Bike Forums - Did you ride today?

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23 miles on a rail trail. Perfect weather and the wind in your face on the return ride just to make it a little more challenging!

I've ridden fixed-gears on the road for a quarter century or so. Thanks to Peter Moore's writings c. 2000, there has always been a whiff of the hair-shirt and the heroic to it, but somedays I need that. I've ridden single-speed bikes on trails since 2005 or so - and rediscovered it last weekend - but I've never really given the single-speed a real trial on the road. But what about a bike for just lazing along? What about a bike for a little semi-spontaneous local adventure? I had been pondering just how minimal a bike I could go with, but without turning everything into an epic. My thoughts turned to single-speed freewheel equipped bikes.

The closest thing to that I have at the moment is the Raleigh Competition with the funky double-dingle drivetrain. I set the chain on the 44x20T freewheel side on De Selby and set out to see what that was like. Initially, I feared I would have to turn back, as my front tire seemed to be losing air - but once I got it back up with the Zefal frame pump and really cinched down the valve, the tire held and I was able to continue. I'm accustomed to about a 70-in fixed-gear, so the 60 felt easy, peasy lemon-squeezy on the road, and I spun at a slightly faster cadence. The run in to Hodges was the same as always only more so.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...eb36bf307a.jpg

From there I turned onto Ross Road and had a blast. Almost immediately I was nodding to the lady gardening with two large cats standing guard, then past the modest little neighborhood and into the woods. I stopped for pix, because it is lovely back in there.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...094aadcee5.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...27a9c13366.jpg

At the intersection with Mundy road I stopped to get a photo of the flock of guinea fowl - but they objected and ran off noisily.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3234017a5f.jpg

A horse came around the corner to investigate the commotion and proceeded to regard me seriously while I rolled on.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...78fcf1c484.jpg

I was too slow a few minutes later when an owl landed in a tree maybe 10 feet from the road. We made eye contact, I slowly reached for my iPhone/camera, he took flight and went back further into the trees, finding a less visible place to rest. Further down I came to the largest, most elaborate roadside memorial I have ever seen at the site of a fatal wreck about a year ago, a sobering reminder to take it easy on gravel roads. It was enough to convince me to stop and pray for all the folks left behind before rolling on.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9f9cf18e2f.jpg

From there I went down to the bottom land and crossed the creek, then climbed back up to Flatwood Road.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a3c2b7ed76.jpg

I ventured out on asphalt, descending to Flatwood Farms and climbing up to the start of Johns Creek Road. The large, zealous German Shepherd inside the fence greeted me, barking furiously but wagging his tail. I praised him for being such an alert guardian, and he ran inside the fence to pace me when I set off.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...486461a903.jpg

Eventually I made my way back home, happy, dusty and tired. The concept works, though I think if I set up a dedicated coastie single-speed I will want to gear it around 63-65 inches ... so I guess this is sufficient reason to start keeping an eye open for another frameset, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustystrings61 (Post 23306005)

I've ridden fixed-gears on the road for a quarter century or so. Thanks to Peter Moore's writings c. 2000, there has always been a whiff of the hair-shirt and the heroic to it, but somedays I need that. I've ridden single-speed bikes on trails since 2005 or so - and rediscovered it last weekend - but I've never really given the single-speed a real trial on the road. But what about a bike for just lazing along? What about a bike for a little semi-spontaneous local adventure? I had been pondering just how minimal a bike I could go with, but without turning everything into an epic. My thoughts turned to single-speed freewheel equipped bikes.

The closest thing to that I have at the moment is the Raleigh Competition with the funky double-dingle drivetrain. I set the chain on the 44x20T freewheel side on De Selby and set out to see what that was like. Initially, I feared I would have to turn back, as my front tire seemed to be losing air - but once I got it back up with the Zefal frame pump and really cinched down the valve, the tire held and I was able to continue. I'm accustomed to about a 70-in fixed-gear, so the 60 felt easy, peasy lemon-squeezy on the road, and I spun at a slightly faster cadence. The run in to Hodges was the same as always only more
From there I turned onto Ross Road and had a blast. Almost immediately I was nodding to the lady gardening with two large cats standing guard, then past the modest little neighborhood and into the woods. I stopped for pix, because it is lovely back in
At the intersection with Mundy road I stopped to get a photo of the flock of guinea fowl - but they objected and ran off
A horse came around the corner to investigate the commotion and proceeded to regard me seriously while I rolled on.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...78fcf1c484.jpg

I was too slow a few minutes later when an owl landed in a tree maybe 10 feet from the road. We made eye contact, I slowly reached for my iPhone/camera, he took flight and went back further into the trees, finding a less visible place to rest. Further down I came to the largest, most elaborate roadside memorial I have ever seen at the site of a fatal wreck about a year ago, a sobering reminder to take it easy on gravel roads. It was enough to convince me to stop and pray for all the folks left behind before rolling
From there I went down to the bottom land and crossed the creek, then climbed back up to Flatwood
I ventured out on asphalt, descending to Flatwood Farms and climbing up to the start of Johns Creek Road. The large, zealous German Shepherd inside the fence greeted me, barking furiously but wagging his tail. I praised him for being such an alert guardian, and he ran inside the fence to pace me when I set
Eventually I made my way back home, happy, dusty and tired. The concept works, though I think if I set up a dedicated coastie single-speed I will want to gear it around 63-65 inches ... so I guess this is sufficient reason to start keeping an eye open for another frameset, right?

Great post, rustystrings61.:thumb:

Cheers,

Scott

Rode for 17 miles this morning.
It was overcast and fairly comfortable for this time of year.

Today - I took out the '80 Zebrakenko Wind (YES ZEBRAKENKO) Little known but for sporting brand new Passella tires I scooped it up for $80. Really the tires were worth more than that! After full tear down she is a beauty and rides just as good as my top end Raleigh Prestige. Just saying if you come across one of these on the cheap I would not hesitate to acquire one.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...690bee44e.jpeg
Look at that Headbadge!
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3946de412.jpeg
Ishiwata 0.22 tubing frame and fork

Yes. First time in over a week because of stormy weather. 28 miles. An appealing gravel rode for those so inclined.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...172a540447.jpg

Got a fairly quick 27 miles in on a new bike, last ride before leaving tomorrow for a 5-day fairly flat and hot (and maybe wet) bike tour.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5fe99a553.jpeg

Quote:

Originally Posted by nlerner (Post 23307107)

Got a fairly quick 27 miles in on a new bike, last ride before leaving tomorrow for a 5-day fairly flat and hot (and maybe wet) bike tour.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5fe99a553.jpeg

You might want to wash the toe jam off of your handlebars.

Always thankful to post this thread - esp today

A nice day with like minded vintage riders
Stu-pendous.
Ride, eats and Classics show.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8e5d9787b.jpeg
Here come much of the group. I did not count heads.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cfd70cfab.jpeg
A large number of Classics - across many countries and decades.

^ A sighting of the usual suspects!

Yes. 27 Miles. Met this fellow at a stop.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...06f6d8c379.jpg

Got out late and didn’t beat the heat, twelve miles.

Cheers,

Scott

I fell in love with the more laid-back vibe of single-speed on the road vs. fixed-gear, so much so that yesterday afternoon I pulled the 18T fixed cog on the other side of the Mercian’s hub and replaced it with the White Industries 17/19T Dos Eno freewheel I bought used a few years back. My thinking was I would go ride today with a 66-in coasting option and see if I liked it.

It turned out to be a mixed bag. I DO like being able to coast, and 66 gear inches seems to work pretty well - but alas, the previous owner rode it on the 17T so much the teeth were shark-finned. I had ground some of that down before installing, but there was still a very objectionable amount of crunch-snap-pop going on back there, so much that I could really feel it under load. After several attempts to dial it in, and an attempt to move up to the 19T only to discover there’s not enough room under the rear fender to make that work, I flipped the wheel back ‘round to the 16T fixed cog and finished my ride in peace.

On the bright side, on my way out I got to see the local white cattle egret and the local great blue heron co-existing with each other and the wild ducks, like some big happy avian family, so there’s that -

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...87a9f2789b.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepperbelly (Post 23307671)

Where is that?

That's on the West Fork of the Trinity River Trail.

You can trace my route on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/12003227870

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doohickie (Post 23308210)

That's on the West Fork of the Trinity River Trail.

You can trace my route on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/12003227870

I have ridden from the Clearfork Trailhead to Panther Island and back. Your pic didn’t look familiar but I probably wasn’t paying attention. You were on a different section. Is your route all on the Trinity Trail or is some on the road?

Some was on the road, yes. I don't confine my rides to the trails.

But if you take the West Fork trail from Panther Island, it will take you directly to Airfield Falls. It's 100% trail. Some sections are paved, some are fine packed gravel that I've ridden on skinny road tires.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e3ab1e02b8.jpg

It's 8 miles one way from Panther Island to Airfield Falls.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f1ec7e95a7.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doohickie (Post 23308504)

Thank you. I need to go explore. I want to see the falls and I want to find a route to the stockyards.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...736fd841dc.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e49b914590.jpg
Just 5 minutes earlier I thought to myself, "Self, you haven't flatted in a while." Thankfully this was near the end of my ride.

I got out and was able to ride this morning. My ride was 15 miles and I cut it short as I had other obligations and I left my eyeglasses at the place I stopped to look at my phone. So I had to drive back later to pick up my eyeglasses. My eyeglasses were where I left them on the stone wall.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepperbelly (Post 23308510)

Thank you. I need to go explore. I want to see the falls and I want to find a route to the stockyards.

The Stockyards is easy. From downtown it's: https://maps.app.goo.gl/V7DUgPPkQWBcZn8h7

From Marine Creek Lake it's: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dMLxgHTQXhCsVJid8 although getting from Marine Creek Lake to Buck Sansom Park is on the surface streets. I've done it but it can be nerve-wracking. But starting from Buck Sansom, it's trails the whole way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doohickie (Post 23309723)

Buck Sansom Park where it overlooks the base or by the baseball fields?
I may try from the Clearfork Trailhead to the Stockyards and back. It should be a good ride. Eventually I need to ride from Buck Sansom to Clearfork and back.