The opportunity was there, it seemed like fun, wanted to push myself, knew I didn't stand a chance at the time trial anyway, but above all...... WHY NOT?!

http://www.pedalroom.com/p/leader-725-tr-1959_45.jpg

Today I: Impromptu 13 mile ride out the spring water corridor (ended up taking max home). Tomorrow my buddy and I will try and tackle the 40 mile trail. Still not sure if I should ride fixed or geared.

This ride was quite nice. My fellow rider was on a single speed and we definitely had a good pace. Her freewheel is noisy as hell tho, so at least I knew where she was. Found myself at the waterfront again, and I have to say it is a very nice day to dip your feet in the water. It's odd that I can't even remember the last time I actually put my feet in water like that... Let alone the last time I touched the earth with my bare feet...

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k...0/P7300328.JPG

Quite a nice place to stop and enjoy the air.

how are risers treating you on those long rides?

Today I busted the DJ after two laps on the pumptrack. I don't think I'm going to be rebuilding, went and got 40 miles in since my original plans were shot to smithereens.

Like I mentioned in the Leader forum, I really would love to find a bit higher rise, but the PDW lock-on grips fit nicely between my thumb and fingers and the bike feels quite nice over the (fairly smooth) bike path. Not quite sure how comfortable it would be over 40 miles, but its definitely doable up to 20.

Today I got lycra'd up and rode 31 miles after work on ye olde schwinn. A good start to my weekend :D

Nice bro. Love the new sig BTW. Retro!

Today, instead of going on my group ride, I biked all over San Diego with my wife on our fixed gear bikes. We had a great time, you guys will not believe how much more you will take in from a slow bike ride vs. say a fast one. Mission Bay, Old town, downtown, Balboa Park, and Horton plaza on the return trip. Knowing my wife, she picked up a few things at Horton plaza and I'm quite thankful for my VO porteur rack and it's capacity, I have a feeling that it's easily going to earn well over its cost.
Funny thing is we used the bike route and my usual group called me out while they were on their return trip back when we were heading out.
One thing I have to point out is my wife did not complain at all during the trip despite the fact that this was her second ride on a new out of the box brooks.

Today I got my omnoms!!!!!!! Oh, I also watched a band from Bakersfield play down at the pier!

How busted are we talkin'?

Thanks! :) Now I'm considering doing a ride to Vancouver, BC. It'd be an even century round trip.

Today I went for a 15ish mile ride through the redwoods. I wanted to go twice as far but my doc says I need to take it slow while my knees recover. Oh, and I used my bullhorns for the first time in nearly 3 months. I've been using risers so it was nice to stretch out for a change.

Counting down the days til my new frame arrives, and trying to decide between bullhorns or drops. Also tempted to try Fizik Microtex, but I'm afraid I'll regret not having gel inserts. And I'm torn between GR9 or Sylvan Track pedals; leaning toward Sylvan cus I hear GR9's are slippery when wet, and it rains here often. AND I'm debating MKS Small size steel toe clips with single straps, or normal size clips with doubles. I wear a womens size 6.5 / mens 5 / euro 37. So I'm afraid normal clips are too big, but I really prefer double straps over single. AHH DECISIONS! Too bad I'm not the type to ask you internet folk to decide for me. Life would be so much easier. Haha... But if anyone has input on my clips/straps situation I'd love to hear it. :p

Right on, what kinda frame this time?! Also, despite what anyone tells you, screw Microtex(IMO) It is so uncomfortable, padding-wise. Eureka's Frequently wet, go with the Sylvans, I'd say, they are pretty comfy, 'specially if you don't get pedal-strike often, if you are worried about that, I think GRs are smaller. A small clip will hold your feet a bit tighter, and will drag less than a normal sized one, but I hear doubles are wonders for the hold as well. Oh, and if you are getting the Sylvan tracks pedals, make sure your shoes don't have HUGE tread, it's a little harder to get in and out of, IMO!

Well, hope I helped, and whatever decisions you pursue make you happy!
BTW, You, Chris and I should go riding some time or something if Y'all are down! Also, for the hell of it, B-lam and Ry as well! Get a Humboldt Fixed gear party goin' down!

I use fizik dual tape and it's plenty comfy!

Regular microtex is good for people like me, who find regular Cinelli cork tape uncomfortably over-padded, but find cotton tape too firm/hard.

I started with fat tapes, and I worked my way down to a good thinness I was comfortable with. If you like the thickness of the tape you have now, I'd say stick with that.

This!

Today I am not a red pear. But still I am redpear.

I'm loving my leather tape a lot more than I expected. Thought it'd just be pretty, but it's quite nice. I'm eager to try something else besides lizardskins on my horns also, I'm not really like those, despite the padding.

This x1000. I tried to go biking in my running shoes once (was going to bike to a track, run and bike home) but the tread and the arch in the shoe made it impossible to bike comfortable. I continuously got stuck on the pedal with them (was wearing nike free). Went home and put on my slip ons before even getting there.

I haven't tried them, but I always thought lizardskins were a sort of wrappable rubber grip, like the comfort of Oury but wrappable. Is this true?

thinner than Oury grips, but still the rubber texture. Doesn't rub off like grips tho, it is really nice stuff if you want something other than leather or cork tape.

Today I start my off season.

I didn't race a lot this season...yet it was my best ever (go figure). My strength, power, speed, wattage, and Nationals results were all better. I even figured out and conquered this mental choking thing that had plagued me all of the previous season. I'm happy. I feel a sense of accomplishment.

I also picked up my first one of these last week at Masters Nationals:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/...c9b31fd1f7.jpg

(I'm trying to catch up with TT. He's got more than me.)

I'm taking 2 weeks off up to a month off of the bikes and gonna just chill. Maybe I'll start selling all of this extra gear that's been piling up.

Congrats Carleton.

Nice one carleton! :thumb:

Congratulations! And don't hesitate to let us know about all the stuff you may be selling...

Today I found this.

What do you mean it doesn't rub off? Like it's hard to clean? I love Oury grips so I might have to try these.

P.S. Congrats, Carleton!! :D

Today I: Offered my congratulations to Carleton. Enjoy sitting on the couch, drinking beer and eating unhealthy snacks.

He means it's very durable and lasts for a long time; the layer that provides the grip does not wear off with use. If I recall correctly, I was the first one on here to get it, a year and a half ago. I'm still using that the same roll on my bike, it has held up quite well. I've found the price I paid for it money well spent, it's about double the price of microtex at your LBS but it can be had for cheaper from retrogression.

Another plus is, if you've always wanted white or yellow bar tape but hated how it would turn gross or yellow after just a few rides; this would not be the case with lizardskins.

If you're wondering about the company, lizardskins recently entered the road market; they primarily/ originally exclusively created goods geared toward the likes of all the disciplines of MTB; aka grips!

Thanks Leuky! I'll try it out :D

Also, what Alex meant by 'rubbing off' is that track grips (and maybe Oury's) tend to leave a residue on your hands, because the rubber rubs off as you grip them.