Interesting thing yesterday out in Poolsivlle MD with another biker, not sure if he is on this forum. This occured on West Willward Rd.

I was riding with a budy and a individual was sitting on the side of the road, so we slowed to see if he needed help. He asked me "Do you have a odometer" which I replied yes. He then asked me if he could get the distance from the point he was stopped to a street a little up. I was "ok" that should not be a problem. Then I notice he is on a mtn bike (we are on the road) so I was a little confused with him. My buddy was leading and he headed down the road, this guy sprinting to try and keep up with us, and he sounded like he was going to dye (we were doing about 25+ since it was fairly flat). He ended up dropping off cause he could not keep pace, and I was not going to slow down again cause their was no point. At the street he wanted I yelled out the distance, and noticed he was a way back, so he probally did not hear me. I thought it was pretty funny, and I dont think he realized how fast we were moving. I was not trying to be a dick and go as fast as possible, that is a normal pace if not faster on that road.

Anyway if he is on this form, it was 1.22 miles.

Just though I would drop a note to see if he was on hear/anyone had seen him (bluish pink mtn bike full suspension), found it some what assuming to.

I'm waaay in the loop on Velo Orange. You're right- total GB style. Most of my components for the new bike are from there. I'm hoping to do a shopping run on an upcoming monday to pick everything up.

Velo Orange is great! Last time I ordered some salmon Kook Stops from them, I got them the next day, and they refunded a buck of shipping because it turned out to cost less than they thought. Only a buck, but they certainly didn't HAVE to do it. Super nice folks :)

Mr. Pragmatik, not sure if it was obvious to you, but greaterbrown unmasked is actually Zack's neighbor Bob. :)

...and BTW I've been thinking about a NBBB beer ride. Howsabout some rules? Like:
one Friday per month, rotating leaders, rides between 5-15 miles total, must include one bar/drinkery (obviously) AND must include one other cultural landmark as picked by the leader.

I'll start. I'll post a ride here and to NBBB

Well, I guess you didn't read this from my blog (from February 2009), then:

http://bimactive.com/ba/journal/post/10783/20513

NR,
You do either/both of the DC Rand rides this weekend?
Nice weather.

I did both.

BiM got hosed on Saturday and Sunday's ride I'm waiting for the BiM Admin to fix the file so that I can process out stops and errant GPS points (I think I have at least one of these, since one of my speed samples seems to be way out of sorts.)

My iBike file for Saturday was fine, but for Sunday, I missed 3 miles right after lunch--forgot to turn the thing back on.

Bob! :)

Unfortunately, Zack and I are tied up on most Fridays for our civic responsibility. :cry:
(But, on the bright side, we do get some kids to ride!)

Beer rides would be awesome, though! We should talk to some folks and pick a date in the very near future. We've been a sorry excuse for a bike coalition lately. I've gotten so used to solo riding around town that I talk to myself now. :)

I'm not surprised and I am jealous. Kids home from school, parents and yard work, so no riding for me. Barely had time for a beer.

Well, dammit, man, you've got to get your priorities in alignment! ;)

Extracycle sighting
 

For Barry-
I snapped this pic of an ExtraCycle in NY last month, notice the big hocking chain. When in Ny I always come across bikes attached to poles that have basically been there long enough to be nothing but an old rusty frame, no seat, wheels, nothing. I'll have to get a pic next time.

You got that right.

A question for the mechanics. Today, I had to ride my other bike, faster, lighter than my commuter so I don't know why I don't ride it everyday. The front brake pad will not release from the wheel. It is on the right side if you are standing in front of the bike not on the saddle. The brake arm feels real tight when I manually move it back into position. I tried to lube the area. Helped a little but I think it needs something else. I'm thinking the spring has sprung. So should I replace spring? lube it? or can it be reset. Is it even in there:twitchy: How do you get the caliper arm off of the braze-ons. I have removed the threaded bolt. Do I carefully pry it off?

Yah, those kids can get in the way. I bought my 15 year old a bmx bike the other day and so gave his Trek roadbike to my ten year old who has been zipping around the block for days, loves it.

Welcome back Harry.

In my experience, the return spring is rarely the problem, especially if it's a Shim. or other quality caliper. I'd guess (in order of likelihood) 1. an old brake cable/cruddy housing- pull the cable and replace or liberally grease existing, 2. misalignment of either the brake pivot bolt or, if a 2 pivot brake, then misalignment of the right arm, 3. the return spring on the brake lever is bad (this is usually a compression spring which is far more likely to get flaccid)

My 2 sense. :p

Johnny, don't ride children, they never go as fast as bikes. :lol:

How's your thursday evenings? I'd guess 6:30PM start till maybe 8:30

Spotting XtraCycles is one of my favorite pass times, ;) Definite indication that bicycling conditions are improving.
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._5513645_n.jpg
It was a kick going down to DC and parking next to another X. :D

OK, MD peps here is your chance to shine:
Publicity and Public interest story for b2wd


The following was sent to me so I thought I would give a chance for the lurkers to come out and share their story with the world and please don't be shy, all bike commuters are cool:

Fox 45 our Media Sponsor for Bike to Work Day is interested in doing a couple of spotlight news stories on cyclists in the region. Do any of you have commuters in your area that would make a good story?

We’re looking for someone who has been positively affected by commuting by bike.

Question: how has bike commuting or participating in B2WD changed their life?

Please email me a paragraph about the person and their contact information that I can forward on to FOX45 by Thursday 3-26-09 at Noon. (Note I'll need additional lead time.)

Barry,

So, I hear that the 3' bubble bill got shot down for the year?

Thanks for your input GB
1) the brake still sticks w/out cable
2) the brake still sticks(tho' less) w/out pivot bolt
3) See number 1.
The problem resides at the pivot bolt/caliper/spring.
any thoughts on removing the brake from the braze-ons?
My thoughts: perhaps "crud" (ie salt, old grease) is coating the spring thus the sticking?? Could be worn out as well. It is going on 24 YO.

Hey harry , welcome back. We ordered(just for your enjoyment) a mid 20F night tonight. Enjoy.:thumb:

hmm... when you write "braze-on" I don't know what you mean. Front calipers normally attach to the frame by the pivot bolt through the fork crown. Are these cantilevers?

Cantis calipers not side pull/center/dual calipers. It's the canti caliper pivot arm that sticks even when not attached to anything.

This might be mine???
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.b...86ff1cfa9357ed

Ah, you through me off when you said caliper brake.

When canti's go bad you can sometimes salvage them by pulling them and giving them a full cleaning and regreasing. The spring can be "tightened" a bit by pulling the brake arm and positioning the spring tab further up on the braze-on tab. There are usually 3 small holes in the braze-on tab corresponding to weak-med-strong tension on the spring. The brake arm is removed by removing the canti arm bolt and pulling outward along the same line as the braze-on post. If it's stuck, give it some penetrating oil and pull harder.

Generally, I don't try to "revive" canti brakes. When they're worn out, you never really get them back to working well. I just bought some Avid shorties at race pace for $22. Cheap. Replace em. -GB

Merci beaucoup. BEnefits of the shortys??

Any of you folks seen how the British Lb is dropping like a stone. I have been in the market for panniers. You can buy Ortleibs in the UK w/ free shipping for way less than buying them here. I am agonizing over sending my money over there. Since we(US) are hurting I figure better buy US made bags. So far I have found Lonepeak. The are considered a mid-level pannier but cost more than UK shipped, German made Ortleibs. Wanna stay local but sometimes it's a little harder than other times. Anybody know of any other US made brands that won't cost me my first born..... On second thought I will trade my first born(25YO) for a full set of US made panniers:)