[Brett L.]

Today would’ve been a great day to ride in a swim suit. At least it’s something that’s designed to get wet……

[Brett L.]

@Steve O 151219 wrote:

You won’t drive us nuts. Start hanging out with us.

Only if you’re on my BAFS team. I don’t want to motivate the enemy, especially if you’re on the wrong side of the Potomac!!

[Brett L.]

@bobco85 151162 wrote:

For anyone new to the forum or feeling unaccomplished in biking for 2016, this image is what this bike forum does to a person (note: I joined the forum in 2012):
[ATTACH=CONFIG]13022[/ATTACH]
Stay on the forum, and you’ll eventually start riding more, joining more clubs, doing coffee clubs, happy hours, Freezing Saddles, the National Bike Challenge, and more until you have no idea how you ever did so much biking.

Also, use this Strava multiple ride mapper tool to see all of your rides combined together on one map: http://www.jonathanokeeffe.com/strava/map.php
Here’s my DC-area map for 2016 rides:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]13023[/ATTACH]

I look forward to hearing about all the new riding everyone does in 2017. Do your best, and keep at it!

Love this post. Probably what’s going to happen to me as well! Makes me feel a little less cycling crazy – I’m starting to drive people nuts with my newfound cycling obsession.

[Brett L.]

Short but sweet:

2016 –
Did more cycling, started commuting regularly in all weather in November
Finished first century
n+1
Edit: obviously joined Bike Arlington and signed up for my first ever BAFS

2017 –
Edit: BAFS!!!
Some idiot in this thread or another posted about Garrett County Gran Fondo and now I need to do that epicness. I’m going to die!
Continue commuting regularly
5,000 miles total riding (higher if possible)
At least one metric century every month, hopefully a full century
Get in shape, complete Chattanooga Ironman in September (semi cycling goal)
Start to convince wifey of (n+1)+1 for 2018

[Brett L.]

I think the start of freezing saddles should be delayed. Far too warm. Rule 9 was not in effect.

[Brett L.]

Thanks everyone. This is enough for now

[Brett L.]

Perfect. Street maps capture that amazingly. You can see cars dipping into the bike lane.

[Brett L.]

Haha, you guys have put too much thought into this. I just thought it looked cool :p

[Brett L.]

Not quite as neon, but…..
http://www.digitaltrends.com/outdoors/lifepaint-volvo/

[Brett L.]

I’ve always been told: when you are buying a bike, you are buying a frame. All components will eventually wear out, but if you treat your bike right, it’ll be good for life. You will eventually have to replace your chain, or your cassette, or your cranks/bottom brackets/wheels/etc. if you ride it enough. But if you get to the point that you’re wearing out more expensive components (ie, not cassette or chain), you’re riding your bike a lot anyway (and not driving) and you’ve made your investment back tenfold. All components are replaceable, and managed properly, you can keep a bike going forever with minimal cost when computed over the lifetime of the bike.

[Brett L.]

I believe that Cycleops makes an app that connects to your phone’s ANT+ receiver. I just happen to know that my cheapy phone does not have one installed, although most decent smartphones do. Total aside – the reason I have some a cheapy phone is because I have a cheapy cellphone plan – I only pay $12-14/month for unlimited call and text and enough data to meet my needs. The carrier is Republic Wireless and although I’m in a grandfathered plan, they’re worth looking into to save some $$. Same with Google Fi.

And thanks, I’ll go through that link and do some more research. In terms of bad-weather riding, I’m now a 365-day commuter but I won’t necessarily go for extended training/leisure rides (ie, non-commute) during unfortunate weather conditions.

[Brett L.]

Thanks everyone for the replies. KLizotte, especially, that’s pretty detailed.

I definitely understand the perks of using a VT, which is the main thing that I’m after. $500 is a lot of money though, and I’m hoping to find a setup that comes in cheaper than that.

1) How well do trainers stand up to wear and tear? Is a trainer something that I can safely buy used, or is it likely to be broken down?

2) If my smart phone does not have an ANT+ receiver, will I still be able to rig up a solution for a “dumb” trainer + speed sensor to work with the VT trainers? KLizotte mentioned something about a ANT+ dongle that can be connected to computers…?

3) If I do go towards a “dumb” trainer, should I look at magnetic trainers or fluid trainers? What are the pros/cons of each?

4) Some of the replies are making me rethink this whole thread. Seems like some folks are highly against trainers, would rather get out and ride. I completely agree with that concept, I love getting out and riding. I find it hard to motivate myself to push though in uncontrolled environments (random hills, traffic control, random cars/people/animals, winds, etc.). I probably should push harder, but it’s so easy to fall back into my comfort zone in those random environments. I feel like having a controlled trainer environment, I can really push and have no excuses for things being out of my control. I know it’s not true to real life situations, but I also don’t intend for trainers to be my only cycling experience. Am I being realistic with my expectations of trainers, or should I just keep riding outdoors and invoke rule 5 – harden $%&* up?

[Brett L.]

@Greenbelt 150506 wrote:

HP 100 pics
[IMG]https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15625718_1210963908970324_7086476126359392048_o.jpg?oh=425548e6c2fd6e57ad45534a0d2d2d51&oe=58F4A1B5[/IMG]
[IMG]https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15625951_1210963898970325_4270569256247359474_o.jpg?oh=5a5af9cfa1ec9f35e38bd8153011533d&oe=58F658E4[/IMG]
[IMG]https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15626191_1210963905636991_7473812619308968399_o.jpg?oh=5c5e5835c3240614f6f01da3a5049db1&oe=58F7DCC6[/IMG]

Working on the CX skills on the Anacostia Trail system going home, will Judd was pounding out a few more laps. Impressive that you kept going, trees couldn’t even stay up!

[Brett L.]

My first FS, I’m aiming to be there

PS, random question was about number of wheels on a unicycle. It didn’t like my answer of “one too few”

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