The CYCLING THREAD: Road, Freestyle, Mountain Bikers..

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  • g under p
    g under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,249
    Rode to work yesterday and faced some gail force headwinds which knocked my average speed down to 15 mph. On the way back is was sheer fun....the smell of the Atlantic Ocean spray and the crashing of the waves against the beach was too kool. I couldn't stop to take it all in though....especially with Joe Satriani jamming *Crystal Planet* and more from his Anthology.

    Going for a short easy ride South away from the ocean towards Boca Raton tomorrow about 30 miles round trip. It will be new and interesting even though it's long and flat.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • The Juggler
    The Juggler Posts: 49,599
    got a trek mulit track 7200. in fact it is sitting right here next to me.

    i'm lucky to live right next to some pretty cool trails. like to get out there pretty regularly but this year i've been slacking.

    i'm about 35 miles to philly and these trails go all the way in. once or twice a year i like to a do a round trip to the art museum.
    www.myspace.com
  • PJGirl321
    PJGirl321 Posts: 377
    MOOO-VE Over!!

    http://bluerubyrider.blogspot.com/2011/ ... ibere.html

    What's your most bizarre encounter on a road or a trail.
  • mca47
    mca47 Posts: 13,349
    Crazy accident story:

    I love to mountain bike! Here in AZ, there are TON of great trails all over the state. For a while, almost every weekend, I was throwing the bike in the car and heading north to a new trail. I was getting my bike legs back and I was hitting some really tough trials...

    One Friday I wasn't working I decided that I'm going to take the bike out and go for a ride. I have a bunch of bike trials (paved) by my place so I was going to go for a leisurely ride. It was a nice day so there were a lot of people out and about.
    A couple miles in, I pick up the pace a bit, was cruising along when some old guy on one of those modified/sit-down bikes, coming my way cuts into my lane. I swerve off the path (no big deal with a mountain bike, but it was exactly where a concrete drainage ditch was). Swerved to avoid it, front tire hit and the next thing I remember was being awoken by two EMTs. The immobilized me and hauled me off to the emergency room. I went face first over my handlebars into the pavement. Had to get a bunch of stitches above my right eye and my entire right side of my face and body were ripped up.
    The guy that cut me off didn't even stop!! :evil: Some couple going for a walk basically found me unconscious and bleeding and they called 911.

    The EMTs were nice enough to put my bike in the back of the ambulance with me which sat next me in the ER as I was getting checked out. Bike got really trashed too. :(
  • PJGirl321
    PJGirl321 Posts: 377
    Sorry to hear mca47. I am glad you are OK. That's a shame that he didn't stop. I can't figure out the appeal of the recumbant (sp?) bikes but I guess people do like them. Anyway, as cyclists sometimes things are out of our control. The best we can do is be as vigilant as possible on the roads. Hope you heal quickly and can get back out there soon.
  • mca47
    mca47 Posts: 13,349
    PJGirl321 wrote:
    Sorry to hear mca47. I am glad you are OK. That's a shame that he didn't stop. I can't figure out the appeal of the recumbant (sp?) bikes but I guess people do like them. Anyway, as cyclists sometimes things are out of our control. The best we can do is be as vigilant as possible on the roads. Hope you heal quickly and can get back out there soon.

    Yeah, it was about a year ago. Other than a couple of little scars, everything healed up.
    The crazy thing (and dumb thing really) was that I wasn't wearing my helmet. I figured that a seasoned mountain biker going for a leisurely ride on paved trails wouldn't need a helmet...so I left without it.

    Got really, really lucky. Had I crashed at a different angle, it could have been really bad!! Actually, how I crashed, I landed mostly on my face and side so the helmet wouldn't have done much anyways...but still!! :shock: Lucked out!
    Lesson learned!
  • PJGirl321
    PJGirl321 Posts: 377
    edited June 2011
    mca47 wrote:
    PJGirl321 wrote:
    Sorry to hear mca47. I am glad you are OK. That's a shame that he didn't stop. I can't figure out the appeal of the recumbant (sp?) bikes but I guess people do like them. Anyway, as cyclists sometimes things are out of our control. The best we can do is be as vigilant as possible on the roads. Hope you heal quickly and can get back out there soon.

    Yeah, it was about a year ago. Other than a couple of little scars, everything healed up.
    The crazy thing (and dumb thing really) was that I wasn't wearing my helmet. I figured that a seasoned mountain biker going for a leisurely ride on paved trails wouldn't need a helmet...so I left without it.

    Got really, really lucky. Had I crashed at a different angle, it could have been really bad!! Actually, how I crashed, I landed mostly on my face and side so the helmet wouldn't have done much anyways...but still!! :shock: Lucked out!
    Lesson learned!

    Helmets are a must. :problem:
    Hope you're enjoying the trails!
    Post edited by PJGirl321 on
  • The Juggler
    The Juggler Posts: 49,599
    PJGirl321 wrote:
    MOOO-VE Over!!

    http://bluerubyrider.blogspot.com/2011/ ... ibere.html

    What's your most bizarre encounter on a road or a trail.

    i swear to god i almost ran into a billy goat or mountain goat or something on the perk trail near my place. there were 2 of them just hanging out in the middle of the trail eating something. whatever the hell they were, they both had horns and a long beardish looking thing. freaked me the hell out. i sped right past them. :lol:

    here's the trail i'm talking about
    http://www.traillink.com/trail/perkiomen-trail.aspx
    www.myspace.com
  • Go Beavers
    Go Beavers Posts: 9,689
    My crash story:

    This was the trash can mentioned earlier. It was dark and the first time I rode this part at night. I had my headlight on too low and couldn't do anything by the time I saw the dark green colored trash can not contrasting with the black pavement. I hit that and ate the pavement bad. Broken wrist, broken arm, separated shoulder, and about 15 stitches in my chin and upper lip. I healed up fine (happened about 5 years ago) and have a slight scar on my upper lip. The injuries themselves didn't hurt too bad, the worst was the shots of anesthesia in my face (at least 4 or 5). I ended up mostly in the ditch to the side of the road. Two nice women stopped and took me to the ER. I can still picture the two little kids looks on their faces in the back seat seeing my face all ripped up. A little McCauley Caulkin-esque.

    I see it as my reminder to ride with a little more awareness.

    P.S. please wear a helmet. I've used mine a few times.
  • PJGirl321
    PJGirl321 Posts: 377
    edited June 2011
    g under p wrote:
    OH YES, it's that time of the year when the weather has changed, the sun is unending (drought...beyond extreme levels) here in South Florida. Most bike enthusiasts are or should be working on getting those bikes ready for the rest of the year.

    The Giro Di Italia is in full force...the Tour De France is coming up in July the the Tour then the
    Vuelta a Espana, it's that time of the year to dust off those bikes. I did yesterday when I rode to work.... 24 miles there 24 coming back. Mostly beautiful energized riding along the Oceanfront on AIA all the way up north on the Palm Beach coast. Average speed 20 mph with cramps on the way back home, I didn't eat or drank enough at work.

    With a combo of spinning classes, diet and now cycling to work I've dropped around 40lbs. Too nervous to get on a scale from last year.
    So anyone else have any good plans? Anyone doing any trips? Any races? Any goals? Anyone planning to get in shape by biking? Tell us about your machine!

    20102828-128093.jpg...This ever happen to you?

    Peace

    I do a lot of road biking. Even in the winter, I layer up and ride unless the roads are covered with snow and/or ice. If that's the case then I am on a trainer. Since March I've been trying to ride 100+ miles per week and I like to incorporate as many hills as possible into riding. My belief is that I you can climb you can ride anywhere.

    I ride with a team and I am a first year racer but I am not very good at it. I do however try and train like a racer. I enjoy long team rides more than going to a race and getting my butt kicked. :lol: So far this season I've done one century, although most of my rides are 50+ anyway. I am doing the 100 mile route on the NJ Gran Fondo on August 28 and that will be the focus of my training for the rest of the summer. Here is the link.http://granfondonj.com/home.html Registration is discounted 20% until 7/1 if you enter the code GFNJRELIABLE.

    I love cycling. It's my passion. I have a blog, which some of you may have seen because I do post it here. It's http://bluerubyrider.blogspot.com/ :mrgreen:

    I also follow pro cycling in the way most people follow football and baseball.

    Thanks for starting this thread!!
    Post edited by PJGirl321 on
  • booomm11
    booomm11 Posts: 865
    I'll hop on my CAAD 9, any chance i get :D
    being so KiND.. tO LEt me RiDe!!!
  • PJGirl321
    PJGirl321 Posts: 377
    booomm11 wrote:
    I'll hop on my CAAD 9, any chance i get :D

    :thumbup: :thumbup: 8-)
  • Go Beavers
    Go Beavers Posts: 9,689
    booomm11 wrote:
    I'll hop on my CAAD 9, any chance i get :D

    My body says handmade steel is where it's at!
  • Riverrunner
    Riverrunner Posts: 2,419
    I ride a Serotta Fierte (titanium) road bike. Love that bike. I mostly train by myself, although do an organized or group ride occasionally. I like to compete in triathlons although running is my strongest discipline. Can't swim worth a darn. Cycling I'm usually in the middle of my age group.

    I recently bought a Gary Fisher hardtail 29er mountain bike. It is an entry level bike because I rarely mountain bike. I had an old GT, but decided I needed a newer mnt. bike. I love mountain biking but I have no skills and thus end up being extremely cautious, which causes as many problems as being daring I think.

    We are going to Colorado in August to see a few stages of the USA Pro Challenge and so a friend and I can run the Pike's Peak Ascent. I am taking my mountain bike as I would love to do some of the trails out there, but not sure I will be able too. Also taking the road bike. Keep in mind that I live at 350feet above sea level. I hope I'm able to do something at high altitude.
    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals. Ghandi
  • PJGirl321
    PJGirl321 Posts: 377
    Riverrunner wrote:
    I ride a Serotta Fierte (titanium) road bike. Love that bike. I mostly train by myself, although do an organized or group ride occasionally. I like to compete in triathlons although running is my strongest discipline. Can't swim worth a darn. Cycling I'm usually in the middle of my age group.

    I recently bought a Gary Fisher hardtail 29er mountain bike. It is an entry level bike because I rarely mountain bike. I had an old GT, but decided I needed a newer mnt. bike. I love mountain biking but I have no skills and thus end up being extremely cautious, which causes as many problems as being daring I think.

    We are going to Colorado in August to see a few stages of the USA Pro Challenge and so a friend and I can run the Pike's Peak Ascent. I am taking my mountain bike as I would love to do some of the trails out there, but not sure I will be able too. Also taking the road bike. Keep in mind that I live at 350feet above sea level. I hope I'm able to do something at high altitude.

    I would love to go to the Pro Challenge in CO but I've been unemployed for a while and obviously have to curtail my spending until things turn around. I would've have like to go to Amgen this year - and wanted to ride in the Pro Am stage 7 on May 7 but just couldn't swing it.

    If you are fit (which it sounds like you are) and can handle a high aerobic capacity on the bike, you should be OK in CO. Just give yourself a few days to adjust and don't drink. I've seen partying ruin many a ski trip to the Rockies. :roll: :lol: Or plan your ride closer to the Denver/Boulder area rather than at the higher elevations. Have fun!
  • Riverrunner
    Riverrunner Posts: 2,419
    PJgirl, too bad you can't make it to a couple of stages. We are planning vacation around it. Planning on running the Pike's Peak Ascent on a Saturday (8/20 I think), and then watch the Prologue in Colorado Springs on Monday, Stage 1 at Monarch Pass on Tuesday, and watch Stage 2 from Cottonwood Pass on Wednesday. Then do some hiking and biking for a couple of days after that before heading back to low, low altitude.

    I won't have much time to acclimate. We will arrive in Co.Springs on Thursday evening, then I have to run up Pike's Peak on Barr Trail on Saturday morning (will probably do as much walking as running but only have 6.5 hours to complete it). We hiked it in 2007 with full hiking gear and carrying all water, and wearing boots and it took 10 hours or so, but my husband wasn't in the best of shape so I did a lot of waiting for him. I didn't have any problems but I wasn't trying to run either.
    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals. Ghandi
  • PJGirl321
    PJGirl321 Posts: 377
    Riverrunner wrote:
    PJgirl, too bad you can't make it to a couple of stages. We are planning vacation around it. Planning on running the Pike's Peak Ascent on a Saturday (8/20 I think), and then watch the Prologue in Colorado Springs on Monday, Stage 1 at Monarch Pass on Tuesday, and watch Stage 2 from Cottonwood Pass on Wednesday. Then do some hiking and biking for a couple of days after that before heading back to low, low altitude.

    I won't have much time to acclimate. We will arrive in Co.Springs on Thursday evening, then I have to run up Pike's Peak on Barr Trail on Saturday morning (will probably do as much walking as running but only have 6.5 hours to complete it). We hiked it in 2007 with full hiking gear and carrying all water, and wearing boots and it took 10 hours or so, but my husband wasn't in the best of shape so I did a lot of waiting for him. I didn't have any problems but I wasn't trying to run either.

    WOW! That's hard core stuff! :thumbup:
    Yeah, I want to get to one of the tours. I like the Giro and tour de Suisse. Tour de Suisse is exciting because of the beauty. Plus it's Cancellara's (who is my favorite pro) home turf although he's not having a good tour this year.

    I do have a big ride on August 28 - the NJ gran fondo. It's 103 miles and close to 10,000 feet of climbing :geek: so I really need to be here during that time anyway.

    The only thing I am doing this summer is Pearl Jam in Montreal -- and I'm fine with that! :D
  • Given to...
    Given to... Wyoming Posts: 5,007
    I ride my Chumba EVO all over the mountains close to where I live. A few trails are bike only, but most of them are for ATV use and they get trashed by mid July. What was a nice solid trail becomes either a rock garden of loose cobble rock or pure sand just waiting to tweak the front end out from under you.

    I have quite a stable of rides in the garage tight now, at last count there are 13 bikes, from my daughters pink GT Bump BMX bike, my old Trek 6500 from the early 90's, a relic K2 5000 with SmartShocks....

    My son has a Kona Stinky Deluxe, daughter is on a Kona Coiler Deluxe, and my wife is now riding a Kona Kikapu. I love my Chumba, but its making a few more noises than I like this season, probably due to all the mud and snow we are STILL riding in. My daughter and I tried to make a four mile loop where we own some property and had to turn around because some places the snow was still 3-5 ft deep!!!!! This is at about 9000ft, but its usually gone by now.

    We also love riding Deer Valley in Park City, Utah but with this years snowpack that is double the average, we may not see the top of Bald Mtn until August.

    I'll try to post some pics of our rides and our fav trails, as you all should too.

    Dave
    "...would you like some forks?" EV 12-02-06
  • Riverrunner
    Riverrunner Posts: 2,419
    WOW! I can't imagine still having that much snow, or even getting that much snow in the first place. We've been fighting 95+ temps until the last couple of days. I guess it is all of that snowpack that is causing the Missouri River to flood. We are just getting rid of the floodwaters (Ohio River) from May. We had a bad Spring riding season due to rain and then the high water which covered so many roads. Just now getting back to normal, except for the extremely early high temps, although we have had a reprieve the last few days - highs only in the 80's.

    So many of our mnt. bike trails/hiking trails in Shawnee National Forest (Southern Illinois) have been destroyed by ATV's. Once they come in, they destroy, and the NEVER do any trail maintenance to repair their damage. It is actually illegal to ride them in SNF, but the Forest Service refuses to enforce any of their own rules so they run rampant. The Forest Service acquired TVA Land Between the Lakes in Western Kentucky several years ago, but kept their rules. At LBL there are designated trails exclusively for ATV's, mountain bikes/hikers, and horses. Thus we are kept separate, and that works well. The mountain bikers in our area do almost all of the maintenance on the trails they use.

    We have so many bikes. My husband and I buy bikes, but never seem to get rid of our old ones. We always think of a use for them, but we are running out of room.

    If I can ever figure out how to post photos, or more specifically, find photos that meet the size requirements I will post some.
    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals. Ghandi
  • polaris_x
    polaris_x Posts: 13,559
    PJGirl321 wrote:
    Plus it's Cancellara's (who is my favorite pro) home turf although he's not having a good tour this year.

    he won the prologue and will probably win the ending TT ... that's all he cares about ... looks like most of the TDF contenders are using the TDS as training rides ...

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