PAlt

Assault on Mt Mitchell. Hoping next year it won't be near 100deg on the Blue Ridge Parkway!

BlazingPedals

I always told myself that I'd do RAGBRAI some day, and this was the year. The ride itself I liked, but a week of carnival atmosphere and 10-15000 other cyclists stretched my nerves to the limit. I like rides that are about the ride, and RAGBRAI is more about the party, with a ride coincidentally thrown in.

In the future, I'll stick to smaller tours, or if they're well-attended like that, make sure they're only a couple of days long.

jazzy_cyclist

Me too! I competed in enough races (6 crits, 5 road races, a few time trials and cebturies but they don't count) that I just upgraded to CAT4. Next season I will be able to race with the 55+ Masters! I have to admit that I was pretty proud of this - lost 25+ lbs as well.

Jim

Red Rider

I'll keep that in mind as I amend my Christmas gift wish list.

Red Rider

Congrats on CATing up! I'll be a CAT4ever, and I'm okay with that. Well done on the new age group as well as the weight loss. You should indeed be proud.

Cleave

Hi,

The only first that I can think of is racing on the track in a fun (charity) race last week. After training thousands of miles over the past 25 years on velodromes, I finally found a low-risk race to try. Did a team sprint (3-person) and 500 meter TT. Both were a lot of fun.

I was inspired by the race reports by Velo Diva and Hermes earlier this year.

I guess I will try more track racing next year. However, I will still stay away from the mass start events as I am still to chicken to try them.

After 30+ years of racing and riding seriously, there aren't too many firsts out there for me.

jppe

I tried some new nutrional products-Accelerade, Heed and Endurox R4. The Accelerade and Heed were a complete bust for me. However, R4 is truly an incredible recovery product that somehow does some magical things post ride. I believe!! I believe!!

jppe

Yen has not said we couldn't have multiple posts on new things we've tried........

So, I tried some bibs.......the only pair of bibs I'm using is a some of knickers I use on mild winter days. I still prefer non-bibs overall but they're not bad. They actually seem to provide some additional warmth on the upper body as well.

Apologist

I just noticed that Jim Malusa has a post in this thread. One of the new bike-related things I did this year was to read Jim's book, Into Thick Air,, about his bike trips to the lowest spots in the world. I highly recommend it (usual disclaimers--I don't know Jim, etc.). It's funny, smart, well-observed, well-written. Hard to imagine a bike lover or a fan of travel writing who wouldn't like it.

But reading Jim's book, buying my first new bike in a long time (see photo), and enjoying what this forum has to offer were part of being determined to get back into riding regularly and to keep at it as far into the cold weather as I could manage. That's the real new thing for this year.

Beverly

I'll give that a try. I have a couple full zip but seldom wear them. Guess it's time to drag them out of the back of the closet

Any reason for more shopping is great

Ranger63

A full monococque carbon fibre bike.
Can a steel is real affecianato say this?
Best move I ever made in so far as my cycling effeciency.(and the ride is every bit as good as the 91 Paramount)

New thing Pt.2 44CM wide handlebars.
BikesDirect mistakenly shipped 44cms with the CF Moto.
They offered t take em back (even before the bike was out on the road)
I said:Let me try em.
600 miles into the riding season I installed 44cms on the 91 Paramount as well.
Goodbye pinched nerve in the shoulder blades and neck))

RonH

I rode my first ever off-road ride yesterday. As I've reported in another thread, the Jamis Nova that has been my commuter since December 2004 underwent major surgery to remove all the commuting stuff. Surgery went well and the patient recovered so we went out to one of the local cyclocross courses/mtn bike trails and rode for about 1.5 hours. What a hoot.
I'm still not used to passing between trees or jumping over tree roots or some of the small drops I encountered. Had to hoist the bike on my shoulder twice to get up two short but steep hills. First time I've ever had to ride in the granny gear. Never used the large chainring, only the middle and small. My average speed for the ride was about half of what it usually is when I'm on my rode bike.
I don't know how those cross guys and gals do it. Must have something to do with age.

PaulH

Brooks B67 saddle. The thing just feels so good. As the end of the day approaches, I really look forward to the hour ride home.

Paul

Neil_B

Let me second, or third, or whatever the nomination. And I'll add that I wish I had your mental and physical toughness to live car-free.

Yen

I just wish I had his legs. Well not quite that much bulk but at least the form and strength.

jedde

Yesterday, out of desperation and cleenex, and I launched my first ever snot rockets, but only somewhat successfully. Yeah, I nailed both arms of my jersey and one leg of my tights. I'll get it perfected... soon as the snow melts.

Sure beats having to stop and use cleenex every five minutes.

professorbob

I did my first group rides this year. Quite scary at first, but it's become quite a thrilling way to ride!

Mike S.

gatorskins/ race skins/ thin skins

to protec tagainst flat tires.

real expensive and don't work very well.

turtlewoman

I got a bike and started riding it for the first time in years and years.

cyclinfool

Welcome!
Tell us more about yourself, your bike and your riding - you may want to open a new thread.

Monoborracho

We got a tandem, learned to ride it, upgraded it, and took it to the Tennessee Tandem Rally in June. (yes, the timing chain is now tightened).

See one team's report here: https://www.nobrakesatl.com/2009/06/1...em-rally-2009/

turtlewoman

Hi, I'm 51 but I can't believe it. I used to ride a lot but that was when I was 25 or so. I have ridden a little through the years but nothing at all in the recent past. I lived in Oklahoma for all of my life until I moved here to Santa Fe three years ago. It is great but Oklahoma is a little bit flatter! I have a Peugeot UO-18 which I got and refurbished at Chainbreakers Collective here in Santa Fe. It is a wonderful place. They have a bunch of bikes in various stages of disrepair and you pick one out. They have a few volunteer mechanics there who help you do the work of fixing it up yourself. I love my bike! The funny thing is that it is exactly the same bike that I bought when I graduated from high school in 1975. I had it for quite a few years but somehow it got away from me. Then I found this one which is the same model, same color, everything. Doohickie, on this forum, started a new blog about the wonderful mixte. If you look in his profile you can find the address of the blog. Anyway, he used my bike as the first entry. That was really exciting for me. Here's a picture of my bike: (I think it will come through anyway)

cyclinfool

Funny how your past sometimes catches up with you!

PrairieDog

This year I finally decided I'd earned it and bought a Ruby Expert.

cccorlew

1. Tricia and I went on a supported, but stay in your tent, bike tour. We rode Cycle Washington with Adventure Cycling.
Photos and too long a ride report at https://ccorlew.blogspot.com/
Bonus photo


2. Even though I've lived in the shadow of Mt. Diablo since 1963 I'd never tried to time myself going up. The NorCal forum folks put together a fun event with staggered start so we'd all finish (almost) together. I'd never tried to climb as hard as I can for 77 minutes. It was an experience.