TT biking club

“I wasn't able to make the ride today since my friend couldn't fish on Saturday. Sounds like you guys had a nice ride. I rode down there twice and I remember seeing riders of all ages going down the railroad grade.

I wondering if there's any interest in putting a ride together on the watershed land around here sometime down the road. There's some great mountain biking in the Moosic mountains near the Montage ski area. Streamside riding on old logging RR grades, old logging roads, reservoirs, a couple of views, wildlife and heart and lung busting climbs up to 1100 feet in elevation gain, etc. All good stuff and almost all off road. It's not easy riding though. I like it and a few hours of this stuff feels like an epic ride.”

“Hmmmmm...”

“Oh yeah, sounds like you guys had a great ride! Pennsy, I'll deal with you later...”

“Gulp

Rich, if I live that long, I'd love to some riding up your way.”

“If Twigeater goes easy on you maybe we'll get to do a ride before the season ends. Things are starting to dry out here which makes the riding easier and more fun. The other day I went for a ride and saw a copperhead. I didn't see one in about 15 years so it was pretty cool.”

“Finally won a bid on Mtn Bike for the Mrs.

A got a Barracuda A2BS, never ridden....company went out of business.”

“Hey Pennsy...

I also want to check out the bike path that runs near the WRT....

We should plan a one night gathering....

Except I won't be able to go 15 MPH for 10 hours straight like you.”

“of course we won't go 15mph. This path looks easier than the Lehigh Gorge. We'll go 17-18.

I'm in Maine the next 2 weekends. Then there are the 2 Adirondacks trips in Aug followed by Hike Maine II in Sept. Hopefully, in between we can get up there.”

“If anything that would be a great Fall weekend trip!”

“The outdoor section in our Sunday paper last weekend had a big article about the game commission closing trails to mountain biking. The following trails are closed on State gamelands 141 down near Jim Thorpe, Deer Path I and II, the American Standard, Pine Tar trail and Uranium Road. They said too many hunters were complaining about impact and interference with hunting. Trail damage was also a reason and one hunting group said 2000 bikers were using the area per summer weekend. Biking groups were blaming ATV's and dirt bikes. I've never been down on those gamelands, but based on what happens up here, I have my own opinion about what might be happening. Once a few ATV's go through a trail it gets widened in a hurry and it only takes a couple of them to start the process in motion. Then cyclists will start using the trail and since it's been widened by ATV's, cyclists will get the blame for it even if ATV's created the problem in the first place. Although, if it's true that 2000 riders use the area per weekend anything could be happening since too many hikers can even create damage.”

“back in the saddle again... :)

...getting ready for the Cadillac challenge.

It's October 5th this year. Anybody gonna be on Mt Desert/Acadia that weekened?”

“I went looking at road bikes last night, thinking a century would be much more pleasant with skinny tires...

The bike guy asked which century I was planning on doing, and when I told him - he smirked! and then said what a tough ride it is - and even suggested an easier one.

I mean - I know I look like I can't get outta my own way, but sheesh!

I'm not really sure which ride I'm doing that day (62 or 100) but I AM pedalling up Cadillac.
~:]”

“Just got back from breaking my new bike's cherry! I got a Gary Fisher Advance. I'm not used to mountain bikes and those big fat tires made it feel like I was peddling under water. Yikes! I gotta get me some street tires!”

“Has anyone been out riding yet? So far I've only been out twice for one road ride and one mountain bike ride. I'll get out more as we get into summer.”

“I got myself the first bike I've owned in about 20 years a few weeks ago.

Been on a couple of road rides, wanna get onto a trail this weekend, found out about a couple of good ones nearby.”

“What kind of bike did you buy?”

“I rode yesterday on singletrack. MI has lots of tight trails with many trees. Much different than you see out west I imagine but roots, rocks and ridges make it technical enough for me!

I ride a Giant Iguana hardtail w/disk brakes. I'm pretty sure I'll upgrade eventually but I lke the feel of my bike for now.

Yeah Roam what did you get?”

“nothing fancy or special to start with.

It's a Mongoose model, not quite the wal mart version, but definitely not a "racing quality" bike.

I figgered I'd try it and if I like the sport enough, I'll give this bike to my son and upgrade one for myself in the fall maybe.

So far I like it pretty well. It's got a nice front suspension and a rather stiff rear one that seems to be pretty good in aiding comfort, we'll see what happens on a trail.”

“Good strategy! Except that is one less potential expensive bike to be had on e-bay from someone who had to have something fancy and then decided they didn't like to ride it. :-(

Hope you really get out and enjoy the outdoors on your bike. Keep us posted!”

“If you're just getting in to biking, here's a good read. I thought the writers did a good job combining important tips and keeping it light. It's more fun when you have some idea of how to handle the trail. There is a great first chapter on getting your new bike.

Mountain Bike Magazine's Complete Guide to Mountain Biking Skills.

I think I got my copy at REI?”

“Here is another good site if your just now getting into mountain biking Mountain Biking 101

I have just gotten into mtn. bike riding and enjoy it. I have been on two trails so far. I am going to keep riding one trail until my confidence builds up then it will be off to some other trails.”

“cool, thanks guys.”

“I've been getting out a lot lately (on the road) since I've been having some knee problems and it's cut back on my running.
Last week I was on a 25 mile ride out on the prairie north of Billings and saw a small herd of antelope just off the highway. They took off running and ran parallel to me for a mile or so. I tried to stay with them and they were hitting about 25mph til they peeled off in another direction. It was so cool!

I just got some Crank Bros. Egg Beater pedals for my road bike and a set of Egg Beater Mallets for my mountain bike. Can't wait to try them!”

“Started training for the Trek Across Maine on my new road bike. I'm two weeks and 70 miles behind my usual training schedule. :(

I like the new bike! :)”

“Heading down to the Lexington, KY area this weekend for a big horse event. I'm taking the bike for evening rides. Hopefully one at Cave Run Lake out by Sheltowee Trace. Anyone been there? I'm already nauseous thinking about the hills in that area! lol”

“anyone pay attention to the big road races here. I know the Tour de Georgia is going on this week. Stage six has a total climb of 15,110 feet Tour de Georgia”

“I wanna join the TT Bike club.


I just got a 2003 Raleight International.


Steel road bike, Campanolgooaogogo components (centaur).

I retailed last year for $1500-1600 . . .I got it, a yakima attachment, cyclometer and pedals for $1280.


I have only had it out once (weather, mini-vacation) . .road 16.33 hilly miles. Averaged 15.5 mph , . ..top speed 36 mph!


It was a blast. First bike I have owned since my old Ross purchased with lawn mowing money 25 years ago.”

“That race might be televised on OLN now that the cycling season has started.”

“I just put on my new Eggbeaters last night and they rock!! I can click out way faster than the Shimano ones that came with the bike and I get a little more float which helps my knee.”

“well, I was about to post a question, but I guess Lee's post answered that. Oh heck...I'll ask anyway:

We have a couple okay biking trails really close by, so I thought instead of running/walking this trail I could also buy me a bike and ride it.

How much ya think should I spend on a beginners bike? Walmart has a schwinn with Shimano gears for $240 or so. I know...I know...walmart!! but hey... I really don't want to spend $1000 for a bike right now. Shoot, I can't spend $1,000.

Should I wait and safe? Or should I just get the schinn??”

“Gemini, if you can up your budget to around $300-$400, you can get a rock-solid mountain bike that will last you forever.
I have a Trek mountain bike that cost me $250 ten years ago, and I can't kill the thing.
Walmart sucks.”

“Find you a good bike shop or go to REI, you can get a nice bike for 350.00 to 400.00. You can spend more if you want and you probably will. It is just like backpacking..more new gear to buy”

“Thanks! I drove by a bike shop just the other day. I may check it out. I just didn't want to spend alot of money if I am not sure if I like it.

I guess $350 isn't bad, comparing it to the $240 schwinn walmart bike I wanted to spend.”

“a friend I ride with just upgraded from a Wal mart bike to a Trek 4500 and he can tell a huge difference. The shop he bought it from even had a
lay-a-way plan. He has already bought new pedals and shoes. Now he wants to change the seat on it.”

“What I like about my local bike shop is that they know everything about bikes so that I don't have to. They will service my bike so that I don't have to. And, I can fantasize about the bikes when I drop off my bike.”

“Lee,
Your new Raleigh sounds sweet (gotta love Campy!!) I have an Univega Modo Vivere with Campy Veloce/Mirage mix components.

As an aside, Lance looked great today at the Tour of Georgia, taking both a sprint finish and then 3 hours later the TT, he definately looks good for the TdF, esp. with the problems Boleki and Ullrich have been having.”

“Gemini,

Shimano makes different grades of shifters/derailers etc.
Most of those Walmart/Dicks/etc bikes use the lowest, so even though they say Shimano they won't work as well and are heavier than those on a little bit better bike from a bike shop.

Also the guy that puts the bike together at walmart is the same guy that put the grill and patio furniture together on the other side of the store and if the bike won't shift right you still might have to go to the bike shop if he can't adjust it.


I walked some of the trails here today
to see how the mud is doing and it looks like I can get out there this weekend without making a lot of ruts.”

“Kona used to be one of the best entry level values around for mountain bikes. Don't know if that is still true.”

“Jamis was rated by (I think) Consumer reports as making some good entry level ($350) bikes.


Take a look at the Jamis website (google Jamis). They have a dealer locator function.”

“I have a Trek 4500. Paid $300 for it. Giant also makes a entry level mtn bike for around the same price.”

“You should also look for bike swaps sponsored by local clubs. Addicts trade up regularly and sell good used bikes.”

“I took the old Cannondale out for a short ride yesterday. The trails are still really wet so I had to make due with dirt roads.”

“I was suppose to go trail riding yesterday but it has rained for 2 days now with no let up in sight
If the rain stops by Sat I will go do a road ride.”

“Rode at Cave Run Lake, near Moreshead KY Saturday evening. It had rained for two days and it was my first dealings with periodic DEEP mud on rocky terrain. Wooo Hoooo! I did take a tumble but didn't go all the way down the ridge to the lake cause a tree stopped my fall. I love that tree! Otherwise a good ride I'm getting so much more comfortable with the technical stuff. 'Cepn for that boulder going uphill in the mud that threw me down!

It was a fairly short ride as I was really down there to spend my time at a horse show. I hope to get out that way with my bike again!

Next weekend, my first ever mountain bike race.....Uh oh!”

“dhutch, good luck on your race next week. Make sure you give us a detailed trip report.

Normally you hate trees when you hit them but it sound like this one kept you from taking a tumble down the ridge and into the lake. Did you give it a hug ;)”

“Yep, my arm has the bruising and tree rash to prove it! :-)”

“Good luck Dhutch! Kick butt!!”

“Yep Tango, I plan on kicking that Beginner level, over 30 women butt all over the trail with my 41 year old legs. lol

Really...I'm just looking to have a nice ride and survive.”

“After I bought my road bike I haven't ridden my mountain bike (over 2 years). If anyone is near Alabama and wants a nice bike I may be persuaded to sell her if I see cash in front of me. Chances are though I'm too emotionally attached to my old race bike to ever let her go. I was a bike mechanic in a former life and did my fair share of racing and built this one from extra parts laying around. I love this damned thing, I built it to be bullet proof not for light weight (~25.5lbs which is heavy for a race bike).

Frame: Wheeler 5900 7005 series Aluminum
Fork: Girvin Pro Carbon
Wheels: Savos hubs with Sun CR16E rims, 32 spoke 3 cross (Only hubs I could find at the time with matching purple ano) 11-32 Shimano Hyperglide cassette.
Cranks: Specialized Strongarm Cranks (42-32-22) on a Shimano UN72 cartridge bottom bracket
Tires: Continental XC Pro rear and Specialized (forgot the name) front. Both kevlar bead.
Rear Der: Shimano DeoreDX (of course) with Avid Rollamajig
Front: Shimano DeoreLX
Shifters: Gripshift 8 speed, forgot the model number. It's been a while.
Stem: Kore 130mm 0 degree rise.
Brakes: Magura HS22 Tomac edition hydrolic brakes.
Pedals: None, stole em for my road bike
Handlebars: Generic aluminum with Profile Durango XC Wraparound bar.
Seatpost: Generic, it's a very large odd sized 31.6mm if I remember corectly.
Seat: Generic

Going through my old bike specs is makig me itch to get on the trail. I might have to give the Wheeler an overhaul and go riding.

”

“sounds cool dhutch, have fun in the race, get somebody to take pics so we can see it.”