I Rode My Bike Today...

[Voodoo Tom]

After the third switchback, the front tire seemed a little too squishy. It was at that point that I questioned whether or not I checked the sealant after swapping wheels post Frog Hollow. Oops.

But I thought you used Finish Line sealant and it was supposed to last the life of the tire?

 

[da big hills]

Im still generally not meeting up with people outside of my household due to Covid. But if cases go way down after the (inevitable?) winter surge Ill hit up @Faust29 for some Gabes guiding, never ridden there.
Seems like i havent gone riding with you in a zillion years either

Actually a smart way to be right now. People with the Vax are carriers and now Vax cases are getting on par with the un Vaxed. It is hard to find info and the CDC-NHS is not exactly giving out the hole skinny. But there are other agencies that are publishing data and it looks like what we knew to be true "asymptomatic persons are carrying and contaminating others". And the Vaxed and unVaxed have the same problems.
So pretend like it's early in the alpha strain and know the virus is unstable and will morph again and again until they run out of Greek letters to name it.

 

[da big hills]

My usual quick loop from the house today. Wind wasn’t terrible. Took a little time bracketing my new suspension, loving the DVO stuff so far.

View attachment 79349

Dos Vientos looking overRancho Satiwa NPS?

 

[herzalot]

... And the Vaxed and unVaxed have the same problems.

Well, not exactly when it comes to hospitalizations... Wrong thread for this though.

 

[Faust29]

But I thought you used Finish Line sealant and it was supposed to last the life of the tire?

Pandemic compromises! Orange Seal was in stock…

 

[mtnbikej]

I rode last night. Just stayed local and did a few of the neighborhood trails.

Rolled through the bottom of the Oaks at dusk. The ride itself isn't anything exciting.....it's just bridle trails and walking trails.

On the way back, I got to a short HAB....as I was pushing up, I heard a crackle crackle and the tensioners on my shoe got loose. I also hit a cactus in the dark and ended up with a few needles in my glove....good thing it didn't get into me. At the top of HAB hopped back on and started pedal. Something didn't feel right. Felt like there was a rock jammed between my cleat and my pedal. I stopped and took a closer look:

Now I expect shoes to wear out over time.....I put enough miles on them. However, I don't expect them to structurally fail like this. The footbed cracked al the way across. Felt like I was pedaling in regular shoes. Disappointed that these only lasted 14 months.

I decided at this point just to cut my loses and roadie it home.

18.5 / 1625'

 

[herzalot]

@mtnbikej - what brand and model?

 

[mtnbikej]

@mtnbikej - what brand and model?

Shimano XC701

Basically they broke where the carbon mid sole ends. Not acceptable for a $225 pair of shoes.

 

[UPSed]

Shimano XC701

Basically they broke where the carbon mid sole ends. Not acceptable for a $225 pair of shoes.

I thought those looked familiar. I just picked up a pair. I hope mine last longer than that.

 

[sir crashalot]

What're you doin' tomorrow morning, big guy?

Thanks, but with the strong Santa Ana winds/fire weather predicted I think I’m gonna pass. Wouldn’t have much time anyway.
we need rain!!

 

[Bluesrider]

Dos Vientos looking overRancho Satiwa NPS?

Yup, that’s my backyard

 

[evdog]

But I thought you used Finish Line sealant and it was supposed to last the life of the tire?

I think you're confusing things with Dumonde Tech that according to some is supposed to last pretty much the life of the drivetrain

 

[SnakeCharmer]

Shimano XC701

Basically they broke where the carbon mid sole ends. Not acceptable for a $225 pair of shoes.

Those shoes look high-mileage on the undersides.

 

[mtnbikej]

Those shoes look high-mileage on the undersides.

I'd say close to 5000 miles.

 

[UPSed]

I'd say close to 5000 miles.

Curious. Do you think SSing adds any extra wear and tear to your shoes?

 

[herzalot]

Curious. Do you think SSing adds any extra wear and tear to your shoes?

I would think so - since evidently there is a lot of walking involved. Maybe not for J though.

 

[UPSed]

I would think so - since evidently there is a lot of walking involved. Maybe not for J though.

I was thinking more along the lines of pushing and pulling on the pedals while standing.

 

[herzalot]

I was thinking more along the lines of pushing and pulling on the pedals while standing.

Ohhhh - yeah. Lots of crazy forces when using that much muscle to force the cranks to turn. Good point.

I see a new market emerging - SS specific shoes. I'm too lazy and untalented to design them, but please give Ed and me royalties for coming up with the idea!

 

[mtnbikej]

I would think so - since evidently there is a lot of walking involved. Maybe not for J though.

I've done a fair share of walking in these.

 

[mtnbikej]

I was thinking more along the lines of pushing and pulling on the pedals while standing.

They aren't as stiff as they could be.....I'd prefer to have a a full carbon sole.

 

[mtnbikej]

Curious. Do you think SSing adds any extra wear and tear to your shoes?

I could make them creak.

 

[UPSed]

They aren't as stiff as they could be.....I'd prefer to have a a full carbon sole.

That I've noticed. Compared to my Specialized S-Works, they're flexy AF!

 

[Fueledbyex8]

Beautiful fall weather up at Blackstar, minus the 3-4 gust of winds that I encountered almost had me turning back to the car.

Made it past the dopler, but w/ a late start didn't make it much further. All in all really enjoyable outing!

 

[DangerDirtyD]

Only with the irony or silliness with which it was intended. We took a long time on the Hillyer section the first time with inspection, recon, re-dos etc. So cutting ten minutes off of that wasn't really much of an achievement! Still not going to make my numbers public. One @DangerDirtyD obsessed with STRAVA "cuppies" is enough!

Since you mentioned it, I conclude you don’t have many cuppies. Laguna is hard to cuppie, but there are places you should be competitive at least.

I rode my bike this evening after our 1pm dinner, and it was glorious! 15.43/1,505’ at Arroyo Trabuco.

The CDFW needs to figure out a reduction strategy for the crows that smother the landscape every afternoon.

 

[herzalot]

Since you mentioned it, I conclude you don’t have many cuppies. Laguna is hard to cuppie, but there are places you should be competitive at least.

Probably an apt conclusion. I wouldn't know. I never look. Never heard the term "cuppie" before you mentioned it, outside of the context of an (inappropriate?) reacharound on an adult female. I will guarantee you I am not the fastest person on any segment of any trail anywhere in the world - nor do I aspire to be. If that's what a "cuppie" is....

 

[SnakeCharmer]

Since you mentioned it, I conclude you don’t have many cuppies. Laguna is hard to cuppie, but there are places you should be competitive at least.

I rode my bike this evening after our 1pm dinner, and it was glorious! 15.43/1,505’ at Arroyo Trabuco. View attachment 79372
The CDFW needs to figure out a reduction strategy for the crows that smother the landscape every afternoon.

That's easy and you can do a good deed with my suggestion. Use a 12 gauge with bird shot to clear the skies and then set up a (crow) soup kitchen afterward for the homeless.

 

[da big hills]

I eat crow at work all the time. It is edible, sure you can eat it. But eventually it looses its taste.
Happy da birds filled trails.
There is a tree in the Hope Nature Preserve that they all drop down on to. 100's of them right at sunset. I will pass and climb the Lilly Tomlin trail, when I get back down they are all gone. They do this all the time.

 

[Runs with Scissors]

SThe CDFW needs to figure out a reduction strategy for the crows that smother the landscape every afternoon.

I read it as "cows" twice in a row...and then thought @SnakeCharmer's solution a little harsh. But for crows, quite apropos.

 

[Tom the Bomb]

Xtrails today with The bday boy Oldschool and he schooled me on the tight twisties. 11.20 and 2276. No wind, wonderful day.

 

[mike]

XC day with a run on Trail #1. Crash confession, bar strike and rider deposited on coffin-size rock. Dodged serious injury but the thigh contact made for a tough afternoon. 13 hours with 9:20 moving time. High 20s to mid 50s, little wind. Half the riders I saw had no helmet. One guy's dog put her teeth on my leg as I pedaled by. Just short of a bite. You can bet I stopped and gave the MF a full ration. Kind of a weird ride, but happy to get out.