General Cycling Discussion - What's Your Style?

My style is mostly Roadie but I like doing some MTB too. I'v heard that MTB'ers are more friendly (debateable as I know lots of friendly roadies) but the people on the MTB trail were rather friendly too.

I'm not a commuter though, sounds good but dangerous around here, IMO.

Along with the roadie and MTB, tandem riding also. It's also a blast.

I mostlhy post roadie stuf but his is anexample of the fireroads I ride when I feel like getting dirty.

Did a couple loops around CHWP. About 5 miles of good climbing (2.5 on each loop) 11 dirty miles. Ran into some friendly Ladies along the way. Angelica (and puppy Conan) and Jennifer walking their doggies on the trail. Man, I'm getting old, they had the hip talk going on and it took me a few seconds to figure out what they were saying. Very cool ladies though, Angelica even subscribed to my youtube channel. :thumb:

Then I ran into Georgette and Colleen as they busted me posing for some video footage! Oh well, gotta get into the picture haha! Georgette used to ride in Chino Hills before all the developing of Phillips Ranch and spoke of getting back into cycling. Very fit lady and her legs? Daaaaaaam! Pure muscle! Cycle ready!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4l0-HFycgg

Stills from the vids never come out very well so to say the pics do the ladies justice, naah!

Angelica and her puppy Conan.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4501947084_5420326f83_o.jpg

Jennifer and her doggies
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4501947088_401a032ffb_o.jpg

Georgette on the left and Colleen on the right. Georgette is one fit looking Lady!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4501947094_0b9d8b6b37_o.jpg

Hauling my big butt up the hill!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4501947116_3810bdf84a_o.jpg

Looking down over Claremont
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4501947102_1c67e82ecd_o.jpg

I try a bit of MTB action but Single track and I work out much like Mogals and Skiing did. I spend a lot of time falling down on single track. I used to commute a bit but it wasn't very productive for me personally. So I have become a roadie and most of my friends I ride with seem to be roadies as well. I have a road bike, a back up road bike a MTB and am thinking about a TT bike. I can conceive of getting a SS with a flip hub but that is it. Ok maybe another Full suspension MTB but that is it. Well if I got a good deal on a Tandem maybe but that would be it. Unless I found just the right folder but that would be it...........I think.

Damn, I need to take my new 29er up there. Oh and to ride the trails too. :D

Damn, I need to take my new 29er up there. Oh and to ride the trails too. :D

I went a bit late 11 am. The lots were packed with cars. 4 or 5 years ago, there were 10% of the peeps there are now. That's why I went a bit late.

A word of caution, don't take a Flip recorder, they are chick magnets.:p

Bike Stylee? Straight commuter, brah. I know of no better way to get where I want to go (as long as where I want to go is in town), it's five times faster than walking and a hundred times funner than driving.

I don't bike to have fun, but I do have fun biking. Which is why, even though my current commuter works just fine, I'll be springing for a faster summer commuter sometime soon.

My style is mainly on asphalt because that's all there is around here, but my true style is dirt and mild jumps and things.

Commuter = FG/SS or beach cruiser
Road = FG/SS
Gravel/light trail = beach cruiser or MTB

BMX race bike on MTB trails, whenever possible, because I'm 34 going on 12. :thumb:

My style ... I think Mr. Beanz could guess already ...

I'm a long distance roadie, and have been since 1994. Prior to that I was building up to be a long distance roadie.

I'm also a cycletourist who has ridden in North America, Australia, and Europe.

I have done a little bit of mtn biking, but it isn't my thing, and I have commuted now and then. I commuted for 6 years a number of years ago, but just occasionally before and after that.

I've also ridden a tandem, a recumbent, and a recumbent trike.

Mostly commuter style, but I'll hit some bike trails on weekends.

Commuting/utility cyclist style.

I'm a road biker and aspiring cyclocross racer. I can't mountain bike anymore due to a wrist injury so I took up riding a cross bike instead.

I went a bit late 11 am. The lots were packed with cars. 4 or 5 years ago, there were 10% of the peeps there are now. That's why I went a bit late.

A word of caution, don't take a Flip recorder, they are chick magnets.:p

Good to know. I may see you someday on the S.A.R.T. I usually go in spring/summer. :thumb:

Most of my riding is commuting. It just works out that way (between 130 and 160 round trip commuting rides per year all year long.). However, I've been mountain biking since 1983. I even mountain bike while commuting. It helps to work here;)

http://www.nrel.gov/data/pix/Jpegs/16911.jpg
(I work in the building on the far left)

I also ride a road bike. I own a tandem but my wife doesn't want to ride with me and the kids are gone.

I also tour...see my signature. I tour on both mountain bike and road bike. Not the kind of tour where someone carries you and 1000 of your friends stuff but real touring. It looks like this

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/cyccommute/Mybike12_1.jpg

As for you not commuting, grow a pair, Beanz. You live in California. If I can ride through this

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/cyccommute/IMG_0093.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r181/cyccommute/IMG_0103.jpg

and the ice that followed it for 2+ months with cars and in the dark, what are you worried about? Sunburn?;)

Most of my riding is commuting. It just works out that way (between 130 and 160 round trip commuting rides per year all year long.). However, I've been mountain biking since 1983. I even mountain bike while commuting. It helps to work here;)

and the ice that followed it for 2+ months with cars and in the dark, what are you worried about? Sunburn?;)

Idiots on cell phones driving too fast. That's what scares me... and I have been cycling and commuting for 40+ years. I have had too many idiot close calls in the past few years... stuff that never used to happen.

Like your touring rig. And recognize your lighting... looks like the same Niterider set up I have (at least the double headlight). Been trying some MTB riding lately (bought a nice bike a couple years ago). Seems I fall somehow every darn time. I don't get hurt, but still... frustrating. If I stick to fairly wide track, no problem, it's crossing creeks and the like that seems to get me. :o

RetroPoseur / Krusty the Clown / Commuter:
http://www.calamarichris.com/images/090927-pmar-chr5.jpg
http://www.calamarichris.com/images/100228-dromartis.jpg

Sadly, my dilapidated knee has ended my days as a tri-exhibitionist... :(
http://www.calamarichris.com/images/060709-cbadtri-bike.jpg

As for you not commuting, grow a pair, Beanz. You live in California. If I can ride through this

, what are you worried about? Sunburn?;)

I guess you haven't seen my summer pics, sunburn? :roflmao2:...Snow? Weather would be the least of my worries when it comes to riding. Try working around the Ontario Airport (California), 4 lane roads with absolutely no shoulder and cars, semis, trucks, cops doing 90 in a 50 mile zone. Anybody that knows the area would know what I'm talking about. Thinking your pair is bigger cause you'd ride through this isn't about being big, it's about STUPID!

And there are no alternate routes, I've checked!;)

Dude please! Not the Speedos again!:D

At least the quick-thinking photographer was kind enough to use an arm to obscure my circumcision scar.;)

I'm the casual fun guy. I just ride for the fun of it. I don't wear spandex and lycra and stuff. None of my shirts have numbers of bike manufacturer logos on them. I can often be found wearing..... gasp.... blue jeans while I'm tearing it up. I'll ride offroad on local trails, take my bike to the mountains for some more fun, and ride around town on the pavement. To give myself a reason to ride around town, I try to do any local shopping via bike.

My latest ride is a 2008 Trek 4300, which gets used for pretty much everything. It's not fancy or terribly expensive. Just a reliable steed. My daughter, on the other hand, is my polar opposite. She is all about the bling ride and the accessories!!!!!!!

http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy124/Almost_Green_Guy/Bikes/Trek/Trek.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l256/Buzzbait67/Abby/Picture045.jpg

Urban-cruiser-utility-dork-chic.

Commuter and rec cyclist on a CX bike. 50 yrs ago I also did tandem as my elder brother was blinded by a rugby injury.

Anybody that knows the area would know what I'm talking about. Thinking your pair is bigger cause you'd ride through this isn't about being big, it's about STUPID!

:wtf: Are you saying I'm stupid for riding in snow? If I didn't ride in the snow, cold and dark, I couldn't ride for most of the year.

Or am I stupid for suggesting you ride to work?


And there are no alternate routes, I've checked!;)

There's always alternatives. Google maps shows more than one road around the airport. It also shows lots of roads in the neighborhoods surrounding the airport including what appears to be a bike ways on your 'rivers' around the airport. You might have to ride a little out of your way but it doesn't look to me like it'd be that far. East Gausti Road, which appears to be about 100m north of the airport terminal, even seems to have a bike path on it.

Plus it's mileage:rolleyes:

No, I think he's saying it would be stupid for him to ride through the areas he would need to in order to get to work.

I used to commute from north of LAX to south of LAX.... is that the airport? There are ways. Of course, one of the ways I used to ride in the 80s was the Ballona Creek trail and apparently the gangs mess with people on that route now. Culver Blvd. worked for me, but it was busy even then... Did they ever widen it?

RoadieCommuterCXFGC&V

:wtf: Are you saying I'm stupid for riding in snow? If I didn't ride in the snow, cold and dark, I couldn't ride for most of the year.

Or am I stupid for suggesting you ride to work?

Dude, go back and read the entire post, then try to comprehend what you read. Seems the others were able to comprehend the post.:rolleyes:


In the first place, I think it's a pretty ignorant statement to say that I should grow a pair because I choose to use my bike for recreation rather than transportation. I don't recall attacking anyone that chooses to use their bike as transportation or any other style of riding. So why would you make such an ignorant statement about my use of the bike as recreation and fitness?


Besides, do I need more than the 6700 miles I did last year to enjoy my recreational hobby?

I'm not sure why you'd want to turn a completely innocent thread hostile! And please don't pretend you can determine traffic or road conditions by a few pictures on google.

:popcorn

Dude, go back and read the entire post, then try to comprehend what you read. Seems the others were able to comprehend the post.:rolleyes:


In the first place, I think it's a pretty ignorant statement to say that I should grow a pair because I choose to use my bike for recreation rather than transportation. I don't recall attacking anyone that chooses to use their bike as transportation or any other style of riding. So why would you make such an ignorant statement about my use of the bike as recreation and fitness?


Besides, do I need more than the 6700 miles I did last year to enjoy my recreational hobby?

I'm not sure why you'd want to turn a completely innocent thread hostile! And please don't pretend you can determine traffic or road conditions by a few pictures on google.

I think most people use their bikes for recreation and fitness. While I'd entertain the notion of riding my bike to work, roads are dangerous. There are just too many risks that I'm not willing to take; people texting, dialing the phone, talking on the phone, doing their makeup, shaving, drinking, eating, playing with the radio, etc.

People can call me whatever they want. I'm sticking to bike trails and mountain trails where I don't have to worry about idiots not paying attention in their cars.

People can call me whatever they want. I'm sticking to bike trails and mountain trails where I don't have to worry about idiots not paying attention in their cars.

Maybe, maybe. I ride to work regularly, 17 miles each way, in the 17th largest city in the U.S. As alluded to earlier, I started bicycle commuting in Los Angeles, 9 miles each way from one side of LAX to the other. Honestly, I think I'm at least as at risk for an accident on the MUP as I am on the road.

EDIT: xray, please pass some popcorn. ;)

no style. :p

It has been a long time since I rode in the Ontario area but I remember when Haven, Archibald and Vineyard were OK roads to ride on. Today the Freeway would be safer. when I was riding to the HPV events at the OLD Ontario raceway Guasti didn't go through and the road around the airport today is right and left hook city. E Airport drive is not bike friendly and Holt leaves a lot to be desired. I did ride on Mission when riding from Riverside to Pomona but the last time I had to go to the Pomona Court House that road looked like there was very little room for bicycles.

Years ago I commuted to work from Anaheim Hills to Santa Fe Springs on Imperial and today I simply would not consider the same road. That being said, I have no problem considering climbing to Idyllwild and over the hill to Palm Springs. Not that I would do it in the winter.:eek:

Maybe, maybe. I ride to work regularly, 17 miles each way, in the 17th largest city in the U.S. As alluded to earlier, I started bicycle commuting in Los Angeles, 9 miles each way from one side of LAX to the other. Honestly, I think I'm at least as at risk for an accident on the MUP as I am on the road.

EDIT: xray, please pass some popcorn. ;)

I applaud those that enjoy commuting to work, and those that have no choice. But you would never hear diss someone for chosing to do so!

It has been a long time since I rode in the Ontario area but I remember when Haven, Archibald and Vineyard were OK roads to ride on. Today the Freeway would be safer. when I was riding to the HPV events at the OLD Ontario raceway Guasti didn't go through and the road around the airport today is right and left hook city. E Airport drive is not bike friendly and Holt leaves a lot to be desired. I did ride on Mission when riding from Riverside to Pomona but the last time I had to go to the Pomona Court House that road looked like there was very little room for bicycles.

Years ago I commuted to work from Anaheim Hills to Santa Fe Springs on Imperial and today I simply would not consider the same road. That being said, I have no problem considering climbing to Idyllwild and over the hill to Palm Springs. Not that I would do it in the winter.:eek:

We used to ride Riverside (Lake Mathews/Van Buren) along with Chino Hills (Grand/ Carbon Cyn) 15 years ago. It's grown so much, I'm scared driving my truck through the areas. No way will I ride through Carbon Cyn anymore.:mad:

I ride a road bike and an MTB. While riding around trails and circuits over the weekend is a leisurely fun. There is something to be said of using a bicycle as a mode of transport to work/school. Not to mention cyclo-commute does not limit my bicycle time to weekend/holidays only. :)

I applaud those that enjoy commuting to work, and those that have no choice. But you would never hear diss someone for chosing to do so!

Same here. In fact, after getting back on a bike, I'd honestly much prefer biking to work as to driving to work if I had a safe passageway and if I lived within biking distance.

Call me a "sissy," but I prefer to do my biking in the morning or evening before it gets real hot, or after the sun starts to go down. :o Honestly, out of all the seasons, I think I hate Summer the most. :twitchy:

We used to ride Riverside (Lake Mathews/Van Buren) along with Chino Hills (Grand/ Carbon Cyn) 15 years ago. It's grown so much, I'm scared driving my truck through the areas. No way will I ride through Carbon Cyn anymore.:mad:

I reside in Riverside. Not far from Van Buren. I've done that Lake Matthews ride. Almost got hit by a fire truck. And yes, I know how to ride in/with traffic. I commute also. :thumb:

Edit: can't wait to do that ride again.

Call me a "sissy," but I prefer to do my biking in the morning or evening before it gets real hot, or after the sun starts to go down. :o Honestly, out of all the seasons, I think I hate Summer the most. :twitchy:

Wow, I love summer! I have no problems in 100+ degrees. Sometimes I will go out and do a big climb just to make myself suffer. Once you get used to it, it doesn't affect you as much, samething with 45 mph winds.

Last summer, hot day, lots of climbing, no sunburn, just a darker tan.;)...The wife is fair skinned, she burns and not much tolerance for the heat. Biggest reason we ride near the coast when we ride together.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/3911021762_b9a3ef1a58_o.jpg

I reside in Riverside. Not far from Van Buren. I've done that Lake Matthews ride. Almost got hit by a fire truck. And yes, I know how to ride in/with traffic. I commute also. :thumb:

Edit: can't wait to do that ride again.

My buddy lived next to Tyler Mall. We'd ride VB ot Wood, to Romona(?) down Cajalco and back up the climb. Sometimes the northside, somtimes the south side of Lake Matthews, La Sierra (?)

There was not one house on those roads (1997'ish), now it's packed!:(


Try this ride, "Ride Around The Bear"...You can see the steel rails in the background. not a problem here on 38 (Angeles Oaks) but the 330 (Running Springs side) is packed with traffic all the way up to Big Bear from Redlands. Steel rails and no shoulder on most of the 50 mile climb to BB. Big tanker truck fenders just inches aways from your leg.

Last May was about 20 yards visibilty fog and light rain. That was scary as cars whizzed by at 60 mph in the tight switchbacks!:eek:

Another part of this ride is Greenspot/Mills Creek Rd. I rode this area back in 92, nothing! Now it too is packed with houses, stores and traffic!:(

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/3623998990_19741cb9f9_o.jpg

I think most people use their bikes for recreation and fitness. While I'd entertain the notion of riding my bike to work, roads are dangerous. There are just too many risks that I'm not willing to take; people texting, dialing the phone, talking on the phone, doing their makeup, shaving, drinking, eating, playing with the radio, etc.

People can call me whatever they want. I'm sticking to bike trails and mountain trails where I don't have to worry about idiots not paying attention in their cars.

Do you work from home? Inattentive drivers are as much of a threat to other motorists as they are to cyclists. Don't be fooled into thinking that you're safe just because you're in a car.

In fact, after getting back on a bike, I'd honestly much prefer biking to work as to driving to work if I had a safe passageway and if I lived within biking distance.

I agree completely. I'd like to bicycle commute to work, just to be a bit greener, and to get more outside time. But I live in Columbia County, New York, which is just too snowy for about 5 months per year, and work is 20 miles away. With a family, there just isn't enough free time for that long of a trek. There are also some very unsafe spots within that 20 miles. I'll guess I'll have to stick with the bus for now, until a better opportunity arises.

Dude, go back and read the entire post, then try to comprehend what you read. Seems the others were able to comprehend the post.:rolleyes:


In the first place, I think it's a pretty ignorant statement to say that I should grow a pair because I choose to use my bike for recreation rather than transportation. I don't recall attacking anyone that chooses to use their bike as transportation or any other style of riding. So why would you make such an ignorant statement about my use of the bike as recreation and fitness?


Besides, do I need more than the 6700 miles I did last year to enjoy my recreational hobby?

I'm not sure why you'd want to turn a completely innocent thread hostile! And please don't pretend you can determine traffic or road conditions by a few pictures on google.

First, the comment 'grow a pair' was meant in jest...a joke, son. A flag waver. You're built too low. The fast ones go over your head. Ya got a hole in your glove. I keep pitchin' 'em and you keep missin' 'em. Ya gotta keep your eye on the ball. Eye. Ball. I almost had a gag, son. Joke, that is. (Thanks to the great Foghorn Leghorn). Notice the ;) at the end of my post?

Your comment "Thinking your pair is bigger cause you'd ride through this isn't about being big, it's about STUPID!" is somewhat incomprehensible...and a bit...um...hostile. I thought you were implying that riding through the winter is stupid. I see now that you think I'd be stupid for riding a bike in your area :wtf: Again, a bit hostile. Do you have that attitude towards anyone who rides a bike to work in your area? When I see someone riding a major arterial in my area, I may shake my head but I also think about alternate routes they could be using that would be much more pleasant.

I'd bike to work through your area because that's what I do...ride my bike to work. I find it enjoyable. I'd certainly find alternatives to major arterials and, yes, I can look at Google maps and determine routes that would at least be worth investigating. My experience with people thinking about riding to work is that they look at the world with car eyes...shortest most direct route...and not with bike eyes...least trafficked but not necessarily most direct route. Your comments about traffic seem to fall into the former category.

I do apologize that you misunderstood my lame joke. It was an attempt to poke a little fun at Californians for their car-centric culture in a land that is perfect for bicycle commuting. I was not trying to take this thread hostile and didn't think that I had. If you feel that I did, I'm sorry.

Allright, misunderstanding! FWIW, the..;)...is nowhere near your "grow a pair" as it's separated by the picture, maybe part of my misinterpretaion of the comment.

I'd bike to work through your area because that's what I do......................I ride my bike for recreation, sport and fitness, that's what I do and have no interest in using it for transportaion.;)

I agree completely. I'd like to bicycle commute to work, just to be a bit greener, and to get more outside time. But I live in Columbia County, New York, which is just too snowy for about 5 months per year, and work is 20 miles away. With a family, there just isn't enough free time for that long of a trek. There are also some very unsafe spots within that 20 miles. I'll guess I'll have to stick with the bus for now, until a better opportunity arises.

I'm all for green, but being an automobile fanatic, that's not going to happen anytime soon, I'm afraid. "Green" cars with the exception of the Tesla and Fisker simply just don't provide any sort of sporting rush, and those two cars are financially way out of my league. I have two vehicles now (2005 WRX STi and 1994 Camaro) and the Camaro's not even running a catalytic converter on it. I didn't choose that route for it, but when the engine was rebuilt and everything was hooked back up, I guess the shop just conveniently forgot it. I'd much prefer to run one, and will probably get one installed when I have some extra cash lying around for it. Right now, it's just not a "Top 10" priority.

Despite my passion for gas-guzzling automobiles, I certainly do my part to recycle, conserve water and energy, and donate to wildlife organizations and other organizations that are into environmental preservation.

Basically, I'd ride my bike to work just because I find it relaxing, despite it being some hard work at times. I just enjoy riding again. It's certainly a recreational outlet for me...

What's my style?... City bike/ utility Fred, and fiercely proud of it. I'm a man that rides a Mixte, and Step Through Frame bikes for all the right reasons, and I'm very much into the ride in regular clothes idea. Copenhaganize, Amsterdamize, and the Slow bicycle movement are some of my favorite examples of bicycling becoming a way of life, and not just a sport. That's my "Style". :)

My style:

Commuting - not to be "green." Just like being on the bike and I have a very safe route (90 percent on MUP away from traffic.)
Road - club rides for fitness, riding on country roads in the pacific northwest, and the occassional distance events.

I have no style...ask anyone! If I had to pick one....HMMMM....Homeless!

I applaud those that enjoy commuting to work, and those that have no choice. But you would never hear diss someone for chosing to do so!

Did you take my post you quoted as a diss? I don't think it is and I'm not sure how it could be taken that way.

Incidentally, if I could get Mrs. Doohickie on a bike in any way, I might be more inclined to look at my bike more as an after-work pleasure craft, but since she won't ride at all, commuting is my best way to get miles in without cutting into time with her and the family.

Did you take my post you quoted as a diss?

Not at all!:thumb:

Not at all!:thumb:

Is there any chance we will see you at the Hemet Double Century the 17th?

Is there any chance we will see you at the Hemet Double Century the 17th?

Not me!:D......I plan to do the triple crown sooner or later but not just yet. I want to get back into shape and break some PR's on the mtn climbing centuries first.:D

That will get me into shape, then I'll go from there. I keep putting the doubles off but I've got time, I'm only 46!:p