[SteveTheTech]

@SpokeGrenadeSR 20311 wrote:

thanks boss, i’m really stoked on the whole thing. this weekend i’ll be getting some time in on a habitat build site in lorton so i’m excited to get a taste of what my summer will be like.

i had a wonderful time on the MS coast-the-coast ride, my brother and i were able to squeeze in the century (twice the length of his previous longest ride ever). these events are always such a great experience, i’m always pumped to see so many people out supporting a cause like beating MS.

I’m sure you will have no problem hitting your goal, that is such a great cause and an awesome feat on your your part. I will definetely be following your travels. Do you at least get to sleep in a hotel/motel or will you really be roughing it?
The BikeMS rides are awesome they are so well supported, I wish I had a SAG wagon to follow me on my rides out in the country some days. The people cheering you on along the route is what I find most touching. I did a ride in NC a few weeks back and there was one house we passed who had someone living there with MS with their kids and the neighbors kids cheering the entire time the group passed, it is quite a moving moment and something I will never forget.

@creadinger 20321 wrote:

Hope that helps! I’ll be posting a new thread on here soon about a cancer fundraiser, so I know what it’s like to raise money.

Many thanks sir,
Please do not hesitate to ask for some help here. Many people I have met in the cycling community like to pay the good karma forward, especially if we are planning on soliciting at some point in the future. I try to chip in to as many as I can during the charity ride season.
Last year I had a hell of a time working up the nerve to ask for money, I just don’t like asking for things. There were many people that kept telling me to remember that I am not looking for a personal handout. The money I have raised goes directly to a charity. The second go round is a little (only a little though) easier since I now believe that it is really not for me but for a cause I truely belive in with people who really need some help.

Very best of luck to the both of you.

[SteveTheTech]

@SpokeGrenadeSR 20029 wrote:

ive happily reached my goal already, but if youd like to contribute to my bike&build ride this summer i’ve provided that link. i’ll be co-leading a group of 32 other young adults in a trip from portsmouth, nh to vancouver, bc to build homes along the way and spread the word about the need for affordable housing. we’ve got to raise $4,500 each and i’m at $4,420 . [/quote]

http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/6196

That is an awesome charity event, I love that concept.
I know I have trouble getting a week away from reality, that is a bucket list item many of us will never get to experience. I wish you and your team nothing but the best and look forward to seeing some pictures from your travels.

[SteveTheTech]

Thank you kindly sir,

Send me the link for your page and I shall return the favor

I wish you all the best on your ride that looks like a very nice event.

[SteveTheTech]

@eminva 19746 wrote:

I don’t really have anything to add here, but Steve, I am going to be in the market for a new car in a couple of years and I think I need to start buttering you up because you could obviously be a great help in the selection process. . . . .

Liz

Shoot me an email, I enjoy helping people find the right car for their needs. I also really don’t care for/distrust most salemen so if I can help make one of them work for their money it is completely worth it to me.

nicostevethetech@gmail.com

@SpokeGrenadeSR 19785 wrote:

the truck is usually in NY and my family has a mechanic that they trust there and have been dealing with for many years. we do the regular maintenance thing and often have no issues with the mechanic. the truck is more than a decade old and spent 75% it’s life/miles driving over two mountain ranges twice a day….

So it sounds like you have for the most part taken almost as much value from that car as it has to offer. It may well be on barrowed time. I got my start working on cars up north and their life expectancy (especially on domestics) is considerably shorter than we typically see here in the mid Atlantic.
If you are just trying to kick the can down the road for a year or two max than you should be able to find someone to keep it going for you. Not running like new but running safely for a reasonable investment.

[SteveTheTech]

Oh no it is one of these questions again.

It is true that at some point in the lives of many automobiles they require expensive repairs. However who you choose to service it makes a huge difference in how the car acts afterwards. Yes going to an aftermarket facility like Midas or Currys can yeild great results at a significantly discounted rate but there are tools and proceedures these shops do not have access and they might just interpret the information incorrectly and make false recommendatation…even if there intentions are sound. The dealership is not always a perfect situation either, the labor rates are a fair amount higher and parts are also a bit more expensive. With that you get a few perks but to some that does not offset the cost.
Now I feel I must qualify that statement with a little bit of my background. I have been a luxury dealer tech for almost a decade now, prior to that I worked in an independant shop for several years. I started out way at the bottom…literally in the pit of a Jiffy Lube in southern Massachusetts. I’ve seen a lot and learned a lot over the years, and I still don’t have the magic answer to this question. I’ve seen good and bad happen in all facilities.

Finding a truly honest competent auto repair technician is getting harder and harder these days with advancement in computer controlled systems and lower cost OE parts the life span and replacement requirements vary wildly not just from brand to brand but model to model. This is really a place where trusting the person selling you things is not enough. You really need to do your own homework, the internet makes tracing common concerns and seeing what others are doing as far as repairs for almost every type of concern go.

As far as a non dealer recommendation. I have a great friend who is the manager of several of the VA area Goodyear stores and spent the first few years in the DC area working in their McLean store. I would feel comfortable recommending them to just about anyone.

@SpokeGrenadeSR 19681 wrote:

Hey everyone,

I dropped my car at a mechanic yesterday to have them look at my right rear brake, they looked around and said I need a whole new brake system and then some after naming off a bunch of leaking/rusting/fusing parts. As I was leaving I said I’d have to donate the car or something because it’s not worth it to replace everything, and one of the mechanics offered my $1000 for it.
SO!
I don’t know if they inflated the issues to get an easy-to-flip car, or if my “Brake lines are severely cracked” and I could have no brakes at any moment.

Does anyone have a mechanic in the arlington/alexandria/DC area that they could recommend to me? I live in Shirlington specifically so the closer the better.

Thank you!!

It doesn’t sound like your Ford is aging all that well. Have you had it regularly service over the course of its’ life until now?
Have they warned you these items were aging and will require replacement?

@Dirt 19710 wrote:

I had good luck with Curry’s for a few years then they went COMPLETELY OFF THE DEEP END! We haven’t taken my wife’s car there in 4 years and we’re still finding stuff they did wrong… things that we’re having to pay to get fixed elsewhere. I wouldn’t suggest anyone take their car there unless I really disliked them or their car.

Wow! I thought I was over being mad about Curry’s. I guess I’m not. I obviously am not drinking enough hard liquor. Have to fix that.

…

I see issues like this a few times a week on average these things happen and end up causing more headaches for everyone involved. It almost doesn’t matter where you go what is a true test of a service facility is how they treat you when something doesn’t go right. A national chain at least has an 800 number you can call and complain to, the same goes for dealers. Make sure you have a warranty in writing for any service or repair performed and always keep your copy of the repair order.

If you are ever in doubt before making an investment in your vehicle get a second opinion. When it comes to brakes, tires, and steering however waiting is almost never a good option. Please consider the items that keep you stuck to the road, going straight, and stopping not only effect the safety of everyone in your car but the people in the other cars and bike lanes you pass on a regular basis.

I’d start buy looking online at model specific forums for the exact problem you are dealing with, if it is indeed a known concern you may want to speak to the dealer. Having them perform an oil change will typically cover an inspection that should go front to back on basic items….if the car is in as rough a condition as they claim talk to the advisor and have them give you an opinion. I know I have had to break some very bad news to some owners about the decreased life expectancy of what was at one point a very safe and reliable vehicle.

[SteveTheTech]

^ That is an epic post right there. Sharing this type of information is (ideally) what this type of forum is for. +100 internets to you

I’ve personally been cycling for a relatively short period of time now and have the cardio to take several mile pulls in a fast moving group ride on long weekend rides. I enjoy pushing the limits of cardio endurance, I am not a fan of the muscular wall being much harder to overcome. The feeling of burning lungs is addictive, however shin splints can go take a long walk off a short pier. Of the multisport events it seems like it should be the easiest to deal with, but the most costly when it comes to overall performance times. I was going through the results of this weekends Kinetic and there were several people who killed the swim, T1, and bike, but lost it on the run.

Once I’m past the 1.5 century charity century I’m doing next month I’m planning on scaling back my weekday cycling to one computrainer class and maybe one group ride and capping the week with running while focusing on desperately needed swim practice.

It drives me nuts to only be able to put in a short amount of time running although it physically feels like much more than actual time on a bike. Although I haven’t been able to properly develop a cadence for running like I have for cycling and almost swimming so I am still getting a little twinge in the sides after the first .75 mi especially in a brick. But I feel like patience is the key to overcoming these issues. Luckily I picked a late season sprint as my first tri so I have plenty of time to practice.

Next on the docket is transition training and OWS practice.

[SteveTheTech]

@americancyclo 19411 wrote:

That hill should make for some fun action on the way down. I predict some spectacular crashes.

I shudder at the idea of people out for fun getting mind and matter splattered on the sidwalk in pursuit of a PR. I think it follows no draft rules so hopefully people are able to have some space to react and alter course. But I am sure there will be a few trips to the ER from there. It seems like they are giving fair warning. Some of us can handle 45 mph downhill its the guy in front of you that we are unsure of.

@PotomacCyclist 19412 wrote:

The Savageman website says that the max grade is 31% on the Westernport Wall, with an average of 25%. I think that’s similar to the Harrison St. climb off of Four Mile Run Trail in Glencarlyn Park….

.

***
Re the marathon, I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t one of those newbies who try to go from couch to marathon in one year. (Actually, I had considered that when I started running as an adult, back in 2008. But those plans quickly came to an end. I had good aerobic endurance from swimming so I could do some extended runs right away. But my legs weren’t nearly ready for that much running. I had some muscle imbalance issues, especially with the VMO or medial quad. Within 3 weeks, I developed a very bad case of runner’s knee. My kneecap was not tracking properly and started clicking loudly with every step. By the end of that first month, I could no longer bend my knee at all because of the pain. I took 8 weeks off from running to let it heal up, while I got back to strength training to improve my muscle balance. I also did some elliptical workouts and swim sessions. I fixed the problem as I’ve never had another problem with runner’s knee since.)
….

I haven’t decided on the Crystal Ride event on Air Force Cycling Classic weekend. It would be fun to do. But if I signed up, I would want to go for a gold medal (6 laps in 3 hours, or something like 56 miles). That’s going to be on the day after my goal 5K, so we’ll see if I’m feeling good in the weeks leading up to the ride. 5Ks aren’t long, but if I run one hard, I still feel a bit off for a few days afterward. Not completely wiped out, but not at 100% either.

Conquering the Wall would be a high point of cycling for just about any of us. I know I’d love to see my name on a brick. Being taken out by a pack of rookies seems like the worst ending possible, which means you have to breakaway well before that.

How did you start running?
Did you start with shorter interval sets to train the muscles or shorter low impact runs? I’ve studied the couch to whatever plans and a few other get up and run training guides and most of them have 10:20 plans at their core. I’m quite curious because I am in about the same boat you were a few years back, you seemed to have some really bad luck with injuries though.

The Air Force Classic looks like an awesome ride, I am right with you though…I get oddly competitive in anything remotely resembling a contest. I was psyched when I saw that….until I realized it was the same day as the big charity century I do. ahh first world problem.

[SteveTheTech]

@Tim Kelley 19387 wrote:

There is always SavageMan…

That’s an awesome alternative.

To anyone who hasn’t heard of Savageman this is what makes this a top ranking event on the Triathlon Magazines top 100 tris.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8drDVXFoig
It has the steepest climb in triathlon.

The Gran Fonda up there looks like an awesome challenge.
http://winthefight.org/granfondo/savage_century.htm
12,500′ of climbing in 102 miles.

@PotomacCyclist 19388 wrote:

I might try that at some point, but not this year. I don’t want to trash my legs one month before my first marathon. I

Plus I want to be able to say that I rode all the way up Westernport Wall without stopping or falling over. I might have a fair shot at that this year, but I can’t say 100%. After another year or two of training, I would be far more confident going in and thinking I can do it.

Taking on the MCM is nothing to take lightly. Kudos to you sir. Savagman seems like an event you spend the previous year training for and build your race calender around.

I’m planning on doing the Sprint in NH at the end of the season. The warning for the bike course is the main reason I want to do this.
http://setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=2234
That’s nice and short, and they revised the bike and run course to keep participants within the NH property instead of heading out on the local streets.

[SteveTheTech]

This one really chaps my britches. I was planning on volunteering for this event and participating in it as my first half next year.

I’ve heard that National Harbor is very open to sporting events. I have friends over at the National MS society and their huge century ride was OK’d by them with very little issue. They had a crossfit event there a few weeks back and I’m planning on attending the open water swim happy hour out there on Thursday afternoons.

To get the Mdot logo they must have had their ducks in a row to a certain degree.

Washington Sport and Event Management is the common denominator in both the triathlon cancellations….

The July calender for IM Halfs isn’t that great. The only other one on the schedule that’s realistically driveable is Providence, or Eagleman but that sold out months ago. There are half length events that are not IM sanctioned in the area but that would have been a great one for this area. What a shame.

It sucks to see fun events canceled but everyone here has to admit that a repeat of Hot Chocolate would cause riots in the street. The way they went about ending this event will in no way be garnering them any favors when they are looking for a location for any other events.

[SteveTheTech]

Aww man sorry to hear about your situation. I hope Liz is correct and the cycling background and base fitness level help you bounce back with a very quickly.

This should give you time to plan some upgrades, and plenty of time to do overkill amounts of research.

Cheers to a speedy turnaround.

[SteveTheTech]

That is such an annoying article.

Unless he was standing on the trail at the blind corner near the rec center there is no excuse for the cyclist not being in control through there. We fail at getting along on the road who would think the trail would be any different.

[SteveTheTech]

I my internet road bike. It was the only way I was able to get a full bike with a Tiagra/105 setup for a hair over $500. I took a gamble on size and it worked out. If I did it again I would opt to go on the larger side of the smaller size than the the other way around. I did this consciously though, other than that I am completely satisfied with my BikesDirect bike.

Most seem to come in a box the all the hard work actually done all that is left is some minor assembly and adjustments.

I’m thinking of getting a Tri bike blind but that will be next year.

Good Luck.

[SteveTheTech]

Can I ask a broader question?

I’ve been using Pearl Izumi MTB sneakers with SPD cleats without much issue for a couple thousand miles now. I had planned on upgrading to Look cleats and proper shoes but after my wife’s issue I’ve been wondering what commuters use? I’m pretty stable on one foot but the tiny contact point in the rear of road shoes bothers me.

[SteveTheTech]

I was in FreshBikes last weekend eyeing those Fizziks….mmm Kangaroo leather and race quality sail material straps…because that is what we are all missing. But no joke FB has a great selection to fit most budgets, and their people are great.

I’ve now got a pair of size 40 Giro with pink from them while there for the wife as first road shoes. She had no luck getting acclimated to them but did manage to scuff them to the point of no return.

[SteveTheTech]

Agreed great news

Cheers,

I’m over at Infiniti.

[Author]

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