cycling and century rides -

[andr0id psycho sho(ker]

Hey, checked around and saw a thread wasn't made about bicyling or doing competitive events involving it. If anyone is interested in discussing their cycling stories, tricks or tips this is the thread to be

 

[NOT Sword Fighter Super]

I once wasn't paying attention and drove my bicycle directly into a telephone pole when I was 14.

Does that count?

 

[andr0id psycho sho(ker]

I once wasn't paying attention and drove my bicycle directly into a telephone pole when I was 14.

Does that count?

sure why not? Here's a cycling story of mine from when I was a teen.

Me and my dad were doing our 2nd century ride, known as the seagull century, a big 102 mile loop that circles around the delaware, maryland and virginia peninsula after doing it the previous year. We knew the ride was long but practically flat all the way through and had trained for it in the coming months so we felt like this would be rather easy for the 2nd time since we knew what was coming. During the 1st 60 miles and three rest stops, a massive tail wind was blowing at our backs allowing anyone to do about 20 miles per hour with some minimal effort, allowing me to drop my dad and blow through the 1st 60 miles relatively easily before having to turn around at the 3rd rest stop to loop around. Now with the wind blowing against me, everyone was struggling hard to get above about 8 miles per hour with me getting a reprieve only because my dad was worried about me and called the cops, getting me taking to the 4th rest stop where my dad was waiting for me. After learning it would be hours before a car arrived to pick us up if we wanted to quit, we decided to finish the last 20 miles together with me even dropping dad yet again only for him to find me shortly after sprawled out in a corn field spread eagle style with how tired I was about a mile from the finish line. After a short break, we managed to complete the race entirely, feeling quite accomplished in doing so

 

[Slime Tube]

A well padded and comfortable saddle is a wise investment if you're going to be riding a full century. Cheap saddles, while fine for short rides for day-to-day business, will chafe you in intimate places should you attempt to sit on them for long duration rides. You do not want to be in pain on your way home, nor picking scabs off your buttocks the next day.

 

[andr0id psycho sho(ker]

A well padded and comfortable saddle is a wise investment if you're going to be riding a full century. Cheap saddles, while fine for short rides for day-to-day business, will chafe you in intimate places should you attempt to sit on them for long duration rides. You do not want to be in pain on your way home, nor picking scabs off your buttocks the next day.

Agreed. tbh, I haven't ridden in years but I do plan to get back into the business of doing it likely late summer or early fall. I may even do the seagull century ride again next year when I have the time to train for it. My training route is going up and back a bike trail near my house called the WO and D in a set of stages which ends with a total of 62 miles round trip of various hills and terrain along with heavy vehicle traffic at times

 

[Slime Tube]

Agreed. tbh, I haven't ridden in years but I do plan to get back into the business of doing it likely late summer or early fall. I may even do the seagull century ride again next year when I have the time to train for it. My training route is going up and back a bike trail near my house called the WO and D in a set of stages which ends with a total of 62 miles round trip of various hills and terrain along with heavy vehicle traffic at times

Do you have a steed arranged for your travels or anything specific in mind to purchase?

 

[andr0id psycho sho(ker]

Do you have a steed arranged for your travels or anything specific in mind to purchase?

I actually already have a bike in excellent condition at home that still fits

 

[Slime Tube]

I actually already have a bike in excellent condition at home that still fits

The trail looks fun. A mix of nice steep climbs and some long descents. Paved, too. I was expecting something a touch more suited to gravel bikes from the way you described it.

 

[andr0id psycho sho(ker]

The trail looks fun. A mix of nice steep climbs and some long descents. Paved, too. I was expecting something a touch more suited to gravel bikes from the way you described it.

there are a few pot holes in the road that haven't been fixed up but it's fine all things considered. The cycling merit badge in my local boy scouts troop uses it for it's routes

 

[millais]

What's the best way to warn people that you are passing them? I have just been shouting "Passing you on the left/right", but it doesn't feel like an ideal system.

 

[andr0id psycho sho(ker]

What's the best way to warn people that you are passing them? I have just been shouting "Passing you on the left/right", but it doesn't feel like an ideal system.

Hm, tough question. I believe telling the person you are going to pass them and giving them a chance to get out of your way before you do so is the best way. The reason saying "on your left/on your right" is so prevelant is because there likely isn't a better option

 

[millais]

Hm, tough question. I believe telling the person you are going to pass them and giving them a chance to get out of your way before you do so is the best way. The reason saying "on your left/on your right" is so prevelant is because there likely isn't a better option

I know when I'm cycling, sometimes I struggle to clearly hear what's going on behind me if it's particularly windy or I'm going over rough pavement, so that was my only concern regarding using shouting to signal my intention to pass to other cyclists. I don't even know where I would mount a bell or some other noise making device on my handle bars, it's all cluttered up now with after market gear shifting controls and odometer/speedometer and flash light and shit.

 

[andr0id psycho sho(ker]

I know when I'm cycling, sometimes I struggle to clearly hear what's going on behind me if it's particularly windy or I'm going over rough pavement, so that was my only concern regarding using shouting to signal my intention to pass to other cyclists. I don't even know where I would mount a bell or some other noise making device on my handle bars, it's all cluttered up now with after market gear shifting controls and odometer/speedometer and flash light and shit.

Hm, fair point. Perhaps rearraging some space for a loud bike horn would work for your signalling needs? My dad has a rather loud horn he uses when he wants to get the attention of cars that try to cut in front of him on occassion

 

[Slime Tube]

If you're unable to hear someone shouting at you, you're not going to hear a bell either. On horns:

 

[Slime Tube]

Rode my first century of the summer recently. A welcome change from suffering indoors on the trainer, it was nice to get out, see the wildlife and soak up the sun. Red Bull is surprisingly effective as a fuel source after 8 hours of cycling.

 

[andr0id psycho sho(ker]

Rode my first century of the summer recently. A welcome change from suffering indoors on the trainer, it was nice to get out, see the wildlife and soak up the sun. Red Bull is surprisingly effective as a fuel source after 8 hours of cycling.

good for you. Do anything special for the meal afterwords?

 

[Slime Tube]

good for you. Do anything special for the meal afterwords?

Sadly not; my training buddy has the body of a racing snake so I'm attempting to manage my weight more aggressively than usual this year. Managed to get out yourself, yet?

 

[whatever I feel like]

Had some dumbass yell at me that I am supposed to go against the flow of traffic the other day. Needless to say I called him a "fucking retard."

 

[andr0id psycho sho(ker]

Sadly not; my training buddy has the body of a racing snake so I'm attempting to manage my weight more aggressively than usual this year. Managed to get out yourself, yet?

Probably going to this weekend when I get done with my workload for this week

 

[XYZpdq]

I had a stretch where I was between cars because somebody backed into mine and the car I had lined up was about a week away. My job and groceries were about a mile away from home, so I just bought a cheap bike at wal-mart for way less than renting a car for the week.
It was fun enough. After I got the car I dropped the bike off in a shopping center for some crackhead to steal.