Long Island: Good Ride Today?
12-08-16, 03:42 PM
#1201
Senior Member
12-09-16, 02:49 PM
#1202
Senior Member
Late afternoon 13 miler yesterday. On the dirt from B'page up to the Tower Loop, 1 lap of the loop, a bit of the Blue Dot trail up to where it splits, and back. It was gray as a lead bullet when I left but started to clear and I was rewarded by a beautiful sunset in the woods. A bunch of people out with dogs at that hour, so have to stay vigilant, but we can all get along. Very nice.
Trails were in good shape, just slightly greasy for at most 100 yards north of Old Bethpage Rd where the cabbage farm used to be.
Trails were in good shape, just slightly greasy for at most 100 yards north of Old Bethpage Rd where the cabbage farm used to be.
12-09-16, 04:32 PM
#1203
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Late afternoon 13 miler yesterday. On the dirt from B'page up to the Tower Loop, 1 lap of the loop, a bit of the Blue Dot trail up to where it splits, and back. It was gray as a lead bullet when I left but started to clear and I was rewarded by a beautiful sunset in the woods. A bunch of people out with dogs at that hour, so have to stay vigilant, but we can all get along. Very nice.
Trails were in good shape, just slightly greasy for at most 100 yards north of Old Bethpage Rd where the cabbage farm used to be.
Trails were in good shape, just slightly greasy for at most 100 yards north of Old Bethpage Rd where the cabbage farm used to be.
I was thinking today how much the trails have changed. BP is vastly different now then what I was riding 20 years ago, when Frank started cutting and adding. Much better IMO.
12-09-16, 09:31 PM
#1204
Senior Member
I recall the farm, never new the produce. I think it might have been out of use by 1990-1991 when I started mt. biking that way, maybe not.
I was thinking today how much the trails have changed. BP is vastly different now then what I was riding 20 years ago, when Frank started cutting and adding. Much better IMO.
I was thinking today how much the trails have changed. BP is vastly different now then what I was riding 20 years ago, when Frank started cutting and adding. Much better IMO.
BP trails are definitely improved except for Huffy Hole which is a shadow of its former self.
12-10-16, 10:39 AM
#1205
Senior Member
Gorgeous frosty morning with the trails frozen solid. 4 of us did a couple of miles of bethpage singletrack and then rode north to do a loop of the Tower trail again for 15 miles. Trail conditions are great, take advantage while you can.
12-14-16, 01:40 PM
#1206
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15 miles @ 15mph , 38* and a strong west wind.
It was good to be outside after a few days at spin class.
It was good to be outside after a few days at spin class.
12-16-16, 08:55 PM
#1207
Senior Member
I've been wanting to get out all week for a nice trail ride under that great full moon, but work and other things kept me in. Finally escaped this evening for a couple of hours. No moon, alas. Trails are in fantastic shape. One of the times when I stopped to toss aside blowdowns, I heard 2 barred owls calling to one another from a little way off in the dark woods. A nice moment.
12-23-16, 02:14 PM
#1208
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Wow... what a great day.
42 miles @ 15.2mph.
Temp was 42*F... and i was wearing bibs.
42 miles @ 15.2mph.
Temp was 42*F... and i was wearing bibs.
12-23-16, 08:38 PM
#1209
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12-23-16, 08:41 PM
#1210
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12-23-16, 09:19 PM
#1211
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12-24-16, 07:47 AM
#1212
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I got out Thurs and Fri, 15 or so each, which is about all I can handle after a 6 week chest cold, plus too much work.
It was nice to be on the road bike, got to ride some new Mavic Kysriums I purchased in Nov. then never got to try. Nice wheels, they do feel like they get up to speed faster than the 32 spoke wheels I've been using for decades.
Weather was nice both days, bit windy on Thurs, but the temp's were tolerable. I was NOT riding in my bib's, little cool for that, not sure how Oldnslw handles that.
Today's a wash unless it dry's out later.
It was nice to be on the road bike, got to ride some new Mavic Kysriums I purchased in Nov. then never got to try. Nice wheels, they do feel like they get up to speed faster than the 32 spoke wheels I've been using for decades.
Weather was nice both days, bit windy on Thurs, but the temp's were tolerable. I was NOT riding in my bib's, little cool for that, not sure how Oldnslw handles that.
Today's a wash unless it dry's out later.
12-24-16, 09:00 AM
#1213
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Honestly, it wasn't even close to being cold. I had 2 base layers and a jersey with arm warmers.
12-24-16, 02:04 PM
#1214
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12-24-16, 03:10 PM
#1215
Senior Member
Oh, yes it was! I've been having fun doing my twilight-into-night rides in the woods, but managed to eke out 2 road rides for a change Thu. & Fri. It was too warm for the woods anyway. I did 30 miles a pop, didn't match OldnSlow. I keep reaching for my 'cross bike though, I haven't ridden the Plastic Fantastic in a month. I'm keeping the 32 spoke wheels on it, but am going to sample the Compass Cycles kool-aid and try the fat supple tire thing.
Feel better Steve! And Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah to all!
PS. I need to get some company on my woods rides lest I end up like this critter.
Feel better Steve! And Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah to all!
PS. I need to get some company on my woods rides lest I end up like this critter.
Last edited by kaos joe; 12-24-16 at 03:14 PM.
12-24-16, 03:50 PM
#1216
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I gave up on my road bike when I sent the front wheel in for a recall on the hub. So i've been on the CX since.
To my surprise Zipp got it back in 11 days.
To my surprise Zipp got it back in 11 days.
12-25-16, 01:07 PM
#1217
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47 miles @ 15mph, 43* and wearing shorts.
Taking a break at Bethpage.
Taking a break at Bethpage.
12-25-16, 08:11 PM
#1218
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Oldnslw, hows that 1x chainring working for you.
I think I would hate the wide cassette and the jumps between gears, especially here
on the flats and into the wind and such.
Curious, as you got this just as the 1x craze was taking off.
I think I would hate the wide cassette and the jumps between gears, especially here
on the flats and into the wind and such.
Curious, as you got this just as the 1x craze was taking off.
12-25-16, 10:17 PM
#1219
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Steve,
I went with the 1x for 3 reasons:
1) I wanted Sram
2) cost - I got the bike for $1500 vs the $2500 for the exact same bike with 105.
3) cheaper to maintain - I can replace the RD, chain, cassette and chainring for $200
It has a 40T chainring and a 11-32 11 speed. The cassette is the same as a 11-28 10 speed with the addition of the 32.
Yes, there are gaps. At times I find I either have to push a harder gear or spin at a higher cadence. I don't expect to do long rides, but today's was an exception and the longest. The road tires are very comfortable (32mm tubeless) and I think i found the tire pressure that works for me 50/55. The saddle is from my old road bike and i finally replaced the 44cm bars that came with it for 42mm (same as my road bike).
I have about 800 miles on it with 100 being off road. I have the original wheels with 35mm knobby for the dirt. I just bought a 2nd 11-32 cassette so swapping them is a 2 minute job.
The bike is a tool, it's different than my road bike and does the job i wanted it for to a tee.
The 1x is a compromise I can live with... for now
I went with the 1x for 3 reasons:
1) I wanted Sram
2) cost - I got the bike for $1500 vs the $2500 for the exact same bike with 105.
3) cheaper to maintain - I can replace the RD, chain, cassette and chainring for $200
It has a 40T chainring and a 11-32 11 speed. The cassette is the same as a 11-28 10 speed with the addition of the 32.
Yes, there are gaps. At times I find I either have to push a harder gear or spin at a higher cadence. I don't expect to do long rides, but today's was an exception and the longest. The road tires are very comfortable (32mm tubeless) and I think i found the tire pressure that works for me 50/55. The saddle is from my old road bike and i finally replaced the 44cm bars that came with it for 42mm (same as my road bike).
I have about 800 miles on it with 100 being off road. I have the original wheels with 35mm knobby for the dirt. I just bought a 2nd 11-32 cassette so swapping them is a 2 minute job.
The bike is a tool, it's different than my road bike and does the job i wanted it for to a tee.
The 1x is a compromise I can live with... for now
12-25-16, 11:06 PM
#1220
Senior Member
I noticed that 1x11 right away. A 40x32 low is 33 gear inches, much lower than the 41 gear inch (39x25) low on my road bike. I could live with that 1x11 easily on a bike that's not going to haul a load. That is a really nice horse you have there!
OTOH, my 'cross & my tourer have 22.6 and 20.5 inch low gears, so if you can pave it, I (think I) can climb it.
OTOH, my 'cross & my tourer have 22.6 and 20.5 inch low gears, so if you can pave it, I (think I) can climb it.
12-26-16, 11:07 AM
#1221
Senior Member
Did 17 trail miles with a small group of buds. Nice & frosty, trails were just starting to thaw the last few miles. A bit colder would have been nice, but still a good one.
12-26-16, 12:48 PM
#1222
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37* and 21 mile on the road...i'm really glad I finally bought a cycling jacket and gloves.
As long ans the cold air doesn't hurt to breath, i'll be outside.
As long ans the cold air doesn't hurt to breath, i'll be outside.
12-27-16, 09:25 PM
#1223
Senior Member
A gift of a day, shorts and short sleeves on a short ride, a 27 miler to Tobay Beach and back. YUUUGE west wind; going toward Tobay was an almost effortless and almost noiseless 24mph cruise; going west, not so much. All good.
12-30-16, 04:06 PM
#1224
Senior Member
Dammit. Forgot to charge up the lights this morning when I got home. Would have been a perfect evening for a ride. Dammit.
12-30-16, 07:59 PM
#1225
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Going to nag you a bit Joe.
You are taking a real risk mt. biking at night alone in winter. You fall, get knocked out in the cold, there's nobody around to find you and you'll be a frozen corpse the next time somebody stumbles along a lightly used trail.
Maybe you should be thinking about using a Garmin that allows a loved one to track your location ?.
Good insurance.
You are taking a real risk mt. biking at night alone in winter. You fall, get knocked out in the cold, there's nobody around to find you and you'll be a frozen corpse the next time somebody stumbles along a lightly used trail.
Maybe you should be thinking about using a Garmin that allows a loved one to track your location ?.
Good insurance.