welp, today I agreed to go to an upcoming open beginner's night at the local track. I'm nervous as **** but I think it should be fun. Tips? Things to avoid/keep in mind?

Don't crash.

Good news about the surgery. Hearing OK?

If someone yells stay, you stay. Always pass on the right and if you're gonna take the sprinters lane, stay in the lane.

Focus on being relaxed and smooth.

I would say pay attention to your surroundings, but you're probably going to do that anyway given your nervousness, and maybe to a fault if it makes you squirrely or stiff.

Also, have fun! :)

agreed to do the longest day ride in jersey next weekend with a friend whos going for the record time

80 miles to start
camp
210 miles TLD
camp
140 miles home
die

oh and im gonna be on my road bike. weird.

YESSSSS


Today I was at up 4am to do a century, but a broken spoke at mile 56 left me stranded. After my gf got me, I threw on my stock wheel and managed another 34 mi before I had to do some work. Today was a good day.

Stick ?

Everyone yells stay around here.

Today I landed flat on my back doing wheelies as I waited for a train to pass, decided to loosen up the tension on the pedals after that. New cleats suck

today i fought urges to buy my buddies old blue/white vig and tarmac frame

still might happen.

Look at it this way, everybody wins!

:thumb:

thanks, good to know


I'm pretty excited, I think it's gonna be fun for sure.

One of the organizers recommended that I gear down a bit from what I normally run on the bike, is that common?? I'm running 48/18 right now, about 71 GI and he recommended I be close to 65 GI.

That sounds insanely low to me, but the organizer probably has some context and experience, plus you'll be racing in an entry level racing cat. I'm running 50/15t and considering upping to 51/15, and San Diego is a slow outdoor concrete track, but I race with the big dogs :).

Honestly, for simplicity and peace of mind, it probably wouldn't be the worst idea to just show up with what you have for the first couple sessions. You'll know if you're over or under geared based upon how it feels to accelerate mid race and whether or not you're spun out going into sprints.

ya he seems nice and knowledgeable, idunno. Maybe he just wants to get newer riders used to spinning higher cadences?? No clue.

From what I understand, what I've been invited to is a series of Thursday night events where newbies just get shown the ropes, there are track cert classes, and training races. :o should be fun, I hope.

I'll just be showing up with my Parallax, only track bike in the stable at the moment.

Yeah, hearing was unaffected, it was all flesh/cartilage/nerve damage.

I'm racing with 48x15 right now and I felt a little undergeared in the 5's at hellyer, which is also a slower concrete track. I tried 48x14 for a while, but I wasn't a fan. I have a 49t chainring I want to put on so I can try out 49x15, but I can't find my chainring bolt tool...

Trying to catch up on 4 episodes of Game of Thrones. Sometimes I ask myself why the hell I watch this show. the feels :(

Get you some Wolf Tooth bolts they don't need silly tools just allen keys! Plus they got that anodized coating for much color.

at the end of every season i always say im never watching this show again, so far i havent watched any of this season but i know its just because im too lazy to download them, im sure itl happen.

-

pretty sure the road bike is gettin converted to singlespeed for no particular reason other than to switch something up after next weekends randoventure. i miss my simple machines.

I rode my bike on dirt all weekend and it was pretty darn awesome.

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7439/2...a8f7528d_h.jpg
https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7386/2...6a9f38ae_h.jpg

What's the problem guys? Just because everyone you ever cared about dies shouldn't bum you out. :p

I watched The Revenant last night. The bear attack was visceral, insane, edge of the seat stuff.

**** yes!!!

:) Singletrack Friday and Saturday, gravel on Sunday. Much fun was had.


I'm late to the party but riding a CX-type setup on moderate MTB trails is just the best. So good for developing bike-handling skill.

Today I:

1. Ordered a Wabi Classic 42 CM 650C (actually a few days ago).
2. Put Velo Orange Porteur Bars on my Leader 721.
3. Started using my Roadrunner "Burrito Supreme" Handlebar Bag.

Man, when the girl was burned at the stake last season... I knew it was coming and I hated it.


I have all my road bikes with friction shifters for this reason. While I still have gears the bike miraculously feels simpler and makes me happy.