So who passed me this morning on the MVT?

[rcannon100]

Never understood the point of fenders. You are going to get wet. Just give into the dark side and enjoy it!

[Dirt]

@ShawnoftheDread 27971 wrote:

One would think they’d be able to find a South African revolutionary to serve as an icon rather than an Argentine.

Che has no borders.

Slightly more serious answer: There is still a lot that is politically charged to people of significance in South Africa that pretty much anyone local they chose would have a similar effect to a fast food chain having a policy on same sex marriage. There would be no up-side. They chose an icon that has proved to be almost universally positive for their business. I asked the owner about it and he said that he’d change nothing if he were to go back and do it again.

[KelOnWheels]

@ShawnoftheDread 27970 wrote:

But, most of all, I like riding in the rain in the morning just as much as I like it in the afternoon.

Oh, that’s good then: Risk of Severe Storms This Afternoon and Evening in Washington DC and Baltimore

[KelOnWheels]

@rcannon100 27979 wrote:

Never understood the point of fenders. You are going to get wet. Just give into the dark side and enjoy it!

I don’t mind the wet really, it would just be nice to deflect the mud.

[Dirt]

@rcannon100 27979 wrote:

Never understood the point of fenders. You are going to get wet. Just give into the dark side and enjoy it!

They totally rock when doing a 6+ hour ride in 40 degree, rainy weather. It is the difference between enjoying the ride and high risk of hypothermia.

When it is warm out, it means that you can ride in the rain and still have a dry, comfy posterior. That is the difference between a comfy bottom and saddle sores.

Short rides around town? It’s cool to be part of the soggy bottom crowd.

[KelOnWheels]

@Dirt 27990 wrote:

It’s cool to be part of the soggy bottom crowd.

Are you the Man of Constant Sharrows?

[creadinger]

@rcannon100 27979 wrote:

Never understood the point of fenders. You are going to get wet. Just give into the dark side and enjoy it!

The biggest difference they make is the dirt. If it’s raining, sure you’ll get wet, but you won’t get completely mucky from all the crap your tires are flinging up. Fenders knock that stuff down so that you AND your bike stay much cleaner.

Also those times when you’re riding and it’s not raining but the ground is wet? They’ll keep you dry then too. I think fenders are highly underrated.

[vvill]

I like fenders too. My folder is the only bike that has them on all the time, so it’s my go to for days like today.

[krazygl00]

@rcannon100 27979 wrote:

Never understood the point of fenders. You are going to get wet. Just give into the dark side and enjoy it!

I used to agree with this but I’m starting to change my mind. Fenders are the difference between, “Oh, my feet are wet” and “Oh, there’s a pool party in my shoes and my feet are invited!” I just wish SKS made RaceBlades (the quick detach ones) that covered 32mm tires (they max out at 23mm), because I don’t like the look of fenders on a cross bike and don’t want to have them on ALL the time.

[jhr]

@krazygl00 28009 wrote:

I just wish SKS made RaceBlades (the quick detach ones) that covered 32mm tires (they max out at 23mm), because I don’t like the look of fenders on a cross bike and don’t want to have them on ALL the time.

I think they do; I was looking at them before for similar reasons but I have 35mm tires on my commuter at the moment.

[GuyContinental]

@krazygl00 28009 wrote:

I just wish SKS made RaceBlades (the quick detach ones) that covered 32mm tires (they max out at 23mm), because I don’t like the look of fenders on a cross bike and don’t want to have them on ALL the time.

Couldn’t agree more- RaceBlades are great… if they fit. I can get a front blade on my “nice” bike but that’s it, rear geometry is a no go and I don’t like to deliberately ride that bike in the rain anyway. The CX with it’s 34mm tires just laughed at me when I tried to cram them on. On my old bike the blades would go on in about 1 minute so I only used them when I actually needed them or when there was a high prob of nasty rain in the PM. Fiddling with classic fenders and then chasing down the inevitable squeaks drives me nuts.

On fenders in general- mid summer I like warm rain and don’t even bother with a coat unless it’s really gross, but my ride is jussst long enough that even temps in the 70’s can be a big issue for body temp. Staying dry becomes pretty dang important.

[Dirt]

Using one of the duck bill fenders that clips to the seatpost can work pretty well if you can’t get the racerblades to fit. I was able to trim mine so they fit all of the bikes that don’t have fenders on them all the time.

[KelOnWheels]

Ugh. Giant & late BBQ lunch almost as bad as salad for ride home. Sloooooow.

Arlingtonrider spotted me in Shirlington though! She is either back from KC or has a good telescope.

[KelOnWheels]

@GuyContinental 27955 wrote:

Awesome that you got out! I weenied out myself… Just take note that that goo on your wheel is likely mud, grit and tiny bits of aluminum- a fantastic grinding paste that will eagerly grind your wheels to nothingness. Take a sec to wipe off your pads & braking surface with a rag. Once home I’d also clean and re-lube my drive train, grease my pedals and lube my cables. Water is fun on a bike but pretty destructive…

My bike is SO CLEAN! Took both wheels off and gave everything a good scrub. Lubed all the things. Tomorrow, fenders.

[Arlingtonrider]

Kel,

It was great to see you! I was just back from KC and running errands and enjoying a ride on my own wheels again. You’ve inspired me to clean up my bike this week. See you at the happy hour!

Kathy

[Author]

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