Dumb stuff you've read
#1
Who farted?
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Dumb stuff you've read
I was reading - Bicycling magazine's 1,000 all-time best tips : top riders share their secrets to maximize fun, safety, and performance / edited by Ben Hewitt, the other day.
One of the hints to riding in traffic was something along the lines of, "Be wary when you hear a car behind you approaching playing loud rap music."
Personally, if I hear someone blaring heavy metal, new country, Rush Limbaugh/Michael Savage, or hell, Wagner's Ride of the Valkries, I'm going to be wary. Loud rap music, though, that's when you really have to be vigilant. Thanks Bicycling! *sarcasm*
One of the hints to riding in traffic was something along the lines of, "Be wary when you hear a car behind you approaching playing loud rap music."
Personally, if I hear someone blaring heavy metal, new country, Rush Limbaugh/Michael Savage, or hell, Wagner's Ride of the Valkries, I'm going to be wary. Loud rap music, though, that's when you really have to be vigilant. Thanks Bicycling! *sarcasm*
#2
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Bicycling's probably helpful for beginners--I subscribed for awhile when I started riding years ago--but it bogs down after about a year. There aren't enough serious cyclists for it to make money doing esoteric stuff, so it has to repeat the same old lame tips and warnings on about an 18- to 24-month cycle for beginners, who get excited about them. In doing that, though, they lose the old subscribers.
Actually that's a problem in all kinds of "enthusiast" journalism. I've been a magazine and newspaper writer and editor for 35 years, and I literally can't even guess the number of stories I've done on getting better gas mileage, making your car last forever, growing better tomatoes or making your kitchen look fresh on a budget (slow down, change your oil, use lots of mulch and paint the cabinets).
Bicycling faces the same problem: Some editor said, "let's do 1000 hints for better riding," then the staff had to come up with them. I'd bet 975 of them have been in the magazine before, and all 1000 will be there again.
Actually that's a problem in all kinds of "enthusiast" journalism. I've been a magazine and newspaper writer and editor for 35 years, and I literally can't even guess the number of stories I've done on getting better gas mileage, making your car last forever, growing better tomatoes or making your kitchen look fresh on a budget (slow down, change your oil, use lots of mulch and paint the cabinets).
Bicycling faces the same problem: Some editor said, "let's do 1000 hints for better riding," then the staff had to come up with them. I'd bet 975 of them have been in the magazine before, and all 1000 will be there again.
#3
Uber Goober
Yeah, I'd say that was one of the less useful tips. Maybe "Ride of the Valkries" was one of the other 999 tips?
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"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
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#4
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Another from Bicycling's tips; tighten the knurled nut on the presta valves with a pair of pliers. Never mind that some take off the knurled nut and through it away, if you use pliers to tighten it, you darn well better have a pair of pliers along if you need to fix a flat. Just trust me on this.
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Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
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Another from Bicycling's tips; tighten the knurled nut on the presta valves with a pair of pliers. Never mind that some take off the knurled nut and through it away, if you use pliers to tighten it, you darn well better have a pair of pliers along if you need to fix a flat. Just trust me on this.
#6
Uber Goober
I haven't read this advice, but riding a single-speed, have been informed that I'll blow out my knees by spinning too fast and by mashing too slow.
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I wouldn't get too concerned unless the car approaching from behind was playing Bartok. Then I would be very concerned.
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Besides collecting old bikes, i collect old bike books and repair manuals. Some of the advice is pretty interesting:
In regards to finding a place to stay on a cycling tour - Filling station attendants, grocers, village loafers and small boys on the street can tell you where to find cabin camps. Usually they are glad to give information because that entitles them to ask questions too.
The same book also recommended against derailleurs and exposed gears, since they are exposed to dust and moisture.
Another book recommended against triple chainrings, since they were unnecessary and heavy, and that a standard 10-speed was more than adequate for any riding situation.
In regards to finding a place to stay on a cycling tour - Filling station attendants, grocers, village loafers and small boys on the street can tell you where to find cabin camps. Usually they are glad to give information because that entitles them to ask questions too.
The same book also recommended against derailleurs and exposed gears, since they are exposed to dust and moisture.
Another book recommended against triple chainrings, since they were unnecessary and heavy, and that a standard 10-speed was more than adequate for any riding situation.
#9
Who farted?
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#11
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Sure sounds effective to me, but. . . .
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Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.