[Mark Blacknell]

@Mykeru 1830 wrote:

Sheer numbers, of course, is what distinguishes a religion from a cult.

Well, you’re just a basket of flowers, aren’t you? Enjoy your ride home, Mykeru. I hope it brings some happiness.

[Mark Blacknell]

Nice. Looking forward to hearing more about your setup for loaded touring. I’ve been chattering on for years about finally getting a bike I could CX/tour with, and what you’re putting together there is one of my likely paths.

[Mark Blacknell]

Rode from beginning through FC today – just tiny patches of ice (from melting/refreezing snow). You’ll be fine on the Salsa.

[Mark Blacknell]

Hard to give useful advice without knowing more. I think you’re on the right track with paying attention to frame issues, and as 1/8th sorta suggests, you should factor in a chain/cassette replacement to your costs. If you’re buying a bike with thoughts of upgrading pieces, make sure that you’re aware off all of the pieces of the puzzle. Rarely will it be an easy component-out-component-in swap.

As to frame stuff, make sure you’re looking at *clean* frame when you make that evaluation. Hairline cracks can be hard to ID in the best of situations. Give the places where the tubes come together extra attention (e.g., head tube, just below seat, bottom bracket, etc.).

[Mark Blacknell]

Sorry to hear about this, Mykeru. Good to hear that you’re generally fine, though. It’s a bit late now, but please consider filing a report anyway. No, you almost certainly won’t get any satisfaction out of it, but you’ll be helping your fellow cyclists by building a public record of the problems that we as cyclists face. I got hit in May, and didn’t call the police. I regret that now. Wrote a bit about that here.

[Mark Blacknell]

So sorry I couldn’t make it, and so cool that y’all managed it. Looking forward to 1) the shots, and 2) the second edition of this ride in the spring. I’ll make it happen.

[Mark Blacknell]

This is a *fantastic* idea. I’ve already got a ride commitment on Sunday, but I might have to see about that. In any event, I hope you can share your cue sheet/GPS track afterwards.

[Mark Blacknell]

Dude. Mykeru. Invoking a misplaced First Amendment defense and North Korea in the first half dozen posts here? Not encouraging. Just chill and check out the environment before going wild on it, yeah?

[Mark Blacknell]

Joe, I’m with you on all points, there.* I want Bike Arlington to be an open and welcoming forum for *all*. The question (for me) is just how much editorial discretion needs to be exercised to achieve that. A healthy community needs a margin of acceptable dumb@ssery. But given a choice between a community that is more tightly controlled than I like and a more inclusive community, I’ll opt for the latter.

*Except, man, I bet the average age here is a lot higher than one might expect/hope. I blame Dirt.

[Mark Blacknell]

Eh. So many conflicting values, here. 1) It’s just tacky. Seriously, if you’re going to do soft pr0n it, be clever. 2) Not a fan of active moderation. I much prefer to let the community sort it out organically. 3) Objectification can be fun! 4) but not really here. This just kind of made me feel embarrassed.

So, maybe we can just leave this poll up for a while and let the original poster take his cue from there? Also, if it stays up, look forward to additions of Tommeke, Pozzato, and – if it gets bad – Bob Roll.

[Mark Blacknell]

Hi, Runner750. I suspect you mean lightweight as relates to your existing bike, and not lightweight in the fast-carbon-racer kind of way. To that end, I’d suggest taking a look at the bikes over at Bikes for the Rest of Us. If you’re really committed to having a step through, you can click here to only show those kinds of bikes. Most reviews list a weight, so you can compare them to your existing bike. Good luck.

[Mark Blacknell]

Ah, 41st St. I remember the first time I accidentally turned onto it . . .

I never would have thought I’d be actively seeking it out one day.

[Mark Blacknell]

“Starbucks on Fairfax, Starbucks on Clarendon near the Apple store, and the Starbucks on Lynn “

Dead on. The exits are slightly more dangerous than the entries, given that they’ve generally only got one hand to drive with. I’ve never passed the Clarendon one w/o taking the full lane there. And I’m still sure I’m going to get creamed (ta da) one day.

[Mark Blacknell]

I think there was at least one successful effort to launch a “Critical Manners” ride in the area this past year (maybe out of Fairfax?). Maybe something to check back into, in the spring?

[Mark Blacknell]

Riley, I’m not certain, but I suspect you’ll find a difference between the two – namely, that the bike shop vest has reflective components, whereas the HD doesn’t. Would be worth $15 to me. Let us know how it works out, yes?

[Author]

Posts