Introductions - Intro: Bob G (bikinbob) -- Dallas, Tx

Howdy buds and budettes,

I'm a casual rider. I've got two bikes. I often ride 2 - 4 times a week when the weather is decent. I don't much mind the hot, but I haven't gotten real comfortably equipped for below 45 degrees yet.

My first bike is a Raleigh SC40. 28/38/48 - 24speed comfort bike with Schwalbe Big Apple tires, bar ends, Nightpro Kamakazie dual Halogen, Shimano M324 SPD clip/platform pedals, and other misc "stuff." Seat is Hobson Pro (the discontinued model). Doubt I'll ever ride a "horned" seat again. The Raleigh has about 3,000 miles on it. Sprung fork and seat post.

My later purchase was a Downtube VIII FS (full suspension) folding bike with 20" wheels. Also rigged with the Shimano M324s. Seat is Spiderflex. Light is a home pieced together NiteRider dual halogen. The Downtube probably has about 800 miles on it (I've consistantly had problems with the cyclocomputer for some reason -- and it's the same model I use on the other bike. I never have a problem with the other one).

Pics of my rack / bag / panniers on the Downtube. NOTE: You can't see much of the bike -- the series of pics was about the rack/bag.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rpgrub...5sCHFBw4RLFZrv


Components that swap back and forth between the bikes:

1) Garmin eTrex Vista Cx GPS (waterproof, compact, w/bar mount). Color, comes with big memory and great mapping / tracking software. Know how much you climed yesterday? And what a jazz when you want to take off and wander aimlessly, with help.

2) Topeak quick relase rack, Topeak Trunk Bag with panniers, and pannier frames.


Last fun trip was a two-day credit card ride from Wylie, Texas to Paris, Texas. Averaged about 45 easy riding miles a day, plus side trips to dinner, shopping, etc. What a blast.

I do inter-modal commutes to work fairly regularly (bike and light rail).

My favorite cycling website:
http://www.greenbicycle.com/ride2002-diary.htm

So that's it for the intro.

Great intro. I also started reading the green bicycle ride that you posted at the bottom. Colin Martin rode right through the town of Monroe where I work. Good stuff.

Welcome to the forums, looks like you're already getting stuck in.

Howdy,

Great intro, thanks for taking the time to post the links, will make sure to check them out. Ever do any of the Richardson Bike Mart or Plano Cycling group rides? I try to do the 27m route out of Richardson Bike Mart on most Saturday mornings.

I have been to the Seattle area a few times for work. I try to do layover weekends for adventuring. Been on some great hikes and adventures in your neck of the woods. Kings Park, Wallace Falls State Park, entered a 5K winter run (snow / ice on the ground), Pike Street, playing in Kirkland, the Main St Ale House and Pen Thai in Bothell......

ooops, gotta run.

Bob G.

Welcome aboard Bob. :)

Welcome Bob.


I'm a casual rider. I've got two bikes. I often ride 2 - 4 times a week when the weather is decent. I don't much mind the hot, but I haven't gotten real comfortably equipped for below 45 degrees yet.
You should have commuted with me this morning. It was only 33F. ;)


Pics of my rack / bag / panniers on the Downtube. NOTE: You can't see much of the bike -- the series of pics was about the rack/bag.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rpgrub...5sCHFBw4RLFZrv
Yahoo won't show me the pics even though I'm registered. :(
Got a better link?

Try this one:


http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rpgruber@swbell.net/album?.dir=/c10are2&.src=ph&.tok=ph5sCHFBw4RLFZrv

howdy neighbor. Check out the Plano Bicycling Assoc for some organized rides: www.planobicycle.org

About 10 - 15 years ago I used to do the RBM ride to Sache (different bike, different era). The Mart was still on Beltline at that point.

I've seen the current Saturday/Sache group ride by a couple of times in the last year. Seems like the appearance of the clientele has changed a bunch, and I KNOW the hardware is totally out there from what I used to ride with. These days I'm probably at least $1500 under minimum budget (if my eyes don't decieve me across 6 lanes of traffic). But the bigger problems are the legs and my approach to touring.

I normally ride 12 - 15, and average about 11 in city commuting situations. Don't know that I'm quite the rider the RBM Sache group wants now a days. Me sitting upright on a Raliegh with fat Schwalbe tires on it would stick out like a sore thumb in that group.

One day this summer I picked up the Greater Dallas Bicyclists easy going ride (from University Park). They were riding through downtown and I felt like I recognized them by the description on the web site. As it turned out, I did, and they invited me along. I enjoyed a WONDERFUL tour, and great deviation from what I had planned. I ended up pulling in almost 50 miles that day with my visit to Mom, my first experience on Katy Trail, the GDB, etc.

That group is a very good fit for me. Very veteran riders with tons of endurance, riding casual, enjoying the sights. ---But getting in a nicely paced tour at speeds at which the bikes won't fall over. Total mix of hardware and personalities, and a group small enough to get to know most of the gang pretty well after just a few rides. Not a lot of show, but a lot of "like to go!!"

That's all a first-ride impression, but that's what I came away with. They seem to have a great deal of respect for what works. Light is good, but shiney or carbon seems kinda secondary with a lot of that group.

I joined GDB that day because of my very positive experience with the group. I need to find another Saturday to join them again. I had a good time.

Maybe I'll swing by RBM some time and ride a few miles of the 27.

I also like the people and Plano Cycling, but I don't know anything about their rides.

###

A bunch of the free Saturday mornings get spent on our sailboat. So there's always a conflict when going to White Rock. Ride or sail? Normally don't have time for both. And my bike has been to the sailing club a LOT of times (for a pit stop or a mid-ride break).

Later

Try this one:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rpgruber@swbell.net/album?.dir=/c10are2&.src=ph&.tok=ph5sCHFBw4RLFZrv
Nice pics and bike.
What kind of saddle is that? Looks kinda scary if you slide off the front.