Hybrid Bicycles - Where Did Your Hybrid Take You Today?

My hybrid took me today for a ride on two wheels for the first time in 10 years.
Why did I wait so long???

Ride On :thumb:

That's way to long, I hope your inspired to get out more.

Anyway, I also have a road bike and have been thinking about trying one of the ssnew smart phones that claim very good camara capabilities as there is some appeal to having a pseudo gps, camera, video and phone in one light-weight package. Photography is more important than gps to me but I can carry the kitchen sink on my Escape. I can carry next to nothing on my roadie. It depends on how sporty I'm feeling when I get up in the morning as to which bike I take. I think I'll compromise and take just a smart phone on the roadie for here on in.


Just coz you mentioned it, I've got a nice camera that's to big to carry on my weekend rides so I went to flebay and bought a cheap used Olympus 830U 8MP 5x zoom compact that slides into the side of my nic's on the side of my hip. It only takes a few sec's to take it out and start up, from memory was around $25, this way I don't need to worry about dropping it and damaging it to much.

I've seen people carry DSLR's on bags mounted in front of the handlebars. That might be an option if you want your nice camera available on your rides.

I've seen people carry DSLR's on bags mounted in front of the handlebars. That might be an option if you want your nice camera available on your rides.

There are some rides I would consider that. I've been thinking of some over night country rides with a rack and some camping gear but for most rides I like to be light with the bare minimum of stuff,the thing with a cheap compact is i'm not fussed about dropping it and it's quick.

Yeah I carry a Canon PowerShot I bought back in 2005 before a trip to Europe, it's the exact size of a credit card and 3/4" thick. Fits great in a pocket.

Igo, I have been using my new Android Razr Max to take all of the panoramic pictures.

I just finished uploading a small album to facebook.

I am currently uploading all of the GoPro Hero2 video footage from the trip, some which I'm very pleased with.

A GoPro weighs 5 ounces, and the Razr max is very light and obviously incredibly multi functional beyond having just a good camera.

For on the fly documentation purposes these are ideal for me.

Regarding being a rider and not an athlete; I'm still very much a clydesdale at 250lbs, my endorphine addiction and thirst for exploration keep pushing me further though. I love riding with slower riders as I always feel much less sore when I pace myself.

It's really all about the ride for me too man. I'm a very long way away from being Lance.

Just coz you mentioned it, I've got a nice camera that's to big to carry on my weekend rides so I went to flebay and bought a cheap used Olympus 830U 8MP 5x zoom compact that slides into the side of my nic's on the side of my hip. It only takes a few sec's to take it out and start up, from memory was around $25, this way I don't need to worry about dropping it and damaging it to much.
Oooo. I am very seriously into photography.

I've seen people carry DSLR's on bags mounted in front of the handlebars. That might be an option if you want your nice camera available on your rides.
I actually carry a dSLR with a 18-250 zoom on my sternum strap when I backpack just so I don't miss THAT shot. I have pondered many times if I want to compromise the trim characteristics of the roadie so I can carry one of my good cameras. I bought a hybrid and trucked it out so I could keep the roadie trim. I still don't know what to do as I rarely go anyplace grand without a camera or 3. Sometimes I just decide that today is a photo session day and carry a backpack on my roadie. And sometimes I even ride my trucked-up hybrid commuter on my 40 mile Saturday rides just so I can bring video and a still camera.

Post #1120 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/709379-Post-Your-Photography-II/page45)

Igo, I have been using my new Android Razr Max to take all of the panoramic pictures.

I just finished uploading a small album to facebook.

I am currently uploading all of the GoPro Hero2 video footage from the trip, some which I'm very pleased with.

A GoPro weighs 5 ounces, and the Razr max is very light and obviously incredibly multi functional beyond having just a good camera.

For on the fly documentation purposes these are ideal for me.

Regarding being a rider and not an athlete; I'm still very much a clydesdale at 250lbs, my endorphine addiction and thirst for exploration keep pushing me further though. I love riding with slower riders as I always feel much less sore when I pace myself.

It's really all about the ride for me too man. I'm a very long way away from being Lance.

I think I understand you sir. I'm pretty sure of it. My training is how to find the next gorgeous place to blow me away. Bikes and cameras are just a part of it.

Btw, on the 26th my hybrid took me 1/2 mile to the top of the Triboro Bridge to take pictures and video of the (always early) Astoria Park 4th of July fireworks.

I filmed the 5+ min finale.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfkwAYu-XX4&feature=plcp

The video for my first tour is done. I'll be blogging out my experience tomorrow.

Here's 2 favorite cycling fun (rather than scenic fun?) clips.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehw1yrPvBZ8&feature=plcp

Entering Mountain Bike Trails, some fast rock dodging rolling over small hills. (Looking at this now, I'm not sure how smart it was to ride this terrain with my tires/bike. Was fun either way.)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uYATiAw2MM&feature=plcp

Fast Cruising on large rolling hills South on 301, top speed 31 mph. (This shows part of the route South on 301 leaving the park where I averaged where I averaged 18.5 mph for 4.5 miles.)

Here is the full album of panoramic pics if anyone is interested.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.490053567675888.93643981.402284049786174&type=1

I went for a 34 mile ride early this morning before it started to get too hot outside. 5 of those miles were off-road on loose gravel trails (poorly maintained). It was a good ride save for a mishap at mile 7. I had just made a 90 degree turn off from a gravel trail (there was a decent hill leading up to the MUP) and was doing a fast standing start to accelerate. I must have moved my right heel out too far and my foot came un-clipped, my ankle slammed into the crank, and part of my leg went right into the large chain wheel. Thankfully I was able to get my left foot un-clipped, I put it on the ground, and basically used my feet to keep the bike upright as I brought it to a stop. My ankle was sore and my leg was bleeding, but I decided to proceed with the ride. The pain went away after a couple of miles and came back around mile 22. I still completed the ride, though.

I carry a small first aid kit with me on the bike, but the wounds didn't look too bad. They're fairly deep gouges, but I'll live. The worst part is that my ankle now hurts like a son of a gun, so I don't think that I will be riding tomorrow. But we'll see how it feels tomorrow morning, I'd hate to miss out on a beautiful day of riding!

All in all, it was still a great ride! I really enjoy getting off from the paved trails! I get quite a few surprised looks when people see me riding those trails with my bike (running 700x28c semi-slick tires), but I just keep cruising along. Ride on! :ride:

As a follow up to that post...I won't be riding for at least a week. Turns out I sprained my ankle. This stinks! I normally commute on foot, but I won't be able to make it that far on crutches. I can't wait to get back on my bike, though!

As a follow up to that post...I won't be riding for at least a week. Turns out I sprained my ankle. This stinks! I normally commute on foot, but I won't be able to make it that far on crutches. I can't wait to get back on my bike, though!

Oh man that's rough, I hope you heal well.

I'm dealing with a gnarly saddle sore which killed my plans for a ride yesterday. 440 miles to end the month is a new personal high.

I guess doing 2 rides > a metric century in 3 days is a bit too much for my nether regions right now. I'm currently going through all options to treat and prevent until something works for me.

Here is my finished blog entry for my first cycle tour.

http://astoriahd.blogspot.com/2012/06/first-cycle-tour-astoria-to-clarence.html

That's also a bummer!

The Dr. said I could be back to biking in as little as 3 days, but it could be a week or more. I'm not going to push it, and I will let my ankle heal properly (as much as it is killing me!). Thankfully, my fiancee and a couple of my friends are going to be able to help me with my commuting issues. That said, I've been making the best of it. This morning I got out and hobbled around the block on my crutches. I figure any exercise is good at this point...

A sad state of affairs for us both, but it at least sounds like you're keeping a positive outlook.

Yesterday it took me and my son to the park. Borrowed a trailer to see if my son would like riding in it, and sure enough he LOVES it. He thinks it's hilarious when it bounces around when we cross the grassy fields. :p

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/f3c0a734.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/bb00ca44.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/badfish6828/4a815081.jpg

Yesterday my girlfriend and I went on a ride on the NCR trail just north of Baltimore. Used to ride a lot but have become very sedentary over the past few years. This was a 12 mile round trip and it hurt. Going to start training for a 25 mile charity ride in September

Alright, I'll get the ball rolling.

My Giant Escape 1 took me and my camera down to the fireworks show:


http://youtu.be/kB6hFzF21po

Man I wanted to ride mine down to the fireworks show. But it was fairly sweltering hot and humid, late at night, I had already ridden twice earlier in the day hauling the bike trailer AND went for a run in the morning, and I had already put the bike away for the evening. I just didn't feel like getting drenched with sweat a FOURTH time yesterday.

Cool beans!

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp230/igonator/IMGP1426.jpg

Yeah we were goin to ride into te capital mall from about 10 miles outside of the city but then I found out it isn't the same as when we were younger and you could pop up a tent and bring a little webber grill and just relax. Too much security these days.

Nowhere because I refuse to go out in the dreaded 100 degree heat!

I hear Alaska calling my name. I think "Global Warming" is very real. :(

It was 76 degrees in Las Vegas during the fireworks show last night. That won't happen again, by 20 degrees, for another millennium.

259932 This was the 4th., the wife and I rode with the Colorado Springs Cycling Club on their, "Shade Ride", the photo is my wife Jo at the "Little Market" for lunch. Today, well just 16 miles doing errands on the utility bike, it was HOT out!:notamused:

Cool beans!

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp230/igonator/IMGP1426.jpg

Sweet pic! Can you share what camera settings you were using to get that shot?

A 2- to 3-second exposure, and a higher f-stop number by the looks of it.

Sweet pic! Can you share what camera settings you were using to get that shot?

Thank you very much. I don't remember. 200ASA and a pretty closed aperture and long exposure. Wide angle lens at about 600 feet from the burst. Tripod and remote shutter release. Photoshop to darken the backdrop some. I have a bunch of cameras.
Here's more:

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp230/igonator/IMGP1430.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp230/igonator/IMGP1425.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp230/igonator/IMGP1415.jpg

http://www.fileden.com/files/2012/7/8/3323733/P1010156aa.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/2012/7/8/3323733/P1010154aa.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/2012/7/8/3323733/P1010155aa.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/2012/7/8/3323733/P1010150aa.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/2012/7/8/3323733/P1010153aa.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/2012/7/8/3323733/4.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/2012/7/8/3323733/1.jpg
Alabaster Alabama pt. 1

...
Alabaster Alabama

I'd love to ride around your neck of the woods.

259932 This was the 4th., the wife and I rode with the Colorado Springs Cycling Club on their, "Shade Ride", the photo is my wife Jo at the "Little Market" for lunch. Today, well just 16 miles doing errands on the utility bike, it was HOT out!:notamused:

What's a "Shade Ride"? Is it a ride amongst the trees / forest?

75km's of leg burning hills today, inspired by the TDF took the carbon roadie so just a few pic's, really enjoying riding in the country at the moment.

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/kdionb/Travel%20Pictures/P1210661.jpg
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/kdionb/Travel%20Pictures/P1210663.jpg
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/kdionb/Travel%20Pictures/P1210665.jpg
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/kdionb/Travel%20Pictures/P1220679.jpg

Trust me...I'd love to be in your neck of the woods also.I cant even imagine the scenery where you live.The photos of the trail I ride on is very close to my front door and I see turtles,beaver,otters,rabbits,heron,and snakes quite frequently up and down that creek.It's a neat little trail that connects me to parks and neighborhoods to ride.

75km's of leg burning hills today, inspired by the TDF took the carbon roadie so just a few pic's, really enjoying riding in the country at the moment.

http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/kdionb/Travel%20Pictures/P1210661.jpg
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/kdionb/Travel%20Pictures/P1210663.jpg
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/kdionb/Travel%20Pictures/P1210665.jpg
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/kdionb/Travel%20Pictures/P1220679.jpg

Wow...just wow...what a beautiful area . I'm jealous !

What's a "Shade Ride"? Is it a ride amongst the trees / forest?

LOL, well it's not in a forest sadly, it a ride using a lot of the older streets thru the city that have BIG trees that give off lot's of shade:D The route seemed to incorporate a lot of our, normal streets we use to get around the city, when riding on our own!

Wow...just wow...what a beautiful area . I'm jealous !

Straight back at ya ;) it's interesting how the rail tracks are banked for the corner, haven't seen that before.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2012/7/8/3323733/100a.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/2012/7/8/3323733/101a.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/2012/7/8/3323733/102a.jpg
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http://www.fileden.com/files/2012/7/8/3323733/107a.jpg
http://www.fileden.com/files/2012/7/8/3323733/108a.jpg
Alabaster Alabama pt. 2

Looks like a fun place to ride, that's for sure!

I rode my Rapid for an hour on my trainer in my basement earlier. I still can't walk, but I can certainly spin. It felt good to get back on my bike after just over a week's absence due to this sprained ankle. I normally dread riding my trainer, but it's never felt so good just to ride. Hopefully I can be back to riding outside within another week or so.

Today I rode part of the beautiful Henry Hudson trail between Freehold and Marlboro, NJ - about 11 miles round trip.
Best regards

LOL, well it's not in a forest sadly, it a ride using a lot of the older streets thru the city that have BIG trees that give off lot's of shade:D The route seemed to incorporate a lot of our, normal streets we use to get around the city, when riding on our own!

I absolutely love those old city residential areas with huge old-growth trees. I grew up in an area like that, but sadly now live farther out in a subdivision with zero large trees, only a few smaller trees in the yards that are less than 10 years old.

Several errands to run as it's FINALLY been raining out here in Colorado Springs, after the massive fire the week before. I added a bit of ride down the Creekside Trail in Manitou Springs, CO. the photo is at a local park I like to stop at. What you can't see is the "creek" water is BLACK with the run-off debire from the Waldo Canyon Fire, SAD, it's usually very clear. :(
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4mY3ufTW3uU/T_yBDRy4xFI/AAAAAAAAEZk/63xGp2pqXco/s640/DSCF0004_opt.jpg

I was craving McDonalds breakfast so I rode up there this morning and snapped a pic on the way. Surprisingly, there was no bike rack?! Lol ;)

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k571/dhunley123/IMG_2037.jpg

Well, this wasn't today, but my hybrid took me past Calaveras Reservoir on a nice 40 mile ride from Milpitas to Niles to Sunol and back to Milpitas last week.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1358670

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O5g0WM6QlGM/T_Uab0BfNPI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/yHt1FRXFUOc/s921/IMG_20120704_122401.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1F9Ce3RKa4o/T_S31DYN_FI/AAAAAAAAC6g/LgGObsFbX-E/s921/IMG_20120704_122000.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6oKHZZTD7vI/T_UawabYzHI/AAAAAAAAC8s/ackv9E7w75c/s921/IMG_20120704_122624.jpg

That's good stuff. Looks like a nice place to ride.
The water looks low but it looks like a deep lake.

Looks like home here in the warmer months.

On vacation in Door County WI. Wife & I did 22 miles around Clark's Lake yesterday & 10 miles through Penninsula State Park today. Tomorrow ~ ? Beautiful weather & great riding. Sorry, no pics available.

No pics!? Didn't happen. You know the scoop.

I was craving McDonalds breakfast so I rode up there this morning and snapped a pic on the way. Surprisingly, there was no bike rack?! Lol ;)
Very surprising. :rolleyes:


No pics!? Didn't happen. You know the scoop.
I don't have pics of my trip to Walmart when I returned my old bike. Doesn't mean it didn't happen.

LOL, no photo's of my ride thru the Garden of the Gods today, I was totally taxed getting up the steep hills! ;) The GoG is in great shape, the fire didn't effect it and the red rocks are beautiful in the sunshine! The only BAD thing about riding in the GoG is that the tourist can't seem to "stay out of the bicycle lane" when trying to get around the corners! :( (25 miles and lot's of hills).

I remember when I lived in the Springs we use to fish that creek for brookies, I use to love walking up and down Manitou Springs