Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: osage outlaw on June 07, 2020, 08:21:13 pm
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Is anyone else on here into cycling? Me and my wife have recently bought road bikes and have really been enjoying putting in some miles. Growing up I had a bike but no where to really ride it. My dad only believed in cutting grass about once a month and we lived on a rough gravel road. I've probably road more this week than the rest of my life combined. I did 20 miles yesterday and 26 today. I'm planning on going out twice tomorrow and trying to do even more. I've been hiking back roads for exercise lately but I'm enjoying riding a lot more.
My wife came home from work the other day and said she needed a bike for exercise. We tried walmart but they were sold out of all adult bikes. We stopped at a bike store looking for a used model but they were almost sold out. I guess everyone has been buying them during the quarantine. We ended up getting her a new Fuji Hybrid. She's kind of tall so she got a mens bike. I needed something to ride with her so I found an old Trek hybrid bike on facebook marketplace. I got it tuned up and replaced one of the tubes. I am really getting into the vintage road bikes. I want to find an old one and strip it down to the frame so I can rebuild it with new parts. Maybe even do a custom paint job on it. That sounds like a good winter project.
My wife's bike
(https://i.imgur.com/xKeouzN.jpg)
My 20+ year old bike. I have a new seat ordered for it. My backside isn't used to a tiny bike seat. I feel like I've been sitting on a fence post for a couple of days.
(https://i.imgur.com/ahPVY4k.jpg)
While we were at the bike shop I grabbed a handful of old tubes for rasp and draw knife covers. They were glad to give them to me. Less for them to throw away.
(https://i.imgur.com/GLBMaRM.jpg)
I bought these cruisers at an auction for when we go camping. They aren't near as much fun to ride as the hybrid bikes.
(https://i.imgur.com/NzwAYZq.jpg)
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I think Jeb is into cycling Clint. When I was a kid we explored a lot of back roads.
My dad is going to be 83 in a couple days. He has Alzheimer’s and doesn’t remember much. Guess it’s true that you never forget how to ride a bike. My sister in laws childhood bike was in our shop and he climbed on it. Thinking it took him back about 70 years. He was zooming around and laughing like a little kid. Was pretty cool to see.
Bjrogg
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Nope.
Unless its got 80Ci's of USA steel and plenty tourqe to rear wheel.
HH~
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Clint I've been looking into those motorized kits for bikes. Thinking of getting one of those wide tire off road styles and putting a 1000w electric motor and throttle on it. They'll get up to 30-40mph depending on conditions and I figured it would be nice for grocery runs or running my property line.
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I used to have a Trek hybrid. I've got a Mountain Bike hybrid now. I ride the Management Area during the closed season to fish and scout.
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I used to ride a lot. Had a Trek hybrid. Would ride 15 - 40 miles a day on it. I never changed the seat out though. Once I built up a permanent bruise from sitting on the little seat, it was not too bad. Had to get rid of the Trek. Ended up with a Raleigh mountain bike, but it met its demise on a trail in Southern Missouri. Have you seen the videos of the skinny guys on mountain bikes going to the edge of the cliff and dropping down, and it looks awesome and cool and you think " I want to try that!" I ended up on a steep path that I had never been on, going way too fast, and went off a 15 ft limestone bluff. Yeah, it was not cool or awesome. I weighed about 250 lbs at the time, so when I tried to land, nearly all my weight was on the pedals. Bicycle frame cracked on impact. Luckily nothing on me cracked or broke. I was very lucky. Have not rode now for 10 years. I would like to get another hybrid bike and start riding trails again.
Knoll rode a bike cross country after he retired. Hopefully he will chime in on this thread.
Neal
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Just loaded all the bikes into the camper and transported them to new digs! Got to get clearance to ride on my knee, and might have to get stabilizer wheels due to balance problem, I don't like to crash and burn! We rode fairly regularly a few years back!
Brain, neat picture of your dad! Hope he keeps it going !
Hawkdancer
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Thanks Jerry. It was really amazing. He was hobbling around with his walker. He got on that bicycle and pedaled around like he didn’t have a care in the world. I wasn’t sure if I should have let him get on it at first. I’m sure glad I did.
Bjrogg
Neal that sounds like a hold my beer, watch this moment.
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I ride 100-150 miles a week on a road bike. I have close to 20,000 miles on it, and about 38,000 miles since I started riding in 2002. I love riding. I ride for fitness and also commute to work when I can. Do yourself a favor and spend the money for a really good bike --$1000-$3000 is the sweet spot for bang-for-buck. The things at wal-mart don't qualify as real bikes. There is a company down the road from me called Fezzari-they sell on line all over the country, but their factory is about two miles from my house. From them you can get a lot of bike without paying for a brand name. They can set you up with a mountain, road, or hybrid bike. Look at the gravel bikes too--they are a nice balance that will take you over all kinds of terrain.
If you have any specific questions, send me a PM, and I will share what I know. Be aware, however, that there is currently a worldwide shortage on bikes and wait times for new ones might take til August or September. It seems a lot of people are discovering cycling during quarantine.
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Clint I've been looking into those motorized kits for bikes. Thinking of getting one of those wide tire off road styles and putting a 1000w electric motor and throttle on it. They'll get up to 30-40mph depending on conditions and I figured it would be nice for grocery runs or running my property line.
I got a friend that bought one for his wife as she didn't enjoy "competing" on the family rides. He gets his butt kicked on the uphills, and gets the "look" from her when she goes by.
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Wife and I have a few miles on bikes. Years ago we started running foot races and decided to get into the shorter triathlons and duathlons. Then after a few years our feet went south but kept the biking up and took up long distance cycling. At one time we had 7 bikes which included a road tandem that we did 5 - 100 mile days on an organized bike ride. We then got into self contained cycling and rode across the United States carrying our gear. We went from Washington to Maine but broke it up into 3 summers. We also rode around Lake Michigan which was an outstanding ride. Can't really tell you how many states we rode across but we did a lot of them. I would guess 60,000 miles or more over 25 years.
As mentioned stay away from cheap bikes and get a good entry level Trek or something simular. We have Treks, Fuji's, Klien, Diamondback, Rockhopper and a Santana tandem and don't regret buying anyone one of them. The old saying you get what you pay for.
I would suggest keeping the smaller seats and just get use to them. You will eventually break in both seats, the one on the bike and the one on your rear. I would also suggest that you buy bike shorts with the padded seats and wear a helmet. My wife was a terror on the bike when competing. She either placed or won everything she entered in her age group but that hard training came with side effects. TWO cracked helmets and a broken shoulder. So wear helmets.
Have fun and drink lots of water.
But my wife is gone now and that really took the steam out of me. I had thoughts during the winter months of throwing the panniers on the bike this summer and take off for a month and then covid showed up.
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My last ride was 95 miles, and I was dead at that point.
I plan on getting back at it.
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Neuse I know what you mean. Every other year they have a ride in Michigan called ODRAM, One Day Ride Across Michigan. Wife and I signed up for it. It took us 12 hours to ride 160 miles across the state. Lucky for me I was getting a ride home. Got in the van and didn't wake up until we got home.
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Sounds like my last "run" in the Bolder Boulder 10km Road Run! Missed last year after 31 in a row, blew out my knee mowing the grass! Hope to get some bike time in after we get settled into the new digs. Got to scout some new hunting grounds as well.
Hawkdancer
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I would also suggest that you buy bike shorts with the padded seats and wear a helmet.
+1
unfortunately everyone seriously into cycling discover the hard way that almost anything is more solid than himself
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The last day of a 450 mile ride. We camped at schools on this 5 day ride. There were about 500 riders. Cycling on organized tours is another way to enjoy cycling. My girl could really cycle. I sure miss her.
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JEB,
It was a 100 mile ride, Hotter than Hell 100, I had to SAG in.
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I love to ride a bike, at least I used to. Perhaps it was years of drawknifing osage staves or something else I did with my hands but now 5 minutes of holding bike handles and my hands go completely numb, no feeling whatsoever except for pain.
They don't go numb lifting weights or drawkinfing but do frequently go numb while I am sleeping in the wrong position.
I should have carpel tunnel surgery but I have been cut on so much in the past and still have some major stuff I need done (hip replacement) that I can't bring myself to make the appointment.
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Neuse: Interesting you brought up the Hotter than Hell ride. We have a town , Hell, Michigan. Chris and I have run and rode thru Hell many times. The t-shirts they gave out were really neat looking.
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JEB it is so nice to have a riding partner. I am sorry for your loss. It sounds like you had great times together. Keep riding, man.
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Thanks for posting pictures guys! I'm glad to see more people interested in it. I'm not ready for any long distance rides yet. I did 70 miles over 3 days. It sure is fun. I've been scouring the internet for a project bike and I can't find anything reasonable. I'm pretty fond of the Trek bike I'm riding. I'd love to find a fixer upper to start working on.
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Still remember my bicycle. Banana seat. 5foot sissy bar and high rise handle bars. We would go to the local dump and get junked bikes. Cut off the front forks and extend our original forks with them. Back then we customized everything. Bicycles, motorcycles, cars and trucks. That was part of the fun and pride in ownership.
Bjrogg
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Been interested in it since I was a kid. I mowed lawns all summer to buy a “good” entry level road bike back in 1987. The boys in my neighborhood and I would ride 60-80 miles a day when we were 12, or so. Ride all day along backroads and ridges along the Delaware River in Pennsylvania. A snickers bar for lunch. Knock on strangers doors and ask them to use their hose for water. Free as birds we were.
I kept that bike through college then got into riding trails.
When I moved to FL I got into triathlon races and would road ride. I’m not comfortable being on the roads down here, anymore. It’s toooooo dangerous now! Even with bike lanes...nope. I still ride on the back streets and side walks along highways on my trail bike with road tires. Been thinking it’s time to pick up a hybrid. I’ll watch the local Catholic thrift shop. It’s amazing what people donate down here.
I once was road riding on a shoulder less 2 lane road. I had a hornet hit me in the chest, drop, and go up my running shorts...stung my right on my man sack!!! I saw stars and swerved right when a car was going by at 60 miles an hour. Almost got clipped. WHEW! I crouched off to the side for about ten minutes pinching myself in pain!
I was never much on wearing all the tight biking clothes, but, with regard to this story it would have been safer!
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That's a bad spot to get stung :o
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I started riding in the mornings again while it's still cool,(78dg @7am), Our city has laid out some real nice Bike only trails around the lakes and through Golf Courses. It's a lot safer.
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I've noticed the "hybrid" in here and I thought you must be talking about electric bikes but I couldn't see any motors in the pictures. I finally Googled it and found that it's kind off a amalgamation of all the different kinds of bike, mountain, touring,racing etc. When I was young we had a different name for that. We used to call that a "Bike". These advertising people sure make things confusing. ;D ;D
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I hadn't heard of a hybrid either until I bought mine. I didn't want a mountain bike because they are heavier. I don't know if my back can handle the bent over riding style on a racing style bike. I like the style I ended up with.
I bought a Trek 830 mountain bike that needs repaired. I wanted a project bike to work on. I had fixed enough to ride in no time. I ordered a shifter and grips since they were missing.
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some of the real old treks are in much demand, and even the treks of your vintage are the one I keep an eye out for when it comes to fixer-uppers. I find it easy to keep an extra set of wheels around when I want to switch tires depending on the days destination
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Cycling was life long obsession for me. Well, at least through my 60's.
Short jaunts in neighborhood with my kids when they were young.
Longish (60-100 miles) day rides in '80's with cycling clubs.
Racing road bikes through 90's.
Then self-supported touring.
Finally, in 2011 realized my 30-year dream of touring coast-to-coast. Four month, 4,000+ mile sojourn from Portland, OR to Boston. It was all I dreamed it would be, + much more. Experiences and sights that still bring smile and good emotions when remembering. Before beginning that trip, I was lucky to find a site that hosted cycle touring journals AND small laptops were just coming on the scene. So was able to journal the adventure as each day rolled by. Great decision as I can go back to that journal to relive those days. Journal is here ...
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1mr&doc_id=7490&v=13Q
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Knoll, I sent you a PM. I think Chris and I ran into you in a restaurant while on our ride. Maybe over by Erie, Penn or a 100 miles one way or the other.
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100 miles one way or the other . . . ;D :o :D
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I checked photo's and the year was 2004 and it was in park somewhere in the east. We were eating at a pic nic table. You had on the 2000 DALMAC jersey. If it was you, you had a beard and was riding a recumbent.
Your buddy had on the 1997 Dalmac jersey on. He was from the Lansing, Williamsburg or Langesburg area. I think it was in the Sheridan Bay camp ground in eastern New York. Actually I think we ran into you guys twice. At the camp ground after the days ride in the evening and then next morning in the restaurant for breakfast.
Ring a bell yet?
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Was not me. But he and I were apparently on same route.
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Well sadly my Chris and I did not meet Knoll. One of the guys did mention the log, "Crazy guy on a bike " though.
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That would have been cool if you guys had met on the road.
I got another project bike to fix and try out. I've never rode this style of bike before. I'm waiting on brake pads and a new tube before I can test it out. I think the guy at the bike shop is getting tired of seeing me.
(https://i.imgur.com/sxNAAYl.jpg)
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Here is the mountain bike that I got a few days ago. The parts should be in soon. I might keep one of them at work to ride on my lunch break and at the end of the day.
(https://i.imgur.com/aA1ZhUD.jpg)
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We were on a bike trail yesterday evening and I swear I saw PatB flying bye on roller blades and wearing a tie dye shirt.
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Looks like a good seat on the road bike. Is that an aluminum frame bike? Looks like you have a STI shifting mechanism.
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Jeb, The frame is aluminum and the forks are carbon fiber. It's very light. I don't know what an STI shifting mechanism is. It's got little triggers on each brake that shift gears. I haven't been able to ride it to figure them out yet.
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If your shifters are in the break levers then that's STI shifting. The easiest way to figure that out is google it. I know one side shifts the front sprockets and the other side shifts the rear. I don't have STI on any of my bikes.
Clint, I just googled "STI shifting on a bicycle" and lots of info came up. That's a nice bike with carbon forks and an aluminum frame.
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It's definitely a nice bike. The frame might be a little small for me. If it's uncomfortable to ride I'll find it a new home and keep looking for something else.