How many miles did you RIDE today? - Page 8

I would have sworn I posted up a pic of my new bike this morning. Am I going crazy? Did anyone else see that post?

I'll try again.

Here's my new ride. Took it out for a 10 minute ride on Friday just to test the braking and shifting, etc. It's all pretty good. New handlebars are in order. Something a little straighter and wider so they'll have more room for the break levers and shifters (and bell). Other than that, it's just a matter of getting used to the skinny tires.

Went out Saturday too for a longer ride around the National Arboretum. Beautiful day for it. Nice ride. But I definitely don't feel as comfortable going real fast on this, as on my old mt. bike.

She's pretty, no?

i like the saddle.

Thanks.

It just dawned on me that I probably posted in the General Bike Thread.

A young man (friend of my kids) who I know rode his bike from NC State University (Raleigh) to his home in Emerald Isle, NC and back last weekend. Mapquest puts that at 150 miles one way.

The funny thing is that he noticed a bike coming up from behind...it was another Emerald Isle kid also riding home from college for the weekend. They had both been doing the same thing but hadn't realized the other was doing it. I suppose it would be a bit easier when you can alternate in the lead.

Tomorrow's weather looks good. I'm going to shoot for 20 miles if I can.

17 miles in about 57 minutes on my mt bike with racing slicks that weighs ~50% more than a comparable road bike i would imagine. very happy about the effort.

-Jeff

perfect day to ditch work and put in 85mi.

gotta love days off for riding...and beer for when you come home.

If you are uncomfortable at speed, I might suggest that your handlebars or stem are at issue. That frame looks like it shouldn't have very jumpy angles and the fork appears to have plenty of rake but I am guessing it was designed for drop bars. If you play with stem length/bar sweep, you might find something that feels more stable at speed.

That's for the advice. I appreciate it.

At this point, I've gotten used to it. I just wasn't used to sitting up so upright-y. I'm really starting to appreciate the slow upright ride.

Of course, that's not stopping me from looking at a new mt bike.


Anyone ride clyclocross? It looks like fun, but I have no experience with it or any idea how a nearly middle-aged out-of-shape guy gets into it.


b

I raced my first season of cross last fall (well, I made it to the first race, last race, and one in the middle...). Tons of fun and less snooty than road racing. In the lower categories, you can expect to have people handing you booze or cash or odd food items at random spots in the race Lots of bike variation at the bottom to...everything from top of the line cross rigs to to mountain bikes and even some single speeds (and a fixie). This will vary by venue...some places have rules banning some types of bikes while others have entire categories for only ss/fg bikes. I'll definately be going back next season (and making it to more of the races that are out of bike-riding range) Since you claim to be middle aged, there are also "Masters" categories (in chicago at least) of 30+, 40+ and 50+ where there is more serious competition than the cat 4 races (which are a mix of noobs, out of shape people, and people who just love bike races where people hand you booze while riding) but none of the 25 year old hotshot racers. You may be able to find a team that holds open practices in your area where they bring barriers/have a known course/can give you pointers or you can look for a team that would be happy to have you. I ended up getting attached through my university team even though I have graduated (actually they seem to be more active with alumni/grad students/faculty...I didn't even know they existed my first 2-3 years of school). I went to morning practices twice a week through some emails on their listhost and have now joined the actual team that was hosting those practices. edit: I rode my first two races and most of my practices on a no-suspension mountain bike. I was building a single-speed rig (chicago is rather flat...) with drop bars and 700c cross tires and used that for the final race. It was nice to have a lighter, simpler bike but otherwise there was nothing wrong with the old MTB.

I did 27.66 miles yesterday in sunny/humid Dallas. I think I need to outfit my bike with another water bottle cage. Either that or I need to learn to stop sweating so much.

when it gets hot and humid, you should be drinking about a bottle an hour...just as a general rule...If you carry along two bottles, it never hurts to throw gatorade or whatever you like in one of those, and drink that first...the taste (assuming you like it) will usually keep you drinking more often than if you just have plain water.

I did 72 yesterday in a little under 4 hours and it was about 91 and humid in StL...I went through four bottles (refill along the way) and was almost out when I got home....gotta stay hydrated!

From Lincoln Park to Hyde Park and back - 30 miles. First ride since fall... I'll be sore tomorrow.

None. Got dressed yesterday morning and went to my bike (in the condo garage) and it turned out my rear tire had no air in it. Curious. Front was fine. No car keys to get my pump out. Going back up, getting keys, back down, pumping up tire, and then leaving would make me way late for work. Instead, went upstairs, showered, dressed, and caught bus to work.

And the weather is soooo nice. Sigh.

Dawson- if the tire has no air in it then there is probably a hole in the tube. I don't think it's a good idea to simply pump it up and ride.