dagray

Very nice bike how do you like your top bar bag, and what is it?

Beachgrad05

I like it for keeping gels, payday candy bar, extra chamois cream packets, spare batteries for my lights and power meter, tire levers and various other items I may need. I keep my lip sunblock in the little pocket on side. Because I'm not tall it leaves little room to sit on top tube at lights like I see some do.

It's a Timbuk2 Goody Box I got on Amazon a few years ago.

DrIsotope

That Garmin angle tho.

Beachgrad05

This isn't the 41

DrIsotope

I would have to lean back to see that while seated. Trying to see it in the drops would be like trying to look at my own chin.

Beachgrad05

I see it just fine but I'm short and I have readers in my cycling glasses.

ill.clyde

I lawled

cyclist2000

It's fall and today I am waiting for it to warm up before i head out for a short ride. It just got above 72 so its time to go.

copperfind

64º and still waiting

dagray

if it is above 32 and under 90 I go out (even in the snow) dressed only in bib shorts, jersey, shoes, helmet and 1/2 finger cycling gloves.

Of course in the winter people take photos of me and submit them as Sasquatch sightings..... only to be saddened to learn that they are just taking pictures of an old fat man on a bike

dagray

tonight's dinner at only $5.99 per pound.... Ribeye



only will be spiced with salt, pepper, garlic powder, dill weed, rosemary, and a drizzling of olive oil.

copperfind

Other than the weather, I just love riding in New England...




Quick ride up across the Mass border



few mile in Mass with the M*******s driving and it was time to go back



Really dont want it to get cold too soon... going to miss these days over the winter.

dagray

New stem works nice, but I had to rotate the bars a little as I had rotated them too far down. felt nice to keep my hands on the bars, and not be stretching to reach them. I went from a 110mm stem to a 100mm stem for the Deda 35mm diameter carbon bars. The pain I wouild get in the middle of my back between my shoulders didn't happen with the new stem.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1176444270

Also I had my oldest son out on a recovery ride as he had a high school football game last night, played "Center", and got hit hard multiple times by the other team. He grumbled some, but he did the ride, and he will eventually thank me for it.

MikeRides

Trying to build up some confidence to allow my daughter to bike to school this year... She just started middle school (officially, since last year she was part of an accelerated program that bussed a small group of students from the elementary to middle school for 4 hours each day). The problem is her 'new' school is 5 miles further and takes her through a busier part of town. I just can't do it, there's just way too much tractor trailer traffic on that side of town, little to no shoulder in parts, and more street crossings. She hates me right now because she hates having to wake up 2 hours early to sit on the school bus for what would otherwise be a 30 min trip. I know she'll get over it but on the other hand I'm feeling like I'm not being too fair...when I was her age I was constantly riding all over a crime ridden city and I made out OK, kids deserve some kind of independence right???

Beachgrad05

If she were a boy would you be less opposed to riding bike to school?

MikeRides

No, I'd be opposed regardless. It's a concern of safety. The only route to the middle school would be along a corridor between a busy industrial park and a interstate exit, with little to no shoulder, and tractor trailer drivers tend to believe they own the roads around here. I don't even like to drive in that area not to mention ride my bike. FWIW, she rode to school all year when it wasn't below freezing/snowing, but it was only ~10 miles vs 20-ish it is to the middle school and the route was on lightly traveled roads. I gave her a road safety test, installed lights on her bike, and basically set her free. I advised her a few times, for instance if it was very windy or rainy, to not ride but never explicitly told her she couldn't ride.

As for any concern of her vulnerability because she's a girl, she's trained in martial arts and can defend herself, she's tough as nails when it comes to anyone f**king with her, not to mention she has a cell phone in case there's any suspicion.

Beachgrad05

Glad to hear it's not a gender based concern. Based on how you wrote the initial post I figured it was not the biggest factor.

jimincalif

That's a tough one. I grew up in the "be home when the streetlights come on" era and went all over the place on my bikes. In middle school I was a member of the local cycling club. But based on your description of the route it just doesn't sound like a good idea. Some roads are like that. Even as an adult who is not shy about riding in traffic, there are some roads best avoided. Too bad there isn't some other route available. I either walked or rode my bike to school from K thru 10th grade, but this seems to be more and more rare these days. It's a loss for kids, not just for the exercise, but also for a bit of independence and responsibility.

RubeRad

Nice lookin slab of bull. I love dill but, I'm not sure it goes with steak. All the others though, I approve.

ill.clyde

Was lazy this weekend, and didn't eat well (but didn't go overboard too much) ... so the legs must be punished this week.

ill.clyde

So my jacket/jersey thing arrived on Saturday, and at first blush, I like it. I haven't worn it on a ride yet, but thought about it this morning but by the time I finally got out on the bike it was mid 50s and sunny. May use it tomorrow depending on temps.

As far as fit goes, I ordered the XXL. For the record, I'm 6'3, 290ish (and dropping) and chest measurement is in the neighborhood of 52 or thereabouts. It fits well, is a bit snug across my gut area, but not a cased sausage situation at all. It's comfortable with me just wearing a base layer (tech type t-shirt). Full zip, so that is nice. It's got like a fleece type lining but it's thin, so I don't think it'll be heavy. My only concern is breatheability, so we'll see how it goes.

jimincalif

Had a great weekend of riding, first up the Amtrak century to San Diego on Saturday. Saw @tunavic and his friends. He also joined us for our club ride on Sunday from Irvine to Huntington Beach, that was fun too!

Perfect weather for Amtrak, I pushed my moving time down to 5:48 (per Garmin), 30 minutes less than last year and took 70 seconds off my prior PR on the Torrey Pines climb. Felt good all day.

More funny Strava math as it reports 5:52 moving time even though it gets the data from Garmin. Oh well, here's my strava:

https://www.strava.com/activities/1176550383

copperfind

Century period is an impressive ride, a Century at 17mph average more impressive nice job... That Torrey Pines climb after 80 miles had to be a challenge and breaking your PR is awesome... Great Ride.

indyfabz

Erie to Philly tour is on, but not looking forward to the nearly 7 hr. drive Friday morning.

tunavic

My first Amtrak century ride was this past Saturday. Had a blast and the train ride home was especially interesting I saw @jimincalif plus many other cycling buddies. If you live in SoCal (or not), it's a fun ride well worth the cost.

On Sunday I joined Jim and BCI on their "recovery" ride. I spent all 45 miles chasing after them and praying for red lights to slow them down