Today I (v2):
11-08-17, 02:48 PM
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
That is f'n studly. I'm surprised. Drop bars warranted.I still don't get it for cyclo-cross. All the crazy gnarly terrain and obstacles? Seems like an adult sized BMX bike would be a better machine.
11-08-17, 02:58 PM
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11-08-17, 03:06 PM
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i scanned this book about cyclocross from 1973 and uploaded it to my flickr out of order.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/botani...57664597288244
https://www.flickr.com/photos/botani...57664597288244
11-08-17, 03:08 PM
cowboy, steel horse, etc
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i scanned this book about cyclocross from 1973 and uploaded it to my flickr out of order.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/botani...57664597288244
https://www.flickr.com/photos/botani...57664597288244
11-08-17, 03:56 PM
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i scanned this book about cyclocross from 1973 and uploaded it to my flickr out of order.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/botani...57664597288244
https://www.flickr.com/photos/botani...57664597288244
11-08-17, 04:35 PM
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The absurdity, I guess.
Beaucholic Idaho scenery, people taking their cycling more seriously than they ought, and then all of a sudden there is a guy on a pink single speed with matching kit pulling a wheelie next to a cliff.
Some might laugh at a cowboy in Manhattan for the same reason. I saw a NYC taxi driving through the Mojave Desert once. Everyone in my car laughed.
Same deal, sort of.
BTW, fish taco's tonight.
11-08-17, 09:22 PM
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11-08-17, 11:07 PM
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11-09-17, 09:34 AM
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I think the DK200 winner used aero bars since it was windy out there -- so i'm sure that helped with speed during a gravel race.
If I had to guess, I'd say it's here to stay. Seems like it's really catching on. That said, I do not get it. At all. Riding off road, or on dirt and gravel roads is awesome. But, I still don't get the attraction to doing it with what is essentially a road bike with drop bars. It seems like the rough riding surface would prevent one from developing any real speed to speak of, so why the aero position? It provides no speed benefits. Manhandling a bike over rough terrain is a lot easier with wider, straighter, higher MTB style bars. I have the same inability to understand why cyclo-cross racing uses drop bars.
11-09-17, 11:13 AM
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A rough surface preventing riders from developing "any real speed to speak of" certainly isn't the case in the real world.
Matt Stephens won Dirty Kanza at 22+ MPH average over 200 miles and attributed his win to aero bars. I have done 5 mile gravel segments at over 19 MPH average. A BF contributor whom I follow on Strava finished a 56 mile gravel race at 18+ MPH and he was in 33rd place, many were much faster. Speeds are slower than pavement but aero can clearly be a benefit at speeds common to the stronger riders.
Remember that gravel rides typically have extended climbs at very steep grades. Bars with hoods out front are a lot less cramped for climbing than are straight mountain bars. Wide bars are good for technical sections but these are far less common than are long climbs up fire roads where hooded drop bars are an advantage.
-Tim-
Matt Stephens won Dirty Kanza at 22+ MPH average over 200 miles and attributed his win to aero bars. I have done 5 mile gravel segments at over 19 MPH average. A BF contributor whom I follow on Strava finished a 56 mile gravel race at 18+ MPH and he was in 33rd place, many were much faster. Speeds are slower than pavement but aero can clearly be a benefit at speeds common to the stronger riders.
Remember that gravel rides typically have extended climbs at very steep grades. Bars with hoods out front are a lot less cramped for climbing than are straight mountain bars. Wide bars are good for technical sections but these are far less common than are long climbs up fire roads where hooded drop bars are an advantage.
-Tim-
Last edited by TimothyH; 11-09-17 at 11:18 AM.
11-09-17, 11:18 AM
Fresh Garbage
The whole gravel thing is trendy and strikes me as a passing fad; it seems like hipster mountain biking to me. If I'm going to ride off road anyway I'd prefer harder/more technical conditions that demand a MTB anyway!
Sorry for being a hater @TimothyH. Maybe I just need to give it a shot.
Sorry for being a hater @TimothyH. Maybe I just need to give it a shot.
11-09-17, 12:16 PM
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I think it makes you a better bike handler in the long run and it makes a trail that might seem boring on a MTB a lot more interesting.
11-09-17, 12:49 PM
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fire roads are pretty boring on a MTB.
This isn't though: (Noble Cyn, east SD county)
This isn't though: (Noble Cyn, east SD county)
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"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
11-09-17, 12:55 PM
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The lovely meadows at the top (6,000'), however, are doable on gravel/adventure bikes. They're very nice, I love riding up there! We make car-camping trips out here about once/month during the warmer months that make for great weekends of riding:
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"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
Last edited by TMonk; 11-09-17 at 03:40 PM.
11-09-17, 02:39 PM
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I have a gravel bike. Currently has some wide slicks on it and gets ridden on the road. Has been on dirt/gravel rides including a race but it wasn't that much fun. On the road, with those wider slicks, it's a blast. Set a few PR's on Strava with that bike vs my carbon road bike.
11-09-17, 08:59 PM
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doing 60+ miles of gravel on saturday morning. camping tomorrow night. stoked.
also, i'm a buddy of mat's and he is a national champion a couple times over.
he's in another league. insane.
also, i'm a buddy of mat's and he is a national champion a couple times over.
he's in another league. insane.
11-09-17, 11:16 PM
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11-10-17, 09:32 AM
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do it!!
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"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
11-11-17, 06:31 PM
Fresh Garbage
Stubborn bastards aren't they? I'm just building up the tools bag I need for work as I'm given some more tasks besides fire watch.
11-11-17, 06:52 PM
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well, we had a dog wander into the campground last night around 2am. sniffed around the tent and then barked for almost an hour.
around 3:30 this rooster was so goddamn loud it was echoing through the land. needless to say i didn't get a good nights sleep.
my seatpost binder bolt broke around mile 11. someone else flatted a little bit later. decided to call it and just rode back the way we came. got in 30 cold, windy gravel miles. coulda been worse, i reckon.
around 3:30 this rooster was so goddamn loud it was echoing through the land. needless to say i didn't get a good nights sleep.
my seatpost binder bolt broke around mile 11. someone else flatted a little bit later. decided to call it and just rode back the way we came. got in 30 cold, windy gravel miles. coulda been worse, i reckon.
11-11-17, 08:32 PM
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
11-12-17, 01:44 PM
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is anyone else dealing with terrible "you won an iphone" pop ups on mobile? this is the only site where it happens...
11-12-17, 10:03 PM
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^ No sir. And sorry the bike camping wasn't as rad as it could have been. Could have been worse. Could be at home looking at bike shiftiness on IG and be even more bummed.
Today I found the limits of tubeless and DNF'ed for the first time. Four hour round trip to flat is a bummer.
Today I found the limits of tubeless and DNF'ed for the first time. Four hour round trip to flat is a bummer.