The Biking Thread

sunvalleylaw said:
It would be fun to ride together some day. Knowing of course that I am a heavy alpine skier who chases real cyclists.
Click to expand...
Someday, I'll be a real cyclist.
The biggest casualty from aging for me is climbing. I used to be fairly decent at it, but now I can't even get out of my own way!
 
I OTOH will never be a real cyclist. I've never ridden trails so I have no way to know how hard SVL rides are though they don't look all that bad compared to some of the hills I ride on my road bike but trails are going to have elements that roads don't. I don't ride in groups so I have no idea what it's like to have to keep up with a group for miles on end. And as a road cyclist I wear baggy shorts with pockets which appear to be a major faux pas. But I think if I was ever to ride with Tig and SVL it would have to be hills, it would be my only hope to keep up since I'm not a heavy alpine skier (anymore) and Tig can't get out of his own way...so maybe there would be a chance :)

I can't give you any advice on stationary cycles. I actually detest them in that you don't get to go anywhere. I imagine those more expensive ones are less boring because of the videos but I would much rather feel the wind in my face and the fresh air. When I'm out I'm often looking at the stuff around me, looking for the hawks I hear calling. I will work reasonably hard at times especially uphills which is why I tend to be faster than average on uphills I think. Even then I'll marvel at the height of the Redwoods or the view over the bay/ocean. On flatter terrain I just take it all in and enjoy the ride so long of course if the conditions are safe to do so. On my rides to the gym I don't relax, it's the same route every time, there are a fair number of cars and I try and watch them all like the hawks I hear on my longer but more relaxing rides
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tig
I experienced male tribalism when I climbed (which was several times a week, with several big expeditions/year). There is nothing to make you permanently allergic to male bullshit faster than listening to a bunch of weekend warriors swap tough guy tales a few weeks after your friend(s) have died in accidents, primarily because they were -- wait for it -- chasing tough guy tales. So, um, fuck that.

Doesn't mean I don't like a good group ride. But the moment I smell dick-measuring, I tend to turn into a verbal castration machine, and all in my way get cut down to size.

:: dusts off hands ::

Tig, YES, SIR that little device - hooked up to my TV - would be the perfect thing. But I doubt I'm smart enough to put it together. How many different items are there to buy? Make work together?
 
Danhedonia said:
I experienced male tribalism when I climbed (which was several times a week, with several big expeditions/year). There is nothing to make you permanently allergic to male bullshit faster than listening to a bunch of weekend warriors swap tough guy tales a few weeks after your friend(s) have died in accidents, primarily because they were -- wait for it -- chasing tough guy tales. So, um, fuck that.

Doesn't mean I don't like a good group ride. But the moment I smell dick-measuring, I tend to turn into a verbal castration machine, and all in my way get cut down to size.

:: dusts off hands ::

Tig, YES, SIR that little device - hooked up to my TV - would be the perfect thing. But I doubt I'm smart enough to put it together. How many different items are there to buy? Make work together?
Click to expand...
My group was not like that. Just shit flipping, and joking around, and "did you see when I nearly went off that edge (of the trail) at that blahdeblah part?" and stuff like that . We were middle aged male cyclists, many in tights. Measuring would have seemed awkward. There are other rides around, particularly one road ride, that have worse reputations for that kind of stuff. I stay away.

Fuck tough guy climbing tales btw. I have never been, a rock, or mountain climber. And really have no desire. I prefer popping in and out of tree line day style, and don't want to do the real rock climbing stuff. But was around and aware when a particular Seattle area climber caused some death, and observed another mentor I respect come back from Everest having taken himself off the team to try for the top, as he did not want to endanger the attempt or the participants, and did not feel he was ready. This was in 1980 on a China side attempt. I always remembered how he did not make it about him, but rather what was best for the team.
 
Been riding a ton this month, and want to thank people for the kudos. I was in ... terrible shape, and when I am out killing myself (it's been hot as fuck here, but no excuses) it is hugely helpful to feel that at least someone appreciates the effort.

Thanks.
 
The heat has been slamming me the last few rides.
37684242_10216908809169977_4153933188613275648_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
Most of my rides have been above 95F; some around 90. And the UV factor is a thing in NM (we're a mile high).

Hydration never meant so much.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tig
So far this year we've been pretty lucky. Some warm but not hot days so riding has been ok. I really can't ride if the temp is too high. Hydration doesn't help. I can ride in shorts at 35F but if the temps are above 90 I'm not going (or not going far), heat has never been my thing
 
By 10AM, it is 87°F here, but the heat index/feels like temperature is between 94° and 96°.
Even at 8AM the feels like is between 85° and 88°!

I suck with the heat, but I can usually manage to survive.
 
There is nothing like hitting the road when it's 96, knowing it's going to get higher (because it's 10:embarrassed:0 a.m.) for a two-hour ride. I labeled one of my Strava rides "learning to suffer" not because the ride was hard, but because the conditions were absolutely brutal. When I can pound 5-6 bottles worth of water and not need to pee, it says a lot.

Was riding 19mph on a nice country lane yesterday, got absolutely dusted by a guy who looked like a weeble. Must've been going at least 23-24. I just had to laugh ... hope I can get back to that some day.
 
Was watching the peloton doing like 35 mph today on a relatively flat section wow! I know it's easier to ride faster in a group but to see the pros going is mindboggling at times. I don't go that fast downhill. I had a guy pass me going probably 15 mph on a 10+percent grade. I was impressed though he did look the serious cyclist and was nearly young enough to be my grandson so that has something to do with it

I wouldn't do a 2 hr ride if the starting temp was 96, it's potentially dangerous and at my age I don't need that kind of excitement. Heat exhaustion/stroke is no joke. Those kinds of rides would not be fun and I'm riding for fun so I don't ride in the rain either...rain==wet==slippery which could lead to crashes and a long rehab
 
The hot rides are almost unavoidable. I do my best to be as smart as I can, but summer is the only time I can really get out on the road, and we've had a brutal, brutal weather year. (As an example, for the first time in decades Taos didn't open the full mountain all year). It has reminded me of what is and isn't important. For example, I forgot my helmet one day, and that was a bad, bad mistake.

Never forget the pros are doped up ectomorphs! (At least, that's what I always tell myself.)

Sometimes I get very jealous and wistful (I was a good athlete, years ago) when I get dusted, but more than anything I remind myself I'm there to lose weight, regain leg functionality, help my heart, and enjoy the insane beauty of my surroundings. That said, I do like struggle. This winter I should be Zwifting, and that should be a massive dose of humility and motivation.

Best thing I realized lately is that I do not want biking to become my "top" outdoors activity. I'm hoping to use it as a conditioning springboard to return to hiking and climbing and other stuff.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tig
Danhedonia said:
The hot rides are almost unavoidable. I do my best to be as smart as I can, but summer is the only time I can really get out on the road, and we've had a brutal, brutal weather year. (As an example, for the first time in decades Taos didn't open the full mountain all year). It has reminded me of what is and isn't important. For example, I forgot my helmet one day, and that was a bad, bad mistake.

Never forget the pros are doped up ectomorphs! (At least, that's what I always tell myself.)

Sometimes I get very jealous and wistful (I was a good athlete, years ago) when I get dusted, but more than anything I remind myself I'm there to lose weight, regain leg functionality, help my heart, and enjoy the insane beauty of my surroundings. That said, I do like struggle. This winter I should be Zwifting, and that should be a massive dose of humility and motivation.

Best thing I realized lately is that I do not want biking to become my "top" outdoors activity. I'm hoping to use it as a conditioning springboard to return to hiking and climbing and other stuff.
Click to expand...
Looking at your Strava rides, you're progressing very well!

I feel like I'm regressing. I was suffering this morning and cut my ride in half. I'm not sure if it is the heat or just me.

Instead of riding Saturday, I'll take Mrs. T to the beach early. I think I could use a break.
 
Last edited:
Thanks. I'm wrestling with "rest week." I was supposed to go hiking today and the friends-of-friend torpedoed it through time mismanagement.

Now I'm sitting here, debating "just an hour" vs. stuff around the house that needs doing. And I know that if I start this late, I'll talk myself into 27 miles and there goes three hours once I factor in time to trailhead and shower after.
 
So I took my $150 bike to the shop today for a brake adjustment. Since it only has one, I’d like it to work. Needs a new caliper, cog, chain, bottom bracket, and even a post.

FML.
 
Bummer.

I did the treadmill in the garage, which gave me enough time to get motivated to do the handlebar re-wrap I'd been putting off once I was done. Boy, did I do a shitty job. I'm really glad I don't do a lot of my own bike repair.

Why can I set up a guitar well, but can't wrap handlebars? I call no fairsies.
 
@Tig I'd go with heat.

I need to rewrap my old bike's bars but haven't got around to it. I'll probably do a crappy job too and need to redo it but it would be way cheaper than having someone else do it. I tend to do my own repairs though I don't do a great job on some things (like truing a wheel) it's at least functional. Hopefully that's where the tape job will end up...right now the tape is falling off
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tig
The key to wrapping handlebars is stretching the tape and How much you are overlapping wraps. I can wrap them pretty well, but it takes time.
 
FWIW, Performance charges $15.99 for a wrap job where I live.

I stretched the tape. I overlapped by 50% per wind. I still have no fucking touch around the green.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top