I hate bicycles in canyons

[jhwalker]

How many times can you repeat the same shit?

Well, it's been what?.... almost ten years now, and I hear the same things all the time. Jeeez. Have I been associated with all you jokers that long? Damn. Apparently we just cant get enough. I can't think of how many people have come and gone, or I have "distanced" myself from in that same period. This says something about this core group. What, I am not sure, but is does say something!

sitcom anyone...

[SVTRonDogg]

I ride the mountains during the week to avoid rush hour traffic, and the roads on the weekend as early as I can to avoid the numbnuts in the Canyons. Did about 30 miles around the Mulholland area last Sunday, it went great. Stayed to the right unless I was riding downhill, in which I would move out and keep about 45mph when there was room behind me to pull out. 3 of us, all single file.

Of course, I've been on the other side of the coin, being stuck behind 2 assholes riding shoulder to shoulder South of Westlake for a good couple of miles. Couldn't get around them due to the blind corners, and they sure as shit could hear me in a pulleyed/full exhaust Cobra. Alas, there are dicks everywhere, especially on motorcycles and in cars. I swear Harley Riders all have small dicks.

Cycling is getting big and only seems to be getting bigger, especially this side of town - formerly known as Walkertown, USA. It's a shame when you see people getting hurt, they certainly don't deserve it no matter how many stop signs they disrepcted.

[jhwalker]

I ride the mountains during the week to avoid rush hour traffic, and the roads on the weekend as early as I can to avoid the numbnuts in the Canyons. Did about 30 miles around the Mulholland area last Sunday, it went great. Stayed to the right unless I was riding downhill, in which I would move out and keep about 45mph when there was room behind me to pull out. 3 of us, all single file.

Of course, I've been on the other side of the coin, being stuck behind 2 assholes riding shoulder to shoulder South of Westlake for a good couple of miles. Couldn't get around them due to the blind corners, and they sure as shit could hear me in a pulleyed/full exhaust Cobra. Alas, there are dicks everywhere, especially on motorcycles and in cars. I swear Harley Riders all have small dicks.

Cycling is getting big and only seems to be getting bigger, especially this side of town - formerly known as Walkertown, USA. It's a shame when you see people getting hurt, they certainly don't deserve it no matter how many stop signs they disrepcted.

Glad to hear that you are riding, Ron. We often took off at 6am, often just as the sun was coming up, to get a good ride in before the idiots (of all forms) got on the roads. A great ride from Bell Canyon was to hustle over to Mulholland, turn left on Stunt, climb Stunt for time to check my fitness level, and then head down to PCH, or if time was limited head over to Piuma down to Cold Canyon and back to Mulholland and back to Bell. If I knew I would only ride 3 hours, I pushed hard to be sure that I was toasted at the end of the ride, but if I was going to head North on PCH and circle thru the fields and it was gonna be 5-6-7 hours, I would pace it better to make sure I made it.

I really miss the bicycling. I am a little leary of riding down here because of the driving habits here... I will probably give in and start riding in a group out to the nearby towns and back. I like to have at least 1-2 other people riding along and no more than 5-6.

[SVTRonDogg]

I just signed up for the Medio course on this bad boy: http://www.levisgranfondo.com/course

Should be fun, looking forward to it. There always seems to be group rides on weekends with Meetup.com or local shops, going to start doing more of those. I feel a lot safer in a small group due to better visibility than just going solo.

[jhwalker]

I just signed up for the Medio course on this bad boy: http://www.levisgranfondo.com/course

Should be fun, looking forward to it. There always seems to be group rides on weekends with Meetup.com or local shops, going to start doing more of those. I feel a lot safer in a small group due to better visibility than just going solo.

Absolutely, same. I did a couple of organized centuries every year for the 20 years before I pulled out of SoCal. We did 80-120 mile rides training for the century rides. I think biking is the best thing out there -- no pounding, pick your heart rate, train to lower your rate, get strong. All good stuff.

Over and out for the night -- time to read..

[SVTRonDogg]

Picked me up a new ride this week:




And here I am last Sunday on Mulholland

[jhwalker]

Sweet! Both rides.

What other off-road bikes did you evaluate and what led you to the one you chose? How are your two bikes each geared?

On my Davidson steet bike, after some knee issues in my mid-50s I switched to a triple chainring to help out on the hills. Then in mid-60s I was feeling really strong and went back to a double, and regretted it because it forced me to stand on too many climbs (like Los Flores coming off PCH, which is straight up).
I miss the biking. The next 3 months are a bit chaotic, but I think I will make myself start out with the mountain bike again in October, and if all goes well get the road bike back into action. I'm seeing a ton more bikes on the highways here, a big change in 3 years.

[jhwalker]

OK, I could not figure out the name of the new mtn bike.

[SVTRonDogg]

OK, I could not figure out the name of the new mtn bike.

2013 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp Carbon 29. I really don't know much about gearing so I'll copy pasta: Chainrings 36/22, Cassette SRAM PG-1030, 10-speed, 11-36.


2012 Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert Compact: Chainrings: 50/34, Cassette Shimano Ultegra, 10-speed, 11-28t.



I went with the Stumpy because I liked the line a lot coming from a much older FSR. Was looking for something with more travel, better components, and a 29er. Also wanted a carbon front triangle. Had my eye on this one for a few months and literally stumbled onto a great sale price fori t.

[jhwalker]

OK, I could not figure out the name of the new mtn bike.

2013 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp Carbon 29. I really don't know much about gearing so I'll copy pasta: Chainrings 36/22, Cassette SRAM PG-1030, 10-speed, 11-36.


2012 Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert Compact: Chainrings: 50/34, Cassette Shimano Ultegra, 10-speed, 11-28t.



I went with the Stumpy because I liked the line a lot coming from a much older FSR. Was looking for something with more travel, better components, and a 29er. Also wanted a carbon front triangle. Had my eye on this one for a few months and literally stumbled onto a great sale price fori t.

I would not know what to do with a good mtn bike. That looks great!

I am still riding a mid-90's Schwinn Homegrown. I saw one on ebay for $100 if you are interested
Sprung front, solid rear.

My Davidson is a little older -- from the late 1980's. I would upgrade the components every 5-10 years. Did a major redo in 2000ish and had it repainted, re-everything. For some reason I have a problem changing bicycles... These are probably my last bicycles, but it would interesting to ride a good new one.