Tangentially, here are a couple of pics I took riding here in Austin yesterday. It’s hot AF these days, so it’s all about morning rides.
EDIT: I am fully aware my super cool bar tape is jacked up. Not for long.
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Double Bass DB bicycle thread
- Thread starter unbrokenchain
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EDIT: I am fully aware my super cool bar tape is jacked up. Not for long.
I've changed my work schedule, so I leave the house at 7 AM. It's a lot more comfortable: Not only cooler, but the sun hasn't cleared the trees by the time I get to work.
Due to my work schedule, I haven’t ridden too much this summer because our swim club is open and my wife loves to go there in the late afternoon when it’s hot - in the pool is the best place to be when it’s over 90, and she gets to paddle around in the shadows while I swim about 1/2 mile in the lap lanes, then we hang out for a bit before heading home to make dinner.
But, when we don’t swim, there is a great park about 15 minutes from our house with a very hilly 3.5 mile loop and also a very steep 2 mile climb up to the summit. The view from the summit is gorgeous!
The park is basically a forest with a circular road through it, almost completely shaded by trees” basically about 15 degrees cooler than the rest of the world. I’m just spitballing, but I’d guess that a 10 mile ride there is about the exercise equivalent of a half mile swim. Either way, it’s been a good summer for getting outside and moving!
But, when we don’t swim, there is a great park about 15 minutes from our house with a very hilly 3.5 mile loop and also a very steep 2 mile climb up to the summit. The view from the summit is gorgeous!
The park is basically a forest with a circular road through it, almost completely shaded by trees” basically about 15 degrees cooler than the rest of the world. I’m just spitballing, but I’d guess that a 10 mile ride there is about the exercise equivalent of a half mile swim. Either way, it’s been a good summer for getting outside and moving!
Well, I got yelled at by a cyclist today. Morning commute traffic, on a busy road in Austin. Guy was in the middle of the lane in a two-lane road, going pretty slow, a good FIVE FEET from the side of the road. There are a million ways through there with less traffic, but whatever. I realize he has the right of way. I slow down, wait until there is no in the oncoming lane, then pass. I was at least halfway into the oncoming lane, probably more, when I passed. He had 2-3 feet between my truck and him, and he didn't take any action to give me any space, just kept on in the middle of the road, five feet from the curb. We get to a light, now there's a bike lane to my left (I am in the turning lane). He gestures to have me roll down my window. "Hey, can you give me a little more space when you're passing?" I say "I am a cyclist too, and I feel like I gave you plenty of space. Additionally, this is commute time and you know people need to pass you since you are riding pretty slow, so I feel like you should be closer to the curb." This set him off. "Oh, EVERYONE's a cyclist. If you really were, you would know I have the right..." I cut him off "I KNOW you have the right of way. But I did need to pass you because you are riding 7mph down a busy commute street. You should ride a little close to the curb so people can get by you." And then he rides off, now yelling about "******** like you..."
Guys, I don't know about you, but when I ride on busy streets wit no bike lane, I don't HUG the curb, but I stay fairly close to the curb, unless I am riding at a good clip, at which point I take the lane. I feel like this guy was out of line because he was riding so slow as to be unsafe, and should know that at that speed people will need to pass him. I realize that under the law, if I had clipped him or something, I would be at fault. But I didn't. I passed him and gave him enough space. He just wanted MORE space. I think that's unreasonable. You probably can't comment without seeing the actual scenario, so maybe I am just venting
On the one hand, it pissed me off, on the other hand I feel guilty for pissing off a fellow cyclist.
Guys, I don't know about you, but when I ride on busy streets wit no bike lane, I don't HUG the curb, but I stay fairly close to the curb, unless I am riding at a good clip, at which point I take the lane. I feel like this guy was out of line because he was riding so slow as to be unsafe, and should know that at that speed people will need to pass him. I realize that under the law, if I had clipped him or something, I would be at fault. But I didn't. I passed him and gave him enough space. He just wanted MORE space. I think that's unreasonable. You probably can't comment without seeing the actual scenario, so maybe I am just venting
On the one hand, it pissed me off, on the other hand I feel guilty for pissing off a fellow cyclist.
Well, I got yelled at by a cyclist today. Morning commute traffic, on a busy road in Austin. Guy was in the middle of the lane in a two-lane road, going pretty slow, a good FIVE FEET from the side of the road. There are a million ways through there with less traffic, but whatever. I realize he has the right of way. I slow down, wait until there is no in the oncoming lane, then pass. I was at least halfway into the oncoming lane, probably more, when I passed. He had 2-3 feet between my truck and him, and he didn't take any action to give me any space, just kept on in the middle of the road, five feet from the curb. We get to a light, now there's a bike lane to my left (I am in the turning lane). He gestures to have me roll down my window. "Hey, can you give me a little more space when you're passing?" I say "I am a cyclist too, and I feel like I gave you plenty of space. Additionally, this is commute time and you know people need to pass you since you are riding pretty slow, so I feel like you should be closer to the curb." This set him off. "Oh, EVERYONE's a cyclist. If you really were, you would know I have the right..." I cut him off "I KNOW you have the right of way. But I did need to pass you because you are riding 7mph down a busy commute street. You should ride a little close to the curb so people can get by you." And then he rides off, now yelling about "******** like you..."
Guys, I don't know about you, but when I ride on busy streets wit no bike lane, I don't HUG the curb, but I stay fairly close to the curb, unless I am riding at a good clip, at which point I take the lane. I feel like this guy was out of line because he was riding so slow as to be unsafe, and should know that at that speed people will need to pass him. I realize that under the law, if I had clipped him or something, I would be at fault. But I didn't. I passed him and gave him enough space. He just wanted MORE space. I think that's unreasonable. You probably can't comment without seeing the actual scenario, so maybe I am just venting
Bummer situation, but that cyclist was not "sharing the road," which is all we really ask of motorists. If we can't reciprocate, we'll get nowhere. Your overall analysis of the situation seems spot on: sure we have the right to take the lane, and need to for safety sometimes, but that doesn't mean we need to all the time, for safety or otherwise.
Yeah, the thing that really got my ire up was the "EVERYONE's a cyclist," said in a snarky, eye-rolling way, before we had even gotten slightly unpleasant with each other. I wanted to say "in fact, I rode 5000 miles last year. I commuted in downtown San Francisco for years! You ride up this road a few miles each day, pissing people off, and are pontificating to me about who is a real cyclist??" But I didn't, because that's totally douchey. But true. I've seen the groups of cyclists in Marin who ride 4 abreast and don't let cars by. I've also seen plenty of bad (or jerk) drivers. To me, when there are cars trying to get by, you make accommodations (while still being safe) to let them by. He did nothing, and just gave me a speech about his "rights." Reminds me of this
(ps I also bike commuted in Portland for years, and this is less exaggerated than you might think!)
Yeah, the thing that really got my ire up was the "EVERYONE's a cyclist," said in a snarky, eye-rolling way, before we had even gotten slightly unpleasant with each other. I wanted to say "in fact, I rode 5000 miles last year. I commuted in downtown San Francisco for years! You ride up this road a few miles each day, pissing people off, and are pontificating to me about who is a real cyclist??" But I didn't, because that's totally douchey. But true. I've seen the groups of cyclists in Marin who ride 4 abreast and don't let cars by. I've also seen plenty of bad (or jerk) drivers. To me, when there are cars trying to get by, you make accommodations (while still being safe) to let them by. He did nothing, and just gave me a speech about his "rights." Reminds me of this
That's hilarious. Never seen it.
It's time for me to write here again.
I haven't ridden a bike at all for several years and got back into it three weeks ago.
Now I drive about 15 km to work and back every day. I use a helmet and contact boots and no other equipment. My bike doesn't look like the model in the catalogue, but I enjoy riding it. Attaching photo.
I haven't ridden a bike at all for several years and got back into it three weeks ago.
Now I drive about 15 km to work and back every day. I use a helmet and contact boots and no other equipment. My bike doesn't look like the model in the catalogue, but I enjoy riding it. Attaching photo.
Yeah. I have to admit although I champion fellow cyclists on the road when I’m driving I realize they are two completely different realities. All these angry people hating cyclists can’t all be wrong. What I’m saying is that the ******* cyclist is a real thing. Sometimes I hold myself back after being cut off by a car. Sometimes I speed up to them and just stand at the light next to them, fuming but looking straight ahead. Then again, get in a car two hours later and see cyclist on the road acting insane, weaving recklessly, threatening pedestrians, strollers, the elderly, and I get pissed. There are at least two sides to every conflict. Yet, we all have to stay civil and try to understand each other’s perspective. Society can be a challenge.Well, I got yelled at by a cyclist today. Morning commute traffic, on a busy road in Austin. Guy was in the middle of the lane in a two-lane road, going pretty slow, a good FIVE FEET from the side of the road. There are a million ways through there with less traffic, but whatever. I realize he has the right of way. I slow down, wait until there is no in the oncoming lane, then pass. I was at least halfway into the oncoming lane, probably more, when I passed. He had 2-3 feet between my truck and him, and he didn't take any action to give me any space, just kept on in the middle of the road, five feet from the curb. We get to a light, now there's a bike lane to my left (I am in the turning lane). He gestures to have me roll down my window. "Hey, can you give me a little more space when you're passing?" I say "I am a cyclist too, and I feel like I gave you plenty of space. Additionally, this is commute time and you know people need to pass you since you are riding pretty slow, so I feel like you should be closer to the curb." This set him off. "Oh, EVERYONE's a cyclist. If you really were, you would know I have the right..." I cut him off "I KNOW you have the right of way. But I did need to pass you because you are riding 7mph down a busy commute street. You should ride a little close to the curb so people can get by you." And then he rides off, now yelling about "******** like you..."
Guys, I don't know about you, but when I ride on busy streets wit no bike lane, I don't HUG the curb, but I stay fairly close to the curb, unless I am riding at a good clip, at which point I take the lane. I feel like this guy was out of line because he was riding so slow as to be unsafe, and should know that at that speed people will need to pass him. I realize that under the law, if I had clipped him or something, I would be at fault. But I didn't. I passed him and gave him enough space. He just wanted MORE space. I think that's unreasonable. You probably can't comment without seeing the actual scenario, so maybe I am just venting
I hate Presta valves.
There, I said it. After yet another Presta tube failed at the seam between the stem and the tube. That's never happened to me on a Schrader tube, in 50+ years of riding.
I get the point of Presta, for putting a smaller hole in really skinny rims, and maybe for very high pressures. And it's "cool" to know that Presta is better.
But maybe because I patch tubes, rather than throwing them away, they need to last longer. I rode to work last week, "just to check in," and had a flat on the way. I forgot my tool pouch, and had to hoof it for the last mile, in snow. Grrr. Stem leak means the tube can't be repaired.
But at least on my winter bike, I'm close to drilling out the rims and installing Schrader.
/rant
There, I said it. After yet another Presta tube failed at the seam between the stem and the tube. That's never happened to me on a Schrader tube, in 50+ years of riding.
I get the point of Presta, for putting a smaller hole in really skinny rims, and maybe for very high pressures. And it's "cool" to know that Presta is better.
But maybe because I patch tubes, rather than throwing them away, they need to last longer. I rode to work last week, "just to check in," and had a flat on the way. I forgot my tool pouch, and had to hoof it for the last mile, in snow. Grrr. Stem leak means the tube can't be repaired.
But at least on my winter bike, I'm close to drilling out the rims and installing Schrader.
/rant
I’ve never had that issue with Presta valves.
Two things to keep in mind:
You need to be sure there is no angle or stress on the valve stem when installing the tube and mounting the tire, and you need to be careful not to put any stress in the stem when inflating the tire.
These may be obvious to you, but worth mentioning if it’s not.
Two things to keep in mind:
You need to be sure there is no angle or stress on the valve stem when installing the tube and mounting the tire, and you need to be careful not to put any stress in the stem when inflating the tire.
These may be obvious to you, but worth mentioning if it’s not.
Thanks for the note. I am in fact quite careful with the tubes and stems, because they're so delicate. And I just went through two new tires that both came with removable but defective Presta valve cores. So I'll put those in the bin and hope that I come across some cores, which is not unthinkable. I'd order something, but have to wait until I have more stuff to order.
Perhaps part of the problem is a decline in tube quality, as the good suppliers are battered by the cheap ones. Like the old saying in economics: "Bad money drives out good money."
I think it's an actual design issue. The Schrader valve simply has a larger base, thus there's more surface for the rubber and metal to stick together, and less stress on the joint. This may be one of those cases where a technology that's good for technical and sportive cycling is not the best for utilitarian cycling.
Perhaps part of the problem is a decline in tube quality, as the good suppliers are battered by the cheap ones. Like the old saying in economics: "Bad money drives out good money."
I think it's an actual design issue. The Schrader valve simply has a larger base, thus there's more surface for the rubber and metal to stick together, and less stress on the joint. This may be one of those cases where a technology that's good for technical and sportive cycling is not the best for utilitarian cycling.
Also, a winter bike has to be made of more robust stuff, not because winter riding is particularly tough on bikes, but repairing bikes in my 40 degree garage is tough on me.
I should. Also I found two removable cores in my pile of junk.
I should. Also I found two removable cores in my pile of junk.
I installed four Schwalbe valves last spring. Two were Schrader and two were Presta Got a slow leak in one of the Schrader tubes. Turns out it was pierced by a single strand of wire. Patched it with a Rema TT02 kit.
The Schwalbe Schrader tubes have a clear cap and locking ring.
Rema is the best. Probably why my stems fail -- these tubes get fairly old after being patched multiple times, and something eventually has to kill them.
By the way, here's what a defective Presta valve core looks like. It looks like there's a chunk out of the rubber, and it certainly doesn't seal. A good reminder to test a tube before throwing it in your bag and trusting it as a spare.
By the way, here's what a defective Presta valve core looks like. It looks like there's a chunk out of the rubber, and it certainly doesn't seal. A good reminder to test a tube before throwing it in your bag and trusting it as a spare.
Some winter riding shots. We seem yo have more snow and we are a southern state
It doesn't have to have gears even and just a coaster brake and some flowers. Get's the heart rate up for sure and made the gravel cyclist raise their eyebrows and I was mistaken as a homeless man
. Where is North Face jacket? Did he steal that bike?
Before the gravel bike craze -- we were doing cross. I still prefer cross because it has a higher bottom bracket
View from the bike - Tunnel Canyon trail Tijeras NM. I have to do many dabs of shame (get of the bike and push) but my son and friend manualed all the obstacles. That's what's called getting old is. But the mountain bike was ridden on a mountain at least.
It doesn't have to have gears even and just a coaster brake and some flowers. Get's the heart rate up for sure and made the gravel cyclist raise their eyebrows and I was mistaken as a homeless man
. Where is North Face jacket? Did he steal that bike?Before the gravel bike craze -- we were doing cross. I still prefer cross because it has a higher bottom bracket
View from the bike - Tunnel Canyon trail Tijeras NM. I have to do many dabs of shame (get of the bike and push) but my son and friend manualed all the obstacles. That's what's called getting old is. But the mountain bike was ridden on a mountain at least.
Best advice. I have a few old rims with worn-out tires on them. Every tube, new or patched, gets tested overnight.
