I've got a pair of those. Actually I was the "official tester" for Urbane when Martin was deciding whether or not to carry them. He wanted a "bike messenger" to ride them every day in all weather to see if they held up better than those oh-so-comfy but oh-so-friggen-brittle Marinonis. They don't delaminate but they are kind of weird. They are stiff in the sense that they are a pain in the ass to try and tighten (I want them just a bit tighter but that is impossible unless I really really reef on 'em which makes them way too tight. It is really really annoying), as if the strap is a bit too thick for the buckle, but not all that stiff in the way you want them to be, like when you pull up on them. They look really nice, but I think you are better off getting some MKS or Toshi laminated singles. Order them from Business Cycles though, around here they cost way more. Bussiness Cycles has 'em for like $40 I think. The Toshis or MKS ones are the best! I borrowed Kasper's Toshis for a week back in the spring and I didn't want to give them back! They get along with their buckles much better, making them easier to tighten/loosen, and they are nice and stiff and comfy. The MKS ones are double riveted too so they are super strong. Functionally those two are really similar though.

Crafty wording, I'm onto your game! ;)

PS, yeah - I think it was you guys :) I should go look around, most of my "bike gear" is just old lounging-around kinda clothing, and a lot of cotton - bad, mmmkay. Riding my MTB last year wasn't much of a big deal as the fenders did a great job, but the roadie doesn't have them (and I'm not planning on getting any just yet, money needs to be elsewhere).

PPS I sure as hell got some looks on the ride home, wearing my ever-so-stylish bargain-booties (tm) in the form of Highland Farms grocery bags ;)

PPPS operator, how much are the evo minis going for there? I am expecting one any day now in le poste, but just curious.

Edit PS#1: So my eggbeaters got their first taste of mud/grass... I went down today just as I got back from my buddies place :p - right in front of them (they'd drove over some heavy **** for me from IKEA) - hopping up my lawn/garden box thing, wet wood/leaves and slippedy slide down I go onto the grass into a ball of laughter :)
Yeah, I'm done. I'll go STFU.

Okay, I'll drop "it" off on Friday around noonish. I have a class at 1:00

Guh ... Mr. Time Management stayed up until 2:30 last night reading again. I've got to work out a better sleep schedule. On a related note, is it going to completely screw up my body if I start training at night (9/10pm)?

Depends on how fast you can fall asleep after riding. If I'm out riding I'm jazzed for hours after I get home.

Ikea has some that serve the purpose. I have never had problems with their more expensive ones.

Does anyone have friends in Boston or know anyone in the cycling community over there? I am going to a conference in Boston in April and need a hookup. Apparently it is during the Boston Marathon so hotels are through the roof. I also want to ditch the conference and have a guided ride through the city when all the geographers get drunk, dance, and sleep with each other. Thanks.

Whoa... good eye. Funny, when I passed through that hood I was thinking, "strange I didn't see anyone". But then again, the earbuds can make you blind to anything but danger. Had to get out and stretch my legs. Bear of a day yesterday that a quick sprint out to shaw and back helped alleviate.

Previously unknown extra caricular activities of geographers. Most informative thread EVAR!

So far the weather seems to be cooperating for tonight. If the weather people can be believed - thay can't - there's a 30% chance of showers this aft then clearing this evening. Should be a bit nippy though as the temp is dropping and the lake will blow onto us.

Hope to see you guys out tonight! w00t w00t!

Ps. - We will be bringing a video camera and I believe Stephan - the photog on the finish line last week - will be filming for Velomedia as well.

Over the last few months I've moved a big chunk of my gym routine to between 9-11ish and have not experienced any down side. Motivation to get up and do stuff might be a challenge, especially if you have already made it home and have started to wind down from your workday. I actually find I sleep better when when I'm doing stuff later, although you may need a bit of a chill out period between the end of your workout and getting to bed.

Just my 2cents... mileage may vary :D

Wild geographer parties? Man - I knew I should have put my stoopid degree in GIS to work.

I saw the 'narrow hand position' on the bar tops and knew it was a fixie rider, then noticed it was you. I was actually in my car as the missus and I were out doing our laundry+groceries+frostychocolatemilkshakes run. :)

I think Dave and I are gonna do another ride in the Don on Saturday morning if anyone's game.

nerdsgirth: the infamous Lucas Brunelle is from there - get some vids done ;)
But no, I don't know anyone in Bawston.

Riding late is fine IMO so long as you're still getting good nightly rest, I would say, if your schedule allows for getting in at 11pm and up at like, 9am, then you'll get a decent rest. I'm guilty of riding back home late at night and still getting up for work at 7/7:30 which makes my legs dead after a while (esp. with winds like last week :() - that's just poor time management on my part though. I only ride on the roads, so my exertion might be different, but I do about 40k a day usually if that helps you gauge anything.

Yer only doing Sunday at Kelso then?

I think 10 hours of sleep might be a little more than just a "good nightly rest". :P I use the rule of getting up at the same time every morning and only going to bed when I'm sleepy. I figure my body will tell me when I need to sleep.

I did most of my riding this Summer on weeknights. I think as long as it doesn't affect your sleeping negatively it should work just fine. I mean, I've seen lots of sources that say getting your exercise in first thing in the morning is best, but I figure that if you think you can get a better quality workout during the evening then to go for it. Whatever works for you!

One of my friends actually found he rested BETTER if he went for a hard run right before bed. He had some insomnia issues, but if he went out and beat himself out he had far less trouble sleeping.

That's my plan right now. Which day is "serious" and which day is "costume"? :)

I took at look at the flyer this morning - seems Saturday and fancy dress ball and Sunday is mass carnage.

Centennial this weekend? question for cross riding lads..is it fairly common to reverse the frnt/r brake cables so that you can use the right lever as the front to plant the front as you go to pick up the ride on the left shoulder? I saw this guy practicing dismount N' carrys and it looked like he was using his front break as a plant the front/ lift the back tool.

d'oh! well, maybe I will race both days then. Mike, what say you? I'm supposed to be going to a friend's place in Burlington on Saturday, so I might not come back into the city after the race.

No, Centennial is Nov 10/11. This weekend is at Kelso Conservation Area.

I've heard of people reversing the brakes for cross, yeah. Not sure how many folks do that here though.

I try to rely as little as possible on the brakes coming up to a barrier. I guess if I was faster it'd be an issue but right now I'm trying to just hop off straight to running pace and not slow down anymore than that. The lever setup doesn't really matter because of that.

ok .. cool ... I was visualizing dismounts and mounts last night
I know I know odd things to picture. Better than trying to visualize big vert airs in the skating days. I totally looked like a fool lying in bed trying to get the body used to the motions I was visualizing. :lol:

BTW for anyone learning a new physical skill....visualization works 100%

I just talked to the Speed River guys and they told me that Sunday is traditionally costume-prize day. I will be costuming on the Sunday. :p

i actually asked brad to switch my cables when he redid my tape, and the same for the new/old build. not for racing purposes, but because i find it easier to signal with my left arm while still having my right hand close to the brake. you just have to be careful if you switch to a bike with the reversed set up.

so if i go to the sprints tonight (i may be tired, but with the way i feel right now i could use to let off some steam) is anyone gonna race with me? c'mon, you wanna go? you wanna go huh? /tough guy

You talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to ME?

Word...to you.

"ya just gotta act like you got this tick, right? like the army did some sort of experiment on you... and be like: back off! back off! mind yo business, that's all, just mind yo business! now you try..."

Meh, what the **** do I know anyway?

Wes, I'd be down w/ both days but that would depend on having some way to get back into town on Saturday. Keith, is Cavern 2 booked up already (need space for two people and one bike)?

I want to take my milk crate bike to the sprints tonight. Anyone wanna race cargo class?

Wes, what's up w/ your date ****** photo on Last FM?

Man, that sounds like fun... I could ride with my bag on, but I'm still on the roadie and won't have time to swap bikes out though as I'm heading out to Main/Danforth before I head down again.

The wind around the Ex. is real cruddy right now, and both east and west along King just now were a drag (Just flew down to Jameson to hook up with my buddy who had some west end drops to make). Hope my legs are still springy, this wind doesn't bode well for that :)

Should be good times nonetheless.

Does doubling with Toby on your back count as cargo? :)