[thecyclingeconomist]

It is a cool frame…but he’s over selling it “just a tad” 😎 … SL is in no way a “faster” frameset than SLX or TSX…

I’d also stay away from a frameset that doesn’t have a stabilizer to help stiffen up the bottom bracket if the intention is to build up as a road bike as these can feel a little soggy. Though, this is a pretty small frame, so the person might not be too heavy, and it might not be an issue. If using for commuting; not an issue.

Just 2-cents.

[thecyclingeconomist]

Bump

[thecyclingeconomist]

@Dirt 43259 wrote:

I’ll keep an eye out for it on my way home. I think that’s my route tonight.

Thank you Pete.

[thecyclingeconomist]

I have yet to meet “the pink one”… he’s like the wizard from Oz… always out there, mysterious and wonderful, just pink rather than green in this case.

[thecyclingeconomist]

Tonight, rather than channeling Dirt and fuzzy pink bunnies… I channeled the dark side. So, I guess this is a self-proclaimed missed connection.

I had a guy scream the F-bomb at me because I’d drifted too close to the middle-line and he was oncoming…on the MVT near the airport. I was south-bound, he, north-bound.

I’d have normally just apologized, but instead, I had a complete short-circuit after he repeatedly screamed at me (and yes, I have my own idiocy caught on my video camera to reflect on in shame)… So, if this guy ever reads this… I’m really am sorry for escalating things. So, in response to him, I turned around, and continued the wonderful interaction, rather than just ride-on.

Now, there is a caveat or lesson to be had that are tied to these events and to this apology: To those who have the propensity to yell or curse at others who aren’t riding as you feel they should, just consider for a second: once you open the can-o’-F-bomb, it makes a legit apology pretty much impossible, even if the other party really did recognize that they could’ve been riding better or more safely. So, if you react negatively first, you don’t have any right to accuse the other person of being a @#$(*&%(*&@#*$*, repeatedly, for about 5 minutes. There is little that can ever be constructive once you open things that way.

I’ve had a particularly lovely time at work, and have a 7-week old, so am running perpetually on 3 to 6 hours sleep… and thus my ability to absorb negativity was at an all time low. If there wasn’t a video running, I’d probably have really lost it, and it honestly scares me how close it was to passing the snapping point.

Now let’s consider just for a moment, what on earth do you think the incentive was for me? Do you really think that I intentionally drifted in my lane? Do you think I was trying to hit you or run you off the path? If that were my intention, I could’ve done a heck of a lot better job.

Alas, for me I must remember; rather than reacting in anger; do as Dirt does… move on or throw bunny-rabbits at them… it would’ve done me better to just stay silent and keep riding. We all will have negativity enter our lives, it is what we do with it that determines our character and motivation. I didn’t do well tonight, and that I deeply regret as it isn’t normally in my character to act like this, and it is in fact exactly the opposite of how I try to carry myself and present my faith, my beliefs as well as be a positive example for my children. Ugh.

[thecyclingeconomist]

Another option is a sidecar. I loved our Chariot Sidecar… only on the used market though in the US. Here’s the link to buy new, but I don’t know how shipping would work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrJHyISAjUg

[thecyclingeconomist]

You are a beast of a Bunny… amazing the mileage and speed you can generate. My old boss did the death valley double on a fixie… I think that sounds like it’s something you’d be into.

[thecyclingeconomist]

I’ve been using snowboarding gloves for years. Mine have vents that zip on the back, so if your fingers are overheating, it can let some air flow.

They work great. Even the $12 (normally $50) Head snow-gloves at Costco work very well. My hands aren’t cold down into the teens.

[thecyclingeconomist]

The Chariot Cougar 1 is the best trailer out there. I’m not sure about it being mid-level (it’s second from the top of all the Chariots, and demands a hefty $500 if you buy new), but it’s worth it. I tested all the major trailers out there, and the versatility (this is a stroller, jogger, cross-country-ski trailer and bike All-in-one), and build quality were simply superior.

Insofar as pulling your baby… I sure hope you wait until your baby’s able to hold its head up, AND you can properly fit a helmet on. The research shows that most severe infant injuries on bicycles happen during accidents with trailers, but it’s not the reason that most think. It’s the fact that parents put their kids in trailers without helmets (due to a false sense of security), so if something happens, they aren’t protected. It is not because there are a higher frequency of accidents with trailers (those are actually less per mile ridden.)

Anyway, I pull my kiddos using my 29er, but any geared setup should be fine for pulling a trailer around. Make sure you plan your routes. It’s a different game now.

God bless and safe cycling!
Pictures are of our Cougar 2 (wider version), but our second addition to the family is only 7 weeks, so he’s not accompanying his sister yet.

[thecyclingeconomist]

[thecyclingeconomist]

FYI…I don’t think its broken or bent significantly.

[thecyclingeconomist]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzlIR7kJeQY

[thecyclingeconomist]

@KelOnWheels 42890 wrote:

Well I decided to be all fancy and try messing with the indexing barrel adjuster, so now it doesn’t shift at ALL, which sort of solves the derailleur issue I guess…

When are you riding home? I could meet you where 4-mile-run hits Glebe and take a look at this for you if you like.

[thecyclingeconomist]

@culimerc 42893 wrote:

I always leave enough room for evasive maneuvers.

I have drafted people I don’t know on a couple occasions, but I always ask if it’s OK with them to be on their wheel before doing some good ol’ wheel suck.

If they don’t know what it means when I ask “can I draft you?”, then it’s safer for you and for them if you don’t do it.

Just my 2-cents.

I think I should start a new thread entitled: “I hate how much I hate being passed”. Even today, when I mounted my Nokian Extreme on the front (which basically means I go 3 to 5 MPH slower than with my slicks); when someone with slicks passed me on the trail, it irked me to no end.

[thecyclingeconomist]

@DY4483 42805 wrote:

Suggestions welcome.

Unless you have video, most police won’t do anything. Run your video camera always; your situation is almost identical to the one that prompted me to start running my GoPro on every single ride, no matter what.

And… I’m sorry that you had to deal with this. It’s infuriating and just plain scary. I have two children and a wife at home… to think that some absurd road rage could really put my life into jeopardy really makes you ride a bit differently. I’m less aggressive, and tend to take longer routes to ensure that I don’t commonly encounter people that are in a rush and are stuck in long lines of traffic.

Though those are the situations that seem fun because you can cut lanes and thoroughly feel and be faster than cars, it also provokes them.

Stay safe and keep cycling! Tomorrow morning will be a whole new day!

[Author]

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