anyone planning on riding tonight?

[hacman]

just as it said. :)

I'd like to go and check out the trails and hopefully get in some riding later this afternoon/tonight (430-500 or so).

anyone plannin on goin?

[Magic]

I was going over to Battle Creek at about 5:30 or so. If you want to join me that would be great. Just post up or PM me.

[mara]

I plan on riding the flat side of the river bottoms leaving the Lyndale parking lot at 6:30. Your company would be most welcome if you aren't already riding elsewhere. :)

[bigwheel]

My plan was to ride the river bottoms (west from Lyndale - around 5:30), then walk into the east section and try to repair the bridge.

However, I can be talked into other ideas, because I don't think I have any decent lumber at home for the repair, and would need to make a stop at Home Depot.

BC sounds like a very interesting option.

[Magic]

Bob, I have a little 7 mile loop that I do out at B/C. Your more than welcome to join me. Give me a call on my cell if you want to join me.

[hacman]

oy if only i had my bike at work mara... then i'd surely join ya (workin in bloomington). :) Rain check?

hackler - i'm up for BC. how heavy a ride is that for a newbie like me? :)

[Magic]

See my post to Bob. Just a small 7 mile loop. But you can add more to it if you like.

[hacman]

awesome. I'll pm ya my cell. gimme a buzz around 430-445 if that's cool?

[bigwheel]

Bob, I have a little 7 mile loop that I do out at B/C. Your more than welcome to join me. Give me a call on my cell if you want to join me.

I was looking for about a 1.5 - 2 hour ride, cause I am out of shape and need some exercise. However, BC is kind of hilly, so it might be a nice time to cut my ride short.

Hey Mara,

Any chance you can get to BC?

Also, were you planning on trying out that neanderthal 1-speed? If so, you might want a chance to try it alone before having an audience.

[mara]

Any chance you can get to BC?

Not tonight, and definately not for the first time on a single. Just thinking about that hill makes me hurt.

Also, were you planning on trying out that neanderthal 1-speed? If so, you might want a chance to try it alone before having an audience.

Yeah, but I am so talented at making an a$$ of myself in public, why should I stop now and deprive everyone of pointing and laughing?

[bigwheel]

I guess I'm going to ride with Troy and Hac at BC tonight. (5:30 in the rec center lot)

Mara, good luck. Besides, gears are for sissies and old fat people that look like me.

[hacman]

*has gears too* :)

couple quick questions....

Helmet yes?
clips? i've been hit or miss on using them. is it a good idea to have em or not?

[Magic]

Helmet yes, clip pedals is your choice. I run clip pedals.

[hacman]

rock n roll! see ya 'round 530. :)

[hacman]

holy crap am i outta shape! heh.

thanks guys for a killer ride! that was awesome!!

it'll be a bit before i ride like that again. heh. but hey, by the end of the season, i should hopefully be able to keep up somewhat!

thanks again!

[bigwheel]

Fun ride. I was also sucking wind up those hills. Good to meet you, hac.

[hacman]

likewise bob! :) how was the second loop?

we'll ride again soon.... just as soon as i get use of my legs again. :)

[bigwheel]

likewise bob! :) how was the second loop?

We did a shorter second loop, but it was still nice. We must have seen the same 4 deer in a half-dozen different places. Also saw an owl fly over Troy's head.

[hacman]

hah! that's awesome!

all the deer just tripped me out. :) that was a blast out there, even if i could hardly ride it. :)

[Magic]

Good ride last night Dustin and Bob. Thanks for joining me on what I like to call home court. I still didn't see that owl. But the deer are out everywhere. Keep riding Dustin, by mid-summer you'll be flying out on the trails. MY legs are feeling it today. Thanks again and I'll see you out on the trails.

[hacman]

thanks Troy!

You guys are animals. :)

hey, i'd noticed last night on both your rigs that when you guys would kick up or down gears, it was a solid "click click" and that's it. on mine, with the kick ass stock setup, it's more like "click........... clackclackclack.... thunk".

is the motion that fluid on the better derallieurs? seemed nearly instant to my ears...

and that first time down the 2 90's, i lost my chain. lost it twice. derallieur upgrade would prolly solve that?

[bigwheel]

thanks Troy!

You guys are animals. :)

hey, i'd noticed last night on both your rigs that when you guys would kick up or down gears, it was a solid "click click" and that's it. on mine, with the kick ass stock setup, it's more like "click........... clackclackclack.... thunk".

is the motion that fluid on the better derallieurs? seemed nearly instant to my ears...

and that first time down the 2 90's, i lost my chain. lost it twice. derallieur upgrade would prolly solve that?

Dustin, I'm certainly not an expert on this. Maybe someone can give a better answer, but...

My bike has Shimano LX on the front, and XT derailleurs on the rear. They are only middle-class equipment. I crash and break stuff too often to buy expensive parts.

For the rear shifting, the important thing is to have everything relatively clean, and adjusted well. I noticed that when my rear sprockets or chain start getting gummed up, the shifting suffers. Also, if it goes clack clack clack before going into a lower gear (bigger sprocket), you may need to tighten your adjuster a 1/4 turn. When I put mine together, I usually try to center up the front (handlebar) adjuster, so that I can make minor adjustments in either direction while riding. Usually I get it right when putting the bike together, but sometimes I have to fine-tune it when on a ride. If you are unsure what direction to turn it while pedalling, just pick a direction and give it 1 or two clicks (1/4 to 1/2 turn). If it gets worse, go twice that far in the opposite direction. (repeat)

The other thing is to try to avoid shifting while you are pedalling hard. If you can (although not always possible), try to ease up on a pedal stroke while shifting. For the front, try to make your decision before hitting the hill. You can easily jump to the bigger sprocket if you are spinning too fast, but going to the smaller one is often problematic when you are straining on your pedals, and you will sometime jump the spocket. I always try to err on the side of too low of a gear on the front. The rear is more forgiving as far as downshifting while under load.

Finally, try to match brands with your chain with your rear cluster. If you use a shimano cluster, get a shimano chain. I use the cheaper SRAM clusters and chains on my bikes.

Also, I found that a cool, cheap invention for the rear derailleur is the Avid twirlmajig (or whatever they call it). It costs about 10 bucks, and puts a roller in place of the bendy part of your cable where it meets the rear derailleur. Well worth the price, IMO.

Good luck. Maybe someone else can add something or correct what I've said.

[hacman]

thanks Bob!

I'll look into that Avid Thingamajig (what a cool name). :)

Troy's gonna hook me up with an older rear der. that he has that'll surely help me out.

and yah, i try not to shift too much under pedal, but there were so many times last night that i just couldn't help but to do it. learning where to get the gear before getting there seems key. i'm betting that'll come with time and practice.