Cycling - a chat about all things bike.

[Diavolo]

Originally Posted by shadows papa

"I followed you on twitter on your aids ride. Just wanted you to know I still read your tweets. Every time I roast a batch of coffee beans, I think of you (crazy how small the internet world is isn't it?) I think of you and all the wine folks sitting at the computer in your sunglasses tasting for flavours of flowers or hints of spice. Geeze, that calls for a good cigar!"

I believe that was Diavolo that you were following on Twitter. Diavolo does the Aids LifeCycle event about every year, I think. I would LOVE to do one though!

OK. I was looking at this trying to figure out who rode what when. LOL!

I just rode for the first time this year but we'd love to see you out there too. It's an amazing event. Your job is to eat, sleep and ride. That's it. This year we raised $13 million to fight HIV is SF and LA.

[Dominique]

Originally Posted by Diavolo

OK. I was looking at this trying to figure out who rode what when. LOL!

I just rode for the first time this year but we'd love to see you out there too. It's an amazing event. Your job is to eat, sleep and ride. That's it. This year we raised $13 million to fight HIV is SF and LA.

Here I was having a complete conversation with the wrong person...I couldn't piece together the nashville/SF thing

OK, now that I have this all clear

Oh my giddy aunt!! I think I've broken myself after the longest time I've spent in the saddle for over 15yrs.

I rode out this afternoon with my college mate Marc. He's a sweet boy of 23 and kept up well with this 47yr old We cycled to my home village and down by the river looking for ship wreck remains - it's a tidal river which had a really thriving fishing port at the estuary. We followed the river path which turned into a very narrow track that I probably shouldn't have taken a road bike down but we made it with just some nettle stings for me...Marc was in his tartan long trews so escaped the stings. I've just calculated our mileage and we rolled just over 19 miles.

I made it home and shoved some lovely hot buttered crumpets down my neck, had half a mug of tea and shot out the door again to go join the first Breeze ride in Blackpool.
http://www.goskyride.com/breeze
We were just a small group and to be honest the ride was a little slow for some of us but it was fun nontheless. They were mainly older, straight ladies and they really didn't know what to make of me but that was cool. We cycled along the Prom (for the 3rd time in the day for me) for 5 and a bit miles to a pub we all knew and then, after a pint, cycled back again. Adding this ride to my daily total takes me to just about 30miles and I'm totally pooped. I have a bruised hand (I need cycle gloves), a still stinging calf from the nettles, sore bits from a new saddle and shorts that aren't padded enough and a grazed knee from falling over to match the big hole in my other knee when I got forced off my bike a week or so ago. All in all it's been a grand day in the saddle

The ride leader Carly and I were having a chat about clipless vs cages as we were coming to the end of our ride and just as I'd said "I always take my foot out of the cage if I anticipate a problem" I managed to not get my foot out the cage as we stopped and down I went. ...I couldn't help but hoot with laughter. I'm looking forward to getting out with the 'ladies' again when I get back from Madame Cholet's burrow in a couple of weeks.


Marc and his steed by the river.


The wider bit of the narrow track

[Medusa]

I need a good bike that will accomodate my plus-size self! Any recommendations appreciated!

I had a wonderful bike about 7 or 8 years ago that I had to let go and miss it and am looking for something that I can ride (for weight loss) that is simple and durable.

[Medusa]

I did some digging:

ME WANT! Now if someone can make $2000 appear out of thin air!

http://www.supersizedcycles.com/Cust...perbicycle.htm

Originally Posted by Medusa

I did some digging:

ME WANT! Now if someone can make $2000 appear out of thin air!

http://www.supersizedcycles.com/Cust...perbicycle.htm

Niiiiice! So wish I could afford to spend a couple of grand on a bicycle too

I'm sure you'd be fine with a basic hybrid bike Medusa. What's your budget?

[Dominique]

Incubus/Medusa

For the most part, that bike is ideal, however...do you really want drum brakes and disc brakes? I agree with everything else about it but don't know why you need *motorcycle* type of braking system.

I admit, I'm on brain overload and about to go to bed.....I's suggest you look at TREK. They make many many bikes for women. and I'd bet you could get a great cruiser for arounf $500 dollars.

[Medusa]

Originally Posted by Incubus

Niiiiice! So wish I could afford to spend a couple of grand on a bicycle too

I'm sure you'd be fine with a basic hybrid bike Medusa. What's your budget?

I'd prefer to spend around $300 or less but would be willing to go to $500 for something amazing!

[Diavolo]

Originally Posted by Medusa

I need a good bike that will accomodate my plus-size self! Any recommendations appreciated!

I had a wonderful bike about 7 or 8 years ago that I had to let go and miss it and am looking for something that I can ride (for weight loss) that is simple and durable.

I'd say take a look at cruisers and hybrids. They are fun, easy to get going on and as long as you don't get clips you won't do an Artie Johnson, which is really embarrassing. Although the CEO of the AIDS/Lifecycle did two on Day 1 so it can't be that bad.



On sale for $179. My work is done here.

Originally Posted by Diavolo

I'd say take a look at cruisers and hybrids. They are fun, easy to get going on and as long as you don't get clips you won't do an Artie Johnson, which is really embarrassing. Although the CEO of the AIDS/Lifecycle did two on Day 1 so it can't be that bad.



On sale for $179. My work is done here.

That looks just the ticket Diavolo. How does one brake on such a bike? Is it a proper fixie so you have no chance to cruise? Is Arkansas really flat?

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

Tomorrow im going to take the bike and put it in the trunk of my car and go to the bike shop not far from hear,the guy that owns it has owned it since he was a teenager and thats been a long time ago.This way he can see what I have to work with and what I need..so now it starts cause I want to keep it as original as I can.

That's just the sort of bike shop to use Rockin. They're usually Aladdin's Caves of bike bits and pieces and the guys who own them are usually far more knowledgeable than those who work in cycling chain stores, who usually only know something about the bikes they stock. I can't wait to see pics of your bike.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Incubus

That looks just the ticket Diavolo. How does one brake on such a bike? Is it a proper fixie so you have no chance to cruise? Is Arkansas really flat?

With the pedals.



That's just the sort of bike shop to use Rockin. They're usually Aladdin's Caves of bike bits and pieces and the guys who own them are usually far more knowledgeable than those who work in cycling chain stores, who usually only know something about the bikes they stock. I can't wait to see pics of your bike.

I agree. That was my point to Medusa...go to an independently owned shop.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Incubus

The ride leader Carly and I were having a chat about clipless vs cages as we were coming to the end of our ride and just as I'd said "I always take my foot out of the cage if I anticipate a problem" I managed to not get my foot out the cage as we stopped and down I went. ...I couldn't help but hoot with laughter. I'm looking forward to getting out with the 'ladies' again when I get back from Madame Cholet's burrow in a couple of weeks.

Love the pics.

Oh, and clipless here! I can get my foot twisted out of those much quicker than could slide my foot backwards out of a cage.

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Love the pics.

Oh, and clipless here! I can get my foot twisted out of those much quicker than could slide my foot backwards out of a cage.

Cheers Dapper, it amuses me to take pics of where I've rolled along to.

I am sorely tempted to try clipless but not sure I can afford to invest in new pedals and shoes when a rear rack, fenders and a new stem are more important to me. Oh well, only until December to wait for birthday and Christmas presents