Cycling Thread

[Fuzz]

I went back and forth on what to wear, settled on my lighter gear. Glad I did. This week is going to have some tricky bike handling with all the freeze/thaw cycles and high probability of snirt on the sidestreets.

[Bill Bumface]

I had bronchitis for 4 weeks and was off the bike for a lot of it. Last ride was in the sloppy stuff, so I put my bike away wet. The chain was so seized this morning, I couldn't move the pedals at all. Even a healthy dose of WD-40, and I had to turn things by the wheel to get it going, with visible kinks in the chain as it came around. My winter bike is getting so incredibly trashed.

[Fuzz]

Hoooie! Sloppier than a mermaids cooter out there. Hope y'all have lots of lube!

[Fuzz]

Dear City of Calgary,

While we appreciate all the effort you put in to keeping the cycle tracks clear, when I can see a a thick mat of salt on the ground, and it crunches in my teeth after spraying in my face, you may be laying it on a little thick.

[Bigtime]

Ride home yesterday afternoon I was all about tasting the salt on my lips on the road portion of my ride.

I'm thinking my current bike becomes my winter bike, and I put some fenders on it for next winter season and then I go and get myself more of a road bike for the summer riding.

[worth]

Do it Bigtime!

The correct number of bikes to own is n+1 . While the minimum number of bikes one should own is three, the correct number is n+1 , where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1 , where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.

[Fuzz]

I don't like road bike's for pathway riding. You are constantly craning your neck to keep a good look out. CX would be a bit better if you can find a good deal on one.

[Bigtime]

How about a mixed beast? More of a roadie but with normal handles? Would a CX fit that bill? Would also get a rack on the back for my pannier bags (don't like riding with a backpack when commuting).

[Fuzz]

Yup, that's probably what I would go for.

[Fuzz]

Something like this would be nice
http://thebikeshop.com/product/speci...c-236769-1.htm

[worth]

My summer bike is my touring bike. It has a rack and I use panniers to transport my stuff. Works well as an all rounder. It has drop bars but I don't really have a problem with the riding position on the paths.

[Bigtime]

3 bikes in total would suit me nicely:

-Inner City cruiser, a beat up old 6 speed from my in-laws place up at the lake
-Hybrid (current bike) made into my winter commuter
-New CX style bike

[habernac]

My next commuter will probably be something like the Dr Dew. Current one is a fenderized Kona Jake the Snake. I do love my Cervelo in the summer, feels like a Ferrari on the rides in.

[Fuzz]

Dr. Dew looks like a nice option.

[Northendzone]

I currently have three bikes:
- mountain bike (2016 rocky mtn thunderbolt)
- commuter (giant fastroad)
- a fattie (recently purchased rocky mtn blizzard - 50)

it would be nice to get a road bike, but that is not going to happen as I am sure my wife has had enough (although I should note she has two bikes - a mtn bike and a rig similar to my commuter - which I would love to part out)

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

How about a mixed beast? More of a roadie but with normal handles? Would a CX fit that bill? Would also get a rack on the back for my pannier bags (don't like riding with a backpack when commuting).

I bought something like that and regret it (Cannondale Bad Boy 0). It comes down to geometry - hybrids are too upright for me now that I'm on pathways more.

What I should have done is buy a CX bike with two wheelsets (slick, CX tires) to swap in an out for the shoulder season. Then have a winter flat bar beater bike.

I'm trying to solve this mistake now....

[Bigtime]

Early morning conditions are challenging depending on your route. Lots of water that was melting across paths turned into nice layers of ice this morning. Low sections that were big puddles have a crust of ice on top, plus after riding through them your rims ice up and your brakes don't work! Found that out as I started heading down that hill on the Nose Creek path just south of 16th avenue, realized I had no brakes and directed myself into the nearest snowbank on the side of the path to stop. The entire hill turns slightly while descending and it was covered in a layer of ice that I just slid down while holding my bike. Slowly started riding again and would apply the brakes every now and then and could see them start to shave the ice off.

[Fuzz]

Fun stuff!

I had to walk large sections going through the cemetery. Just to icy and uneven. Some spots I'd break through, others hit solid ice chunks and bounce sideways. Hopefully this only lasts a day or two, I might need to take my old street route...

[habernac]

Very happy that my morning ride is on the street. Nose Creek for 18km would have been a disaster.

Huge difference going home yesterday. Monday's ride home on the Nose Creek/96 Ave connector was hell. Rutted ice or deep wet snow. Legs got hammered. Yesterday all but a tiny bit was melted. Had to wipe the bike down when I got home, my booties were a godsend. So many puddles. Today should take care of a lot of it.

[Fuzz]

It better get taken care of today, because Thursday and Friday look to be a bit cooler, so whatever is left tonight is going to be around for the rest of the week.