I have today off, I think I'm gonna do some serious riding, I'm excited.

all this talkin bout bikes makes me want one! Where do I go who do I talk to and how many stars do I have to get to turn the power back on!!

1. There isn't really anywhere you can go to get a bike, they have to be earned.
2. You can try talking to Tony Sparks. He is a living legend.
3. A single metric girth unit of stars will restore power.

Luke broke the news... my bike is totaled. Im bummed :(

Ah that sucks! At least you're alright/not brain dead.

Bikes are replacable.
Brains are not.
Good to hear that you are alright for the most part. It is pretty intense getting back on the bike for the first time after something like that, but there are some people here that have had to do it. So when you are ready to get back on, just take it easy, and hit someone up here if you want company. Try not to get spooked about having been hit, and remember all the times that you weren't.

Has anybody here used the soma quad gate double toe clips. I dont know if mine are too small or what but when I try to skid stop it kind of folds my shoe over a little. I think that is partly because Im wearing really flexy shoes but I guess Im just wondering if anybody has the size large does that happen to you?

I don't have the quad gates, but on my MKS clips wearing my slip-ons, they do the same thing. I think it's just the shoes.

Anyone got an extra clip lying around? Preferably an MKS medium? I busted one yesterday, doing some stupid ****.

recycles has some on the cheep right now

Some ****** bag thought it'd be funny to let the air out of my tires while I was at Bowe Street. And then for some reason undid my straps.

Im waiting for the day that somebody messes with my bike. I dont know why people need to be so ignorant sometimes and mess with other peoples stuff. It could have been worse though at least you didnt get anything slashed or stolen.

Also Gearcraft If you want I have some cranks you can use. They have a 40T ring on them that cant be changed but you are welcome to have them.

There was a post on craigslist about someone's brakes being loosened on campus just the other day.

Anyone know who this is: http://richmond.craigslist.org/mis/565241609.html ?

Are those the cranks that were on the bike I sold you?

If gearkraft doesn't want 'em I'll take them for a project I'm working on!

yeah they are those ones. Hes got first dibs being bikeless at the moment but if he doesnt want them you can take them back.

Does anyone know where to find old road bikes/frames? Diversity's selection is pretty slim as of late.

word. just let me know.

lulz, at people bikes getting messed with. but people are taking it too far, its only cool if its someone you're tight with

does anyone have some quality track cranks fo shale?

I've never checked them out for quality or pricing but Trash N Treasure (2711 W Broad across from the torn down McD's) always has a bunch of older bikes out front.

I'm glad you are well. I think I was at Bunnyhop when you brought the bike in, and that was a heck of a wreck, I'm sure my ancient bones wouldn't have walked away from it.

Do get a helmet. It's hard to tell what will happen. You don't control the idiots in cars. About ten years ago, a co-worker of mine was riding in the fan, got right hooked by an "inattentive" motorist, and knocked into the curb. Her head collided with the curb, and she died from massive brain injuries. A helmet might have saved her (and a motorist that actually bothered to pay attention even more so). After attending the funeral, I almost always wear a helmet now in traffic.

But start riding again asap.

Alas, selection all over the city is fairly slim. It's not like a few years back, when no one wanted old roadies and you could find quality ones for under fifty dollars. It's a combination of factors, from the popularity of fixies and conversions locally to the advent of craigslist.

However, Southside is generally cheaper. If you head across the nickel bridge, there are several thrift stores along midlothian, and two at the shopping center at the junction of belt and hull. Supply, however, is erratic, and the area is patrolled by craigslist dealers, who snatch a lot of stuff up right away.

There are a pair of charity auctions (Goodwill on Midlothian and Salvo Army on Hermitage). Traditionally, these two auctions sell bikes by the pile, and at this point you are again likely to outbid by the craigslist dealers. Also, supply is down; about five years ago, the average bike pile at Goodwill was between thirty and seventy bikes (don't hyperventilate, most were crap) three times a week. Now there are often fewer than ten bikes at the auction, and in the case of quality rides, expect to pay at least a hundred bucks for a bike (I used to get 'em for five all the time). There are also municipal auctions in both Richmond and Henrico, and I assume Chesterfield as well.

Also, the Richmond Times-Dispatch runs a cheap advertising section, for stuff under $150; there are often bikes in there. Also check them on Fridays for yard sales and estate sales; like thrifts this is a waiting game. The Trading Post, a local classified rag available at seven elevens and the like, also advertises bikes and there are sometimes real treasures in it.

Thrifts and auctions are a waiting game however. It's probably easiest to let the dealers pick them out; less involvement of time and money on your part. Try Dan over in Chamberlayne Farms or Alan over in the West End. Barry Pullen out in Amelia Courthouse is a decent guy as well, and is a serious rider. Knows his stuff better than the other CL dealers, though I like both Dan and Alan.

Dan's a nice guy. I got a free beat to **** mtb off of him that I stripped for the bb and....something else. I got a few parts off of it.

Jenkinsal2: Thank you for the offer but I must pass. With insurance and other money factors my situation is quite complicated. Thats a very nice gesture...

Poquemahone: Very wise words... I am looking into helmets now (Giro Atlas)... The wreck gave me a new perspective on quite a few things in life, including my safety. I mostly just want to get riding soon, especially with this pang of wonderful weather.

Thanks a lot for the write up Poquemahone!