Addiction 2021.2
#376
smelling the roses
Join Date: Nov 2010
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I spent all week, in my idle time, looking forward to taking the Circuit with its inadequate gears for a long Sunday ride. So, I pumped up the tires, checked the brakes, added the saddle bag and the frame pump that came with it - fortunately, as it happens - and set out. It was cooler and windier than I thought it would be, so I made a quick turnaround and went home to get my vest gilet.
I set out again, and maybe 2 miles from home I flatted. I swapped in a new tube and pumped it up with the frame pump, and headed back home. Since it wasn't a snakebite, and I didn't see or feel anything on the outside of the tire, I decided to swap bikes when I got home. I went to the opposite extreme - the Canyon.
I just got a Garmin Varia, one of those radar jobbies that warns you of cars approaching from behind. Wow! It's great! I liked it so much, I may actually relent and use the Garmin on the C'dale and the Circuit, no matter how anachronistic it feels!
I set out again, and maybe 2 miles from home I flatted. I swapped in a new tube and pumped it up with the frame pump, and headed back home. Since it wasn't a snakebite, and I didn't see or feel anything on the outside of the tire, I decided to swap bikes when I got home. I went to the opposite extreme - the Canyon.
I just got a Garmin Varia, one of those radar jobbies that warns you of cars approaching from behind. Wow! It's great! I liked it so much, I may actually relent and use the Garmin on the C'dale and the Circuit, no matter how anachronistic it feels!
#378
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First.
Everyone must be sleeping off all that Easter ham.
I won the March photo contest in Foo.
Everyone must be sleeping off all that Easter ham.
I won the March photo contest in Foo.
#379
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This makes some sense, but I have always felt close passes were due due to cluelessness and invited by riding to far to the right. I am becoming quite deaf in the speech range, but still hear most of the cars at a reasonable range. Still, would love to try it.
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#380
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
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Gives you more advanced notice of cars compared to your ears. Also tells you by graphic how many cars, sometimes it’s the second car passing that you are not aware of and/or is not aware of you.
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#381
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Ah, better and better. Especially for the elderly cyclist with the incipient googoos. I assume it’s only compatible with Garmin head units... Maybe I’ll ask for it for my Medicare Bday.
#382
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And yeah, far more notice than ears -150 yards or more. Even on 55mph roads, I have enough time to move over when I get a chirp.
#383
Should Be More Popular
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Works with modern Wahoo and Karoo head units too.
#384
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Oh, and I finally figured out what I had forgotten to pack. I don't use chamois cream, but I do use a Gold Bond anti-friction stick before long rides. Thankfully, Walmart has got my back nethers. Never thought I'd say that.
#385
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Never used anything before. Today should be interesting.
#386
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I think what I meant before when I quoted gene, If I am on a road constantly passed by cars so it’s constantly alerting me would one come to be immune to it. Not sure If I am making sense.
#387
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I am interested in the Varia because of WMD in my left eye which has reached the point where a mirror is virtually useless and I can't turn my head far enough to safely see without veering across the lane. I might have to try one.
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#389
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You tend - well, *I* tend to tune it out on stretches where there's constant traffic.. not regular traffic, but constant traffic. Basically, the kind of environment where you're not going to alter your behavior, anyway. Other than those situations, I haven't found myself tuning it out.
#390
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#391
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Maybe my risk-o-meter needs recalibrating, but even though I get hurt reasonably often on my MTB I'm much more worried about crashing on a road bike. Most of the MTB injuries are little bumps and bruises.
It's one thing to punch a tree with my hand on the bars or wash out on a loose turn - totally different to fall on pavement. Speeds on my MTB are so much slower and dirt doesn't usually give you road rash (or ruin your kit!).
Also while that image looks like I might be about to launch into the mesosphere, it's a screenshot from a very unimpressive video I bet I never got more than 18" off the ground.
It's one thing to punch a tree with my hand on the bars or wash out on a loose turn - totally different to fall on pavement. Speeds on my MTB are so much slower and dirt doesn't usually give you road rash (or ruin your kit!).
Also while that image looks like I might be about to launch into the mesosphere, it's a screenshot from a very unimpressive video I bet I never got more than 18" off the ground.
Last edited by abshipp; 04-05-21 at 06:27 AM.
#393
Mostly Harmless
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#394
Fat n slow
Join Date: Oct 2013
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#395
Mostly Harmless
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#396
Fat n slow
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Tried to ride the morning, made it to the end of my street before turning around and packing it in. Going to try again tonight after work. Overslept by two hours and was really really cold.
For as much as yesterday sucked, I’m extremely happy to be vaccinated and really happy that I’ll be able to see my grandma for the first time since Dec 2019 in two weeks
For as much as yesterday sucked, I’m extremely happy to be vaccinated and really happy that I’ll be able to see my grandma for the first time since Dec 2019 in two weeks
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I’m with WhyFi, I think it does help reduce the close passes. With the Varia, the only close passes I really get now are people being dip-***** because I’ve moved to the right after having taken the lane.
#399
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I need to go to my LBS and look at a Varia. My wife and I are both short and don’t have a lot of seatpost out. I’m wondering if I mounted the Varia that I’d have to remove our seat packs.the way it is now, it’s hard to get a lighthouse show above the rear wheel.
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#400
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WhyFi I’ve got my 28-406 tubeless tires up and running. I only have 50 PSI in them and it feels like 40 would probably work.
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