[QUOTE=PGlaves;1202540]I actually have a great deal I owe to a bicycle, and my father...... .[/QUOTE]
T love that story. Sounds like your father was a smart guy in more ways than one.
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[QUOTE=PGlaves;1202540]I actually have a great deal I owe to a bicycle, and my father...... .[/QUOTE]
T love that story. Sounds like your father was a smart guy in more ways than one.
I love my Litespeed Palmeres and I have 2 Surly's.
[QUOTE=PGlaves;1202540]... It was a Schwinn with white sidewall tires. It was love at first sight...[/QUOTE]
Paul, in 2017 we took a little motorcycle tour from San Diego to NY and were in your stomping grounds:
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We had a great time, saw a bunch of wonderful places, and met some great folks. But one really interesting stop was in Pittsburg at Bicycle Heaven:
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I have never seen so much bicycle stuff: especially Schwinn related. Something like 3000+ bikes and tons of parts. This is just one of the rooms packed with bike stuff. I bet the bike of your youthful dreams is in here somewhere:
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Very cool! Trying to remember the pub I was in that the owner had all of his MTN bikes hanging from his racing career. A lot of very cool vintage stuff.
I don't have many pictures of us actually riding bicycle but here is one of Michelle on her fat tire bike:
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I have one, too, but I don't even have a picture of it. We mostly ride to the local breweries on them.
I'm having fun posting pictures! :beer
Thanks for your posts and pics Kurt.
OK, one more for now. I wanted to be able to ride a bike in San Diego where my family lives but I didn't to deal with the expense and hassle of transport (before I got my packable bike). Last time I flew with a regular bike it was $90 extra to check a bike: EACH WAY. So Michelle came up with a plan: we buy 'cheap' bikes from Nashbar and have them delivered to California. These bikes cost $240 each - shipping and tax included! They are surprisingly decent bikes! We've ridden them for hundreds of miles, to the beach, into the desert, mountain bike trails, to the brewery, etc. The black one was, unfortunately, stolen when my Mom mistakenly left her garage door open over night. Oh well. Good memories. This picture is us using the bikes to drop off a rental car at the airport. We then rode 20 miles to East Lake.
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[QUOTE=Lee;1202563]Thanks for your posts and pics Kurt.[/QUOTE]
Thank you. I enjoyed your photos earlier in the thread. We really want to do Ragbrai. Next year may be too crazy for us, though.
[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1202583]Thank you. I enjoyed your photos earlier in the thread. We really want to do Ragbrai. Next year may be too crazy for us, though.[/QUOTE]
I really enjoy those week long tours. I do one in Michigan along the Lake Michigan shoreline every year. I'm trying to figure out a way to do Ragbrai but haven't been able to organize any riding partners to join me. I was disappointed to hear it was cancelled. My Michigan tour is scheduled for early August and I hope the smoke has cleared by then.
Maybe you will overlook it if I add another picture. Last year we were riding through a local park and noticed that there weren't any kids at the skate park. So we took our small wheeled bikes in for some fun. We did manage to get a little air under the wheels. Scared ourselves a little but had big smiles.
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[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1202618]Maybe you will overlook it if I add another picture. Last year we were riding through a local park and noticed that there weren't any kids at the skate park. So we took our small wheeled bikes in for some fun. We did manage to get a little air under the wheels. Scared ourselves a little but had big smiles.
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Are the wheels on the Surley folding bikes larger than other brand folding travel bikes?
Seems like the other folding bikes I've seen the wheels looked pretty small.
I don't have many pictures of me on a bike but I do have a lot of me in bike gear tasting beer at breweries. Most of my bike jerseys are brewery themed. Hmmm...
This is at the end of our Erie Canal trip. Every day was in the high 90s and we had a headwind (we went east to west) for the whole ride. That may explain my dazed look.
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I have Dahon folding bike I keep in the motorhome. Small(er) wheels but the more upright position is much easier on me.
OM
[QUOTE=Lee;1202619]Are the wheels on the Surley folding bikes larger than other brand folding travel bikes?
Seems like the other folding bikes I've seen the wheels looked pretty small.[/QUOTE]
Lee, the Surly Crosscheck is a cyclocross bike with normal 700c wheels that has really neat couplers on the top tube and down tube that allow the front of the frame to be separated from the rear of the frame. This allows it to be packed into a 26"x26" box which (I think) meets airline checked luggage standards. Hence the name of the bike 'cross' (off road racing on road bikes) and 'check' (luggage). Clever.
The couplers can be added to other steel and titanium frames and customer builders sometimes include them as options. I think the option starts at about $1000, though. There is another frame that uses a similar approach: the Ritchey Breakaway. In that case, the mechanism for separating the pieces is built right into the frame. Those frames look like a 'normal' bike. They break apart at the same place as the coupled bikes.
For travel, if you want to include mixed mode transportation as part of your transit, a folding bike may be better than a coupled bike. Some trains/busses/ferries limit or charge for full size bikes but folding bikes can fit in a bag and may be treated as carry on. We also find it easier to bring the folding bikes into hotels with us compared to a full size bike.
A coupled bike would be great for traveling for an 'event' or training in a distant place. It would just be a bit cheaper to transport.
[QUOTE=Omega Man;1202623]I have Dahon folding bike I keep in the motorhome. Small(er) wheels but the more upright position is much easier on me.
OM[/QUOTE]
Folding bikes are great for that. RVs, boats, planes, Miatas, apartment dwellers, etc. The Dahon looks to be a great bike and prices are reasonable. I think the frames are only a single size, though?
Position on the bike is such an individual thing. Over the years I tweaked my position into what works perfectly for me. My drop bar bikes are all set about the same way, and I need a few inches of drop between the seat and handlebar to be comfortable. I have added a mirror to my drops to avoid a lot of neck twisting, though. Compromises due to aging...
At the risk of TMI, here is the system that I've developed to fit my bikes. I build all of my bikes from the frame up so I get exactly the parts and fit that I want. I can get my fit perfect on the first ride if I match these measurements to my older bikes. I have a spreadsheet where I enter in the numbers and it calculates the parameters in the upper right corner. I do have a little different definition of reach and stack than frame manufacturers. I want to know the reach from the bottom bracket to the handlebar (I use the same handlebar measurements and the same saddle on all bikes). Fun, huh?
I really developed my 'system' to fit Michelle. She is very small and I made a LOT of mistakes with her first bike. She got a 'professional' bike fit and it worked great for her. The bike shop owner explained what and why to me so I've just been propagating that fit. We adjust a little bit based on current fitness and flexibility. Seat position relative to the pedals NEVER changes, though. Even a few mm and I can detect discomfort in my knees on long rides.
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I clicked on this thread and was taken to the first page. I was looking over Steve and Lee's bikes and something clicked when looking at Lee's Trek. In 2001 or 2002, Michelle got a Trek 2300 as her second road bike. This is the one that she was fit on - it is a great bike. This one is a WSD (women specific design) - the biggest difference is that the frame was built around 650C wheels. It also had narrow bars and a special seat. It still isn't perfect: the 10 speed triple front crank has a Q factor that is too wide for her. Also, the new 11 speed compact drivetrains have eliminated the need for the triple. Tires are hard to find in 650C and what you can find are narrow. 650C was a good choice when triathletes were using that size but now that has gone the way of the dinosaur.
This picture also shows our indoor training setup. We get a lot of snow here so we tend to do a lot of training in the basement. The advent of the new 'virtual' riding environments and streaming video/audio has made indoor training bearable - bordering on fun. 20 years ago I would ride on rollers and my only entertainment was watching the clock tick toward the end of the session. Now the bike adjusts to the 'terrain' in the virtual world and I can monitor my heart rate, power output and cadence. I feel like a fully instrumented astronaut!
Thanks for humoring me while I post all of this crap. I'm going a little stir crazy.
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[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1202645]Thanks for humoring me while I post all of this crap. I'm going a little stir crazy. .. [/QUOTE]
Well you've got a great way of keeping fit during this quarantine.
[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1202627]Lee, the Surly Crosscheck is a cyclocross bike with normal 700c wheels that has really neat couplers on the top tube and down tube that allow the front of the frame to be separated from the rear of the frame. This allows it to be packed into a 26"x26" box which (I think) meets airline checked luggage standards. Hence the name of the bike 'cross' (off road racing on road bikes) and 'check' (luggage). Clever.
.[/QUOTE]
:thumb
[QUOTE=Rinty;1202658]Well you've got a great way of keeping fit during this quarantine.[/QUOTE]
We are thankful that we have some outlet. Beside the quarantine, we had snow on the ground this morning! We better get back to burning gas because I think global warming is slowing. I joke...
Recently I was riding in the virtual world of 'Watopia' and was passed by Tony Kanaan. Really! If you are into bike racing, all of the pro teams are riding and racing in the virtual worlds now so it isn't unusual to see names that you (may) know.
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED7bqFYH4MU[/url]
I just made a spreadsheet recording all of my motorcycle miles with the starting miles coming from the title certificates. I really am going stir crazy. We have a big outing today. We'll don our masks and 'real' clothes to go to the grocery store.
[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1202621]I don't have many pictures of me on a bike but I do have a lot of me in bike gear tasting beer at breweries. Most of my bike jerseys are brewery themed. Hmmm...
This is at the end of our Erie Canal trip. Every day was in the high 90s and we had a headwind (we went east to west) for the whole ride. That may explain my dazed look.
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Reminds me of a funny brewery ending location story from a former annual Century ride from Austin,TX to Shiner... home of the Spoetzl Brewery and Shiner Bock.
One of the first years and logistics were not quite worked out... but on with story...
Headwind for most of SE route and rest stops were not set up before faster groups rolled by. At the end, free beer to all and most got more than their money’s worth. Then the bikes were loaded on box trucks to return to ATX and we boarded college shuttle busses... with no bathroom and a two hour ride. The drivers were allegedly told no stops and that went badly...Funny to see so many rush for the door after a mutiny or bribe... maybe both. Modesty went out the door!
The next few years, we staged a vehicle or mate instead for return!
[QUOTE=henzilla;1202684]Reminds me of a funny brewery ending location story from a former annual Century ride from Austin,TX to Shiner... home of the Spoetzl Brewery and Shiner Bock. [/QUOTE]
I will admit that in 1998 I started reading the (what is now called a) blog by Kristin Armstrong about her husband's return from cancer to the pro peloton. It was such an inspiration to me. Reading about the whole thing from her POV while it was happening (there were some very tough times - she wasn't even sure if he would make it back to be a pro, let alone what he became (ha!)). But they both would celebrate the little victories and special moments with their favorite beer: Shiner Bock. At that time we couldn't get it in the northeast. In the early aughts we took a trip to Houston and Galveston and were able to get Shiner. We were so excited! I am still a fan. When it comes to 'regular' beer, I like Shiner Bock and Yuengling (PA). Shiner tastes like a sweet desert oasis to me. Yuengling like a stream through an autumn forest. No comparison to craft brew but I love it for what it is.
In 1999 I learned how pro stage racing really works. My buddies and I only talked about racing for the whole month of July. It was glorious. That was when I was became hooked on road cycling. Now I look back with such mixed emotions. I'm glad to have adopted the sport but I'm sad that the whole timeframe was so tainted by doping. I so wanted to believe - like a preteen not wanting to give up on Santa Claus. I bought all of his books, I wore the damned yellow wristband. At least I didn't buy the team kit (please admit if you did, I won't judge :)). Now I don't even go out of my way to watch the tour.
But this year there won't be a tour. I took it for granted. I didn't watch but it was a comfort that it was happening. I always figured I would make it to France some July to watch the spectacle. Now I'm going to miss it.
[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1202545]...
I am going to try to create a rack for my RT that will hold the folded Bike Friday....[/QUOTE]
If you have any success (or even failures) with this project, please share results here.
I enjoy bicycling quite a bit more than motorcycling. The idea of going on long motorcycle trips without having a bicycle readily available is not appealing to me.
I’ve always admired the BikeFriday rides and wondered if there might be a way to safely carry one on a motorcycle. Any progress you make on this would be of great interest. Take lots of photos!:thumb
Check this out [url]www.2x2cycles.com[/url] I have never seen or used one, but it does look different.
[QUOTE=junkjohn;1202732]Check this out [url]www.2x2cycles.com[/url] I have never seen or used one, but it does look different.[/QUOTE]
I THINK the 2x2 guys have been at our MOA rallies? Or someone with the same idea. I talked to the guys at Johnson City (I think?) - but it wouldn't work for me because my main bike was an R1100S with no rear rack. They were gearing their system for GS type bikes.
My idea is having something similar but smaller and specifically for the Bike Friday. The footprint will be much smaller because the handlebar/stem can be removed and attached to the rack, the seat mast folds down, and the rear wheel can be 'tucked under' creating a small package. Also the front wheel mount can be much smaller because of the reduced diameter.
I won't go the route of mounting the suitcase. That giant sail would drive me nuts within 5 miles.
I'll try to make up a 2x4/PVC/Zip tie mockup this weekend. We have similar racks on my RT and her ST so one design may be usable on both bikes.
Vark, I won't go as far as saying I like bicycling more than motorcycling but I've often been on a motorcycle wishing I was on a bicycle. Never the other way around.
I got excited so I went into the basement and mounted a fork clamp to my homemade bike lift to show what the footprint will look like. Not the same as being on the motorcycle but you can get the gist:
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[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1202741]I got excited so I went into the basement and mounted a fork clamp to my homemade bike lift to show what the footprint will look like. Not the same as being on the motorcycle but you can get the gist:
[/QUOTE]
I think I'll try to put the front wheel on the same side as the handlebar.
[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1202736]
My idea is having something similar but smaller and specifically for the Bike Friday. The footprint will be much smaller because the handlebar/stem can be removed and attached to the rack, the seat mast folds down, and the rear wheel can be 'tucked under' creating a small package. Also the front wheel mount can be much smaller because of the reduced diameter.
.[/QUOTE]
I looked at the Bike Friday site and the smaller size when broke down looks like it would be manageable when mounted on a motorcycle.
The only bike rack I've seen up close hangs the bicycle further back than I would like.
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I don't want to have to fly a red flag behind my load! :)
[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1202748]I don't want to have to fly a red flag behind my load! :)[/QUOTE]
:)
So I found some scrap I had laying around and made a wood/PVC/Zip tie breadboard (in this case it really is close to a breadboard) of a potential rack.
This could be very easy to make, even with my limited metalworking capability. I don't think I would need to weld anything. Just bolts, I would put holes in so I could run a cable lock or 2 through everything.
Keeping the handlebar/stem on makes it taller - but the rack is simpler.
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Looks like I would need a cover for the seat and shifters? Would I get bugs and dust back there? With the RT fairing there may be enough coverage not to worry. I normally tour with a box on the back and there are some bugs that hit that - but maybe just on the sides.
Just timed the unmount/unfold process. 100 seconds. That may be a little optimistic since I don't have a chain on (cleaning it). The chain tends to pop off the chainring when folded. Just need to place back on and spin the crank. Maybe 10 more seconds?
For the detail oriented among you: notice the 12 pack of Shiner Octoberfest empties in the background :).
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Thanks for showing your rack ideas.
Would it be possible to flip the folded bicycle over (meaning rotate it 180* fore-and-aft), and then use the open "forks" where the seat-stay attaches to the seat-tube to mount the bike to the bread board and/or rack? By the photos, it seems like this orientation would get the entire bicycle lower (both form and cg) compared to using the front wheel fork.
[QUOTE=junkjohn;1202732]Check this out [url]www.2x2cycles.com[/url] I have never seen or used one, but it does look different.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the link. That is interesting, particularly the new vertical rack. The nice thing about this for me is I have regular-sized bicycles (not folding styles) so this could be used with what I have.
[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1202780]So I found some scrap I had laying around and made a wood/PVC/Zip tie breadboard (in this case it really is close to a breadboard) of a potential rack.
[/QUOTE]
That's something I could live with.
Your bicycle probably weighs about the same as a BMW 49 topcase.
It looks to me like you already have your rack. A couple coats of Thompson Water Seal on the wood and it will outlast the seat on the bike by a couple of decades. :)
[QUOTE=PGlaves;1202806]It looks to me like you already have your rack. A couple coats of Thompson Water Seal on the wood and it will outlast the seat on the bike by a couple of decades. :)[/QUOTE]
In the early 90's, Michelle had a small block Guzzi w/ a rear rack that had wood strips inlaid. I think it was teak. Every year we would sand and oil it. Guzzi's are like sailboats...
And for how much that saddle cost, it better last a long time!!!
I suppose another way might be to tow a small trailer and mount a bike rack on top. I'm sure someone has explored that.
Yup: [url]http://luggandroll.com/motorcycle-trailer.html?section=13209[/url]
Just got back from a ride. Brrrr. I stopped and took a photo just so I could post it on this thread. What has happened to me?
This is a bike I built up 12 years ago. I bought the frame, fork (both steel) and wheels (specific to track/fixed gear) but all of the other parts came off of our old bikes.
I really love riding fixed gear. It is almost silent. There is little maintenance. It is surprisingly fast. The only thing that is tough are hills. Not the up, the down. It forces you to develop a good high speed spin (or else you have to brake hard going down). Todays ride was about 1200 ft of elevation gain in 21 miles. So not flat. I wouldn't chose to ride it up a mountain, though.
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That's an elegantly minimalist machine.