Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Athena Ride Rpt - PV Ride 7-28-12

Saturday my club did a ride in PV about 26 miles (per my Garmin and Strava data) with hills. Mildly optimistic about my ability to handle the ride to the shack on GMR this coming Sunday. :thumb:

I got two flats on the ride. First one was on the front tire. Swapped the tube out with my spare at about the halfway point on the ride. (One of our group was wanting to know how to change a flat but she was a bit more fit and missed out on both incidents so she missed the "on ride flat tire clinics"). The 2nd flat happened at about the 22.5 mile mark near the Defense Fuel Supply Point in San Pedro on one side of Western and a cemetary on the other side...we changed the tube out at the gate to the fuel supply place. Unfortunately, I did not have a 2nd spare tube (lesson learned...carry two)...so my fellow club member had to loan me one of hers. Her tube had the short stem and my CO2 deal would not "seat" on it well enough and ended up wasting the CO2 cartridge. So we then tried to pump it up with her frame pump. That wasn't seating well either on the short stem. We finally got air in the tire to make it "rideable" tho it was not anywhere near inflated enough...I was ready to say...go get my vehicle and come back for me...but instead decided to try limping to the start point (Smith's Cycles in Lomita). So that is what we did. It was like riding on ICE...very unstable. I made it but would rather not do that again.

I got my friend a new tube once back at the shop. Yesterday I patched both my punctured tubes for re-use. (I wish I had patched the 2nd flat instead of using her tube as I have no doubt I would have been able to seat my CO2 properly and fill it....I even had a patch kit but my friend convinced me to go "new tube" route).

Here is my Strava data:
http://app.strava.com/rides/15170211

Here is my Garmin data:
http://connect.garmin.com/player/204061606

And using my GoPro Hero HD I made a ride video. (Tho my SD card got full midway thru ride and so didn't get entire ride or my flat tire travails)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXG99iKFnfU&feature=plcp

Nice video. Thanks for the reminder. Have to get a couple tubes before Sunday.

YYZ
Nice!!!

Good video. Nice ride. Sure looks like you all are really FAST!

Cool video! :thumb: Nice edit job.:D

Cool video! :thumb: Nice edit job.:D

I am so glad you liked it! Still learning iMovie. But getting the hang of how it works.

I am so glad you liked it! Still learning iMovie. But getting the hang of how it works.

I started ot using the built in Flip share softwware in my Flip. Pretty basic but the WMMaker 2011 has much better graphics, volume controls etc. So once WMM went mp4 files, I was able to use it for editing. I now use a mix of the two.

But I'm not willing to spend money on an editing program if I can get a decent one for free. But the graphics in your vids are pretty cool. Won't be long before you're vids are far superior to mine, if not already.:D

I'm still wondering if I want a GoPro for the anti shock. I got my arm as steady as it will go now.:D

When I was learning how to use the WMmaker, I found yout tube had some great tutorials on the subject. Maybe look there for some tips etc.

Not sure how much "anti-shock" there is but you have the option of pointing the camera where you want...and I for one am amazed at how steady you do it...and I often wonder how you don't crash as you do well framing riders behind you...I have tried taking pictures behind me and have trouble getting decent shots with just my still camera.

My GoPro is mounted on my helmet currently so it looks where I look. And it might be steadier if I mounted it on my handlebars instead as then it wouldn't move because my body is moving. Future purchases will be more mounts so have options and can move camera around. Plus extra batteries and SD card.

Had comments from some about my speeding up the video...I did that as it is boring to watch someone riding down a road...and so I could fit more of the ride into the video and not have it so long noone will take the time to watch.

Not sure how much "anti-shock" there is but you have the option of pointing the camera where you want...and I for one am amazed at how steady you do it...and I often wonder how you don't crash as you do well framing riders behind you...I have tried taking pictures behind me and have trouble getting decent shots with just my still camera.

My GoPro is mounted on my helmet currently so it looks where I look. And it might be steadier if I mounted it on my handlebars instead as then it wouldn't move because my body is moving. Future purchases will be more mounts so have options and can move camera around. Plus extra batteries and SD card.

Had comments from some about my speeding up the video...I did that as it is boring to watch someone riding down a road...and so I could fit more of the ride into the video and not have it so long noone will take the time to watch.

Thanks, now that you mention it I watch other vids with gopro and they do shake some. Plus you bring up sd cards etc. That is one good thing about my Flip, no cards. It has 2 hours of memory built in. You reminded me why I am in no hurry to go PRO.:D
If and when I do go pro, I hope it is small enough to do freehand. I like being able to pan at will:D

Beanz, this is what you really need: (you too Beach). All the long board superheros on GMR use them to record their gnarly first person crashes. :D

http://images.suite101.com/416385_com_xs2379producphoto.jpg

I have enough gaffer equipment laying around the garage that I could get your camera mounted at ground level shooting up, hovering above the rider, or 5 feet off to one side shooting across (NOT recommended if there is any traffic of any kind, signs, trees, other cyclists, dogs, etc.etc). I just don't want myself on TV that much! It would NOT be pretty.

We have come a long way!

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy269/SuttonFam4/Web%20Stuff/goodwill.jpg

Although this was live for television, it was really bad SD quality compared to what you can buy for $200 at Best Buy now!

I don't need all those fancy rods and stuff to get the shots, just lean to the side, lower arm then shoot or raise hand over head and shoot. I got videos from these angles as well. Don't need no fancy gizmos.:D

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/82308D.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/020512E.jpg


If you can ride without hands or climb GMR without hands, it's a plus when it comes to working the cameras.:D

I figure this pic climbing GMR with no hands will be a morale booster for those virgins on Sunday.:D

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/GMRnohands.jpg

Note to self: Beanz will climb GMR with no hands on Sunday.

Check.

Note to self: Beanz will climb GMR with no hands on Sunday.

Check.

I would but that was my Lemond, far more stable than the current Madone. :(....or I would, really!:D

I am not comfortable going "no hands" on either of my bikes. My FX has stuff on the handlebars and think that plays role in stability... And my Madone...typically I have my Garmin mounted and it may throw off balance...

And my Madone...typically I have my Garmin mounted and it may throw off balance...

The Garmin? Hmm, you just need to practice. I ride with a Garmin and barely notice it riding no hands, as well as a bell.:D

But then again I know plenty of riders that have been riding for years and still can't go no hands.:p

I think the bike has a lot to do with it - I couldn't ride no handed to save my life on my Merlin, and that felt much more stable than my Roubaix, and yet I can ride no handed on the roubaix. it's not particularly graceful mind you, but I can get a break for my hands when I need to.

I'm always amazed at the people who can sit up, prepare a sandwich & ride no handed while riding around corners and changing clothes at the same time. i know my limits. :D

I used to ride my old Mongoose BMX bike without any handlebars. Would ride for hours that way. Really freaked people out. If I were to try that now, I'd need all new teeth in about 2 seconds!