Posted on 02/02/2020 2:14:38 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
Welcome to The Bicycle Thread. A monthly PING List for bicycle enthusiasts to share experiences, information and ideas.
As an aside, I ride with a group of fast, older bikers (still much faster than me). The wife of one of the riders has trouble keeping up with the pack. Even though she rides, she increasingly complains about the length and speed of the rides (and discourages him from riding as much).
The easy solution for her would be a power-assist electric. She could keep up with the peloton and still keep getting stronger.
Like this wife, I know lots of folks who would like to ride with us, but are afraid they couldn't keep up (and would be embarrassed to be dropped). E-bikes are the perfect solution.
Though I ride 50-80 miles a week in the winter and more in the summer, I would love an e-bike for running errands around town when I am not up for an intense ride or am recovering from other rides.
Sounds like a plan :)
Your posts reminds me I want to get into bicycle/camping when my daughter gets older (she is 10 now, just got her ears pierced yesterday).
14 Feb is Winter Bike To Work Day in Colorado. Can’t really participate because I currently drive for Domino’s. But I still do most errands by bicycle.
Winter mountain biking is the way to go. Too many bugs 6th in the woods in the summer.
Ping
Worked as a mechanic at a large Schwinn shop in the 1980s. Working there helped me pay for college at NIU. Did tons of tuneups, laced up hundreds of sets of wheels, overhauled the three-speed coaster brakes, two-speed kickbacks, and every make of coaster brake. Straightened forks and frames, and assembled many top-of-the-line Paramounts with Campy components. This was the time when carbon fiber and aluminum frames were coming into the spotlight. I loved the work and the challenges of each repair. We would compete to see who could bring a tacoed wheel back to perfect alignment. It was a great gig. I’m still friends with some of my coworkers from back then. Bicycles have always fascinated me. It takes 20 minutes to walk a mile, but only a few minutes to ride one. Amazing engineering.
With the help of my colleagues, I built one of the first mountain bikes in Illinois. We based it on the Marin County “Mountain Bikes” that were becoming popular in California. We used a Schwinn King Sting frame and 26” BMX rims. I would ride it on NIU campus. No one had ever seen anything like it. By the late 1980s, mountain bikes were ubiquitous. That bike is owned by a colleague and is in as new condition.
I took these photos today on a short ride with my new LG Q60 I bought Friday,
Some kilometers from where I live there is a wall in a park that is used for street art.
You might be able to see a guy painting a large section for a new artwork...
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49477139271_33736b9fb7_k.jpg
This picture is on the other side of the wall...
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49477139646_1b8ed139be_k.jpg
I showed my daughter pictures of bicycles I took last week and this is the one she likes,
She has this week off from school so she can test ride it soon.
I can put a down payment and then buy it in two weeks.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49476654193_cfac13387e_k.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49477138946_8b2d78f168_k.jpg
Fort Worth where I live has 60 miles of concrete trail along the river.
It will eventually connect all the way to Dallas!
Lots of fun down there. With restaurants and bike shops along the way.
I just rode my MB yesterday in southern NH.
Some ice and snow on the trail, I switched to studded tires this year and traction is great. My buddy used his summer tires and did ok as well, he just had to be careful on the corners.
Confession is good for the soul. Let it all out man.
Good to see you're on the straight and narrow path now.
I've got a street bike (Marushi 12-speed) - strictly for asphalt.
The C&O Canal is great. Re: the best bike: newbies should be aware that some sections get rocky, rutted or muddy, and many sections have tree roots and considerable forest debris. Upstream, the path is also frequently overgrown, with the clear path reduce to a narrow track. A trail oriented hybrid is a good recommendation for longer rides and rides on the well-maintained sections, but it does require some care. On the rougher sections and in wet weather, I like a mountain or trail bike. Full suspension is overkill, but a hardtail is nice in the sloppy and rocky parts. It’s heavier, but it’s nice to be able to sail over or through the obstacles. I’m old enough to prefer the lazy man’s choice on shorter rides, but if I’m going more than 25 miles or so, I’d go with the hybrid.
Mountain biking, weather permitting, in the Winter as long as the trails are not snowed in and it is above 35°. Bought a Fox Racing fleece lined flannel shirt from Amazon for $65 dollars that makes all the different in being comfortable biking when it is below 50°.
Yes, the canal path has to be maintained. I was riding it during that very wet spring two years ago, went around a bend, and found the river rolling over a section of the towpath. Being prudent, I turned around, rode back and got off the towpath pronto. The Park Service guys showed up to close the trail as I was leaving. Keeping it up is an ongoing struggle. Chat with some of the maintenance guys some time when you ride past them. They are great guys, always friendly, the kind you are glad to see in a Park Service uniform, and you will get an education.
Considering an E bike for the wife who has COPD but there are so many choices I’m stumped. Anybody got a line on reliable reviews?
Canada?
I like downhill biking.
Seriously, a bike with a motor is not a bicycle.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
