[Jason B]

Absolutely hysterical!! Already sent it two friends that suffer from it.

[Jason B]

@rcannon100 115086 wrote:

Yeah, gotta say, these things are cool. Marymount U just had a 5K along a very similar route, and it was well supported by the community. I would love to see some way to support these type of events – which builds great community – and the interests of the neighbors who, ya know, need to get to the soccer game or home to dinner or to the political debate. Have to say, seeing the FB mob go by always made me smile

Agreed. This ride is definitely a community builder. When I would do the ride, my students on the baseball team would be looking for me as we went by the field {insert Rockwellian image here for effect} and once or twice kids would come out of their houses to cheer me on, which was easy for I would be at the end. When a few of the teachers started to wear the W-L jersey, we had a number of, “I think I saw you” and “My dad was riding right next to you guys.” I can’t tell you how many W-L alumni we ran into on the ride. I remember getting passed by one of my students on Powhattan, and that little punk said I should cut down on my smoking as he went by {insert graffiti image here for affect}. Almost, fell over laughing. That ride “was” one of those little feathers that made Arlington a cool town. When an out-of-town guest would come to visit, I would blah, blah, blah about monuments, but inevitably would also say, “Yeah, on Tuesday, practically the whole town meets at this bike store…zoom, zoom, zoom….and we all have beer and burritos at the end!” Honestly, that type of conversation is often reserved for New York, Seattle and San Francisco. We need to help clean it up and bring it back.

[Jason B]

Wait a second, The Old Anglers Inn is an actual place?!?
I thought it was a just a stimulus for me to groan and slowly get dropped.

[Jason B]

Sounds like good challenging fun, but I’m taking a few students down for the state science fair competition in VMI, but they get to watch me race on Sunday. I’m up for the next one.

[Jason B]

@Emm 112287 wrote:

Agreed, because then you find yourself with $2500 worth of new bikes 5 months before your wedding, plus another $400 in tune up costs for your existing 3 bikes since you both decided you need a new commuter (um, I swear, it’s all to get in shape for the wedding… really…).

I’m sure the wedding guests won’t mind sitting on the floor. Chairs at wedding receptions cost money…money that got spent on bikes…

Almost 20 years ago my wife and I registered with REI, so there is a long standing precedent for places other than Pottery Barn. But then again, we were into rock climbing back then, unfortunately an ascender doesn’t work with climbing hills on a bike.

[Jason B]

^^^^^^
That thing looks hot! Between that and that new specialized do-everything others posted on a previous thread, I’m kinda jealous I am not in the market for one of these…..must be strong, for I am venturing into N+divorce papers territory.

[Jason B]

^^^^
Yea, that’s the Velo article I was referring to. Damn, didn’t realize they are almost half the price. Dat ain’t right! Oh well, I least I have cool green stripe, which has to be worth at least an extra $20 per tire 😡
Just curious, are all you LGG’ers running 120tpi?

[Jason B]

@Tim Kelley 112045 wrote:

This will be fun–I’ll be out there with the cargo bike!!

EGAD! These were scary enough on my 17lb carbon. I can’t even imagine what it would be like on a 40lb hunk of steel…..wait a second, this could be fun. YEA, Rollerball baby. Bring on the Thunderdome!

[Jason B]

I just picked up a pair of Vittoria Pave CG’s. I liked the Gatorskins, but my trainer didn’t get as much ice this winter:rolleyes:, so I thought I try something a little racier. I have a couple of bumpy races and fondo’s, so I still needed something semi-tough. I’ll give you a follow-up report later this season. Although I recently read Clement makes a better/cheaper roubaix than the Pave’s (if that makes sense), can’t remember which one it was though.

[Jason B]

@hozn 111670 wrote:

Except for the whole pedal strike thing …. There’s a reason to keep the inside pedal up on [significant] turns!

True, last night’s Wednesday Nights Sprint in the Crystal City garage was complete carnage. A ton of crashes, including my own. Slid out, with the below as a result (geared). Honestly, it was more a result of not maintaining my ‘B’ bike. I have to say, N+5 only holds true if you maintain the stable, otherwise it is N+ a-pile-of-bike-parts. However, I would have to say, I pedaled through most of those tight turns. Riding fixed has me more conscience of my speed, although reduced, but less effort lost or exerted.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]8129[/ATTACH]

[Jason B]

#1 reason for me: Pedal stroke on the turns.
Riding a fixie keeps me pedaling on the turns, thus increasing my speed when I have gears. Way smoother and confident on the turns.

[Jason B]

Not once, but then again, ever since I built a wood platform for my computrainer, it is way more stable…..
let me have it, you moosemit-wearing-seven-layered-stinking-onions. Yea that’s right, your co-workers are only being polite so I will say it for them, “you stink big time”. That three second wipe you did in the bathroom didn’t do jack! They can all smell you. Didn’t you ever wonder why they have less meeting in the winter?!? And No, that Ibex wool base layer can not be worn as a stylish European sweater, its a damn smelly undershirt! And double No, wool cannot be worn 7 times before washing it. Your think your hair is cool and spiky, but we all know it is sweat and grime holding it up. Yea, I said it!:p

Great job to all of you, for this was a horrendous, unforgiving winter. You are all a bunch of grimy, stinky, poorly dressed, tough swashbuckling biking pirates that i bow to. BRAVO!

[Jason B]

Terrific (to keep with the web speak)

Let me get this straight, you have been talking to dcv, and you’re currently selling an extra Dura Ace 9000 crank in the classified,,,, I think we can put you in the speedster category. A lot fun rides and races coming up. Our local fun ride is the Air Force Ride. I’m sure there are a few more people can tell you about. There are also some good group rides around here that should be starting up soon, Bikekenetic, Fresh Bikes, Revolution, Spokes, Tri360, Belle Haven Blast by Potomac Pedlars, to name a few. BTW, i will be heading over to the Wed. night spin. I will be the fat guy on the old trek looking terribly out of place, or is that old guy on fat Trek, either way, say ‘Hi’ if you make it.

[Jason B]

^^^^^^
Congrats, and good luck!!!!
I have never done it, out of fear. Pace yourself for there is no obvious reason to do it quickly. I have to imagine your greatest obstacles are bonking and monotony. Set your computer/phone up so it puts you on a regular schedule to eat and drink, regardless of your perception, and find a good group to ride with to build some camaraderie.

[Jason B]

If she has an extra $200 laying around I think she should go for it, for there are enough differences that justify the cost. If on the other hand, this is her first bike, or an upgrade, than I think the $200 is better spent on a new helmet, shoes, saddle upgrade to start the season off right.

@DismalScientist 111097 wrote:

I’ve found this to be more of a problem with bikes from Nashbar, rather than BikesDirect. In any case, the website fully specs out the bikes. This would be more of an issue with the Motobecane, Windsor, and Mercier-branded bikes. The bike I post a link to was a 2011 Fuji that was presumably discounted because of its age.
I think that the difference between component groups is largely BS for the average riders, which is why I asked how the bike was going to be ridden.

I assume you posted the BikeDirect Fuji as means for her to look around for there other good deals out there, which I agree. But since this may be read many new bikers, I think it is important for them to do there homework on mail order bikes. My friend essentially got a BikesDirect 105 bike with a bunch of crappy other parts. That Fuji is listed as 105, but it’s not. The crank is no-name, the brakes Tektro, respectable but not comparable, the hubs are listed as aluminum, a brand I am not familiar with, the rims are essentially no-names. Although they compare the price with other places, the other places usually offer a full 105 group, Prologo saddles, and various decent wheels. After putting my friend’s bike together, i have concluded her wheels were some of the cheapest wheels you could find. To make such a comparison is deceiving.
I agree, your 40 old group is still kicking as many 40 year old groups probably still are. However, I think the amount of cheap plastic has increased significantly in the lower components making them susceptible to increased wear, making the comparison difficult.

[Author]

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