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tbp0701

tbp0701

There are some who call me ... Tim.
Joined
Feb 28, 2014
Messages
303
I finally got my bike back on Sunday! Then it snowed again Monday and Tuesday, and I had to do other things. Yesterday it was warm, sunny, and I had some free time, so I headed to a nearby rail-trail. Started down it and saw it was still covered in ice, with a few deep slushy parts. I went on it for a bit but turned back after skidding around. Spent some time along the clear part of the path and large parking lot to make sure everything was working properly. I considered trying out one of the dirt trails that allow mountain bikes, but they're very wet and muddy. (I'm okay with getting muddy, but I don't want to damage the trails).

So I'm still waiting for the first long ride since mid-December.
 
veinbuster

veinbuster

Zombie Three, DFZ
Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Messages
14,256
Location
GTA or wandering aimlessly
]-[@n$0Ma☩!© said:
I wanted a Gates Carbon belt drive on my new ride so bad. Alas, it wasn't an option.
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I would overpay for a Gates drive. I met a local guy on the trail who cut his stay to fit the belt. It was pretty slick, with a stealth sleeve to slide over the gap. We swapped bikes for a stretch and it was a glorious drive.
 
Egads

Egads

One, Two, THIRTEEN!
Joined
Oct 19, 2012
Messages
3,463
Location
Boulder, CO
]-[@n$0Ma☩!© said:
I wanted a Gates Carbon belt drive on my new ride so bad. Alas, it wasn't an option.
Click to expand...

Looking at it again. I've got an Ibis hardtail with a removable rear triangle that can take a belt. When I got it, I was at the upper weight and torque limit of the operating range. I've lost almost 25 lbs this last year, so I'm back in the sweet spot. It's time to do it again!
 
tbp0701

tbp0701

There are some who call me ... Tim.
Joined
Feb 28, 2014
Messages
303
I was able to get in a 19-mile ride on Wednesday, and a 23-mile ride yesterday. Yesterday's ride really made me aware that the exercise bike didn't keep me quite where I was at. Anyway, both were on paved rail trails with my hardtail; MTB paths are still far too wet.
 
dmatthews

dmatthews

Dave's not here
Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Messages
12,033
Location
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
tbp0701 said:
I was able to get in a 19-mile ride on Wednesday, and a 23-mile ride yesterday. Yesterday's ride really made me aware that the exercise bike didn't keep me quite where I was at. Anyway, both were on paved rail trails with my hardtail; MTB paths are still far too wet.
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I went for a ride at lunch yesterday and dumped my bike on pavement... My ribs landed on the left handlebar. Ugh that hurt.
No way did I think I'd be riding again today. Got lucky methinks.
 
tbp0701

tbp0701

There are some who call me ... Tim.
Joined
Feb 28, 2014
Messages
303
dmatthews said:
I went for a ride at lunch yesterday and dumped my bike on pavement... My ribs landed on the left handlebar. Ugh that hurt.
No way did I think I'd be riding again today. Got lucky methinks.
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Ouch. Glad nothing was damaged, by the sound of it, and you were able to ride again today.

I've only taken a couple of spills since returning to riding last year, both at slow speed. One was on a path by a lake shortly after getting the bike. I slowed to turn around as a few people were hiking ahead, got uncomfortably close to slipping down the hill into the lake, and tipped over. A woman fishing was very amused.

The other was testing my bike after replacing the tires, riding on the gravel road by the house. Tried turning around on a hill and lost it. My hip hurt for a few days--and I was aware how much less "padding" I have there now--but I was okay.

I think having a dropper post kept me upright a few times, as I could get my feet down quickly, especially when I first restarted and on snow and ice.
 
dmatthews

dmatthews

Dave's not here
Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Messages
12,033
Location
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
tbp0701 said:
Ouch. Glad nothing was damaged, by the sound of it, and you were able to ride again today.

I've only taken a couple of spills since returning to riding last year, both at slow speed. One was on a path by a lake shortly after getting the bike. I slowed to turn around as a few people were hiking ahead, got uncomfortably close to slipping down the hill into the lake, and tipped over. A woman fishing was very amused.

The other was testing my bike after replacing the tires, riding on the gravel road by the house. Tried turning around on a hill and lost it. My hip hurt for a few days--and I was aware how much less "padding" I have there now--but I was okay.

I think having a dropper post kept me upright a few times, as I could get my feet down quickly, especially when I first restarted and on snow and ice.
Click to expand...
Ego injury!:D
I'm considering a dropper. I like the seat height, but at a stop it's just a tad high.
 
tbp0701

tbp0701

There are some who call me ... Tim.
Joined
Feb 28, 2014
Messages
303
dmatthews said:
Ego injury!:D
I'm considering a dropper. I like the seat height, but at a stop it's just a tad high.
Click to expand...
I'm using it more than I thought I would, maybe even too much, instead of getting better at stopping without using it. The gravel bikes I'm considering don't have droppers, which makes me wonder if I'll have trouble.

My mountain bike is an XL frame with 29" wheels, so I feel pretty high up, especially the few times I tried stopping and starting without using the dropper. (I'm 6'2" but apparently have fairly long legs). Over the summer I heard a small child yell, "Wow. That bike is HUGE!"
 
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