Cyclists/Bikers

[PM Thor]

Are there any other cyclists on here?

I ask because I would love to find a group to go on a ride. I ride every day I am not at work, so that's 3-4 days a week, and I hit anywhere between 30-40 miles (did 38 today woot) every ride, I average 20 MPH, with a cadence well over 120, but I can keep up with most groups.

Yeah, I have to say I just blew $600 on a new wheelset for my bike, and I need more rides, I am getting sick of Little Miami and going out on the roads by myself...

Edit....I don't know about anyone else but do you ever get fired up watching youtube vids? Like you should be out there, killing it yourself? No, me neither....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vR4CQq4HMg&feature=related

Wait for Armstrongs words at the end....

[GuyFawkes38]

PMthor, do you ever ride the urban streets of Cincinnati?

I ask because I'm tempted to ride 4 miles to work during the summer. It would be a great stress reliever and overall exercise regimen.

But I have a lot questions about it (the legality of riding down certain streets, safety, etc).


Edit: Also, I would like to add, I've heard biking in Western Europe is incredible. Very quaint, historical towns are close together, with cultural masterpieces. And the Europeans do a great job at up keeping bike trails.

[PM Thor]

PMthor, do you ever ride the urban streets of Cincinnati?

I ask because I'm tempted to ride 4 miles to work during the summer. It would be a great stress reliever and overall exercise regimen.

But I have a lot questions about it (the legality of riding down certain streets, safety, etc).


Edit: Also, I would like to add, I've heard biking in Western Europe is incredible. Very quaint, historical towns are close together, with cultural masterpieces. And the Europeans do a great job at up keeping bike trails.

Yes I ride on the open roads. Bicyclists have every right to the roads as cars, trucks, semis, etc. There are no laws anywhere banning bikes on roads. They are vehicles, just like anyone else.

That does not equate to bikers riding on some roads though, some roads just are stupid to ride upon, because you will get killed.

I go from my home, down Colerain, totally flying, and then I cut across and climb up Ludlow to Clifton, then ride along with traffic along Mcmillen over until it hits Gilbert, then down MLK onto Madison, and on and on. I do not ride tight roads. I understand drivers are stupid. Most drivers blame it on bikers, and yes, there are idiots who blow lights, but I don't. I hate those MFers.

[PM Thor]

I also HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend Biowheels!

They are owned by a Xavier grad. Just ask for Mitch (the owner), out in Madiera. Just a great guy. He takes care of Xavier people too. I won't go to any other bike shop ever. The guy does it right.

[GuyFawkes38]

I go from my home, down Colerain, totally flying, and then I cut across and climb up Ludlow to Clifton, then ride along with traffic along Mcmillen over until it hits Gilbert, then down MLK onto Madison, and on and on. I do not ride tight roads. I understand drivers are stupid. Most drivers blame it on bikers, and yes, there are idiots who blow lights, but I don't. I hate those MFers.

Wow. I'm honestly impressed. That's quite a journey.

That gives me confidence that I can complete my journey from Hyde Park to St. Bernard.

And I just checked out a map. There are many residential type roads I can ride on. When I get more confident, I can perhaps ride on the larger type roads (like you do).

[GuyFawkes38]

I would like to add, I personally love Youtube videos on sports athletes.

It all started in 2006 with the World Cup. I would look up athletes on youtube I knew very little about.

I loved this compilation of Zidane:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYUtKKbBTkw

Beckham also had some great youtube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yz0Vk0WJQ8


Michael Jordan has some incredible youtube compilations. This is my favorite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owY34aRiBNU

[PM Thor]

Wow. I'm honestly impressed. That's quite a journey.

That gives me confidence that I can complete my journey from Hyde Park to St. Bernard.

And I just checked out a map. There are many residential type roads I can ride on. When I get more confident, I can perhaps ride on the larger type roads (like you do).

Really, it's not a hard ride. I do a couple of laps in Hyde Park, then head home. The climb back Colerain is hard, but at the end it is a great feeling. You just have to get used to it, a couple miles at a time.

You can do four miles. Really, think about that, it's just four miles. If you don't feel comfortable, just hop on the sidewalk. But if not, you just have to claim your lane. Make your presence known to the drivers. If on a multilane, take the right lane, wear a helmet, and follow the rules. Otherwise stick to the right side.

And do this all when you feel comforable. I am pretty much immune to being buzzed by cars going by at 35, you just have to get used to being out there.

Take a small section of road, and ride that, then when you are comfortable, move onto a bigger section, on and on.

In 25 years of riding (including a couple of years racing for X, and a couple of others being a bike messenger downtown) I have had 3 times hit by a car, none of which were my fault, none serious. I am a big bike advocate. Share The Road.

Oh and for great videos about sports, this one is awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv0l2tQRIks

[PM Thor]

And yeah, I am an adrenaline junky. You get that way when you hammer between a motorcycle and a Civic coming down Colerain, look down and see on your cyclocomputer that you are doing 58 on a BICYCLE and your heart monitor is wailing only at 130!! That happened recently. Honestly it was stupid of me, to cut between a motorcyclist and a car like that, but damn, it was fun.

There really aren't many highs like that, and the looks from the cars as you pass them are just precious.

Edit. I was absolutely flying, and it scared the holy bejesus out of me.

[PM Thor]

And you know what? This thread has inspired me. Tomorrow, when I wake up at noon, I am going to KILL it. Kill it.

[PM Thor]

It's like my own personal drunken blog....

[GuyFawkes38]

Ha, that youtube link was awesome.

Yes, biking 8 miles total a day seems very doable.

wow, 58. I might panic if I hit that speed.

[PM Thor]

58 really isn't that bad (fastest I have clocked is mid 60s coming down Winton), but it definitely gives you a respect for speed that most drivers don't seem to notice.

Pros clock in the 80s on some downhills. I simply cannot fathom how they get up to that speed, or how they maintain it either.

[muskienick]

If I were ever to attain those speeds on a bicycle on the open road, I would need at least a change of underware and a suitable place to dispose of my soiled pair and cleanse my lower regions!

You are the man, Thor!

[Muskie]

58 really isn't that bad (fastest I have clocked is mid 60s coming down Winton), but it definitely gives you a respect for speed that most drivers don't seem to notice.

Pros clock in the 80s on some downhills. I simply cannot fathom how they get up to that speed, or how they maintain it either.


Thor... how did you get into biking/cycling?

[PM Thor]

I can't really say. I just have always biked, I remember biking on trails behind my house before "mountain biking" became "mountain biking", I would bike to school back when I was a teenager sometimes (I was actually knocked off my bike when BASF blew up), biked all through college, did the messenger thing one year, lived on an island for 6 years where the best way to get around was by bike and I just never stopped.

I guess I like it because I come from a big family, and the only time I had to myself was when I was on my bike. Just naturally went from there I guess, to where I am now, owning 5 bikes...erp

[Muskie]

Awesome. I've always kind of been interested but not sure where to start.

[blobfan]

I'm torn about the whole bike to work thing. I work in an office building and there's no reasonable place to change and clean up. Even if I could work that out, I'm not sure how to get to work from Pleasant Ridge without passing through some questionable areas. I don't like to be a nervous ninny but a chubby chick with a back-pack might seem like an easy target to a group of bored thugs.

I'm still a novice. I made a couple trips from Newtown to Morrow on the trail but I'm too out of shape to get enough speed on the roads so I tend to stay off them for now. I know it's stupid to put my bike in the car to go for a ride but that's where I'm at right now. My goal is to make it to Yellow Springs this summer and start using the bike to go grocery shopping. I upgrade my pedals to clips and that helped me get some better speed.

I admit the possibility of getting hit by a car makes me very nervous. A family friend got clipped by a car going 45 mph. Nothing broke but she was sore for months. Forget black and blue, her thigh and buttocks were green and purple. I also broke my leg riding a bike when I was 7 and don't like the idea of repeated the 8 months I spent in a cast after a spiral fracture to the tibia.

I am impressed by and envious of dedicated cyclers like Thor. I hope to get there some day.

[PM Thor]

Don't feel bad about taking your bike in your car to go for a ride. I do it. I do it all the time. I take my ride over to Little Miami maybe twice a week, because that ride is flat, I can work on my cadence (and heartrate) and there is very little stress (Look for the guy on a light blue bike wearing a C for Cincinnati Firefighters jersey, that's meeeee!!!). Plus getting out to Morrow where my cell doesn't work is an added bonus.

I fully understand your trepidation about riding on the streets, Hell, I get nervous all the time. (Don't worry about kids picking on you though, you can always just bike away from trouble!) You just have to pick the right route. Don't feel confident enough about riding down Montgomery? Fine, hop the curb. Or talk to your local bike shop. Most of them are really, really cool about helping people finding good routes for your level.

Don't take my word for it, because I'm nowhere near an expert, I ride mostly for fun, and I don't race, don't do big group rides, and don't do tours (all that often). Just today I only did 25 miles, and it kicked my ass (did you know it was hot today? Apparently I didn't).

Also, ask your boss about facilities, or Heck, look into how close the local Y is, it might be feasible to bike to the Y, shower there, lock your bike up there, and walk to work the distance (although for my work that would be a 6 block walk, just looked it up).

Biking does take a certain level of commitment, I admit it. Driving is so much easier. But the payoff just makes you feel good. Like today, after my big ride, I biked over to Kroger, bought a bunch of groceries, threw them in my bike bag (thank you extra large Timbuk2 bike messenger bag), and rode home. It is gratifying.


Ok, I am ranting. Dammit.

[Muskie]

Thor... what do you do during the winter months?

[PM Thor]

Thor... what do you do during the winter months?

Well, I randomly ride. It sucks. I have gear that can get me down to abut 40 degrees, but anything below that is just Hell.

But I hit some Spin classes, which have some GREAT benefits, or I hit the cybex arc trainer at the gym. I do get fat during the off season though. I have been known to take my bike south too in January....

[muskienick]

Please provide photo evidence of the "great benefits" you receive from your winter Spin class sessions.

Thank You!!!

DC Muskie and XBand will be greatly in your debt as well.

[Smails]

I will have to second Thor's statement on Biowheels in Maderia. I take my bike there 2-3 times a year for routine fixes. They did a great job last year after I mangled the front end in an 'over the bars' wreck. I don't ride much on the streets unless it's to get to a trail, but Biowheels services all types. Harbin Park is one of my favorites places to ride...as is Alt park. Harbin has a couple pretty hairy hills that always make for a heart pumper...

[xu drew]

i've been thinking about riding the bike into work every once in a while. i have locker/shower facilities in my office, so i'm set there. but the problem i'm having is finding a good route to get downtown from hyde park. anybody have any suggestions? while driving i do 71 or columbia parkway, but neither of those is going to work for a bike route. the best option i've come up with is to drive through mt lookout and down delta to eastern ave (or riverside or whatever they're calling it these days) and all the way to downtown on eastern. it's a bit out of the way to go this route, but it's all i've got at this point unless somebody has another recommendation...

[Kahns Krazy]

Drew, depending on the part of hyde park you're coming from, I think you'll find Eastern really isn't that far out of the way. It is pretty heavily traveled during rush hour though, so if that's your time, be ready for that. From Hyde Park Square to Fountain Square via 71 is 6.8 miles, it's only 5.4 miles on Columbia Parkway down Torrence, and 8.4 miles taking Linwood to Delta to Eastern. (Courtesy google maps).

The other downside is Eastern is a nasty road, both in terms of the state of repair and the crappy view.

Your other option is the bus route- Madison- Woodburn- Taft- Gilbert to 8th street. This route is only 5.6 miles. That would give you some nice options through Eden Park.

[PM Thor]

Drew, when I bike over in Hyde Park, I sometimes take Madison, which is a wide street, although it does have a couple of little climbs in it as you head to Victory. I then will take a left onto Victory (again a three laner, so no issue there with cars), and take that all the way through to Eden Park.

Once in Eden Park you have a couple of choices to get downtown, like either hopping onto Gilbert and taking that long hill down to Liberty (or wherever). I will either do that, or go down Monastery (the BIG hill past City View Tavern) down to the bottom of it, and there is a walkway that will drop you down onto the sidewalk onto aww heck, I think it's the 3rd street viaduct? Then you are downtown. I've never ridden Eastern though.

Now getting back home....that's another matter.


Please provide photo evidence of the "great benefits" you receive from your winter Spin class sessions.

Thank You!!!

DC Muskie and XBand will be greatly in your debt as well.

Somehow I don't think a guy taking pictures in a spin class would go over well.

[xu drew]

thanks for the insight KK and Thor! i might have to consider that Eden Park route. i've been hesitant to get started because i thought Eastern would be my best bet, but even that is a bit hectic during rush hour when i'd be travelling (as Kahn's alluded to). i think i'll drive in to work along that madison route through eden park and scope things out one day this week.

is it really too much to ask of this city to add some bike lanes on roads? i just got back from a trip out to seattle and vancouver, both with very nice bike lanes all throughout town and lots of people were using them both for commuting and for pleasure. i think it could work here too, but the way things get down around in this city, i'm not holding my breath for that to happen any time soon.

[PM Thor]

Drew, there is actually a plan out there to extend the Miami Bike trail all the way to downtown Cincy, converting old rail track to a bike lane, connecting through Lunken, but that is years and years away, dangit.

It doesn't help matters when the US Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said last summer that bike paths and trails aren't part of the infrastructure and aren't parts used for "transportation". Ugh.

[blobfan]

Drew, there is actually a plan out there to extend the Miami Bike trail all the way to downtown Cincy, converting old rail track to a bike lane, connecting through Lunken, but that is years and years away, dangit.

I thought they finally settled on the right-of-way agreements needed to complete the connection from Newtown to Lunken? I think it's a 3-5 year plan to completion but it appears more likely to actually happen.

I appreciate your comments about driving to work but I've already considered most. I'm not fast enough on the uphill yet to outrun any threats and the most direct routes to work would take me past Peebles Corner or down Reading through Avondale et al. Even if I got there, the nearest Y is on Central parkway and I work on East 5th. And I sweat. A lot. By the time I got from the Y to work I'd be wet again.

And my local bike shop sucks. I've been driving to Newport to visit the people at Reiser because they at least talk to me. I don't know what it takes to get service at Oakley Cyclery but whatever it is, I don't got it.

If anyone is interested in learning more about bike maintenance, I highly recommend visiting Reiser's Saturday class. The schedule is posted on their web site. It's schedule for an hour but will go on as long as you keep the guy talking. It covers basic maintenance, parts of the bike and how to change a tire. But they also answer any and every question.

Now I'm rambling. And it's late.

Good night.

[Fred Garvin]

I can really relate to this thread. I once had a girlfriend who was known as the "town bike."

[MADXSTER]

I can really relate to this thread. I once had a girlfriend who was known as the "town bike."


And she's now your wife. LOL

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

[Kahns Krazy]

Did you know there is a woot-like site for cycling?

http://www.chainlove.com/

[Kahns Krazy]

I can really relate to this thread. I once had a girlfriend who was known as the "town bike."

Jonathon Coulton, who I'm told has quite a nerd-cult following and who played at the 20th Century last night, has a very touching song titled The Town Crotch

The seniors threw a party down the end of Dutton Road
When it was almost cold enough to snow
None of us could drive then so we had to get a ride
In the back of someone's GTO

She was in the keg line with a yellow plastic cup
It was like I'd never seen a girl before
Puffy leather jacket and a healthy head of hair
With the hair she was six foot four
I recognized her face right away

(Chorus)
She was the town crotch
She was good to go anytime
She was the town crotch
But I loved her like she was mine
There's a lot of things I don't remember now
But I remember the town crotch

I had a pint of So Co in the pocket of my coat
You can hardly taste the alcohol
Watched her from a distance but I never said a word
I was young and I felt so small
I was no one then, who was I?

(chorus)

We stood around and drank a lot and leaned against the cars
Tried to beat the Winter, made it just under the wire
We got drunk and loud under a thousand million stars
Someone played Steve Miller, someone set some stuff on fire

The cops came by to bust us so we left the beer and ran
My head hurt and I couldn't find my ride
She pulled up in a Gremlin and she rolled the window down
She said Hey kid, get inside.
Then she asked my name and drove me home

(Chorus)

[PM Thor]

Did you know there is a woot-like site for cycling?

http://www.chainlove.com/

Ahh crap. I already spend enough on my bike as it is....

[Fred Garvin]

I did some hiking this weekend on the East Side. Thor, how the hell are you riding that bike trail without taking five cicadas to the face? Are you going North, where they are less plentiful? Do you don a Hazmat suit?

[PM Thor]

I did some hiking this weekend on the East Side. Thor, how the hell are you riding that bike trail without taking five cicadas to the face? Are you going North, where they are less plentiful? Do you don a Hazmat suit?

Yeah it's bad on the trail right now. Today I got pelted, but the worst was I got one stuck between my jawline and my helmet strap. Cicadas suck. Man they are loud too. And stink. They are the dayton fans of the insect world.

[American X]

So my key broke off in the U-lock and I took it in to get it hacked off. Afterwards, the two bike store guys are telling me how much work my bike needs. Full of suspicion, I tell them I will come back next week.

Does a bicycle really need a $100 'tune-up'? I am sure it needs some tightening and lubrication, but am unsure if it is worth a Franklin.

[The Artist]

So my key broke off in the U-lock and I took it in to get it hacked off. Afterwards, the two bike store guys are telling me how much work my bike needs. Full of suspicion, I tell them I will come back next week.

Does a bicycle really need a $100 'tune-up'? I am sure it needs some tightening and lubrication, but am unsure if it is worth a Franklin.

Really placing one on a tee for everyone, huh?

[PM Thor]

Well, how old is it and when was the last time you had it serviced?

Usually every spring I will get my ride checked out, and that will involve most likely new brake pads, new cables, trueing the wheels, maybe some new bar wrap. Worst case scenario a new chain (they stretch out) or new tires. It can get kind of expensive, and yeah, I can drop $100 pretty quick.

I would check with a local riding group, they usually have at least a couple of owners involved, and can steer you to a reputable shop.

[boozehound]

I like the way the bike seat feels when it's smacking against my butthole on long rides.

[Kahns Krazy]

I like the way the bike seat feels when it's smacking against my butthole on long rides.

Wow, dude.


Wow.

[boozehound]

Wow, dude.


Wow.

That was the intended reaction. Thanks! :D

I don't ride bikes but wanted to comment so I figured that I would spice things up a bit...

[blobfan]

So my key broke off in the U-lock and I took it in to get it hacked off. Afterwards, the two bike store guys are telling me how much work my bike needs. Full of suspicion, I tell them I will come back next week.

Does a bicycle really need a $100 'tune-up'? I am sure it needs some tightening and lubrication, but am unsure if it is worth a Franklin.

There's at least one bike shop in the Cincinnati area that holds a bike repair class for $10 about once a month that would answer some of your questions. If, as your profile indicates, you are in Chicago, you should be able to find a place in the area with something similar. My sister lives in the area and I googled local bike shops to find an Xmas gift and found a slew just within a couple miles of her appartment. Odds are, one should have some sort of class. I guess the trick is finding one that is truely about maintenance and not about selling more product.

What I learned in the class I took is it really depends on the miles you put on in your bike. Cleaning and lubing should be done often, regardless of miles, but it is pretty simple and can visibly increase performance. They even sell kits that cath the lube so you don't muck up your garage. If you aren't mountain biking or travelling hundreds of miles in a season, you probably don't have to worry a whole lot about chains needing replaced, etc.

[blobfan]

That was the intended reaction. Thanks! :D

I don't ride bikes but wanted to comment so I figured that I would spice things up a bit...

If that's your idea of spice please don't ever invite me over to dinner.

[PM Thor]

Today was a GREAT day. I went for a ride (big surprise), but got stuck out during a pretty strong thunderstorm. I was 15 miles from home, in Hyde Park, and look up at the sky. "Awww crap"

So I try to haul ass back home, but the wind is brutal. Literally blowing me out of my lane. It starts pouring buckets, right as I hit MLK. Thunder, lightning, torrential rain.

I start laughing my ass off. I left my house to a beautiful, perfect day, and end up in a monsoon. The skies let up, and I end up at the top of Clifton Ave, thinking that I could either A. go to a friends house nearby and bum a ride home, or B. keep on going.

I keep on going. The skies open up again. So here I am, coming down Clifton Ave, in a heavy rainstorm, lightning, thunder, the whole shebang. I am cruising at 35 MPH (rain hurts at that speed by the way), I am passing cars who are worried about hydroplaining, not me (1 inch tires preclude that) and again, I can't stop laughing.

What a freaking great time. Wet bike shorts suck, but riding in heavy rain, while pretty scary, is a blast too.

Damn, I am ate up.

[Noah Kaminski]

Thor,

There is a group that rides just about every Saturday morning at Ceasar's Creek north of Cincy off 73. It's a triathlon group, but there are others that just come up to ride. We usually start at about 7-7:30am to swim, then head out on the bike and usually finish with a run. There are usually different groups that go at various paces and different distances. Many of the guys (and gals) are training for Ironman distance races, so some will do a 5-6 hours (100m+) ride. Another group may only go 20-50 miles. The roads are great for riding. Rolling hills with a couple big ones, basically country roads. It's perfect for bikers since there isn't much car / truck traffic. We avg between 18-20+ mph typically. The group is called Cincy Express if you are interested? Newbies are always welcome. I'm new to this site, but if anyone else is interested in getting into Triathlons, feel free to check out this group. Or just come up for a workout/ ride some Sat. http://www.cincyexpress.org/AboutUs/tabid/53/Default.aspx

[PM Thor]

Noah, I just may be there soon. I know of Cincy Express. I am "considering" doing the Chicago triathlon this August, and it sounds like that would be perfect for me to train. It also sounds like your cadence is right at where I am at too, usually. Thanks for the info.

[Noah Kaminski]

I did Chicago last summer. Fun race, with a lot of freakin people! Fast bike course, but watch out for the pot holes!! Hope to see you up at CC some Sat.