Yeah, cool until you run into that utility pole! LOL!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3399/...9527fc.jpg?v=0

She's ready for powder coat now. Looking like a mid-April build up. :)

Who's actually building up the bike, you or the frame builder? What components/wheels etc are you using?

Me! My plan is to drive down to NC with all my parts and build up the bike at the builder's place.
I'm hoping to be done in a day and be able to take a test ride with him the next day.
Components are a mix:
Lotsa Velo Orange stuff :rolleyes: Mostly Sugino, Shimano, Nitto.
Friction down tube shifters :D Real old school.

I actually just bought a 7 speed cassette instead of 9 because I liked the super even increments.
My Trek has a 10-speed cas. and I often find it annoying when shifting to a different ring that I've got to make 4 more shifts in back because the increments are so small. So, I'm going back in time- to the land of 7-speed.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3116/...692b59.jpg?v=0

The force is weak in you, young Jedi [j/k] :p :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../gear-comp.png

Can't wait to see it soon!

and me in my baggies and you in your kit.
Spaceman and CroMag.

BTW: 39/25 to 39/27... hmm... did it shift yet?

Hi guys, Haven't posted for awhile. GB I love the old school stuff. I just recently got my first STI bike, the Kestrel. I still like to be indexed, not a big fan of friction. My LeTour has a 7 speed (14-28) with Ultegra Bar-Ends and it is a very noticeable change when shifting just one cog. Who's needs all those gears anyway? I can't wait to see pics of the finished product.

LOL! Yeah, I'd probably be wishing I was pushing a compact if I was at the point on a hill where I wondered if I had anything lower to go to (flashbacks of Coxey Brown Rd).

Welcome back to the fold. My only 9 speed is my mnt bike. They got 10 speeds now:eek: Where or where have I've been.j/k Most of my rides are friction, easy to fix but I do like barends. That's nice that YOU build and BOTH test. It would be nice to have a mechanic looking over my shoulder every time I made major repairs. Keep us posted.

Nice Kestrel, Jeff:

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...S/100_3586.jpg

Hey, you guys seem pretty serious but if anyone is around the Baltimore area I'd love someone with whom to ride. But I have a hybrid :( I'm kind of a newbie...

Go to:

http://www.baltobikeclub.org <--- Many of us are in this bike club (BBC)

...and check out the schedule of rides. They are listed by range of average speed for the ride. Pick a ride that you are sure that you can keep up with. Ride with them until you get strong enough to go to the next level...repeat.

If you get really strong, you may want to consider racing for Team BBC. http://www.bbcracing.org

Welcome to the MD Peeps thread Velocilok.
Most of the chit chat on this thread is from silly mileage junkies like myself and NoRacer, but there's lots of good riding to be had here. What part of town you coming from? You a commuter?
another friendly local link: http://nbbb.wordpress.com/

Thanks NR, It's has a great ride to it. I have since changed the stem (it's silver and flipped now and different bottle cages). I like the ride of carbon, but I'm still a steel man at heart.

Velocilok- Don't worry- ride with No Racer for awhile and he'll have you doing 12,000 miles a year before you know it. But he is right hang with the rides that you can keep up with, that will keep you from getting discouraged and you'll meet a lot of great people. Not to say that people that go fast aren't great....

Awesome, thanks! I'll prob start in 15-17 just to be safe, but I plan on joining some rides. Do I need to be a member?

I currently live in Roland Park/Hampden. I may move downtown if I get a new job. Thanks for the blog link, it seems pretty active.

You don't but if you're still doing 4 - 5 rides a year 3 years from now -it would be nice - if for nothing other than to support cycling in Baltimore.

15-17 is a quick pace (to me anyway) especially for a longer ride.
I live across the street from the SPCA in Hampden and Harry lives up in Cedarcroft, so we're nearby.

YAY, NBBB! We've been very lazy about riding lately (except commuting solo), but maybe we can do a beer run or picnic or something fun soon. You live in Hampden/Roland Park? I'm right near the Watertower myself and ride the dorkiest of hybrids. :) There are a lot of folks who commute around here. It's freakin awesome.

Is anyone else having problems with having to repeatedly login to BF? I wrote a post (which you can only do if you're logged in) hit post and then it tells me that I need to log in, and I lose what I wrote. :(

Re: Google Maps
Google is looking for suggested features so this is now the place to vote for biking directions: http://maps.google.com/support/bin/s...suggestions.cs

Howdy,

I'm not a "Maryland people" yet but my wife and I may be moving there later this year. Mrs. HandsomeRyan is looking at a job near Beltsville and if she gets it we'll likely be moving there in August.

I have mixed feelings about moving from a relatively small city like Knoxville to a huge city like DC/Baltimore. It'll be an adjustment for sure.

Right now I am a strictly recreational rider and since I live in the burbs I have a car. If we move up there, I'll be quitting my job and losing my company car so I'll likely become a cyclo-commuter and a 1 car family. Having never lived in a big city I have no idea what to expect as far as riding is concerned.

If there are any other southerners who've migrated north who might have words of wisdom to share with me I'd love to hear any advice you care to offer.

Pedal on,
-Ryan

HandsomeRyan, Howdy! You might be interested in this group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BikeWashingtonDC/

Beltsville is not far from the trail system, with luck you'll be able to use that for part of your commute otherwise Montgomery County has some of the best and worst conditions to ride in. Sidewalk riding is legal there (Mo Co) so a lot of drivers expect that's were you should ride.

The bike people are friendly and will help you find routes and that area is near some of the highest concentrations of bike commuters the state has, so you will have some company.

Also keep in mind one of the great things about Maryland, you are never far from the country.

I guess its not just me then, thats one reason I haven't posted much lately. Everytime I write something an hit submit, it says no permission please login??? WTF

I just ran across this bike shop in Annapolis Velo Orange and for some reason I though of of GB but others might enjoy the shop as well.