OT: Cycling ... as in... riding bikes... as in... bicycles

[8O]

Guys... Guys:

Please note that religion, bicycles and politics are out of the scope of conversation of this forum.

Bicycle threads are the last refuge of a scoundrel.

Ok... so... all that's left is: viewtopic.php?f=40&t=126962

[Tarekith]

This is sick:

http://www.redbull.com/en/bike/stories/ ... king-trial

[Tarekith]

This is sick:

http://www.redbull.com/en/bike/stories/ ... king-trial

Just saw that it's the same link 80 posted earlier, oops.

[Machinesworking]

Pulling this up, hopefully.
I just last summer got a bike again. Seeing as my first job that lasted at all was a bike messenger in SF CA it was a bad mistake to wait this long!
It's a mountain bike. I'm a bit rough on things and didn't want it breaking all the time. Got a good deal on a used carbon Gary Fisher, so far I'm obsessed.
There are a few mountain bike style areas to explore in West Seattle, but I'm still thinking of getting a road bike as well.

People in wet areas, what is your strategy? In SF as a messenger during the winter it didn't matter much as long as you stayed busy, 8 hours on a bike keeps you warm, but not dry.

[steko]

Congrats!

Quit smoking in 2011 & immediately started heavily biking again. Doing thousands of miles per year since then (well, a bit less this year - was busy swimming in the lake… ).

What I probably love most is the "flow" / "not thinking, just being" / "feeling like a twelve-year-old part"…

Obsessed, too!

[Tarekith]

Highly obsessed here.

Staying warm is far easier than staying dry in the winter, so I always focused on that more.

[Machinesworking]

Highly obsessed here.

Staying warm is far easier than staying dry in the winter, so I always focused on that more.

any tips on that? like i mentioned you're not dry as a messenger, but 8 hours on a bike keeps you warm for sure! My methods (none) as a messenger won't work for 1-3 hour rides.

[Tarekith]

Wool socks and insulated leggings, I use some cheapo Pearl Izumi ones that work fine even when wet (usually). If you use clip in shoes, then neoprene style outer booties help a ton too.

The fenders on the downtube like in your picture don't do much IME, I like the ones that go under the fork arch like this (front mud hugger, though there's dozens of other brands that look just like this):

https://www.themudhugger.us.com/shop/

A good, thin insulated skull cap style thingie to go under your helmet and cover your ears helps a lot and doesn't feel bulky. A lot of cycling jackets have really long backs so that any water that that gets kicked up from your back tire hits that instead of getting your ass and seat wet. Even with a rear fender your tire will still kick up water higher than you expect, though they help a lot.

Tires can make a difference too. Huge knobby tires are great off road, but if you're mainly riding streets lower profile treads won't kick up as much water.

[Machinesworking]

Thanks, I'm actually surprised at how well the back fender works. The front still doesn't get all lower spray, but I'm not too worried. Wool socks is perfect, and once any sun is gone here in Seattle (got five days no rain here!) I'm getting some regular treads until mid spring when it's possible to hit the trails.

I have no idea why I waited so long to get a bike again? I'm on my way to obsessed for sure.

BTW if you're not a kid, a "moderate" mountain bike climb in the NW means straight up a hill 6 miles.
The saving grace was three teenagers were also doing it and two got off their bikes every time it got steep, the third made it look easy, and I'm panting away like a chain smoker.

[Tarekith]

LOL, when I first moved to seattle from chicago, I HATED all the climbing you had to do to get anything fun. Over time you get stronger and it's not so bad though. Hit up Tiger Mtn a couple times a month and you'll have some climbing legs in no time.

St. Edward state park, Black Diamond/Henry's Ridge, and Duthie are all decent places to ride in the winter that don't have a ton of elevation either. Colonnade in the city is an interesting place when the weather it crap too.

If you haven't yet, check out the Evergreen website for everything related to WA Mtn Biking, lots of good suggestions and maps there:

https://www.evergreenmtb.org

[Machinesworking]

LOL, when I first moved to seattle from chicago, I HATED all the climbing you had to do to get anything fun. Over time you get stronger and it's not so bad though. Hit up Tiger Mtn a couple times a month and you'll have some climbing legs in no time.

Yeah Tiger mountain, that's the one I rode with those kids passing me or falling behind.
There's a downhill part called the Predator that recently opened, figured I would wait on that, but I'll try it next year for sure, going down the old logging road for miles was ok but not too exciting.

I did a lot more outdoor activity this summer than I have in my entire time in the NW, the climbing doesn't bother me, doing painting as a huge source of income for me involves a lot of ladders, so I'm set there anyway. It's absolutely gorgeous around here outdoors wise, when you come back check out Lake Serene at the top of a mountain in Gold Bar if you haven't. Thanks for the site, real useful stuff!

[Machinesworking]

What I probably love most is the "flow" / "not thinking, just being" / "feeling like a twelve-year-old part"…

This, a thousand times.
More excited about the next physical challenge than some past or future tripping.

[Tarekith]

Been to Lake Serene many times, usually in the winter though to avoid all the crowds going to Bridle Falls. Check out Surprise Lake near Stevens Pass for something similar but a bit less crowded.

Predator is a pretty gnarly downhill trail, you might be pushing it with the bike you have picture above. Northwest Timber is an easier trail on Tiger, try that one first.

[steko]

^^^ Machines, that mountain lake pic: when you go there next time, can you pleeeeease post a selfie with you on your bike on that rock, wearing your Sam the Eagle costume? Yes?

"Sam the Eagle costume - keeps you dry & warm on your rides!"

[Tarekith]