Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

My 2 cents on the orthotic thingy:

How can you buy orthotics from someone else? I thought they were generally custom made to not only fit better, but to correct postural problems which are specific to each person.

In other news. This nice weather has got me to thinking that I really don't know if I want to live through another Toronto winter. This city is so much more fun in the nice weather. I love nice weather. I want more of it dammit. *sigh*

In other other news. I go sleepy time now. Later mstrb8rs.

only get angry at the guys who let their pitbulls run around all over the place with no muzzles...thats somethin to be worried about...labs are harmless... That's a really misinformed opinion. Labs figure surprisingly prominently in biting statistics, while most pitbulls are extremely sweet towards people. There are standard temperament tests to determine the level of dog's aggressiveness and other behavioural problems, and pit bulls score better than most breeds. I used to have similar misconceptions about the breed... but then I became a volunteer dog walker for the Toronto Humane Society and pit bulls just won me over. Despite the fact that the THS pit bulls have had a way rougher life than most, they are still amazing doggies. Some of the smartest and nicest dogs I've ever seen have been pit bulls. Their bad reputation is due to the aggressive pinheads who buy what they think a "tough dog" and then abuse it and train it to be nasty. Nobody buys a lab to turn it into a killing machine, so labs don't get all the bad press. But a properly socialized pit bull is a wonderful creature and certainly no more dangerous than any other breed.

WOW! this is nice, I want. 20.5 lbs :eek:

http://seaotter.mtbr.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/img_4896.jpg

Here are more pics. (http://www.dropmachine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23753)

in the country dogs can wander around and generally behave as they like and no one seems to mind. Yeah, right... The cyclists who get chased and bitten sure do. Interestingly, I've NEVER had a problem with a dog in the city (despite encountering many dogs - I seek them out, 'cause I absolutely love them) and have been chased by a dog in the country more than once (and I know enough of dog body language to tell that at least some of them weren't chasing "just to play"...) From what I've seen, I conclude that country dogs are poorer socialized and more aggressive and territorial than the city dogs. It makes sense, given the different environments.

That's a really misinformed opinion. Labs figure surprisingly prominently in biting statistics, while most pitbulls are extremely sweet towards people. There are standard temperament tests to determine the level of dog's aggressiveness and other behavioural problems, and pit bulls score better than most breeds. I used to have similar misconceptions about the breed... but then I became a volunteer dog walker for the Toronto Humane Society and pit bulls just won me over. Some of the smartest and nicest dogs I've ever seen have been pit bulls. Their bad reputation is due to the aggressive pinheads who buy what they think a "tough dog" and then abuse it and train it to be nasty. Nobody buys a lab to turn it into a killing machine, so labs don't get all the bad press. But a properly socialized pit bull is a wonderful creature and certainly no more dangerous than any other breed.

oh i dont care how they figure...in my hood the d00ds with pits hang em from trees and shock em with shock collars if they dont rip apart toy targets...the labs are all owned by cabbagetown peeps who spoil them...any dog can be aggressive....it just so happens in my h00d i have all the idiot drug dealers and fake.gangsters who have 2 or 3 pitts each that they abuse and let run free...unfortunately those stats dont figure in to my reality at the moment...i think given the right circumstances ie. responsible pet owners any dog can be good.

oh i dont care how they figure...in my hood the d00ds with pits hang em from trees and shock em with shock collars if they dont rip apart toy targets...the labs are all owned by cabbagetown peeps who spoil them...any dog can be aggressive....it just so happens in my h00d i have all the idiot drug dealers and fake.gangsters who have 2 or 3 pitts each that they abuse and let run free... Well... there you go. I think we basically agree, except in your original message you placed a focus on a breed as opposed to irresponsible (and worse) ownership, so I had to speak up. :)

BTW, spoiling a dog is not that good either. :) You may mean it in a good way (as in "treat well") but actually letting the dog run the house is one thing that makes dogs bite. They figure they're the leaders and if anyone ever tries to do anything they don't like... they'll defend their "leadership". That's one reason dogs like cocker spaniels and labs account for surprisingly many bites each year: people who get them don't know how to be firm and that can lead to a host of troubles in no time.


i think given the right circumstances ie. responsible pet owners any dog can be good. Well, there are variables. Some breeds are known to be on average more aggressive than others - but pitbulls on average are LESS aggressive toward humans than most (unless, of course, you abuse them and train them to be mean). But they do have a high prey drive which means they're more likely to chase small animals (and love to play fetch :)). They can also possess dog-aggressiveness which you can't train out of the dog that easily. It's not that most of them will go rabid and start a fight with any other dog, but if there is ever a brawl among dogs to figure out who's the leader, a pit bull won't usually back off. But while there are some general tendencies among various breeds, variations within the breed are huge, and a good responsible owner is what really makes a difference...

hahahahaha I hear you Chephy but I dont put my faith in stats as much as i do my own common sense and instinct...as a father and dog owner i dont have that luxury. the reason i place focus on the breed is not press...just personal experience...I have seen the odd good pit but for the most part they arent nice here.

I've considered sewing something like that into my Chrome pack.. what kind of uber-thread/-needle do you need to sew cordura/webbing?

i didn't do any sewing, just a length of webbing for the belt, and then another shorter piece attached over top looped through d-rings. that way the holster is adjustable for lock size. i suppose i could sew something if i were really serious about it...i've got some time now; maybe i will.

Same reply I got. I think next week I'm going to check this out. My insurance covers $900 for orthotics ( lifetime alotment I think) so it might be a major deal.

no kidding; let me know what the deal is. if it's actually a buy-orthotics-get-sidis no funny business i'm off to get a note from my doctor.

No sewing machine at my house, so I guess by hand. Plus I don't know how I'd get a sewing machine around the waterproof liner in my pack without taking the whole thing apart. I can easily get "behind" it (bag-within-a-bag kind of design) to do it manually though.

the "sport sewing shop" on gerrard east near woodbine should be able to sort you out; they work on all kinds of backpacks and heavy-duty gear, and have all necessary accessories. they are (were?) contracted by MEC for repair services. i have had stuff done there, no problems.

http://toronto.ibegin.com/retail/sport-sewing-shop

Someone just emailed this to me: "I was just at a bike shop at Gerrard and Broadview and they have the biggest bike I have ever seen. A 70 cm Panasonic and nice. $250."

70 cm!!

man, that is big. i thought i had the record with my 67cm frame.

Well, there are variables. Some breeds are known to be on average more aggressive than others - but pitbulls on average are LESS aggressive toward humans than most (unless, of course, you abuse them and train them to be mean). But they do have a high prey drive which means they're more likely to chase small animals (and love to play fetch :)). They can also possess dog-aggressiveness which you can't train out of the dog that easily. It's not that most of them will go rabid and start a fight with any other dog, but if there is ever a brawl among dogs to figure out who's the leader, a pit bull won't usually back off. But while there are some general tendencies among various breeds, variations within the breed are huge, and a good responsible owner is what really makes a difference...

I quite like bull terriers (Staffordshire's are probably my favourite dog ever - little land piranha's with a heart of gold) and I can vouch for the generally more territorial nature of farm dogs. I usually judge a pitbull or Roti but what's on the other end of the leash. Camo pants, hat on backwards, gangsta chains? No, I probably won't be asking to pat the dog. My stereotypes run to the twolegged variety. Italy has restrictions on 92 breeds, but at least they ban ownership for delinquent types.

i still think people are less uptight in the country dog-wise than they are in the city. my dog gets away with all sorts of ***** when he's at my folks cottage that he would never get away with here. maybe it's just a more general relaxed attitude, who knows.

I had a neighbour who was about 98lbs soaking wet yet she had two pitbulls that were each heavier than her. She wouldn't be able to hold them back if there were ever a problem and these things were vicious, barking at everyone/everything and always chomping at each other. I always thought that it was pretty stupid that she had these dogs but she always maintained that they were for her protection.

From her I learned that often it is not the dogs that are the problem but the owner. I think certain breeds attract certain people and I always feel bad for those pitbulls or bull mastiffs that get bought for the wrong reasons. It is very sad because they can be great dogs.

no kidding; let me know what the deal is. if it's actually a buy-orthotics-get-sidis no funny business i'm off to get a note from my doctor.

man.. my health benefits suck balls. You'd think a unionized position in a huge local would have a decent plan, but you'd be wrong.

My dog was traumatized by a pitbull when he was a puppy and never really wanted to socialize with dogs again after that, meaning we have a very very very wimpy dog. Now he really only likes hanging out with people. He was attacked a few times by pitbulls in riverdale farm since then, and now he basically shys away from any other dog (he is okay around some labs and larger dogs though).

I always thought it was weird that people bought a dog they knew they would have to muzzle... Any dog can flip out and go crazy, but I can overpower my lab's jaws, but theres no way in hell you could get a pit bull off of your leg/arm/face. They're pretty damn ugly looking too.

WOW! this is nice, I want. 20.5 lbs :eek:

Here are more pics. (http://www.dropmachine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23753)

I don't know.. I think I'd rather have a 21lb full-suspension.. :) (or $10k.. you know.. whatever)

http://www.scottusa.com/i/images/products/205193.jpg
http://www.scottusa.com/category.php?UID=645

Or a <20lb hardtail

http://www.scottusa.com/i/images/products/205197.jpg
http://www.scottusa.com/category.php?UID=215

Of course, those numbers could have simply been pulled out of a marketing department's collective ass, but either way I'm sure they're all pretty light. :)

Carbon fibre mountain bikes just seem like a bad idea to me. Especially if you're the one paying for it.

no kidding; let me know what the deal is. if it's actually a buy-orthotics-get-sidis no funny business i'm off to get a note from my doctor.

I'm sure it is. My orthodics bought at another place were $275 all in. So $500 plus 'free' shoes makes sense. [in reality they were $140, since I only needed one...but you get the idea.]

Carbon fibre mountain bikes just seem like a bad idea to me. Especially if you're the one paying for it.

after seeing someone fold a rocky mountain hammer offroading I agree!

Carbon fibre mountain bikes just seem like a bad idea to me. Especially if you're the one paying for it.

hence the "or $10k" in my post.. :)

Carbon fibre mountain bikes just seem like a bad idea to me. Especially if you're the one paying for it.
Agreed. Its like an old buddy of mine who used to ride a Ritchey P-22....he would joke (well most of the time anyway) about how he will throw himself under the bike for protection. Honestly if you are not racing and competitive what does the extra 1 lb difference really make? Half the guys who buy bikes like that could lose the extra 1lb by laying off the Big Macs.

Half the guys who buy bikes like that could lose the extra 1lb by laying off the Big Macs.

:lol:

I was at Urbane picking up something on the weekend and a customer was there showing off his Giant carbon fibre mountain bike that is set up for city riding (no suspension) and bragging about how light it was. He was saying how he had two road bikes each under 13 pounds.

He also only used those weird pedals that were on CL a week ago, that look like just the axl.

It made me think that for the money he spent taking his bikes from 16 pounds to 13 pounds he could have lost ten pounds on his body and been way better off.

"well my seat is only 354 grams, and I don't want XTR on this any more because if you go with SRAM (or something) you can save four grams".

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/

Agreed. Its like an old buddy of mine who used to ride a Ritchey P-22....he would joke (well most of the time anyway) about how he will throw himself under the bike for protection. Honestly if you are not racing and competitive what does the extra 1 lb difference really make? Half the guys who buy bikes like that could lose the extra 1lb by laying off the Big Macs.

btw. I was at Sweet Pete's last night and I mentioned something about Paris-Ancaster to the guy checking me through. When I was about to leave he said "good luck in the race" as another guy walked up. He asked if I was doing P-A and we chatted for a second. Apparently a friend had asked him to do it a while back and he'd agreed, but now that the time has come he decided not to. I said how I was going with a couple friends who were riding on CX bikes, one of them being a single-speed. He looks at me for a second and says "that isn't Dave Pendon, is it?". I told him I was riding with "dave, keith and bradyn". Turns out the friend that asked him to ride P-A was Dave.

I guess this the guy you know well there because he was talking about when you used to ride a hardtail and he was on a full-sus and how he sold you your Kona.. etc etc etc.

We introduced ourselves and he said "well, I'll probably wind up riding with you this summer!".

summary: I love bikes. :)

man.. my health benefits suck balls. You'd think a unionized position in a huge local would have a decent plan, but you'd be wrong.

i don't have any benefits, but i just got some custom orthodics from a "community health center" (chc) for $200 and requested to go on a payment plan. you have to be a client of a chc first though.

unfortunately, they don't fit in my cycling shoes, so i've been forgetting to wear them. they do fit perfectly in my hiking boots... if i ever decide to do that thing called walking.

on a related note, my knee - and my wrist too, for that matter - have been bothering me again lately. i've tried using a brace/tensor bandage on my knee while riding, but the chafing factor makes it worse. suggestions? dan, i'm looking your direction!

http://www.nohomers.net/images/avatars/BartNerd.gif

ah but it is 9 degrees and rising, and i have the day off... :D

I guess this the guy you know well there because he was talking about when you used to ride a hardtail and he was on a full-sus and how he sold you your Kona.. etc etc etc.

We introduced ourselves and he said "well, I'll probably wind up riding with you this summer!".

summary: I love bikes. :)
Thats Jim. And more accurately it was "when Keith rode a hardtail...I rode full sus and Keith got his a$$ handed to him on every ride". It was riding with him and another full susser all the time and that made me want to go full sus. While my hardtail was a good 2 1/2 lbs lighter, I ride faster and longer on the full sus.

i don't have any benefits, but i just got some custom orthodics from a "community health center" (chc) for $200 and requested to go on a payment plan. you have to be a client of a chc first though.

unfortunately, they don't fit in my cycling shoes, so i've been forgetting to wear them. they do fit perfectly in my hiking boots... if i ever decide to do that thing called walking.

on a related note, my knee - and my wrist too, for that matter - have been bothering me again lately. i've tried using a brace/tensor bandage on my knee while riding, but the chafing factor makes it worse. suggestions? dan, i'm looking your direction!

http://www.nohomers.net/images/avatars/BartNerd.gif

ah but it is 9 degrees and rising, and i have the day off... :D
Is there a sports doc at the clinic you go to? If not consider consulting one. An experienced sports medicine doctor will be far better able to diagnose and suggest treatments than an average G.P. Myself, Dan and Wes all have gone to Doc Woollam with cycling related problems and are better off for the help we received from him.

i don't have any benefits, but i just got some custom orthodics from a "community health center" (chc) for $200 and requested to go on a payment plan. you have to be a client of a chc first though.

unfortunately, they don't fit in my cycling shoes, so i've been forgetting to wear them. they do fit perfectly in my hiking boots... if i ever decide to do that thing called walking.

on a related note, my knee - and my wrist too, for that matter - have been bothering me again lately. i've tried using a brace/tensor bandage on my knee while riding, but the chafing factor makes it worse. suggestions? dan, i'm looking your direction!

http://www.nohomers.net/images/avatars/BartNerd.gif

ah but it is 9 degrees and rising, and i have the day off... :D

I've been riding with the tensor on the knee for the last 2 weeks or so. Chaffing sucks but it does help in the pain aspect. Time to see the Dr. and find out when I need surgery on this one. Knees are the one body part (well the heads get special treatment as well) that I don't mess around with.

Save weight, ride naked. :D

"when Keith rode a hardtail...I rode full sus and Keith got his a$$ handed to him on every ride".

Yeah, that's pretty much the story I heard, I figured I'd leave that part out. ;)

I'm afraid if I lost another pound i'd kite away with the wind... :P

Save weight, ride naked. :D

Isn't critical-ass coming up? ;)

Is there a sports doc at the clinic you go to? If not consider consulting one. An experienced sports medicine doctor will be far better able to diagnose and suggest treatments than an average G.P. Myself, Dan and Wes all have gone to Doc Woollam with cycling related problems and are better off for the help we received from him.

well, the two times i saw a GP there, they were pretty useless. i saw a naturopath yesterday and they gave me magnesium, which is supposed to be good for a bunch of things i didn't know about. i have the number for a couple OHIP physio places nearby, but i was hoping they'd specifically help me with my b0rked neck.

i originally had the problem diagnosed a few years ago when i was boxing and ended up having to quit as a result. i went to physio for patello femoreal syndrome, but stopped going once i wasn't in constant pain. so i have a fairly good idea what the problem is, but i was wondering if there was a (cheap!) cycling specific brace someone had heard of... until then, i'm just gonna have to put the tensor brace i have on and deal with it.

who's this doc woollam?

bwahhhahaha!


Isn't critical-ass coming up? ;)

i've never stuck around (pun?) long enough to see one, but next friday is the last friday of the month!

who's this doc woollam?
I started seeing him 15 years ago for a knee problem. He is my G.P. as well now. He has been in sports medicine for over 20 years. Is a special consultant to the Blue Jays and the Toronto Marathon. He has been away for 2 weeks on a cycling vacation in France. I dont get any commisions from the people I have sent to him but I can guarantee he will be helpful.

Yeah, that's pretty much the story I heard, I figured I'd leave that part out. ;)
So Jims talkin smack huh?
*tucks away in memory banks awaiting vengeance for said smack*

So Jims talkin smack huh?
*tucks away in memory banks awaiting vengeance for said smack*

Well, he did say that you were a stronger rider but he still managed to kick your ass on the full-sus. So he did give you some props. :)

I've had a great response for all you guys, and from people off the board, about wanting to ride with a camera.

So an annoucement: IF the weather holds for the weekend and we have a beautiful Saturday I would like to invite everyone out for a Bike BBQ. I've wanted to get stills and video of everyone and their bikes as well as hook up the bike cam rigs I have for anyone who wants to show off their skills during daylight. Polish up your bikes and bring out the bling. Fixed/ss would be great if we can keep it to that. I have a big garage that has no car so bike parking is no problem.

This is a totally weather dependent event so as the week progresses I will continue to update people. Come for an hour or come for the whole afternoon we'll eat, drink and be merry. If the weather is still doing well I'll start collecting a list of peeps who are interested. And I'll have information at the Safety Meeting for sure.

I hope people want/do come out and that everyone rides safe!

offhoff: make with the party plans! :)

no somnambulants allowed! :)

well, that's plural right? So you're allowed to have one. </simpsons reference>

I fully hope and expect to see at least one Somnambulant there.

well, that's plural right? So you're allowed to have one. </simpsons reference>

LAL.

on a related note, my knee - and my wrist too, for that matter - have been bothering me again lately. i've tried using a brace/tensor bandage on my knee while riding, but the chafing factor makes it worse. suggestions? dan, i'm looking your direction!


A friend of mine swears by Ginkgo Biloba (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginkgo), a natural blood-thinner. She had pains in her hands and arms and she said that she often felt tired from the smallest activities. She heard about Ginkgo Biloba and tried it and it made a huge difference for her, so much so that it inspired her to become an Naturopathic Doctor, ND.

I don't know if it really was this stuff but she said it changed her life for the better. I remember that she did start to look a lot better ie: more colour in her face and her hair became less gnarly and she did have a lot more energy.

I have another friend who is a pharmacist who thinks that all naturopathic stuff is voodoo and that Cathy was just anemic. *shrugs*

edit:
from the Wiki article: Out of the many conflicting research results, Ginkgo extract seems to have three effects on the human body: it improves blood flow (including microcirculation in small capillaries) to most tissues and organs; it protects against oxidative cell damage from free radicals; and it blocks many of the effects of PAF (platelet aggregation, blood clotting) that have been related to the development of a number of cardiovascular, renal, respiratory and CNS (Central Nervous System) disorders.

I fully hope and expect to see at least one Somnambulant there.

aww shucks.

from the Wiki article: Out of the many conflicting research results, Ginkgo extract seems to have three effects on the human body: it improves blood flow (including microcirculation in small capillaries) to most tissues and organs; it protects against oxidative cell damage from free radicals; and it blocks many of the effects of PAF (platelet aggregation, blood clotting) that have been related to the development of a number of cardiovascular, renal, respiratory and CNS (Central Nervous System) disorders.

But will it make me more human than human? :D

"The real story at today's Tour de Georgia was NOT the high overall speed of the winning eight-man break, lead in by stage winner Gianni Meersman of Discovery. The Belgian, also the event's youngest rider, handily out-sprinted the rest of the lead group, who covered the 118 miles and four categorized climbs in a rapid average of 25.95 mph. But to really understand what happened today, you should look to the average of the main field -- 23.44mph -- which well and truly explains the 29:07 gap between the two groups. 29 minutes!"

41.5 km/h average up mountains? pshhhhhh. They get to coast down the other side.

Probably tailwind both ways. Bunch of losers! Comparing bunch average speed to break speed is invalid until you consider tactics.