me. The only race I've won recently was with a roadrunner (bird) and it took me a quarter mile to overtake him. No, my likeness to Wile E. Coyote was not lost on me.

For example I want to be thinner, and this helps. But no clue how much of my fitness I can recover. And the only specific goals I could name are enough of a reach that I dare not make them goals in case I never get back to that level (e.g., comfortably lead trad 5.8).

 

[nuke_diver]

I've accepted your request Danhedonia

I've said this before I don't cycle to race, apparently in spite of what the guy that wanted to pass me, then slow down so I had to pass him so he could pass me again (3x) to prove he was faster, thought yesterday. I've always liked riding a bike and it was, for a long time, my only method of transport. Now that I am (much) older I ride because I like the fitness it provides and it is really the only thing I can do for cardio, since I am riding on 2 surgically reconstructed knees (one more so than the other) so running has been out of the question for decades. I don't want to be competitive and I suspect I will be tailing off in the near future as the longer, hillier rides are getting harder on my knees. But since I don't want to be like Tig it doesn't bother me that I'm not the fastest

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I want to use cycling to help me carve weight/fat off (along with dietary changes), change my attitude, and though I am not truly competitive in cycling, get back into the mix in terms of strength, endurance, and ability to "pain cave" so that I can stay in the mix with other enthusiast riders. (translation, get back into the peleton with stronger riders, and not just citizen/family riders) I may re-look at this and refine. I also want to improve my waterskiing so I will not be a cycling only guy, and will not get light enough to be truly competitive. Lean, yes. Light, no. I also want to improve skill set, particularly on the mountain bike, in terms of flat corners with loose over hard, banks, the ability to float a little air and be a little more playful, flowy and confident in the swervy/curvies, etc. Also, find more areas of crossover as between snow skiing, cycling, and water skiing in terms of static and dynamic balance, and movement on the tool of choice for the activity to keep a good relationship with the edges/tires on the surface, and good progressive movement to manage the functional relationship of the the center of mass over the base of support (and balance foot to foot/side to side), in order to use the tool more proactively, effectively, efficiently and confidently. Now there's a mouthful for ya! There is a lot of crossover, and since I am a multi-sport guy, if I can access successful body knowledge and skill in one sport to help another, all the better.

So, not competitive other than wanting to continue to grow and improve, and staying in the mix with the other kids/enthusiasts.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

PS, @Danhedonia , I am following you, but you are not yet following me, if you want to.

 

[Tig]

As competitive as I used to be, I have very little of that in me these days. I know I'll never be a Speed Racer (or his older brother, Rex Racer, who ran away from home) but I do want to place higher in this fall's CX races. Advancing is my goal. I'll still ride as hard as I can get away with, but I know my ceiling is someone else's basement.

I'm enjoying the fun of riding every chance I get. I like to joke with others during a ride or race and keep it light. Not to the point of being goofy, but to keep the extra seriousness BS away. If a racer passes me that started in a class after mine, I make sure I don't block them and encourage them with something positive. I'll tell the next racer how many seconds back they are and for them to keep pushing themselves, etc. I might ding my bell when I pass the finish line officials.

 

[Danhedonia]

I am ambivalent about competition in cycling. I ride on a VERY well traveled route (we have pro cyclists who train here) and even when someone rides in my slipstream, I tell them to pass or move away. I know - shitty personality and etc. - but I'm not out there to dick-wave, but to try and prolong my life. And if I'm really fucking lucky, maybe enjoy the day.

That said, it's been weird having certain long-dormant parts of me (competitive urge) getting little nudges.

@nuke_diver , I think we are similar in our outlook. @sunvalleylaw , I just followed you and almost threw up all over myself when I saw how hard your rides are. Yipes.

Am thinking of getting a Peloton once the school year starts. Talk me into/out of it?

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I want to emphasize that I also (like @Tig ) like to focus on the FUN of cycling, in addition to being able to handle a pain cave (part of the fun), make some progress, stay fit, etc. When riding with myself, which is often, I like to be present and enjoy where I am. And get into the physical rhythms of what is going on. Almost a little bi-lateral stimulation going on as well, and it can be mindful/meditative for me. I am learning that that last part is helpful on hard climbs.

And in a group, I enjoy the tribal aspects of a bunch of dawgs out hammering around together. On a mountain bike, it reminds me a little of when I was a kid, and we were out in a pack on Stingrays and/or BMX bikes. My old group that folded concluded each ride with tall tales and creative, colorful language and back-slapping and shit-flipping. I love that part too. Getting together after some endorphins and other good brain chemicals have kicked in, and we have left the troubles of the day out on the trail. Those are also the real reasons I ride.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I am ambivalent about competition in cycling. I ride on a VERY well traveled route (we have pro cyclists who train here) and even when someone rides in my slipstream, I tell them to pass or move away. I know - shitty personality and etc. - but I'm not out there to dick-wave, but to try and prolong my life. And if I'm really fucking lucky, maybe enjoy the day.

That said, it's been weird having certain long-dormant parts of me (competitive urge) getting little nudges.

@nuke_diver , I think we are similar in our outlook. @sunvalleylaw , I just followed you and almost threw up all over myself when I saw how hard your rides are. Yipes.

Am thinking of getting a Peloton once the school year starts. Talk me into/out of it?

Do you mean an indoor exercise bike? Sure, if it helps you and you like that. I have my really old 80's aluminum Trek (Wisconsin made) on a magnetic trainer thing from Performance and just use that.

 

[Danhedonia]

Pelotons are renowned for the following:

* VERY expensive but VERY well made hardware ($2k apiece)
* Expensive monthly app fee $39/month
* Incredibly addictive culture. Basically, you spend all that money to get what are considered world-best spin classes and access to a very supportive user group.

I'm highly motivated, but having a never-break machine and really, really good on-demand classes is worth $40 a month to me ... I think.

 

[Tig]

I want to emphasize that I also (like @Tig ) like to focus on the FUN of cycling, in addition to being able to handle a pain cave (part of the fun), make some progress, stay fit, etc. When riding with myself, which is often, I like to be present and enjoy where I am. And get into the physical rhythms of what is going on. Almost a little bi-lateral stimulation going on as well, and it can be mindful/meditative for me. I am learning that that last part is helpful on hard climbs.

And in a group, I enjoy the tribal aspects of a bunch of dawgs out hammering around together. On a mountain bike, it reminds me a little of when I was a kid, and we were out in a pack on Stingrays and/or BMX bikes. My old group that folded concluded each ride with tall tales and creative, colorful language and back-slapping and shit-flipping. I love that part too. Getting together after some endorphins and other good brain chemicals have kicked in, and we have left the troubles of the day out on the trail. Those are also the real reasons I ride.

^This. So very much this!

 

[Tig]

Pelotons are renowned for the following:

* VERY expensive but VERY well made hardware ($2k apiece)
* Expensive monthly app fee $39/month
* Incredibly addictive culture. Basically, you spend all that money to get what are considered world-best spin classes and access to a very supportive user group.

I'm highly motivated, but having a never-break machine and really, really good on-demand classes is worth $40 a month to me ... I think.

I'd rather get a smart trainer like a Cycleops and set my bike into it to ride the Zwift virtual courses.
It isn't cheap, but it is much less than a Peloton and looks to be more fun. When you pull out of a draft, you can actually feel the increase in resistance, etc...