Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Bike Shorts

« on: July 23, 2012, 08:51:58 pm »

Anyone comment on tights vs. baggy shorts for touring?

Tights are good in cool or cold weather.

If you mean lycra, spandex, etc., vs. baggy shorts, wear whatever you're comfortable with.

Some people imagine they're being checked out every moment someone else can see them, and they feel shy.  I think of bike shorts as activity-appropriate gear.  You wouldn't wear golf pants at the swimming pool, or a swimsuit on the golf course.  Conversely, most people wouldn't look askance at someone wearing bowling shoes at the bowling alley.  I'm comfortable wearing bright jerseys (for good visibility and breathability), and cycling shorts (for support and to minimize chafing), when I go out for a bike ride.  If you're not comfortable doing that, you can wear whatever you want, or you can carry something to slip on whenever you get off the bike.

Not really following the nutty comments about feeling shy, "being checked out even moment someone else can see them", golf or swimsuits. Are you for real man?

What I'd like to ask someone who has worn both types of shorts is what they like best in a touring environment.

Anyone else can help?

Thanks!

2

Gear Talk / Re: Bike Shorts

« on: July 22, 2012, 09:32:36 am »

Anyone comment on tights vs. baggy shorts for touring?

3

Gear Talk / OK, so we peddle...and we ride in the sun; where's my energy???

« on: July 21, 2012, 03:55:58 pm »

What's the state of art in power generation for phones, GPS', tablets, etc.? On bikes driven big miles.

I'm feeln' like a dinosaur here...

4

General Discussion / Re: Tires

« on: March 24, 2012, 08:25:21 am »

Thanks guys, I'll probably stick with the 23s...gatorskins.

5

General Discussion / Tires

« on: March 23, 2012, 03:02:17 pm »

How close can I get to a pair of Continental Triathlons, in a tour-worthy tire. These are 700x23Cs and the tour is cross country. I suppose I'm looking more for durability and puncture resistance than traction.

6

General Discussion / Re: Pacing on a long distance ride

« on: March 23, 2012, 07:56:38 am »

Whether I'm riding 20 miles or a century I stop for 2-3 minutes every 10 miles for a drink and a quick stretch. On longer rides I try not to stop for more than 15 minutes or so for lunch. Long stops can be hurt since restarting is like starting from scratch.

7

General Discussion / Re: texting

« on: December 19, 2011, 09:25:48 pm »

There are 3 kinds of drivers that concern me:

1. The true a**h**e: These guys drive close or yell at you or stick their dog's head out the window at you, just to throw you off kilter. There's one of these every hundred miles in suburban/rural areas.
2. The clueless: Thinks that since you're riding fairly close to the white line he(she) can pass you within 6 inches, no problem. One every 20 miles.
3. The distracted, including those fighting with spouses, phone callers, coffee drinkers, nose pickers, and texters: One every 10 miles.

8

Gear Talk / Re: shoe covers for cold weather

« on: December 09, 2011, 08:14:10 pm »

The best ones are really expensive. Do you do expensive?

Tell us what is expensive...

9

Gear Talk / Re: Preferred method of terminating handlebar tape ?

« on: November 16, 2011, 08:00:02 pm »

Here's the Rivendell way of wrapping with twine:http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/twine.htm

This is actually very cool and I'm going to try next time out.

Hope this doesn't turn my bike into that fetish object alluded to above; I'll let ya know...

10

General Discussion / Re: Computers and the bike

« on: November 06, 2011, 09:00:35 pm »

I understand the need to keep connected and to be able to take photos and write. But I ditched my laptop when the first Blackberries came out (10+ years ago?) because I hated to lug a laptop on the train and planes. I learned to live my email alone in those days and survived quite well.

Now I get my needs met with an iPad and iPhone. And unless you're going to be coding or getting into heavy Word or Excel work, those lighter tools might work for you too. Even an iPhone alone might do it. I like the new cloud technology too; as soon as you hit wifi you're pics and docs fly back to you home computer...

11

General Discussion / Re: trip planning software

« on: October 31, 2011, 12:07:29 pm »

www.pollstar.com for music.

12

Routes / Re: Is there a straighter line from Minneapolis to Manitowoc?

« on: October 30, 2011, 07:20:27 pm »

Hi Ron,

I suggest taking a look at the county and state bike maps Wisconsin has produced. They should be a great resource for planning a straighter connection between Minneapolis and Manitowoc:

Thanks much. I'll do that.

13

Routes / Re: Is there a straighter line from Minneapolis to Manitowoc?

« on: October 27, 2011, 08:05:39 pm »

Sorry...good question.

ACA shows a route that arcs north, connecting through Conover; was wondering if there was a good direct approach.

See the North Lakes route inside Wisconsinhttp://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/RouteNetwork.pdf

Thx.

14

Gear Talk / Re: Building up a LHT frame

« on: October 26, 2011, 08:24:21 pm »

Great ideas guys, thanks.

Joe, looks like your about $3K plus racks and bags for a ride that's quite the Caddy; doesn't look like you're skimping but I don't see stupid money in there either. Gotta see the pics man.

16,000 on one set of cables; what a story.

Question: Do we really need cantilevered brakes...?

15

Routes / Is there a straighter line from Minneapolis to Manitowoc?

« on: October 26, 2011, 07:43:33 pm »

Or would you be missing something special by saving the miles...?