TT biking club

“Ruby,

You can get padded bike shorts that are sewn into a pair of regular shorts. Go for a gel pad they are really nice. You will get used to it. I usually dont where bike shorts unless the ride is over 20miles, they dont do a whole lot for me.

Bateaux, you can put super narrow slicks (like a traditional road bike tire) on your mtb wheels, you will need new tubes too. You could probably get the tires and tubes for about $50.”

“this is such a healthy thread. One of the few on the board.”

“Ruby, one of the things I do to avoid "bike butt" is to start with short rides then work up to longer rides. Very few people look good in spandex so don't worry about that!

Runner's lube or chamois cream helps as well. Adjust your seat so the contact points are as minimal as possible while still being comfortable. Don't listen to men when it comes to this adjustment...LOL...”

“I'm afraid to ask!!

>8^O”

“I'm hoping to break in my new $120 bike shorts (don't worry, I didn't pay that much), this weekend. I'm thinking a nice ride out in the country with a stop at the ice cream parlor will fit the bill again. Hopefully there won't be anyone around as it's a holiday weekend.”

“My girlfriend sent this to me the other day. I just cannot keep it to myself.




Why bike shorts should always be black:






And NOT RED:

”

“lol!”

“From what I read, bike shorts are black because when you sweat in black pants it doesn't look like you pissed in your pants.”

“can we post more in red pants please?”

“LOL
Ruby, you do know how to tell if a guy is right or left handed, don't you?”

“I'm not sure, Stovey. Are there two lefties in the red shorts picture?”

“I wonder if I can get my husband to do housechores in red bycicle shorts?”

“too funny!”

“degenerating a really good thread. Its a shame, really.”

“Stikky would you feel better if it was girlies in bike shorts? Or on bikes? ;)”

“this has suddenly become a very good thread :D”

“NC and I took a nie 14 mile ride on a paved trail that follows Lakeshore Blvd along Lake Michigan. It was in the mid-80s and sunny. But, there were plenty of trees for shade and the breeze kept us comfy. I really enjoyed looking at everyone's gardens in full bloom!”

“No biking for me today. Instead I've been on my one wheel vehicle (wheelbarrow) finishing up the largest of my flower gardens. I can't seem to do both in the same day with summer bringing the heat as it does. It's a little cooler today with a nice breeze, so maybe I'll take a short ride this evening.”

“I took my recovery day. Got in three good workout, sightseeing rides this week, so I am smiling.

Recovery means finishing unpacking the garage. About two more trips to the dump/recycling center with packing materials.
last edited: 7/09/06 9:31:17 PM”

“several white tail does, california quail and coyotes in the distance during and eveing ride.

”

“I must have been hypoxic when I typed that.”

“Ok, well I'm just starting to get into biking. I have a mountain bike, although I am riding around town more than I am on the trails.

I took my first spinning class today, which kicked my bootay. Have yall heard of putting road tires on a mountain bike? I dont want to have to get a road bike due to the expense.”

“specialized made some pretty good commuter tires for mtn bikes. Mass Transit was the name. Pump up to 80 psi, low tread profile and they roll pretty good.”

“I put a pair of Ritchey city slicker tires on one of my mountain bikes a few years ago. They are 1.25 inches in width and roll much better than off road tires. They won't turn a mountain bike into a road bike, but do make a difference in reducing rolling resistance.”

“I have put slicks on a mtn bike and like richb says it helps. For general riding and convenience I put a set of hybrid tires on my bike. They have tread on the outer edge for for cornering but a fairly slick in the center.”

“Thanks guys! I may try that. I feel like i am working extra hard when I'm riding on the road.”

“Anybody ever converted rim brakes to discs on a mtb? My frame has the attachment points in place.

I want to put new wheels on it and thought about converting the brakes at the same time.

Just a thought.”

“got in another good ride yesterday. 40 miles, 2.5 hours. nice day in the upper 70's, sunny with a stiff breeze.”

“Roam, you doing any adventure races this summer? The oyster?”

“nah - i thought about it but opted to just bum around the mountains and be less scheduled and committed to some training regimen.”

“Finally made the run from Coeur d'Alene City Park/Beach-Spokane-home. 48 miles, about 30 of it with 15mph headwind. Perfect day otherwise.”

“Spokane to Idaho state line and back. I saw 102 and 103 on schools and banks, cyclometer read 111-112 most of the time but once peaked at 123!!

averaged 15.8, 46 or so miles.”

“Went riding with a local outdoors club, and kept up with them. I ended up riding with a guy on a nice and new bike, and I told him my bike was older than he was. He said "no way, I'm 33 years old". "yes way, I bought this new in 1973, so its 33 also." He was pretty impressed with the paint job, and everything on the bike is true and adjusted, better than it ever was 30 years ago. It was 22 level miles at about 18-20 mph, and felt great.

Last night I rode up Shaw Mountain road, a steep road to my house, and found myself attacking the hill, keeping rpms up even on the steepest parts, and passed a mountain bike rider like he was standing still. That is fun! My knee didn't hurt, which is the case usually under stress like that, so I think cycling has built up my knees.”

“way to go bob, show them younguns.......just don't make no sour cracks about MTB'ers...lol.
I found my legs/knees are in very good order because of my riding.”

“jumpfrogged my handle bars trying to slide by my wife on a downhill, slide into a rut and vaulted....

One leg cleared, the other didn't quite clear. Abraded my shin on the handle bar as it hit and scraped, knee to ankle before it cleared. I hit the dirt shoulder first, but rolled pretty gracefully. My wife said I was grinning the whole time.”

“A few months ago when I thought I was going to be able to buy a bike, I signed up for the MS150 and for one of the local bike clubs' "Lake Nockamixon Century" rides.

So far this year, I have had three or four 34-mile rides, and maybe six or eight additional rides of 20+ miles.

The Nockamixon ride was yesterday. Due to the combination of my fitness level and my ride being still a mountain bike, I took the 50-mile option. It was warm (upper 80's) but I didn't really notice that. It was hilly, and I definitely DID notice that. But I completed the ride, averaging 15.5 mph on my display, although I don't think it is properly calibrated. Probably closer to 15 mph.

A good ride. It seemed to kick my butt pretty good, but I still got out for a walk in the woods with my dog last night and felt fine.

Now, what to do about the MS150, which is at the end of September...I'd like to do the 100 miles but...I sure wish I had a good road bike.”

“Sounds like a great ride Fritz!

I did my first few Treks on my mountain bike, but I'd never ridden a road bike, so the difference didn't bother me.

I missed the Trek the last two years, since having the kidlets means no time for training...
I'm still determined to get year 10 done (at least) and am playing around with the idea of taking the kids...I'd have to take both, or have the same issue with the training time...”

“ah, another brother mountain biker.......i ride an old GT Timberline.......also have an ancient Specialized Rockhopper which is now a converted one speed....”

“Fritz, Did you use road tires on the mountain bike? It won't turn a mountain bike into a road bike, but makes a big difference over off road tires.”

“Twiggy, that Trek sounds like a good time. I hope you can get back to it soon. Remember, you have to take care of yourself or you won't be any good to anyone else.

Chappy, mine is an old Trek 8000. It was purchased used, about ten years ago. It is probably at least 15 years old. I like the bike, but the competitive part of me just hates to get passed by riders who aren't as strong as I am. I'd like to be able to go on club rides and hang with guys who are at the same fitness level as I am.

Rich, yes, I have road tires (cheap ones) on it. That helps some, I am sure.”

“Road tires do help, but I know what you mean about keeping up with a road bike on a mountain bike. I went riding with a friend a few weeks ago and he was on a road bike and me on my mountain bike with road tires. It took me a lot of effort to keep up just based the inefficiency of the mountain bike.”

“Fritz:

Drop the hammer and get a road bike. You should be able to pick up a good used one for $300-$400. If you plan on continuing to distance road ride, don't bother limping along on a mtn. bike. They were never intended for that purpose.”

“You can get a good entry level road bike for a $1.000 or less,that are great for putting the miles on.

I have a Giant OCR 3..and last year I averaged a 140 miles week,with out difficulty.

Used road bikes generally start out at about $500. and road bies with down tube shifters can be had for around $250.I bought a beautiful Falcon racer with all 105 components for $249. and it`s a smooth enjoyable ride.

I also bought a old Fuji club road bike for $60.00 a while back it looks a little rough,a few scrastches and paint chips ,but it rides nice and shifts flawlessly...so they are out there.

I started out on a Trek mtb,doing a lot of miles with asuspension fork can be a draining experince....you`ll definitely notice the difference if you get a road
bike.”

“I have seen used road bikes for $550 to $800 that I know I would be happy with. The problem with spending less, is that I don't know enough about all the models and components, etc and I am afraid I could spend $300 for a rode bike that isn't as good as my mountain bike.

And the $600 bikes....I just don't have $600 for that right now.”

“Fritz, I have Kenda hybrids on mine, smooth in the middle and grippy/knobby stuff on the sidewalls...about 12.00 ea. and well worth it. I can jump from the road to the trail with no problems and on the road the rolling resistence is nil....”

“fritz,

Anything with a Shimano 105 groupo and index shifting integrated into the brake assembly (where you shift gears with the brake lever) would be a gauge of a decent bike. Shifters on the down tube means it's an older bike but could be good.

Brands to look for the could be in the cheaper range:

1. Univega
2. Raleigh
3. Fuji

All of these are older steel bikes and could fit the bill. Check on the list of craig...”

“Ahem, I would describe my Fuji as "more economical," not cheaper....


;-)”

“Silly newbies.

This is The Thread for biking.”

“Now that it will be warming up, I plan on riding outside this week. After riding on an indoor trainer all winter, it's time to ride for real this week.”

“touring is to biking what backpacking is to walking”