branman1986

the coots lake trailhead on the silver comet trail. If you're inside the perimeter, it's a fairly long drive. You take I-20 W then somehow get onto 178 and you stay on that for like 27 miles. I don't have the exact directions but it took me over an hour from midtown.

Serendipper 

Once this thread reached 6+ pages, the SoCal's will tremble in their clipless shoes.

Jake the Snake

Thanks Branman, that gets me going in the right direction. I'm in Inman Park, so the travel time will be about the same.

branman1986

no problem, couple things to mention. On the way out and just a little bit on the way back on, you'll be riding on Cartersville Hwy...it's a 4 lane + turn lane 55 mph hwy. When we went in the middle of the day, there was no traffic on it whatsoever, but I'm not sure what it's like other times. It's got a decent shoulder though, but if you go too far over, you're in rumble strips. It's nice and flat so the cars can see you from about a mile away and have plenty of time to get into the left lane to pass.

The other thing is that we rode past three "dog yards." No incidents, but just something to look out for.

It's just a matter of time before there's a group ride that does that route, usually breaks into A & B groups and possibly C so there will be someone your speed. If you check bikesbl.org and atlbike.org they post rides all the time. Especially atlbike.org since it's in their neck of the woods. Even though it says atlbike, it's mostly people that live NW outside the perimeter.

Also another thing to mention is that there are evening rides out of Decatur on Mon, Tues & Thurs that go thru the winter at 6:30PM, which aren't too far from Inman Park. I'm in the Va Highlands and just ride to the start and back; it would be just a little farther for you. Let me know if you're interested and I can give you the information. They usually have anywhere from 10-40 people depending on how nice the weather is.

branman1986

Good gracious, Socal has 491 pages? That's insanity...well if we get one more page we'll get the (1,2,3,4,5,6...last page), so we can pretend we have 491 pages.

Map tester

That would be sweet.












Here is my contribution. I like white space.

GTcommuter

Good work, MT. You can contribute after all.

Pedal Wench

This space left intentionally blank.










Getting less and less blank now.




Well, not very blank at all, is it!





Stop it -- stop it now!

Serendipper 

Ha ha, excellent...

branman1986

you guys...


















that is NOT cool...







at all...

Pedal Wench

Cool is








as cool does

Serendipper 

Page 6? Just checking.

branman1986

The Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 5–8 m tall. The pomegranate is believed to have originated in eastern Iran and southern Afghanistan region, but its true native range is not accurately known because of millennia of extensive cultivation.

The leaves are opposite or sub-opposite, glossy, narrow oblong, entire, 3–7 cm long and 2 cm broad. The flowers are bright red, 3 cm in diameter, with five petals (often more on cultivated plants). The fruit is between an orange and a grapefruit in size, 7–12 cm in diameter with a rounded hexagonal shape, and has thick reddish skin and many seeds, demonstrating parietal placentation. The edible parts are the seeds and the red seed pulp surrounding them. There are some cultivars which have been introduced that have a range of pulp colours like purple.

The only other species in the genus Punica, Socotra Pomegranate (Punica protopunica), is endemic to the island of Socotra. It differs in having pink (not red) flowers and smaller, less sweet fruit.

Pomegranates are drought tolerant, and can be grown in dry areas with either a Mediterranean winter rainfall climate or in summer rainfall climates. In wetter areas, they are prone to root decay from fungal diseases. They are tolerant of moderate frost, down to about -10°C.

Pedal Wench

Campagnolo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Campagnolo is an Italian manufacturer of bicycle components with headquarters in Vicenza, Italy, historically regarded as the most prestigious brand name. These components are generally organized and sold as groupsets (gruppi) intended to be supplied as a near complete collection of a bicycle's mechanical parts. While Campagnolo's highest grade groups, Record (current production) and Super Record (up to 1985), were universally regarded as being unbeatable, some of the lower priced grouppos such as Chorus were often considered to be somewhat overpriced in contrast to the less prestigious competition.
Founded by Tullio Campagnolo, the company began manufacturing in 1933 in a small Vicenza workshop. The founder was an accomplished bicycle racer in Italy in the 1920s and he conceived of several innovative ideas while racing, which later turned into such revolutionary fundamental cycling products as the quick release mechanism for bicycle wheels, derailleurs, and the patented "rod" gear for gear changing. Gino Bartali made a strong impression as he won mountainous races while using this shifting system.

Despite having lagged behind in the innovations following the US bicycle boom of the 1970s and the development of integrated shifters in the mid-1980s, Campagnolo took the time to redesign the Ergo shifters which are still used today. In contrast to Shimano's approach in miniaturizing parts and adding complexity to the design, Campagnolo instead invested in material engineering to differentiate their products. This results in a simpler design with discrete parts which are theoretically more easily serviced. Campagnolo products have always been valued for their rebuildability, and many very old parts are still in service.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw Campagnolo start using carbon fibre parts in their groupsets, and the development of complete wheelsets. In 2004 Campagnolo introduced a complete compact drivetrain system, to enable the use of lower gear ratios compared with the standard racing versions. Campagnolo is currently developing an electric shifting system.
Campagnolo focuses exclusively on road cycling and track cycling. Its primary competitor, Shimano in Japan, produces both road and mountain bicycling components. Campagnolo sponsors many top racing teams in the UCI ProTour, such as Iles Baléares, Cofidis, Lampre-Caffita, Saunier Duval - Prodir and Liberty Seguros-Würth. Campagnolo is often associated with the victories of Eddy Merckx, who had a close personal relationship with Tullio Campagnolo himself and used Campagnolo almost exclusively throughout his professional career.
Campagnolo is also known as the manufacturer of alloy automobile wheels for exotic cars, as well as what is probably the world's most prestigious wine bottle opener.

branman1986

Spam may mean:

Spam (food), canned meat sold by Hormel.
Spam (Monty Python), a comedy sketch involving the meat. The technological term takes its name from this sketch.
Spam (electronic), unsolicited or undesired bulk electronic messages.
E-mail spam, unsolicited emails with advertisements.
Forum spam, posting advertisements or useless posts on a forum
Spamdexing, manipulating a search engine to create the illusion of popularity for webpages.
Messaging spam ("SPIM"), use of instant messenger services for advertisement or even extortion.
Spam (computer game), to repeatedly use one weapon or tactic. This term is based on the technological meaning of undesired bulk electronic message.
Flyposting ("Street spam"), illegal blanket advertising in public places.
Spaghetti & Pulsar Activating Meatballs, a parody religion created to denounce Flying Spaghetti Monsterism.

Serendipper 

To be honest, most of the posts in the SoCal thread are the same 2-3 people gossiping about nothing.

We may be little, but at least we talk about bikes. I like learning about rides here. If it's not still freezing, I will go on the History Tour on Sunday. That sounds cool.

Serendipper 

Now back to posting about silly stuff.

branman1986

Yeah, that ride does sound pretty cool, unfortunately I think I'm going to do the taylorsville or silk sheets ride. If it does freeze, at least our pomegranites will be safe since they're tolerant of moderate frost, down to about -10°C.

edit: oh it's on sunday? whoops, well I'll be up in the mtns anyways

Pedal Wench

I'm hoping it will be warm by the time we start the Taylorsville ride. At least warmer than the Silk Sheets ride. My theory is that there are tons of rides on Silk Sheets, so the Taylorsville is something new, and a way to add some interest to the Silver Comet. I'm just glad my pomegranites will be safe.

And hey - at least my spam was biking related. All Campy, all the time!

branman1986

aren't we all!

that was very strange coincidence that we both went and got wikipedia spam at the same time though

RonH

Just curious. Has anyone asked where everyone else lives? Not the street addresses, just approx where, kinda for a reference. Something like this. I live at the red star.

RonH

Has anyone been to the cyclocross races the past few Sundays? Anyone going this Sunday? I've never been to one and they look "interesting". Hell, if I'd learned about them when I was younger (meaning, when I could hoist my bike up on my shoulder and run up a steep hill ) I might have given it a try.

GTcommuter

Alright Serendipper!! We'll be riding regardless of the temperatures, so just dress in layers and wool and join us. And anyone else who's not doing anything on Sunday mid-day.

Jake the Snake

I did the CVS ride one Thursday before it started getting too dark, great turnout and fun ride. I am not too thrilled with riding around town at night, I just don't trust the drivers, so I'll pick up the Decatur rides in the spring. Thanks for the info and I'll keep and eye out for group rides out west.

gapowermike

Neat idea RonH. I'd contribute but mine is in Savannah. I love the action you guys are getting in this thread. And it's mostly about bikes so that makes it even better than the SoCal thread. I ride when I'm up there for training (work for Georgia Power). Mostly around Conyers/Lithonia but I'd like to spread my wings a little and ride Stone Mountain and the Silver Comet Trail.

I attempted the Brasstown Bald Buster Century last year and got my butt kicked. We just don't have the hills down here to get anywhere near prepared for a ride like that. I plan on doing it again. Seems like there were a few people from Atlanta in on that ride. Alright, just thought I'd contribute something to the home State thread.

Cheers,
Michael