Cycling Thread

[macker]

The entire loop can still be done post flood. Where you lose the paved trail new single track will lead you on the re-routes. Also the Greenway is opening up lots of new extended or varied versions of the original TDC.
http://www.parksfdn.com/greenway.html

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

Ok this is probably the most ridiculous question asked on here, but how do you keep your eyes from freezing on mornings like this? My sun glasses aren't doing the trick at all.

i am trying to understand your issue as it is like say the cold air is pentrating your sunglass lens - do you have really small lensed glasses?

[habernac]

rode to work yesterday for the first time in a looooong time. Worked moved again, it's a 50km round trip now and I'm in horrible shape due to knee injury, etc. Feel really good today, wish I could do it more often but I need to get home in a timely fashion so I can pick up my kids.

[Eagle Eye]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

i am trying to understand your issue as it is like say the cold air is pentrating your sunglass lens - do you have really small lensed glasses?

Sorry, probably should have explained it a little better.

I am wearing normal sunglasses. My eyes were watering when I was moving pretty fast down some of the hills and then this started freezing to my face/eyes. Probably just something I have to deal with when it is below or around freezing and I definitely not looking to wear ski goggles, haha.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

Ok this is probably the most ridiculous question asked on here, but how do you keep your eyes from freezing on mornings like this? My sun glasses aren't doing the trick at all.

Stop crying.

[TSXCman]

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

Sorry, probably should have explained it a little better.

I am wearing normal sunglasses. My eyes were watering when I was moving pretty fast down some of the hills and then this started freezing to my face/eyes. Probably just something I have to deal with when it is below or around freezing and I definitely not looking to wear ski goggles, haha.

You basically just need a better seal around your eye sockets. I use my brother's oakleys for biking (some oilfield model), because they are large lensed and are fairly snug/close around my socket. It helps reduce the air for sure.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by macker

The entire loop can still be done post flood. Where you lose the paved trail new single track will lead you on the re-routes. Also the Greenway is opening up lots of new extended or varied versions of the original TDC.
http://www.parksfdn.com/greenway.html

I just road fish creek to downtown with the kids And I got boxed in two locations, the first is heading north on the east side of the bow river into Anderson/Deerfoot. You need to take the bridge before Anderson to the west side of the river and then go north.

The other one was at Ogdon rd bridge. You go through the washed out area on the west side which leads you to a locked fence and the only way around is to walk up to where the retaining wall starts and lift your bike over the bridge guard rail and around the fence. It was pretty annoying to hoist bikes and kids over when the area while being fixed is easily passable and the gate on the south side was open.

Is there a better detour around this area.

[Northendzone]

even though the temp this morning at 6.20 was ~4C, it was a lovely morning for a bike commute to work - althouh i have not had a chance to ride my bike much over the past two weeks and my legs were burning pretty good during the last thid of my 17k commute.

i'd also like to give a special hello to the woman who honked at me for riding in my lane this morning - driving to work in your vehicle must be a nice change from commuting on the broom

[TSXCman]

I have a hybrid bike (Scott Sportster 10) with the larger tires (700 × 40C) and disc breaks. I was looking at putting on a rear rack that I could use to fasten small loads like a case of beer on and also have it protect me a bit from water spraying up.

Is there a specific brand or style I should be looking at for proper fit and reasonably low weight?

[Fuzz]

These are good if you want removable, but have a limited capacity:
http://www.mec.ca/product/5016-417/f...ost-rack-pr-3/
Best advice, go to a bike shop and ask! They can tell you what will fit.

[dubc80]

Anyone shop around for hybrids lately?

I do more in-city riding on the paths these days and my hardtail is a little slow, especially when I'm pulling our little guy in the Chariot.

Anyone have opinion on these bikes?

Specialized Crosstrail Comp Disc
Trek 8.6 DS or 8.5 DS
Giant Roam XR

I had a chance to ride the Specialized. Quick bike! Haven't had a chance to ride the Giant or Trek's yet.

Or have any other suggestions? Thinking $1000 to $1500 price range.

[CliffFletcher]

I've been commuting and riding the pathways on my Trek 7100 for seven years and I recommend it highly. A good trade-off between speed and ruggedness. Had to replace a wheel, but that's about it as far as repairs.

[Northendzone]

Dubc80 - I purchased a giant fast road, similar to the roam but no front shock. The fast road allowed me to trim about 15 minutes off of my commute.

Does a bike need to have a shock?

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

Sorry, probably should have explained it a little better.

I am wearing normal sunglasses. My eyes were watering when I was moving pretty fast down some of the hills and then this started freezing to my face/eyes. Probably just something I have to deal with when it is below or around freezing and I definitely not looking to wear ski goggles, haha.

If you are prepared to look like a dork (and apparently I am), if you are going to ride in winter (like a cold day in February) ski goggles do help. No tears and they keep half your face warm. They are brutal for peripheral vision though.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Dubc80 - I purchased a giant fast road, similar to the roam but no front shock. The fast road allowed me to trim about 15 minutes off of my commute.

Does a bike need to have a shock?

A shock is overkill if you're only riding path and road.

[Red]

Originally Posted by dubc80

Anyone shop around for hybrids lately?

I do more in-city riding on the paths these days and my hardtail is a little slow, especially when I'm pulling our little guy in the Chariot.

Anyone have opinion on these bikes?

Specialized Crosstrail Comp Disc
Trek 8.6 DS or 8.5 DS
Giant Roam XR

I had a chance to ride the Specialized. Quick bike! Haven't had a chance to ride the Giant or Trek's yet.

Or have any other suggestions? Thinking $1000 to $1500 price range.

Few weeks ago I got the Crosstrail Expert Disc...just a slight upgrade from the Comp so I assume they ride about the same.
Love the bike. I like the front suspension eventhough most people prefer rigid. I do some gravel and light off road so I just like to have a bit of play there.

Don't know how the Trek and Giant stack up, but I do give the Specialized two thumbs up.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by dubc80

Anyone shop around for hybrids lately?

I do more in-city riding on the paths these days and my hardtail is a little slow, especially when I'm pulling our little guy in the Chariot.

Anyone have opinion on these bikes?

Specialized Crosstrail Comp Disc
Trek 8.6 DS or 8.5 DS
Giant Roam XR

I had a chance to ride the Specialized. Quick bike! Haven't had a chance to ride the Giant or Trek's yet.

Or have any other suggestions? Thinking $1000 to $1500 price range.

When I was shopping a month or so ago, I tried the Giant and the Trek bikes on your list. The Trek 8.6 was really nice, but I ended up going with a Brodie Energy. I've heard good things about the higher end Treks generally, so I don't think you can really go wrong, but the Brodie is a bit lighter and I found the derailleur a bit smoother when test riding (though I am the farthest thing from an expert--I am basically a rookie, so I went on "feel" alone).

[cracher]

The wife is looking for a pathway bike too. Ordered her this a few weeks ago: http://dengfubikes.com/product/detail.php?id=129. I have enough spare parts to do a build. This frame has very extensive reviews on mtbr and pb, so I am reasonably comfortable sending USD to China via paypal gift. Full carbon frame, shipped price of $470 USD.

Also received the Thunderhorn as recommended by Fuzz recently. The thing is LOUD. Cuts right through the headphones of your average dissociated pedestrian. I love it. Thinking of transferring it from my city bike to the trail bike given how active bears have been this season around banff/canmore.

[Fuzz]

Glad you like the thunderhorn! If you ever get a chance on the Peace Bridge when it is empty, give it a fire, it makes a really cool echo chamber. Good idea for using it on the trails, I hadn't thought of that.

[TSXCman]

Originally Posted by habernac

A shock is overkill if you're only riding path and road.

It is nice to have though. I bike around downtown, river pathways, and neighborhoods where I have enjoyed have the shock absorption (I have a handlebar switch to lock up the front shock though).