Cycling Thread

[dubc80]

Is bike service up-selling a thing?

I brought my bike into The Bike Shop for an annual tuneup earlier this week and the service guy recommended changing a couple parts (chain rings, chain, cassette) cause of wear.

Felt like I was in the service dept of a car dealership when they try to sell you on all the unnecessary services when all you want is an oil change.

Kind of rubbed me the wrong way to be honest.

[Ironhorse]

Well, those things do wear out after a while. How much mileage is on them?

[bossy22]

If you ride regularly, get a new chain every spring and your cassette and chainrings will last longer. Or buy a chain checker, and check your chain every spring, and if it shows wear, change your chain. Also keep your drivetrain clean. Grit wears it out quicker. Depending on your mileage and how clean you keep your drivetrain, you can require a new one more frequently than others.

Did the guy at the bike shop show you what he's seeing? Because I wouldn't buy anything without seeing the drivetrain first.

[bossy22]

Hey Habernac, are you Marshalling this weekend? I will be out there as a Marshal.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by bossy22

Hey Habernac, are you Marshalling this weekend? I will be out there as a Marshal.

I sure am. My son and I will be there.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Hmm... that's my route. is the entire south side pathway shut down now or just selected bits? Or should I just avoid the entire area?

[Fuzz]

If you cross the Peace Bridge you are fine. If you go further west on the south side you will have to detour.

[KTrain]

Another crap south wind. It really isn't fair. Just as bad as yesterday.

[Fuzz]

I'd feel bad for you, but then I remember every fall us northerners get to suffer against wicked cold north winds every day. At least it's a warm wind for you!

[worth]

Has anyone done highwood pass this year? I'm going on Saturday to test out my touring rig in anticipation of a trip from Lake Louise to Jasper in June.

[habernac]

Still snow 5 days ago from a pic I see on a Facebook group. I may try next weekend.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by worth

Has anyone done highwood pass this year? I'm going on Saturday to test out my touring rig in anticipation of a trip from Lake Louise to Jasper in June.

wow, this would be fun. it has been a long time since I have driven eh parkway, but as I recall you will have a couple of good climbs.

[Coys1882]

Realistically - how long does it take to do the climb?

[worth]

Highwood or Jasper?

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by worth

Highwood or Jasper?

Sorry - I was asking about Highwood

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

Realistically - how long does it take to do the climb?

Strava times range from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours. I'm not much of a climber, but I can find a good pace and stick to it. Looking at that profile, I think I could average 15-16 km/hr, which would be just under an hour. That would put me in the middle of the rankings on Strava.

https://www.strava.com/segments/703006

A good approximation, I think, is the Nose Hill climb from Hunterview. It is about 2.5 km, so do six reps and you will have a good idea where you stand for Highwood.

[KTrain]

I did Highwood for the first and only time last year. I was out of shape and slow as hell compared to the guy I rode with. I think he was about 30 minutes faster than me. It's a good challenge and I want to do it again this year.

Here's my ride if anyone is interested in the data.
https://www.strava.com/activities/607469415

I did the South side. Here's the segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/703006 (300/436 for me )

When does it open to cars?

[Wormius]

I think it opens next week. How bad is it bad with traffic on it? Much of a shoulder / much traffic?

[worth]

I believe it opens on the 15th to cars so there is a couple weeks to do it. Apparently the shoulder is decent so it is still possible to do after the road opens.

I'm doing it with a large group so we are probably going to be super slow. I'll track it on strava and let you guys know how it was. Thinking I might do a short video on it as well.

[habernac]

It opens June 15. Traffic is steady, not a great shoulder. But I've ridden on much worse.