Road Bikes, Cycling

“Wow. He must feel like a world class shmuck.

I basically come very close to dying about one time every month. Latest was when a woman turned in front of us as we were going 20 mph in the bike lane. Nearly ran us over and didn't even acknowledge us. Next car that does that get a dent.”

“I want charges filed against those cyclists...just because a car wanders into your lane doen't give you the right to take the law into your own hands and assault a public servant like that....

WHAT?! Makes as much sense as many other statements made on these threads....oh okay...I'll take it to the "Tasteless Jokes" thread....no sense of humor in here no more.....”

“Sad to hear about that accident.

Re the recumbent. I have never ridden one, but they intrigue me mainly because they can be rigged up to be real fast commuters.

I'm more of a minimalist with my bikes (and backpacking too, for that matter) so that side of me eschews the 'bent.”

“First day out in 5 months yesterday (except for hacking around on my mtn bike .. .once).

Haven't sat on a bike seat in 5 months .. .not even a spin bike. i have been running and lifting.


We did 45 miles . . ..in 3.5 hours of ride time. . . . SLOW . .. . and my legs were DEAD by the time we were done. I live at the top of a hill . . .so I knew that I had that climb facing me. The approach I took was about 2.7 miles of intermitent climbing, culminating in a 100 yard 20%. I could barely turn the pedals . .back tire skipping out on ice.

It was cold (31)and windy (gusts above 20) generally a miserable day to be out.

But . . .we had fun. Good company... we all suffered together (suffering is relative: one guy had it worse than me . .two guys were fine and could have ridden faster . .one guy turned for home after 15 miles).”

“I dunno. 13 mph for no training isn't bad. I did 50 on Sat averaging 20 mph. I was pretty happy with that.”

“Rosey . .it was probably a 16 mph ride in mid-summer.

A fair number of climbs. Some pretty steep. Very little flat. What flat we had was coming back against an extremel strong headwind.


We kept getting "pushed" south and east by the wind. Our choices kept leading out of the headwind . . .we knew there would be a reckoning at some point. We got as tight to the wind as we could (heading due east) but eventually had to suck it up. We got to a point where we either had a 10 mile intermitent climb with a couple of truly nasty sections in it [generally biased uphill, with little downhill a few gentle climbs a fwe long uphill 'flats' (the road just gradually tilts uphill) and 3 climbs of under 1/2 mile that are steep]. OR retreat to the edge of the CT river and follow it north to near home {biased uphill (the river flows south) but not so much. Qualifies as flatish). We let the weaker rider choose. His legs had cramped up on steep steep climb at mile 17 and he had to really baby it up hills since . .. so he chose the flat route right into the headwind. Our two strong riders had promised to pull at a pace we could hang on to (look, if we do a train at say 15 mph, can you hang on??). He hung on in the last position for 7 miles or so, then came off the back. Our strongest rider had to get home to relieve his wife so he took off. The other rider and I dawdled along with the last guy just trying to ride it home. Two nasty hills for him at the end of the ride (you can ride along the river and be fine . ..but as soon as you turn west, you start going up and down over glacial ridges). After he turned off I limped home with the other guy escorting me. Just a pathetic last 2.3 miles.

Went out for a run today. My legs are dead.”

“A witness at the scene asked the cop what happened, and he said he fell asleep at the wheel. This happened at 10:30 in the morning, and was apparently only an hour into his shift. Something is weird here....”

“taken off bikeforums

Sun, 03/09/2008 - 17:59 �redlenses

Posts: 1 This is an example of irresponsible journalism. I was on the scene of this accident before they shut the road down. The sheriff deputy's car went completely across the road, through the bike lane and into the side of the hill. Your suggestion about riding side by side or any other nonsense is disrespectful to the cyclists that were killed by an officer that likely fell asleep at the wheel. There are no skid marks, the road curved, and the officer drove straight ahead across the oncoming traffic lane and completely off the wrong side of the road - how anyone was riding has no relevance to an officer who broke the law (by crossing into oncoming traffic and driving off the other side of the road) and killed people. You should be insinuating that the officer likely fell asleep at the wheel, not that the cyclists riding activities were the cause of the accident - get your facts and innuendos correct! All the distracting accounts of dangerous drivers and cyclists confuse the issue here which is simple - a driver killed people by not controlling their vehicle
Sun, 03/09/2008 - 18:17 �nwillhit

Posts: 1 redlenses just eloquently stated my exact sentiments. I too rode by this accident site shortly after the riders were mowed down by the deputy. This is grossly irresponsible journalism. The author should be investigating how long the deputy was on duty and whether or not alcohol may have been involved. These cyclists were killed on the right-hand side of the road from oncoming traffic. Whether or not they were riding two abreast had absolutely no bearing on this accident.”

“Give touring a try. It's like hiking but there's restaurants and grocery stores and you can see a lot more over the course of a day.”

“It's in Nashville, Tn Mar 29 choice of 25 or 60 miles, sag wagon included, lots of great food at rest stops. I'm going. Last time I did this one was in 05. see friendsofwarnerparks.org or contact me.”

“Rode in this morning - it's that time of year where (for me) the weather is almost always good enough to ride in once a week, thereby reducing my automobile commuting by 20%!! It actually rained a little overnight, so the pavement was wet, but the wheels stayed down and the helmet stayed up, so I guess that means everything went well enough....”

“I rode to work today as well. Second time this week and hacking all the way...”

“Yesterday, I signed up for a local century on May 4th. It's a little more than 100 miles at 112. 8600 feet of downhill. Of course, given that it starts and finishes in the same place, I guess that means I have to go up 8600 feet, too. Dang. Better start training....”

“A loop ride, regardless of length always results in a net gain/loss of 0 (zero) feet. Therefore it is a flat ride. Simple as that.”

“I think I am ready for the century (plus 12) this Sunday. Did a 60-miler with 5000' of climbing 2 weeks ago and a 45-miler with 3000' climbing last Saturday, and felt pretty strong at the end of each. I'll be starting with one of my club-mates who is a pretty strong rider - I'll just try to keep up with her and maybe I'll finish before dark! Weather looks promising - highs in the low-mid 70's.

Wheels down; helmet up!”

“Got my long awaited Catrike Speed yesterday, and did the two big hills that are alternate routes to my house, and today commuted to work. I have not ridden in a while (winter) so I am not so speedy on this trike, but I think it could be speedy with a more fit rider. its geared low enough to climb a steep hill. I have to learn to steer it better on the downhills, as it turns so fast that you can't dodge potholes at high speed. I kept it down to 26 mph by braking on the downhills. It is very comfortable, and when I hit a bump the force didn't come through my wrists and pelvic bones. it was spread over the whole big seat.

”

“That a cool trike. The only thing I wonder about is where you find the room on the road to ride it? Around here, I'm nervous just riding a two wheel bike near the white line on the side of the road with traffic whizzing by. I guess if you had roads with wide shoulders it would work there. Around here, that's where all the road debris winds up that causes flats.”

“RichB... I recommend moving out into the roadway if the shoulder is not clean and ridable. By out into the roadway I mean a good 24" at least from the white line. If the road is four lane, then take the whole right hand lane. Here's the reasoning.. (This comes from a course called "Effective Cycling" that my folks used to teach.)

When you are hugging the white line you are tacitly giving "permission" for the cars to squeeze by. If they have to move over into the next lane to get around you they tend to pay more attention. Statistically if I remember correctly, most car/bike accidents are glancing swipes where the driver thought they could squeeze by.

In PA you have the right to the road as a vehicle. I will move onto the shoulder to let cars pass if theere is a line of two or so, but normally they will move far enough out to get by safely. The same is true for a trike. If I couldn't ride safely on the shoulder, I would take the mane.”

“I'm not riding out into the road under any circumstances and staying there unless I know no cars are around. With the amount of drunks, people talking on cell phones and eldery in this county and bars on almost every corner, I want to come home alive after a ride. I don't trust people that much. Besides the drunks, old people, cell phone users and just plain idiots out there that scream, curse and throw things at you, forget it. I stay as far right as possible without risking a flat. The worst time to ride is when people are coming home from work. They get aggressive to get home as fast as they can and have little patience for anything.”

“RichB I hear ya.... At the same time it seems to me that the accidents that I've seen reported have been such that the drivers attention was not commanded by the cyclist. As far as somebody throwing things, I had that happen more when I'm on the shoulder than when I have been in the road. But as always, if someone is not comfortable doing something, they are probably better off not doing it.

Granted my preference isbeing on the shoulder. But if I have to be in the road, they are are gonna have to wear me as a hood ornament if they decide to pass me unsafely.

Just me....

http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Cycling-6th-John-Forester/dp/0262560704

There's a link to the text material the course my folks taught. They were trained by Forester to teach the course through the League of American Wheelmen.
last edited: 5/01/08 5:44:00 AM”

“not to be critical, but did you see the date on that book? Things change quickly in the world of cycling...

A recent law passed in Maine requires drivers to give bikes 3 feet when passing.

In a war between a car and a bike, right or wrong, if the bike loses, there might not be another chance to make a different choice.”

“Hey and Bowlderman, good luck on that century+12!”

“twigeater... I wouldn't recommend that book for gear or fit or anything like that. But for riding strategy it is super. You can thank Forester and the original edition of that book for the changes in law that now require things like 3' clearance. He was the one that took on the government about the laws governing bikes. For stratgy and finesse for _road_ riding it is still a superb resource.”

“I survived!! Had a little derrailleur (sp?) trouble in the first half, but the mechanic at one of the rest stops fixed me right up. It turned out to be a lot cooler than expected, but that worked out OK. Lots of good food at the rest stops. Rode most of the ride with my pals from the bike club. Woo-hoo! New longest ride: 112 miles (Old longest ride: 70 miles)”

“Way to go. I am playing with a new toy, a recumbent tricycle built by Catrike, the Speed model in Bengal orange. The line of Catrike models is at www.catrike.com, and a video of me zooming down a hill is on youtube at the URL below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfalX1fdCW4
last edited: 5/07/08 3:23:23 PM”

“I need some input.....should I get a mountain bike or a road bike???..& why???”

“where are you planning to ride?

It's easier to mountain bike on a road, then road bike on a mountain..

I have a mountain bike, and it has seen more roads then mountains...

'fool
last edited: 5/28/08 7:28:52 AM”

“lol....believe it or not...some of our roads here in Lower Alabama are paved!!!

I don't forsee me mountain biking.....mostly road....”

“If you plan to ride on pavement just buy a road bike. Even with slicks on it, a mountain bike can't match a road bike on pavement.”

“Thanks for the input!!!”

“Yes, my advice would be to get a road bike. It is less of an effort to get riding unless you live in very close proximity to dirt trails. If you find yourself craving dirt after you get in shape with a road bike, then it is warranted to buy a mountain bike. Mountain biking takes much more dexterity and coordination then road biking. My riding partners always use to say, "Road bikes are tools for mountain biking..."”

“The century I did a few weeks ago made it into the NY Times! They got the number of people wrong (several hundred, not several thousand), but the article was pretty good otherwise....

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/05/30/travel/escapes/30ride.html”

“Cool Bowlder! The century season hath begun! Tons of good ones. One day I'll do the Death Ride!”

“I'm thinking of that, too, rosey. About 5 people in my club are going to do it this year, so they've been training like mad. I went on one training ride they did from Livermore to Mt. Hamilton (Elev. 4,200'), then down to San Jose and Fremont - 89 miles, 6000 feet of climbing.”

“I got a new rain jacket, Pearl Izumi AmFib tights and Sugoi Resistor over socks. What a difference! I've stayed comfortable in the 40's in the rain now. Fenders help too!”

“I'm looking to get a new road bike this spring and after doing some looking my head is swimming. Can anyone offer any good advice for a good entry level road bike? I know you get what you pay for and these things are way expensive. I'm looking to spend $500-$700.”

“For that price range, I would definitely look to get a nice used bike. Something a few years old with Ultegra-level components, probably an aluminum frame, maybe with carbon stays or fork.

Check with your local bike shop. Sure, they would love to sell you a new $2000 bike, but a good shop will point you towards individuals they know looking to sell their quality used bikes to upgrade.”

“I haven�t bought a bicycle in many years. Haven�t even looked at them since I stop racing. But I do have some wisdom to impart. The law of diminishing returns is well demonstrated in bicycles. Each additional dollar you pay for the machine brings less added benefit than the previous dollar spent. At the low end focus on durability not weight. If you want a lower weight cycle lose some body fat.”

“I agree with hubcap, go talk to the boys at the local bike shop...they'll generally point you in the right direction.
The shop I deal with actually has several pretty decent bikes in that price range...

So Nigal,if you're getting a road bike does this mean you're going to ride the Hilly Hundred with us next fall?”

“I almost killed a biker the other week. The DUMBASSES were riding 2 abreast on my curvy, hilly 2 lane farm-to-market road. Crested a hill, and there they were in the middle of the lane in their effeminate spandex costumes. Fortunately, I have good brakes, and fortunately, no one was riding my butt. Idiots like them put EVERYONE in danger. I know they have the right to do it, but that doesn't mean they should. There are safer roads for them to ride.”

“Aluminum will beat your body and you are an old man. Move to titanium, steel or carbon frame.”

“Anyone own a Specialized Tarmac, Trek Madone or a Giant TCR? I just sold my motorcycle tonight and was toying with the idea of getting a road bike. So far on paper these couple of bikes look pretty good. I'm just wondering if anyone out there has one?”

“

I just got home with my new Giant Defy 2. OMG is this thing fast and nimble! I was able to get 9 months same as cash, custom fit to my measurements, one year of free adjustments, first tune up is free and a free maintenance class. One of the techs took me out for a short shake down ride to give me the basics of the bike and he had one of the TCRs. It was about the nicest bike I've ever seen.”

“Sounds nice and good luck with the new bike. I checked on used bikes, but there's not much out there.”

“So you want carbon? I ride a carbon Trek and really like it. If you are uncertain about which material you want for a frame, i would suggest riding a carbon, titanium, steel and aluminum bike and make your determination on that. Aluminum will beat your body up the most while having the least flex and is great for climbing as there is no loss of transfer during the pedal stroke. Steel is the most cush, but can be the heaviest and is hard to find in a quality, mass produced frame (companies like Independent and IF make custom frames, Bianchi still makes some commercial steel frames, as does Jamis), TI and carbon are somewhat similar with regard to weight and feel (stiff while keeping some cushion), ti arguably being the more durable of the two (carbon can crack and fail catastrophically, so you need to check your frame regularly).”

“I own mountain bikes that have steel, aluminum and titanium frame material so I'm familiar with those. I've never ridden a carbon fiber frame so I'll check it out and see how I like it.”

“Big surprise...we're going back to the bike store to pick up my wife a new bike tomorrow.”

“Here is a pretty good place to find nice used bikes:

http://classifieds.roadbikereview.com/index.php”

“I'm trying, (trying), to get in shape to ride the Bike Across Kansas this June. I'm way more of a mountain bike on country roads kind of guy, so I'm still getting familiar with road riding. There are certainly a number of drivers who are either unconscious or overly aggressive out there. I think they should all have to ride a bicycle on the road to help them with their compassion deficit. Also, dumbass bicyclers should be hung by their spandex.”

““Big surprise...we're going back to the bike store to pick up my wife a new bike tomorrow.”
Nigal
8:28:16 PM
5/03/09
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So does this mean you guys are going to ride the "Hilly 100" with us this fall? :)”