The Water Cooler, Scuttlebutt, Chit Chat Thread
#6876
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 15,067
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Liked 3,878 Times
in
2,026 Posts
5th race of the season coming up on Sunday, CBR crit. My initial plan was to race the 2/3 field for points, and then the P/1/2 for training. The last race of the day is a 35+ 2-4 which is super interesting and has me intrigued.... I think I may try it out. The field will likely be small so the number of 2's that I can beat will probably be minuscule, so I guess the amount of points I could realistically get would be similar to that and elbowing my way onto the L3gion of LA train in the Pro race lol.
The Pro race is likely better training, but the M 35+ 2-4 might be more my vibe, since I'd actually be racing it haha. I think I'll try it and see.
The Pro race is likely better training, but the M 35+ 2-4 might be more my vibe, since I'd actually be racing it haha. I think I'll try it and see.
__________________
"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
Likes For TMonk:
Likes For TheKillerPenguin:
#6878
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 15,067
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Liked 3,878 Times
in
2,026 Posts
So I skipped it again lol. Just too much going on, work's busy/had some things to do before today, and Liz and I have a lot going on too, auto and real estate stuff. My legs felt great on the trainer yesterday, so if the circumstances played out, I could have made something happen.
But that's ok!! It's still in the early portion of the season and there will be many more opportunities. I feel prepared for the week ahead and probably slightly less of a ball of stress than I normally AM, haha. Typical type-A stuff.
Looking forward to a solid week of training ahead. Big miles and TT aero testing on tap for this weekend - then racing for the next three consecutive ones.
But that's ok!! It's still in the early portion of the season and there will be many more opportunities. I feel prepared for the week ahead and probably slightly less of a ball of stress than I normally AM, haha. Typical type-A stuff.
Looking forward to a solid week of training ahead. Big miles and TT aero testing on tap for this weekend - then racing for the next three consecutive ones.
__________________
"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
Likes For TMonk:
Likes For TheKillerPenguin:
#6880
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 15,067
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Liked 3,878 Times
in
2,026 Posts
Yeah, this series is about 2 hrs away as well. I was pretty conflicted about it, but I think I made the right decision.
__________________
"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
#6881
Newbie racer
No E3 TT series this year. Looks like I'll check with wife and signup for the local duathlon in April.
It'll be interesting showing up with a bike with a 60t chainring to that. At least I can run a bit nowadays more than I used to. Shrug.
It'll be interesting showing up with a bike with a 60t chainring to that. At least I can run a bit nowadays more than I used to. Shrug.
#6882
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,863
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Liked 3,111 Times
in
1,418 Posts
I know you guys know this, but here's a reminder to lube, wipe down, and occasionally check all the moving parts of your trainer bike, especially if it's permanently on the trainer. Thought I was doing so, and then realized I had never checked the rear brake caliper. Cable is pretty much fused into the ferrule. I'm guessing that I was sweating on the housing, which dripped/wicked down into the cable/ferrule interface. D'oh!
I've soaked PB Blaster into it, so far nothing. I'll check it again when I get home tonight. Durr, what a pain.
I've soaked PB Blaster into it, so far nothing. I'll check it again when I get home tonight. Durr, what a pain.
Likes For caloso:
#6883
OMC
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 6,960
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sprint, Look 585, Specialized Allez Comp Race
Liked 116 Times
in
49 Posts
^^^^At the shop where I work, we’ve had at least two bikes come in where the bars corroded clear through. They were trainer slaves belonging to triathletes, and just kept riding and sweating on them, the sweat soaked through the bar tape and ate through the aluminum.
__________________
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
#6884
Batüwü Creakcreak
So I'll be living in philly full time starting July. Looking at one of those old specialized tricross single speed bikes. Think it's a reasonable option for a city bike? It has a carbon fork which is one of my concerns, but yolo.
Otherwise, would look at one of those bikes direct single speed cross bikes. The specialized is cheaper, but not disc brake which is slightly concerning but I think should be okay?
Guess I'll update this and say the proposal went well. Did it over MLK weekend at Jay Peak in VT. Had to revamp my plans because the day I was planning on doing it ended up having a high of like -10 with a windchill in the -25 range if not colder. We went out the following day where the temps went above 0 at about 10AM. Balmy in comparison.
Otherwise, would look at one of those bikes direct single speed cross bikes. The specialized is cheaper, but not disc brake which is slightly concerning but I think should be okay?
I guess in the good news bent... I matched my first choice for child psychiatry fellowship and I'll be in Philly. GF and I are going to be in the same zip code for the first time in 3 years starting july. Proposal's been planned for next saturday for a while so it's kind of a relief to know that I won't have to up and move and end up long(er) distance. What a dang relief. Lets see how long it'll last before they find my body in a hospital closet since I'll be at the same institution as her.
Likes For ridethecliche:
#6885
OMC
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 6,960
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sprint, Look 585, Specialized Allez Comp Race
Liked 116 Times
in
49 Posts
Unless you're riding on carbon wheels in the rain, rim brakes will be fine. I've got a single-speed Specialized Sirrus (flat bar bike) with rim brakes and I can stand the bike on its front wheel.
__________________
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Likes For revchuck:
#6886
Batüwü Creakcreak
#6887
Newbie racer
Emailed the duathlon race person as no map was posted for duathlon distance yet, only the triathlons. It should have different bike leg between the Oly and sprint tri. They "may" publish the route now after my email as just shy of a 40k. That would be killer! As 5k 40k 5k is a TT racer's advantage. And a great regional TT practice session with full kit, maybe minus the sleeved skinsuit.
Said they're sending it out today. My email reminded them as they had forgotten to update the maps as this is first year holding the duathlon with the tris.
Upside, and downside......I think most "serious" folks will be doing the tris. Not the du. We'll see.
Said they're sending it out today. My email reminded them as they had forgotten to update the maps as this is first year holding the duathlon with the tris.
Upside, and downside......I think most "serious" folks will be doing the tris. Not the du. We'll see.
#6888
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern California, USA
Posts: 10,499
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
Liked 380 Times
in
259 Posts
I visited my daughter Friday and saw her project that she mentions was property formally owned by an American former cyclist from Austin. I may have mentioned this before, but I saw pictures this time (see arrow on right).
I thought, something cycling racer related to post about.
I then did likely my last trip down CA hwy 1, Big Sur on my motorcycle. I've done it in an RV, multiple times in a car, two-three times pedaling, once on the tandem where I crashed my fiancé after hitting rocks that burst a tire (been married almost 30 years) and now on the motor bike. This was the least fun of any mainly due to weather.
I didn't need to buy gas at this location (Big Sur), but this was interesting.
It made me wonder if the digital display can take 2 digits.
I later got 91 in Morrow Bay for a deal at $6.09/gal (down from local $6.60 last week).
I thought, something cycling racer related to post about.
I then did likely my last trip down CA hwy 1, Big Sur on my motorcycle. I've done it in an RV, multiple times in a car, two-three times pedaling, once on the tandem where I crashed my fiancé after hitting rocks that burst a tire (been married almost 30 years) and now on the motor bike. This was the least fun of any mainly due to weather.
I didn't need to buy gas at this location (Big Sur), but this was interesting.
It made me wonder if the digital display can take 2 digits.
I later got 91 in Morrow Bay for a deal at $6.09/gal (down from local $6.60 last week).
#6889
Senior Member
holy smokes. Will double dollar digit be the y2k of gas pumps? I remember when gas prices broke 99 cents and there were all sorts of wacky things done with the big signs that only had room for 99.9 cents.
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
#6890
Newbie racer
Didn't feel like a post in the general forum, but my year's long search for a book ended today. A beat up looking box arrived at my front door. I finally found what I was looking for at an online New Zealand used book store. It actually was listed as "used-some wear". But it showed up brand new, shrink wrapped.
40 Years of Cycling Photography, hardcover.
Out of print and hard to get at a good price. I paid pretty much what it went for new while in print. I had even emailed the original printer/author and they responded "sorry, we don't have anymore and good luck with it!"
I've only briefly thumbed the first dozen or so pages, and it's fantastic.
40 Years of Cycling Photography, hardcover.
Out of print and hard to get at a good price. I paid pretty much what it went for new while in print. I had even emailed the original printer/author and they responded "sorry, we don't have anymore and good luck with it!"
I've only briefly thumbed the first dozen or so pages, and it's fantastic.
#6891
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 15,067
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Liked 3,878 Times
in
2,026 Posts
We're in Escrow!!!!!! So stoked. Location is not something I'm willing to compromise on and the single family home thing is more than we want to spend right now in central San Diego, so it's a townhome.
But a sweet one! HOA ain't too much either. HW floors, high ceilings, gas/stainless appliances and great location. Three level with bedrooms, living area and garage from top to bottom. Garage is huge and can fit both cars, long work/tool bench, bikes and indoor cycling/workout studio area. Very excited. About 1/3 through escrow.
But a sweet one! HOA ain't too much either. HW floors, high ceilings, gas/stainless appliances and great location. Three level with bedrooms, living area and garage from top to bottom. Garage is huge and can fit both cars, long work/tool bench, bikes and indoor cycling/workout studio area. Very excited. About 1/3 through escrow.
__________________
"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
Likes For TMonk:
#6892
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 15,067
Bikes: road, track, mtb
Liked 3,878 Times
in
2,026 Posts
Also - to any wine nerds around here - we have a thread going on in Foo. come join us!
https://www.bikeforums.net/foo/12477...r-glass-4.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/foo/12477...r-glass-4.html
__________________
"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
#6893
Newbie racer
Idiots at Giro forgot the US sticker in my helmet. Caught it getting ready for the du tomorrow. It's about 5 seconds slower to put on, but I guess I'll just HAVE to use the Tempor instead that does have the sticker. Shame shame. I was trying to blend in a little bit amongst the multisporters.
Apparently I can email Giro and they'll mail me one if the serial # is fine.
One of those "you had one job" at the factory moments.
Apparently I can email Giro and they'll mail me one if the serial # is fine.
One of those "you had one job" at the factory moments.
#6894
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,863
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Liked 3,111 Times
in
1,418 Posts
I'm pretty sure that's the one station that's famous for having the most expensive gas in the state (and thus the whole country, usually).
Likes For globecanvas:
#6897
Batüwü Creakcreak
Quick-ish question that I've been bothering waterrockets about offline.
I kinda got a little bit hoarder-ish and picked up two bikes locally with the goal of reselling one and turning the other one into a commuter. I couldn't really decide what I wanted to do so I bought both and figured I'd make the decision later.
First one is the specialized tricross singlecross 2008 (?) upthread a bit. I'm not sold on doing things on a single speed, so I kinda want to build a rear wheel with a 5 speed sturmey archer internally geared hub for it. Seems like it could be awesome since the 5 speed allows for 2 harder and 2 easier gears. Use case is commutes, grocery getting, and some light local riding with fiance/friends. Can put a rack and fenders on it.
Second bike is a charge plug- https://www.wiggle.com/charge-plug-2-2016
It's a geared gravel bike with a bunch of mounts for racks/fenders etc as well, but I think this could take wider tires. It's got disc brakes which is nice, but they're some of the cheapest mechanical disc brakes (promax?) and likely a pain to keep in adjustment as well as quick release wheels. The gearset is claris, which isn't the best, but it's cheap and likely cheap to replace. This is the older one without the integrated cables etc. Fiance's bike has the newer claris which actually feels decent.
I'm going to try riding both of them a bit over the weekend to make sure one doesn't fit funky, but does anyone have a rec for which way to go? I already have a gravel bike so need something more strictly a commuter. Thoughts?
I kinda got a little bit hoarder-ish and picked up two bikes locally with the goal of reselling one and turning the other one into a commuter. I couldn't really decide what I wanted to do so I bought both and figured I'd make the decision later.
First one is the specialized tricross singlecross 2008 (?) upthread a bit. I'm not sold on doing things on a single speed, so I kinda want to build a rear wheel with a 5 speed sturmey archer internally geared hub for it. Seems like it could be awesome since the 5 speed allows for 2 harder and 2 easier gears. Use case is commutes, grocery getting, and some light local riding with fiance/friends. Can put a rack and fenders on it.
Second bike is a charge plug- https://www.wiggle.com/charge-plug-2-2016
It's a geared gravel bike with a bunch of mounts for racks/fenders etc as well, but I think this could take wider tires. It's got disc brakes which is nice, but they're some of the cheapest mechanical disc brakes (promax?) and likely a pain to keep in adjustment as well as quick release wheels. The gearset is claris, which isn't the best, but it's cheap and likely cheap to replace. This is the older one without the integrated cables etc. Fiance's bike has the newer claris which actually feels decent.
I'm going to try riding both of them a bit over the weekend to make sure one doesn't fit funky, but does anyone have a rec for which way to go? I already have a gravel bike so need something more strictly a commuter. Thoughts?
#6898
Senior Member
Sounds like the Charge Plug is good to go with just a rack, fenders, and maybe tires (and maybe calipers/rotors down the road?). Tricross sounds like it needs all that (minus the brakes) plus a new SA rear wheel and shifter. Charge would probably be cheaper to keep unless you really want to try out Sturmey Archer (though that setup on the Tricross would probably be cheaper to maintain/lower maintenance down the road from what I've heard about SA hubs - rear wheel would be heavier, but that probably won't be a concern for a commuter/JRA bike) or you decide you need the new brakes right away.
#6899
Batüwü Creakcreak
Sounds like the Charge Plug is good to go with just a rack, fenders, and maybe tires (and maybe calipers/rotors down the road?). Tricross sounds like it needs all that (minus the brakes) plus a new SA rear wheel and shifter. Charge would probably be cheaper to keep unless you really want to try out Sturmey Archer (though that setup on the Tricross would probably be cheaper to maintain/lower maintenance down the road from what I've heard about SA hubs - rear wheel would be heavier, but that probably won't be a concern for a commuter/JRA bike) or you decide you need the new brakes right away.
And yeah, I'd definitely do brakes for the bike if that's the one I decide to keep.
The flat top tube for the spec will probably be handy when carrying it but that's a small part of use. Part of me thinks that it would be a cool project. I am definitely a bit concerned that the rear hub gearing is going to be a hard transition from having a derailleur in terms of shifting mechanics.
Honestly, if the brifters on the plug break, I'm not above replacing them with a bar end shifter and going 1X in front. Throw an MTB RD on there for a pie plate cassette.
Last edited by ridethecliche; 05-04-22 at 10:43 AM.
#6900
Killing Rabbits
I entered a bike race... the first time in a long while.
I love how Alex Stieda hosts a race and races it as a cat 5. A former tour yellow jersey wearer in your cat 5 event is cool for them I'm sure. Dude gives back at the grassroots level.
https://zone4.ca/report/1b449454-cc0...3-0a7c5a9f7803
I love how Alex Stieda hosts a race and races it as a cat 5. A former tour yellow jersey wearer in your cat 5 event is cool for them I'm sure. Dude gives back at the grassroots level.
https://zone4.ca/report/1b449454-cc0...3-0a7c5a9f7803
Likes For Enthalpic: