tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post2955138607074248790..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: I am Curious, YellowVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64951521091153464292011-05-31T00:44:35.198-04:002011-05-31T00:44:35.198-04:00J - The bottle cages are the King Cage stainless &...J - The bottle cages are the King Cage stainless "Iris." The bottles pictured on the Surly are Klean Kanteen, twined and shellacked : )Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-13307629894142484472011-05-31T00:00:00.415-04:002011-05-31T00:00:00.415-04:00Hey which bottles and cages are you using? Love th...Hey which bottles and cages are you using? Love the blog from Long Beach CA, <br /><br />JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64642087305735301442011-05-30T22:46:59.028-04:002011-05-30T22:46:59.028-04:00It doesn't seem like it will rain...
...But I...It doesn't seem like it will rain...<br /><br />...But I got injured a couple of days ago and am not 100% sure if I can do the ride this week : (( Very annoying that this had to happen now. It's almost as if the universe is trying to tell me not to do it. No, I don't mean that, I'm not superstitious... or am I? Jeez!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-24600051543514083962011-05-30T22:42:43.917-04:002011-05-30T22:42:43.917-04:00So....is the paceline ride on, or cancelled again?...So....is the paceline ride on, or cancelled again?<br /><br />I really look forward to your take on it, now that you have a completely fitting sort of steed.<br /><br />Go Velouria!<br /><br />Corey KCorey Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381826721030941179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-8861775109624612992011-05-30T11:54:12.906-04:002011-05-30T11:54:12.906-04:00This makes me want a carbon road bike so I can fin...This makes me want a carbon road bike so I can finally be faster than Greg!Dottiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03984050970208363927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-50248888917384632782011-05-29T15:07:34.346-04:002011-05-29T15:07:34.346-04:00Reading this made me actually want a real road bik...Reading this made me actually want a real road bike for the first time ever. I would LOVE to beat my boyfriend up a hill for once.Carissahttp://bikebeliever.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3167261300956594382011-05-29T04:38:45.619-04:002011-05-29T04:38:45.619-04:00is your bike fitted? your posture looks a little a...is your bike fitted? your posture looks a little awkward in the photo<br />- yapAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-62231184498173387592011-05-26T11:19:41.140-04:002011-05-26T11:19:41.140-04:00Thank you Ground Round Jim for finding my little o...Thank you Ground Round Jim for finding my little offering effing hilarious. That was the point. Most all of the little incidents of cycling just turn into funny stories.<br />.<br />Velouria is one smart lady to be so cautious and thoughtful. I'd much rather meet her in a paceline than the burly guy with the strength & animal spirits to start off w/28mph pacelining but no common sense.<br /><br />The risks are real. Smaller than driving a car, but real. Safe drivers and safe riders work at it, talk about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69462294380731781192011-05-26T09:03:58.890-04:002011-05-26T09:03:58.890-04:00Reading that crash account and all the posts from ...Reading that crash account and all the posts from us going on about mountain descents and pile-ups and stuff makes me want to just say to you, "don't worry, you'll be fine." But there is some risk and you seem to have a good grasp of that, you also don't sound like you are going to hang it up and quit. I hope you never have a bad crash(or ANY crash), but if you do I'll be so interested in what you have to say. You'll probably manage in a paragraph what the rest of us have been trying to figure out how to express for years. <br /><br />You must agree that a little anxiety adds interest to things for some of us or you wouldn't be so into the Velodrome(which is pretty intimidating to me).<br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59264710726391302522011-05-26T02:23:58.141-04:002011-05-26T02:23:58.141-04:00"he thinks I am not fully processing the risk..."he thinks I am not fully processing the risk of this kind of cycling."<br /><br />I agree, and have no interest in paceline riding because I think it greatly magnifies the chance of a serious crash when riding. Any rider with a flat tire, mechanical problem, moment's inattention, mis-judgement of a turn, etc can take down multiple people in the group. The speed of the group is higher than solo riding, so the crashes that do occur are also more likely to cause serious injury. I wish the best to those who do choose to ride in groups. However, I will happily watch from afar, and continue to enjoy the control, meditative freedom, and reduced worry of solo riding.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-31387176009445758852011-05-26T01:41:26.406-04:002011-05-26T01:41:26.406-04:00I confess a complete lack of interest in mountain ...I confess a complete lack of interest in mountain biking or cyclocross. The velodrome on the other hand...Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-8682382035508102872011-05-26T01:36:28.246-04:002011-05-26T01:36:28.246-04:00Good luck in the paceline. It's been fun watch...Good luck in the paceline. It's been fun watching you broaden your cycling horizons. Now, for your next adventure, how about bombing down an alpine single track on a mountain bike. Sounds fun, right?MT cyclistnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21560153465874139422011-05-26T01:05:29.714-04:002011-05-26T01:05:29.714-04:00Gary Smith sure knows how to write one loonng blog...Gary Smith sure knows how to write one loonng blog entry. Funny, the Scott in the story helped me out a bit with my IF. <br /><br />I'm sorry, it came off as being whiny but he did hit his head and it seems like he's never bit it that hard before. Rookie. <br /><br />Watch me get hit by a Carma now.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-6386814003437375422011-05-26T00:42:57.498-04:002011-05-26T00:42:57.498-04:00Oh jeez. On top of all of your comments, I just ha...Oh jeez. On top of all of your comments, I just had the misfortune to read <a href="http://bit.ly/jn0SOv" rel="nofollow">this</a>.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-62811033873953384802011-05-26T00:38:03.465-04:002011-05-26T00:38:03.465-04:00"Had I ridden down such hills I'd be brak..."Had I ridden down such hills I'd be braking like mad and whimpering!"<br /><br />Oh, I whimpered, I cried out, I trembled, (and I just might have even spontaneously emitted a small quantity of bladder-products) but they were all lost in the rush of the wind...<br /><br />Corey KCorey Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381826721030941179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79143154738687070172011-05-25T23:59:49.397-04:002011-05-25T23:59:49.397-04:00Et tu, Corey?
Okay, I fold.
I could say that it...Et tu, Corey?<br /><br />Okay, I fold. <br /><br />I could say that it's only because I haven't ridden down hills steep enough to go 60mph, but that would be a lie. Had I ridden down such hills I'd be braking like mad and whimpering!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-91547351981935323802011-05-25T23:54:12.939-04:002011-05-25T23:54:12.939-04:00"Are you joking?...
Or do you by any chance m..."Are you joking?...<br />Or do you by any chance mean km?<br />: ( "<br /><br />I've knowingly exceeded 60 mph twice on a downhill; once on a first gen Stumpjumper with road tires, and once on my old Peugeot road bike, both back in the early 80s. (GR Jim, it was outside of Weaverville, heading west in the Trinity Alps.) <br />It can be done, and yes, it is rather, um, exhilarating. Knowing you can handle it, and picking a line on the road to follow is key.<br /><br />"Look at where you want to go. Your bike will go where you look." <br /><br />This anonymous person has seen the Elephant.<br /><br />CKCorey Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381826721030941179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20601589977632752122011-05-25T23:12:18.470-04:002011-05-25T23:12:18.470-04:00I was thinking our guy war stories weren't hel...I was thinking our guy war stories weren't helping your cause so much as to confirm we aren't/weren't a bunch of wimps who now comment on a blog called LB. BTW we're still alive and typing. <br /><br />I think we are being simultaneously encouraging and realistic on our parts. The idea is to be made aware of risks and to point out near disaster can strike but can be avoided too with the proper mindset. <br /><br />Regarding the 50+ mph hill: I point out to Mrs. GR constantly at home and before rides potential bad sightlines for drivers, crappy parts of the lane to avoid, to hit the brakes more, etc. then she bombs it. Riding for transport has a different set of risks, for contrast.<br /><br />You could die doing it but it could kill you when you're older and haven't done it.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-86810515707471641552011-05-25T23:09:45.202-04:002011-05-25T23:09:45.202-04:00Ah, there's a bit of risk, but not too much in...Ah, there's a bit of risk, but not too much in the beginning pace line rides. Enjoy the experience, gain some confidence, test the bike, and report back to your eager readers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43795200885011951572011-05-25T22:34:48.863-04:002011-05-25T22:34:48.863-04:00snarkypup - The training rides require road helmet...snarkypup - The training rides require road helmets and I wear one like everybody else. But no, this does not make me feel more confident. It does make me feel like I am part of the group though, and in that sense I enjoy it. I will leave the topic at that and hope others do as well.<br /><br />Bif - I think the cartoon version of me wants to be a roadie... The question is, am I like the cartoon version of me? : )<br /><br />You guys are scaring me with the crash pile-up/ bunny hopping scenarios. Is that the intent? MDI keeps trying to make me imagine it as well, since he thinks I am not fully processing the risk of this kind of cycling.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-28449039464588398132011-05-25T22:20:09.713-04:002011-05-25T22:20:09.713-04:00You are a brave woman. I just can't do that ki...You are a brave woman. I just can't do that kind of speed. Going over about 20 downhill seems deathly dangerous to me. <br /><br />I know you don't do helmet debates. I'm just wondering if you are required to wear one on the paceline rides, or no? A nice race helmet is far lighter than the Bern you have, looks better with a bike like that, and doesn't really crunch your hair. It might make you feel less nervous, too, even if it's not going to make that much difference in an actual crash (though I think they do, I realize there are also counter arguments. I'm talking mental advantage here). I'm a very slow skier. The first year I took lessons, I didn't own a helmet. The next year, because the kids were required to have them, I bought one so as not to be hypocritical. I felt much more confident with it on. Now, I know, people say that over-confidence about helmets leads to accidents, but when you're as nervous as I am, it really doesn't make me into Bodie Miller. It just means I'm not quite as scared of falling. Might be worth a try, to see if it helped psychologically. It certainly wouldn't hurt to give it a go, and the bike shop might even have one you could try out for free. Of course, this assuming you haven't already tried this.snarkypuphttp://rideblog.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49201523404450199302011-05-25T21:47:35.432-04:002011-05-25T21:47:35.432-04:00You're such a roadie now. Admit it. Bwahahaha....You're such a roadie now. Admit it. Bwahahaha. I think its great BTW. Next thing you'll be riding crits.Bifhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05543158648103470697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-73619290517849612072011-05-25T20:41:11.294-04:002011-05-25T20:41:11.294-04:00I had a high speed shimmy that turned out to be a ...I had a high speed shimmy that turned out to be a front wheel that was only a mm or so off center. I was 19 and just lived with it till my "Coach" heard me complain about it and figured it out in about a minute. I had paid what seemed like crazy money for some super fly race wheels and assumed they were perfect.<br />I centered them up and they were lovely after.<br /><br />There are few things that encourage concentration on a bike like fast descents. I've seen just over 60 drafting a tandem coming down Rt.33 in Va. on our way down from Skyline Drive a couple of years ago. It was pretty cool, like falling out of the sky but I was ever so anxious. The interesting part was that they were working hard and I was feathering the brake, when we got to the bottom and I moved out of the pocket it was like I opened a 'chute. <br /><br />RE: crashing in a pile. Whatever your front wheel gets over your rear wheel probably will too. If you can get that front tire up and over you sometimes come out alive. Same with curbs, logs and in the case of the trials guys, cars and dumpsters. A good bunnyhop is a valuable thing to be able to pull but the big massed sprint crash is an 'effing horror.<br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-31952746740126420712011-05-25T19:42:34.034-04:002011-05-25T19:42:34.034-04:00Perhaps the discussion should change directions to...Perhaps the discussion should change directions towards the absolute joys of paceline riding....Of person and machine and exertion....It's quite beautiful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43921847793289828822011-05-25T19:15:46.729-04:002011-05-25T19:15:46.729-04:00Don't worry about the bike. If the person in ...Don't worry about the bike. If the person in front of you can run the route, you can too. Your bike is not any less capable than any other road bike--in fact it is probably better built than the majority out there. Just don't think about anything but follow, follow, follow.<br /><br />If you feel tense, try to force yourself to relax. Shake a bit, maybe change your hand position.<br /><br />Try and focus on how fun and free the speed feels.<br /><br />Only other suggestion is to wear gloves. It helps me avoid death gripping the handlebars, and helps wind chapped hands.Michaelnoreply@blogger.com