316
General Discussion / Re: air travel and bike touring
« on: April 10, 2011, 10:47:53 pm »
Check with a hotel if you promise to stay a night at the beginining and end of your tour.
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317
Gear Talk / Re: Bike Shorts
« on: April 03, 2011, 06:54:29 pm »
The scrotum issue makes me wonder if the shorts are too tight, unlikely because you could fit yourself in and stay put, or too loose, so that you don't stay put. Just wondering. Have you tried bibs? I've had less problems in that area with bibs.
318
General Discussion / Re: Cross Country Trip: Money, What To Do?
« on: April 02, 2011, 10:39:03 pm »
The wierd thing about travelers checks is that banks and credit unions won't cash them. Merchants will take them as cash but not the institutions that sell them. I was in a credit union on the NT and though I belonged at the time to three different credit unions I couldn't get one (or any bank) to cash my checks.
319
Gear Talk / Re: Bike Shorts
« on: March 30, 2011, 12:23:30 am »
As has been said, personal preference is most of it. Any name brand will be good, I stopped using the cheap ones when I could afford better, but didn't have problems with the cheap ones I admit. Make sure they aren't too big; you don't want them moving around at all; that causes chafing. Aggressive riding style will require thinner pad (and thinner padding on the saddle too-another reason for Brooks saddles) for the same reason. I love bibs for the same reason: they don't move around (and no tight band around my middle age middle).
Good luck!
Good luck!
320
General Discussion / Re: Bike Fits
« on: March 15, 2011, 11:47:26 pm »
Don't start tinkering with it. Find a shop that advertises fit and ask how they were trained. If they can name a specific instructor and the time spent learning how to fit, you may be OK. There are good people out there and many were trained by Andy Pruitt or Craig Watson. It is worth the money.
321
General Discussion / Re: Luxuries
« on: March 15, 2011, 11:39:53 pm »
I used a plastic peanut butter jar from Washington to Duluth. Indispensible.
322
General Discussion / Re: stretching
« on: March 07, 2011, 05:17:04 pm »
Here's more from Gabe Mirkin MD, an athlete in his own right (www.drmirkin.com):
"An article in the British Medical Journal shows that stretching before and after exercising does not prevent next-day muscle soreness or injuries. Researchers in Australia reviewed five studies, involving 77 subjects, on the effect of stretching on muscle soreness. Data from two studies on army recruits in training show that muscle stretching prevents one injury every 23 years. Yet most coaches think that stretching prevents injuries because most coaching instructions are developed by observation, not controlled studies.
Muscles and tendons tear because the force on them is greater than their inherent strength, so the prevention of injuries should be aimed at strengthening muscles, rather than stretching them. Stretching can make you a better athlete. Longer tendons allow a greater torque on a joint to generate more force to help you run faster, lift heavier, throw further and jump higher. Stretch to become a better athlete, not to prevent injuries. .... Competitive athletes need to stretch to makes muscles and tendons longer and more flexible. A longer muscle can exert a greater torque on a joint to help you run faster, lift heavier, throw further and jump higher. Stretching should always be done after your muscles are warmed up. You are likely to injure yourself if you stretch before you have warmed up or when your muscles are tired. Warming up raises muscle temperature to make them more pliable. Stretch no further than you can hold for a few seconds. Bouncing gives you a longer stretch, but can tear muscles. Only competitive athletes need to stretch further than they can hold for a few seconds. If you're over 50, be extra careful because older muscles are less springy and more likely to tear. "
"An article in the British Medical Journal shows that stretching before and after exercising does not prevent next-day muscle soreness or injuries. Researchers in Australia reviewed five studies, involving 77 subjects, on the effect of stretching on muscle soreness. Data from two studies on army recruits in training show that muscle stretching prevents one injury every 23 years. Yet most coaches think that stretching prevents injuries because most coaching instructions are developed by observation, not controlled studies.
Muscles and tendons tear because the force on them is greater than their inherent strength, so the prevention of injuries should be aimed at strengthening muscles, rather than stretching them. Stretching can make you a better athlete. Longer tendons allow a greater torque on a joint to generate more force to help you run faster, lift heavier, throw further and jump higher. Stretch to become a better athlete, not to prevent injuries. .... Competitive athletes need to stretch to makes muscles and tendons longer and more flexible. A longer muscle can exert a greater torque on a joint to help you run faster, lift heavier, throw further and jump higher. Stretching should always be done after your muscles are warmed up. You are likely to injure yourself if you stretch before you have warmed up or when your muscles are tired. Warming up raises muscle temperature to make them more pliable. Stretch no further than you can hold for a few seconds. Bouncing gives you a longer stretch, but can tear muscles. Only competitive athletes need to stretch further than they can hold for a few seconds. If you're over 50, be extra careful because older muscles are less springy and more likely to tear. "
323
General Discussion / Re: stretching
« on: March 05, 2011, 10:00:05 pm »
Not only should we warm up without stretching but my physical therapist said a stretch not held for 2 minutes is worthless.
The other sacred cow is lactic acid. See http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/9258.html. Dr Mirkin says that in fact it is not bad for us.
The other sacred cow is lactic acid. See http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/9258.html. Dr Mirkin says that in fact it is not bad for us.
324
General Discussion / Re: 12th Cyclist Killed In Tampa
« on: February 16, 2011, 10:58:24 pm »
You might also want to consider organizing a memorial "ghost ride" for those killed while cycling. See http://www.ghostbikes.org/.
325
General Discussion / Re: 12th Cyclist Killed In Tampa
« on: February 16, 2011, 10:39:00 pm »
Every cyclist who cares about this issue, and improving cycling conditions in general, should belong to the League of American Bicyclists, the major lobby for us on a national level. http://www.bikeleague.org/.
326
General Discussion / Re: 2/11 Adventure Cyclist Mag Letters from Readers
« on: February 15, 2011, 10:14:29 pm »
Paper mag always.
327
General Discussion / Re: Luxuries
« on: February 15, 2011, 10:00:16 pm »
Lagavulin, fat Thermarest pad, French press, and a good book.
No phone, cheap camera, no GPS.
Everyone's values, ideas of luxury, or necessity is different!
No phone, cheap camera, no GPS.
Everyone's values, ideas of luxury, or necessity is different!
328
General Discussion / Re: Cycling through Tucson
« on: January 24, 2011, 10:46:01 pm »
Catalina State Park. Watch out for rattlesnakes.
Though Saguaro National Park does not have camping it is a nice ride through the park, especially the east section.
Though Saguaro National Park does not have camping it is a nice ride through the park, especially the east section.
329
Gear Talk / Re: hub generators
« on: January 16, 2011, 07:15:51 pm »
You are correct that it would constitute a conflict of interest to sell components that the seller is reviewing. When Bicycle Quarterly reviews a product that they sell they disclose that in the article. In this case, I found no evidence that Jan Heine sells any generator hubs on his website, and he does not operate a bike shop. He did disclose that one of the reviewers works for the manufacturer of SON hubs. You will also see that he invited Shimano to respond to his test results. This is what Jan says about conflict of interest: Q:“Doesn't that constitute a conflict of interest when you test these and other components for Bicycle Quarterly?
A: That is a real concern, and we are very aware of it. Our rule is simple: If a product is extraordinary, we sell it. So we usually first test components, and then decide whether to sell them. If we find new extraordinary products, we sell them as well. That way, we have no incentive to criticize components that compete with the ones we offer - we just offer them all. In many cases, the components we sell would not be available in North America otherwise, because the profit margins are too small. We feel that our readers are better served by having these components available, than if we told you about these fabulous parts that you cannot get. We disclose all potential conflicts of interest with each article. Our readers then can make up their own minds. Our main business is publishing Bicycle Quarterly. The components are only a sideline, so we don't feel the need to promote them excessively.With everything we test, we try hard to be objective. If anything, we are more critical of the products we sell. In our test of the Grand Bois "Ourson" tires, we said they weren't worth the extra money over Panaracers, because unlike other Grand Bois tires, they use an older tire mold with a less-than-optimal tread pattern. Conflicts of interest are unavoidable, because the cycling world is small. Most makers of "real-world" bicycles know each other, and many are good friends of ours. This close collaboration improves the quality of the bicycles they offer, so it is a good thing. But it means that conflicts of interest are unavoidable. It's actually a lot easier to criticize a component we sell than one sold by a friend!”
My original point was that just because you have a different experience does not mean that it did not happen to someone else and is not sufficient cause to question someone’s honesty. Questioning methodology however is fair game.
A: That is a real concern, and we are very aware of it. Our rule is simple: If a product is extraordinary, we sell it. So we usually first test components, and then decide whether to sell them. If we find new extraordinary products, we sell them as well. That way, we have no incentive to criticize components that compete with the ones we offer - we just offer them all. In many cases, the components we sell would not be available in North America otherwise, because the profit margins are too small. We feel that our readers are better served by having these components available, than if we told you about these fabulous parts that you cannot get. We disclose all potential conflicts of interest with each article. Our readers then can make up their own minds. Our main business is publishing Bicycle Quarterly. The components are only a sideline, so we don't feel the need to promote them excessively.With everything we test, we try hard to be objective. If anything, we are more critical of the products we sell. In our test of the Grand Bois "Ourson" tires, we said they weren't worth the extra money over Panaracers, because unlike other Grand Bois tires, they use an older tire mold with a less-than-optimal tread pattern. Conflicts of interest are unavoidable, because the cycling world is small. Most makers of "real-world" bicycles know each other, and many are good friends of ours. This close collaboration improves the quality of the bicycles they offer, so it is a good thing. But it means that conflicts of interest are unavoidable. It's actually a lot easier to criticize a component we sell than one sold by a friend!”
My original point was that just because you have a different experience does not mean that it did not happen to someone else and is not sufficient cause to question someone’s honesty. Questioning methodology however is fair game.
330
General Discussion / Re: Brooks saddle: keeping it dry
« on: January 12, 2011, 10:32:15 pm »
Agree that the Brooks cover isn't great. There are others including one by Serfas and one called the Aardvark sold by Rivendell.
by the way, slathering the bottom of the saddle with something like SnoSeal might be helpful too if you don't have fenders.
by the way, slathering the bottom of the saddle with something like SnoSeal might be helpful too if you don't have fenders.