@chris

@minion

@Marcus

Marcus and Minion bickering, have I just been transported back to 2013?

God I hope so!

We’ll see. Fucking Marcus sticks his nose above the parapet once every now and then, gives me a break from trolling Fhrohnhk.

Haha!

Next time I get caught in the beloved rain, then I’ll turn my jersey around backwards. There.

Minority report: fenders look less worse than skunk stripe (which just makes you look like a dilettante who forgot to check the weather forecast), especially if you ride dirt roads in spring and fall or at all in the snow. Especially especially if you make a cafe stop afterwards. They also imply you invoke Rule #9 regularly enough to make it worth the hassle of installing them.

No one should really know about your Rule #9 episodes. Service in silence. No one should know or would care anyway.

@minion

@Marcus

Marcus and Minion bickering, have I just been transported back to 2013?

God I hope so!

@Marcus

@Marcus

@Neil

This isn’t a website for cyclists, it’s a website for two wheeled fetishists.

No mudguards in winter? In a bunch? Fuck everyone else just as long as you look good? That’s cuntish behaviour of the highest order.

*prepares for incoming*

Glad I’m not alone in this. Back in the day when we would train all winter in Seattle, if you showed up to a team ride without fenders and mudflaps in off season, you either got sent home, or had to ride at the back, but far enough off that you werent getting a draft.

Hey Marcus,

Fuck off. I was here first.

Marcus

Who the fuck are you?

Marcus and Minion bickering, have I just been transported back to 2013?

@Marcus

@Neil

This isn’t a website for cyclists, it’s a website for two wheeled fetishists.

No mudguards in winter? In a bunch? Fuck everyone else just as long as you look good? That’s cuntish behaviour of the highest order.

*prepares for incoming*

Glad I’m not alone in this. Back in the day when we would train all winter in Seattle, if you showed up to a team ride without fenders and mudflaps in off season, you either got sent home, or had to ride at the back, but far enough off that you werent getting a draft.

Hey Marcus,

Fuck off. I was here first.

Marcus

Who the fuck are you?

Now I concede.

Fuckstick?

@Ron

Nice! Glad to read that I’m not the only one running multiple rear lights!

LOVE how many lights are now usb rechargeable, can’t just plug them in during the day at work and make sure I’m topped up for longer road rides.

Eh? If you don’t use a ‘puter you just need a USB wall socket adapter.

@Ron can’t plug into any wall sockets at work though.  He works in a coal mine just for the Rule #5 cred.

Yup I have one of those for my bar mounted rabbit cooker.

meant to reply “hey fuckhead!”

@universo

Hey mate, don’t worry about it, I’m just yanking your chain! It’s all cool.

Good. We can revert back to “hey fucker!”

USE also offers a 26.0 handlebar bracket – super clean.

@chuckp

I’m researching and testing a new secret weapon for riding my machine at dusk and nightfall.

Most of the nighttime mtb crew I ride with use Exposure lights for full on off road night rides.  Never had any problem with them and they will melt rabbits in their tracks.

Hey mate, don’t worry about it, I’m just yanking your chain! It’s all cool.

I’m researching and testing a new secret weapon for riding my machine at dusk and nightfall.

@litvi

I never said I wasn’t stupid, just not THAT stupid.

Again, I left this community for a short term and returned without all my faculties being together. Total reverence for Oli’s wisdom and merit. I for one still suck and have a long way to go.

Nice! Glad to read that I’m not the only one running multiple rear lights!

LOVE how many lights are now usb rechargeable, can’t just plug them in during the day at work and make sure I’m topped up for longer road rides.

Eh?  If you don’t use a ‘puter you just need a USB wall socket adapter.

aye a rear fender may help keep the road shite off the light but I have yet to be behind anyone sporting a rear fender and not get sprayed anyway, good for the rider not the guy behind and it just looks naff anyway, but each to their own. Key point is to really make sure the charging point plug is fully secure, and a wee dab of silcon grease wont hurt either.

LOVE how many lights are now usb rechargeable, can’t just plug them in during the day at work and make sure I’m topped up for longer road rides.

I’ve had to warranty two as when they get sprayed in salty shitty water they can leak if the seals aren’t set just so.

You know, a rear mudguard might solve that issue! (runs for cover . . . ) And anyway, you live in Scotland, home of wetness. Back in my day, mudguards were de rigeur on your winter bike. The #1 was for those fleeting, rare dry days or racing. Doing the Three Lochs or going down the coast to Largs and West Kilbride in the wet was miserable enough in wool without being soaked by tire spray. (sorry, tyre spray).

@hudson

@Ron

@frank

And yup on the lights. Though there is no telling when a text will get in the way of not ending my life, I feel better having front/rear lights when I’m riding on open roads.

Not having lights is like not wearing a helmet in my opinion, at least a rear light, something small but with the power of the Eye of Sauron.

Except during peak summer/daylight, most of my riders (after work) carry over into the waning hours of daylight and sometimes into darkness. Plus I live in and ride in (or transit through) a dense, urban area with a lot of cars/traffic. So lights have become a “must have” for me. I have a Bontrager Ion 700R front light. Three steady state modes (250/450/700 lumens). 700 lumens is actually too bright at night in an urban setting (blinds oncoming traffic), but 450 provides both enough light to see and be seen. The 50 lumens irregular strobe is great to use to be seen during daylight (there’s also a regular flash mode).

My rear light is a Bontrager Flare R, which in bright mode is supposed to be visible in daylight from 2km. I can’t say for sure if that’s true, but the first time I ever used it on a small group ride and got out ahead just for fun (maybe a kilometer), when we re-grouped everyone said you could see the flashing/strobe and quite a distance (there’s also a steady state mode). In bright mode it’s actually too bright if you’re riding in close quarters. My wife has asked me to “tone it down” when she rides with me. And when it gets dark out, the less bright setting is definitely more than enough to be seen.

These are exactly what I use.

For reasons that may (or may not) be revealed later I am Training Properly which means a lot of high(ish) speed solo night riding. I live near the Middle of Nowhere so dark here is really dark and the pool of light out front seems to keep the owls off as well as allowing one to see where one is going.

The 700 setting eats the battery in about 45 minutes but is handy for bursts on descents. The 450 I haven’t got to the bottom of yet and is fine for most purposes. I use a big battery Nite Rider front light too – always feel better with two lights up front and I get 750 from it if needed – its like having your own patch of daylight.

I use two Flare’s on the back – one on steady and one set to stun – never run out of juice yet. Minor niggle is I’ve had to warranty two as when they get sprayed in salty shitty water they can leak if the seals aren’t set just so. The seal on the front is excellent so why the seal on the rears is relatively crappy beats me.

I never said I wasn’t stupid, just not THAT stupid.

@Oli

We don’t have lights on our bikes when we race so wtf are they doing on your bikes at all? Rule #5 people.

To see in the dark. I’m not fkn Bat, Man !

…and I corrected your post

Oh my goodness. I totally did not expect anyone to take that one seriously in the least. I’m embarrassed and sad that you think I’m really that stupid.

Well I wasn’t gonna say nothin, but as long as you bring it up…

@Neil

This isn’t a website for cyclists, it’s a website for two wheeled fetishists.

No mudguards in winter? In a bunch? Fuck everyone else just as long as you look good? That’s cuntish behaviour of the highest order.

*prepares for incoming*

Glad I’m not alone in this. Back in the day when we would train all winter in Seattle, if you showed up to a team ride without fenders and mudflaps in off season, you either got sent home, or had to ride at the back, but far enough off that you werent getting a draft.

Hey Marcus,

Fuck off. I was here first.

Marcus

I wuz wrong to say those wurds.

No, but @universo clearly did. Sheesh.

Oh my goodness. I totally did not expect anyone to take that one seriously in the least. I’m embarrassed and sad that you think I’m really that stupid.

I didn’t, sarcasm is all I’ve got also.    Carry on, nothing to see here !

We don’t have lights on our bikes when we race so wtf are they doing on your bikes at all? Rule #5 people.

To see in the dark, Im not fkn Bat Man !

@Jonathan

I guess it depends on the ride, as well. For truly nasty rides that involve a little gravel and dirt, fenders can actually become a hazard. But for winter training rides on damp roads? That just means I get colder faster and do less miles. Not interested.

Or you can get colder faster and do the same distance because of Rule #5.

If you’re getting cold you’re wearing the wrong kit.

Rule #5 is obviously important; if you stop and start whining about the conditions you’ll get cold, if you keep going you’ll stay warm.

Don’t allow Rule #5 to become debased by meaning *dumb the fuck up*!

Good people are looking after you while racing and no one is watching you train.

Here we go . I have 4 road bikes . 3 of them drool worthy,spotless and looking fantastic .One under 15lbs with pedals ,the other 2 steel and under 17lbs. The 4th is a 25lb steel Norco with full Portland Design works fenders. Guess which bike I ride when its raining or below freezing with wet salty roads . Guess which bike has taken me through more shit than any bike I have ever owned. Guess which bike is a work horse . Guess which bike keeps my feet and body relatively dry in wet conditions. Guess which 3 bikes have minty clean drive trains . Guess which bike keeps me strong with its 25lb heft . Guess which bike makes my others feel like rocketships with their light weight.Guess which bike has served me well through mud and grime with its blessed fenders . Guess which bike has become one of my favorites .I could go on and on . Its ok to love your beater bike with its full fenders rules or not .

If it requires you to put out x Watts to ride your #1 at 30 kph, it will require +/- 2 additional Watts to ride your heavier bike (accounting for the additional mass alone, assuming no change in effiiciency, etc.).  This is from some calculator I found on the webs, so let’s just assume it’s roughly accurate.

Moving from the science to the real question: if you’re willing to put out 2 additional Watts to push around a heavy bike at a given speed, why would you not want to apply those two additional Watts on your #1 and go a little faster?  I get the psychological effect of your bike feeling fast and light under you come race day; but aren’t the effects of riding faster all the time just as valuable?  I’m thinking something like the effects of moto-pacing.

Here’s where I see a difference: the light-as-fuck feeling fades almost immediately, and you settle back into the slower pace you’re “used to” from spending your time on a heavy bike.  When you’re racing #1, you want to think “this feels right.”

I enter the house through the basement where the washer/dryer is. I love it when I take the kit off and my body still oozes water for a while.

Methinks we just got to the “too much detail” point.

@Jonathan

Jeez, this is only my second post here, but I’m already going to get into trouble. I had a lovely purpose built Rando style bike with fenders and dynamo lights and all. It was absolutely amazing in the wet. I’ve done my share of hardcore rides, but after realizing fenders exist, it seems pointless to suffer needlessly. That and properly installed fenders are not at all noisy. Careful shopping results in fenders that aren’t absolutely hideous, but I’m not going to pretend they’re optimal in the looks department.

I found that despite how carefully they are installed on a racing bike, the clearance is so low that if they don’t make noise themselves, then they at least will make noise when road grit gets in there.

 

Maybe you should leave the tools to someone who knows what they’re doing?

@minion

Don’t be so offendersive!

Gawd, you’ve kept that one tucked up your mudguard waiting for the right moment haven’t ya?

I’ve said this previously but I know it’s been a “good” ride when the VMW says “get straight in the shower and don’t bother getting undressed first”. Though oddly this seems to be becoming “you might as well hose yourself down too while you are cleaning the bike”.

I enter the house through the basement where the washer/dryer is. I love it when I take the kit off and my body still oozes water for a while.

@Patrick

So, after lurking for a year. I have to spill my guts now. IMHO looking good is not the primary aim of riding a bike. It’s to ride a bike! As much as possible, as often as possible and as far as possible. The rules should support that goal. And mudguards and saddlebags support that primary goals. So if needed, I ride with a saddlebag and I can go further and ride more.

I don’t understand how mudguards or saddlebags make you ride farther; no one needs to carry all that shit. I do solo unsupported 12 hour rides without an EPMS or mudguards. That seems long enough to prove the point.

Jeez, this is only my second post here, but I’m already going to get into trouble. I had a lovely purpose built Rando style bike with fenders and dynamo lights and all. It was absolutely amazing in the wet. I’ve done my share of hardcore rides, but after realizing fenders exist, it seems pointless to suffer needlessly. That and properly installed fenders are not at all noisy. Careful shopping results in fenders that aren’t absolutely hideous, but I’m not going to pretend they’re optimal in the looks department.

I found that despite how carefully they are installed on a racing bike, the clearance is so low that if they don’t make noise themselves, then they at least will make noise when road grit gets in there.

I guess it depends on the ride, as well. For truly nasty rides that involve a little gravel and dirt, fenders can actually become a hazard. But for winter training rides on damp roads? That just means I get colder faster and do less miles. Not interested.

Or you can get colder faster and do the same distance because of Rule #5.

But a huge no to the saddle bag. Utterly useless and ruins the lines of a bike. Jerseys have pockets for a reason. If you can’t put your flat kit in a jersey pocket with room to spare, you’re carrying too much crap.

Finally some sense!

That’s a bontrager product.

@Waz

We scienced the fuck outta this place, son.

I guess it depends on the ride, as well. For truly nasty rides that involve a little gravel and dirt, fenders can actually become a hazard. But for winter training rides on damp roads? That just means I get colder faster and do less miles. Not interested.

But a huge no to the saddle bag. Utterly useless and ruins the lines of a bike. Jerseys have pockets for a reason. If you can’t put your flat kit in a jersey pocket with room to spare, you’re carrying too much crap.

[IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c332/wazgilbert/bikes/DSC_0942_zpsu7ldxvic.jpg[/IMG]

Commute or winter training – this bike cannot be added to enough to avoid the shite coming off the roads, the front mudguard is extended to protect the BB even more, and I wrapped some plastic around the rear wheel at the seat tube to protect it from the rear wheel and the mech.

USE Exposure Flash/Flare all the time and a Strada for seeing where I’m going when it is properly dark.

[IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c332/wazgilbert/bikes/FC09348F-E37D-4153-864C-C7127DD72E4F_zpsdmogzdcf.jpg[/IMG

those little lights are surprisingly good, especially on the pulse style flash setting.

@hudson

Not having lights is like not wearing a helmet in my opinion, at least a rear light, something small but with the power of the Eye of Sauron.

newfangled comments options. tsk.

Commute or winter training – this bike cannot be added to enough to avoid the shite coming off the roads, the front mudguard is extended to protect the BB even more, and I wrapped some plastic around the rear wheel at the seat tube to protect it from the rear wheel and the mech.

USE Exposure Flash/Flare all the time and a Strada for seeing where I’m going when it is properly dark.

[IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c332/wazgilbert/bikes/FC09348F-E37D-4153-864C-C7127DD72E4F_zpsdmogzdcf.jpg[/IMG]

those little lights are surprisingly good, especially on the pulse style flash setting.

@hudson

Not having lights is like not wearing a helmet in my opinion, at least a rear light, something small but with the power of the Eye of Sauron.

@chuckp

my commute in is dark year round, and my ride is mostly rural, I’ve had the bejesus scared out of me numerous times by deer i haven’t seen until the last second (who at this point have got to be doing it on purpose). I’ve yet to find a front light i’m happy with that doesn’t eat batteries like crazy. My rear is a Specialized Stix Sport Tail light, and it fulfills a tall order for such a tiny thing, the USB charger is a big plus. I’d like a nice bright wide headlight. open to suggestions.

Both the Ion 700R and Flare R are USB charged lights.  Here are some reviews of the Ion 700R.

https://www.bikelightdatabase.com/bontrager/ion700/

https://www.bikelightdatabase.com/bontrager/ion700/

This YouTube vid will give you an idea of how bright the Ion 700R is, as well as the beam pattern. Go to 6:33 mark.

Blimey, @frank uses a doped front wheel.

@frank

@Gianni

@frank

@Oli

@frank

Hahaha, owned!

That was going to be my original cover photo to cut it off at the pass, but went for the bog monster instead. That lorry shot is so awesome.

We need to do an article on the thrill of jumping behind trucks for some moto-pacing.

Indeed we do!

breaking away highway scene from Louis Renna on Vimeo.

Jump behind a bread truck heading Downtown on Columbus Ave and enjoy an easy 80+ kmh. Just watch out for that short light at Lincoln Center.

Rear: Planet Bike Turbo on the bike, Planet Bike mini on rear of helmet, with small basic Velcro strap. I like two levels for low-light winter riding.

Rear: I don’t like mounting anything on some of my bikes. The Serfas Thunderbolt is GREAT for bikes that have odd tube shapes, those with many bikes, or those who don’t like a light mount.

Front: A Serfas USB-5 for being seen. Bright, very light, easy on-off. If I need to actually see a bit…the Lezyne Hecto 300 is pretty amazing for a small-ish light. Built-in usb stick too. Enough to get you around in urban areas with street lights (I’ve also easily mounted this onto my helmet for long, dark commuting, paired with a light on the bars). For dark riding I’ve also got one of the big-boy Lezyne front lights. It’s overkill for anything but darkness riding away from street lights.

Rainy day road ride:                 C40

Snowy day road ride:               C40

Gravel dirt road crap ride:        C40

Thats actually really impressive.  I may have to outright copy your lighting style.

my commute in is dark year round, and my ride is mostly rural, I’ve had the bejesus scared out of me numerous times by deer i haven’t seen until the last second (who at this point have got to be doing it on purpose).  I’ve yet to find a front light i’m happy with that doesn’t eat batteries like crazy.  My rear is a Specialized Stix Sport Tail light, and it fulfills a tall order for such a tiny thing,  the USB charger is a big plus.  I’d like a nice bright wide headlight.  open to suggestions.

@Ron

@frank

And yup on the lights. Though there is no telling when a text will get in the way of not ending my life, I feel better having front/rear lights when I’m riding on open roads.

Not having lights is like not wearing a helmet in my opinion, at least a rear light, something small but with the power of the Eye of Sauron.

Except during peak summer/daylight, most of my riders (after work) carry over into the waning hours of daylight and sometimes into darkness. Plus I live in and ride in (or transit through) a dense, urban area with a lot of cars/traffic. So lights have become a “must have” for me. I have a Bontrager Ion 700R front light. Three steady state modes (250/450/700 lumens). 700 lumens is actually too bright at night in an urban setting (blinds oncoming traffic), but 450 provides both enough light to see and be seen. The 50 lumens irregular strobe is great to use to be seen during daylight (there’s also a regular flash mode).

My rear light is a Bontrager Flare R, which in bright mode is supposed to be visible in daylight from 2km. I can’t say for sure if that’s true, but the first time I ever used it on a small group ride and got out ahead just for fun (maybe a kilometer), when we re-grouped everyone said you could see the flashing/strobe and quite a distance (there’s also a steady state mode). In bright mode it’s actually too bright if you’re riding in close quarters. My wife has asked me to “tone it down” when she rides with me. And when it gets dark out, the less bright setting is definitely more than enough to be seen.

I’ve been using the Cateye Rapid X2 front and rear lights. They connect by rubber band, are rechargeable, and light the wheels up like a fucking disco ball.

http://www.cateye.com/en/products/detail/TL-LD710-R/

http://www.cateye.com/en/products/detail/TL-LD710-F/

@frank

@Oli

@frank

Hahaha, owned!

That was going to be my original cover photo to cut it off at the pass, but went for the bog monster instead. That lorry shot is so awesome.

We need to do an article on the thrill of jumping behind trucks for some moto-pacing.

Indeed we do!

breaking away highway scene from Louis Renna on Vimeo.

This isn’t a website for cyclists, it’s a website for two wheeled fetishists.

No mudguards in winter? In a bunch? Fuck everyone else just as long as you look good? That’s cuntish behaviour of the highest order.

*prepares for incoming*

Glad I’m not alone in this. Back in the day when we would train all winter in Seattle, if you showed up to a team ride without fenders and mudflaps in off season, you either got sent home, or had to ride at the back, but far enough off that you werent getting a draft.

@RobSandy

If you’re going to race in the shit, you need to train in the shit.

Mudguards/fenders are not permitted while racing. So…

reminds me of riding in PA with all the Amish horse and buggies, never road through so much crap in my life.

Sounds like Belgium.

I was recently forced off my bike by a combination of an immovable object, gravity, and speed. I was using an EPMS prior to disembarking my bike. In the process of disembarking my bike so too did the EPMS. I threw that EPMS into the orange grove I crashed next to and carried on my way, and haven’t gone back to using one since. Therefore, for fear of what Merckx would do to me should I affix fenders to my steed, I have not affixed fenders to my steed.

Penance was paid, I’m glad to see you’ve seen the light.

@litvi

@brett

@TommyTubolare

@brett

You had all those cobble’s experts around you and yet nobody told you the rear tire is backwards?

Not my wheelset, didn’t have time to notice, or care.

Yet you had time to make sure the valvestems were bottom-most and the chain was in the big ring before you took the shot. So what you’re really saying is, you didn’t have time to notice or care you were violating Rule #2, and therefore guilty-by-association of a Rule #40 violation. Got it.

Hold on… lemme get some more stones to throw!

Well I may have checked the valve stems, but the chain never left the big ring.

Haha! Nicely played. I was on a wet ride with some mates Sunday after a wet ride on Saturday where I never rode in the 39 all day. On Sunday the chain made an awful sound in the 39 because of all the grit on there, and I said it was an anaphylactic reaction my bike had to using the little ring.

@frank

@PeakInTwoYears

Read first, then post.

I’ve told college students the same fucking thing for twenty fucking years. You just have to keep repeating yourself year in and year out. It never fucking ends.

Brilliant!

I thought you’d appreciate the non-commutative property of Fournel’s Theorem.

Am I smoking crack, or did your post originally say ‘not cumulative’ ? Because it totally is. The more (and more often) you Look Fantastic, the Faster you Go.

Sorry, you are smoking crack. But you’re right, it is cumulative. But it is not commutative; just because you’re fast doesn’t mean you look good.

@frank

The one concession I’ll make to terrible conditions – my 9 bike has black tape. Yup, some white tape will never fully recover from extremely awful conditions. Plus, less guilt during the ride that I’m trashing the tape.

The only concession I make on my rain bike is a set of flashers front and back. It also has black bars, but the fi’zi:k tape stays white so that’s not why they’re black. They’re black because white tape only goes on #1 these days.

Yup, fi’zi:k tape is truly incredible. I have it on three bikes and yes, it’s easy to clean. But, I also have some perforated Deda tape on another bike and it’s not easy to keep it white, even without rain. I like having at least one bike that is just a workhorse and that I don’t *have* to meticulously clean immediately after a ride. It’s a nice way to live.

And yup on the lights. Though there is no telling when a text will get in the way of not ending my life, I feel better having front/rear lights when I’m riding on open roads.

Not having lights is like not wearing a helmet in my opinion, at least a rear light, something small but with the power of the Eye of Sauron.

@frank

@PeakInTwoYears

Read first, then post.

I’ve told college students the same fucking thing for twenty fucking years. You just have to keep repeating yourself year in and year out. It never fucking ends.

Brilliant!

I thought you’d appreciate the non-commutative property of Fournel’s Theorem.

Am I smoking crack, or did your post originally say ‘not cumulative’ ? Because it totally is. The more (and more often) you Look Fantastic, the Faster you Go.

No, you are not. Don’t you know, everyone smokes meth these days…

The one concession I’ll make to terrible conditions – my 9 bike has black tape. Yup, some white tape will never fully recover from extremely awful conditions. Plus, less guilt during the ride that I’m trashing the tape.

The only concession I make on my rain bike is a set of flashers front and back. It also has black bars, but the fi’zi:k tape stays white so that’s not why they’re black. They’re black because white tape only goes on #1 these days.

Yup, fizik tape is truly incredible. I have it on three bikes and yes, it’s easy to clean. But, I also have some perforated Deda tape on another bike and it’s not easy to keep it white, even without rain. I like having at least one bike that is just a workhorse and that I don’t *have* to meticulously clean immediately after a ride. It’s a nice way to live.

And yup on the lights. Though there is no telling when a text will get in the way of not ending my life, I feel better having front/rear lights when I’m riding on open roads.

Fenders are a no brainer when the time is right .Those of you without ,check your brain …

@hudson

@RobSandy

If you’re going to race in the shit, you need to train in the shit.

Mudguards/fenders are not permitted while racing. So…

reminds me of riding in PA with all the Amish horse and buggies, never road through so much crap in my life.

Yep. Which is precisely where I live. We have some splendid riding here in the Appalachian range.

wow, i’m jealous, that was a great ride (this past weekend), beautiful country (other than the loads of horse crap) and them hills were a pleasant change than what i’m used to (Delaware).  I already told the VMW were moving there when the kids are gone.

Hmm that didn’t taste like mud.

Looks at bidon.

Cow shit does have that unique green tinge compared to mud……….

@RobSandy

If you’re going to race in the shit, you need to train in the shit.

Mudguards/fenders are not permitted while racing. So…

reminds me of riding in PA with all the Amish horse and buggies, never road through so much crap in my life.

Yep.  Which is precisely where I live.  We have some splendid riding here in the Appalachian range.

@Oli

@frank

Hahaha, owned!

That was going to be my original cover photo to cut it off at the pass, but went for the bog monster instead. That lorry shot is so awesome.

We need to do an article on the thrill of jumping behind trucks for some moto-pacing.

If you’re going to race in the shit, you need to train in the shit.

Mudguards/fenders are not permitted while racing. So…

reminds me of riding in PA with all the Amish horse and buggies, never road through so much crap in my life.

If you’re going to race in the shit, you need to train in the shit.

Mudguards/fenders are not permitted while racing. So…

YES!  Train as you fight!

Well said, @RobSandy.

@litvi

@brett

@TommyTubolare

@brett

You had all those cobble’s experts around you and yet nobody told you the rear tire is backwards?

Not my wheelset, didn’t have time to notice, or care.

Yet you had time to make sure the valvestems were bottom-most and the chain was in the big ring before you took the shot. So what you’re really saying is, you didn’t have time to notice or care you were violating Rule #2, and therefore guilty-by-association of a Rule #40 violation. Got it.

Hold on… lemme get some more stones to throw!

Well I may have checked the valve stems, but the chain never left the big ring.

And THAT is just one of the reasons that Brett is a Keeper.

Don’t be so offendersive!

Mudguards/fenders are not permitted while racing. So…

Probably the best reason of all not to trust an EPMS to be any part of your ride.

@litvi

@brett

@TommyTubolare

@brett

You had all those cobble’s experts around you and yet nobody told you the rear tire is backwards?

Not my wheelset, didn’t have time to notice, or care.

Yet you had time to make sure the valvestems were bottom-most and the chain was in the big ring before you took the shot. So what you’re really saying is, you didn’t have time to notice or care you were violating Rule #2, and therefore guilty-by-association of a Rule #40 violation. Got it.

Hold on… lemme get some more stones to throw!

Well I may have checked the valve stems, but the chain never left the big ring.

Redeemed.

This isn’t a website for cyclists, it’s a website for two wheeled fetishists.

No mudguards in winter? In a bunch? Fuck everyone else just as long as you look good? That’s cuntish behaviour of the highest order.

*prepares for incoming*

…of the highest order? No. That level is reserved for the Texan.

But being a bunch of pedantic cycling fetishists who enjoy making others “suffer” on a ride… Yup. That’s us.

@brett

@TommyTubolare

@brett

You had all those cobble’s experts around you and yet nobody told you the rear tire is backwards?

Not my wheelset, didn’t have time to notice, or care.

Yet you had time to make sure the valvestems were bottom-most and the chain was in the big ring before you took the shot. So what you’re really saying is, you didn’t have time to notice or care you were violating Rule #2, and therefore guilty-by-association of a Rule #40 violation. Got it.

Hold on… lemme get some more stones to throw!

Well I may have checked the valve stems, but the chain never left the big ring.

And just to repeat seeing as how original post was quickly lost on another thread and this thread being far

more appropriate. I love this photo. Spring classics are for badasses.

@Teocalli

@Sparty

They used to build walls from that mix.

Yep. In some parts of the world they still do.

I failed to mention that there is a small chicken farm that we often ride past. Last season, they must have had a mishap with their chicken shite spreader as they drove on the road to their next field. Before we realized it, we were 50 meters into it with better than 300 to go. I can still hear the sound of the retching and gagging of a few riders as we rode in the opposing lane past that Hell. It literally made my eyes water. Lucky, we were near the end of the ride because there was no way I was using my bidons with that spray all over them.

Fertilized with wretched chickenshit you were? I think that that makes you organic.

Ordered Newbwaum’s Dark Gray cotton tape to wrap my 3ttt Super Competezione bars. And planning to wrap them as often as necessary. Eventually I’ll get myself feeling it for white cotton tape.

@PeakInTwoYears

Read first, then post.

I’ve told college students the same fucking thing for twenty fucking years. You just have to keep repeating yourself year in and year out. It never fucking ends.

Brilliant!

I thought you’d appreciate the non-commutative property of Fournel’s Theorem.

Am I smoking crack, or did your post originally say ‘not cumulative’ ?  Because it totally is.  The more (and more often) you Look Fantastic, the Faster you Go.

@TommyTubolare

@brett

You had all those cobble’s experts around you and yet nobody told you the rear tire is backwards?

Not my wheelset, didn’t have time to notice, or care.

Yet you had time to make sure the valvestems were bottom-most and the chain was in the big ring before you took the shot.  So what you’re really saying is, you didn’t have time to notice or care you were violating Rule #2, and therefore guilty-by-association of a Rule #40 violation.  Got it.

Hold on… lemme get some more stones to throw!

freddy – Duncan just had a post-ride puff too, huh?

RobSandy – while my modern saddles are all level, for some reason the older (or at least older design) saddles I ride feel best with a slight upwards tilt. I have a Turbo on my commuter, slightly up. And I have a new Regal on my Casati that seems to disappear below me when it’s just a bit upwards. Okay…I’m really opening myself up for some jokes here.

Oh boy.

The one concession I’ll make to terrible conditions – my 9 bike has black tape. Yup, some white tape will never fully recover from extremely awful conditions. Plus, less guilt during the ride that I’m trashing the tape.

The only concession I make on my rain bike is a set of flashers front and back. It also has black bars, but the fizik tape stays white so that’s not why they’re black. They’re black because white tape only goes on #1 these days.

@Teocalli

@Sparty

They used to build walls from that mix.

Yep. In some parts of the world they still do.

I failed to mention that there is a small chicken farm that we often ride past. Last season, they must have had a mishap with their chicken shite spreader as they drove on the road to their next field. Before we realized it, we were 50 meters into it with better than 300 to go. I can still hear the sound of the retching and gagging of a few riders as we rode in the opposing lane past that Hell. It literally made my eyes water. Lucky, we were near the end of the ride because there was no way I was using my bidons with that spray all over them.

And then they all went out for chicken burgers…

@brett

You had all those cobble’s experts around you and yet nobody told you the rear tire is backwards?

Not my wheelset, didn’t have time to notice, or care.

Love the bike, hate the lack of drop, probably @frank took it. Horizontal stem in line with the top tube would be tits Bretto as long as you could handle the drop. Pardon my honesty.

Did you suffer back injury recently? I’d think after all these years on a bike you should be comfortable with more drop?

I’m 51, and yes, have had back/neck/arm issues recently. The stem has been dropped 20mm from when that photo was taken, that was my 3rd or 4th ride on the bike and was still tweaking it. And I couldn’t really give a fuck about drop now, just want to be able to ride again without my arm going numb. Maybe I’ll put a +20º stem on it. And flat bars.

@Sparty

They used to build walls from that mix.

Yep.  In some parts of the world they still do.

I failed to mention that there is a small chicken farm that we often ride past.  Last season, they must have had a mishap with their chicken shite spreader as they drove on the road to their next field.  Before we realized it, we were 50 meters into it with better than 300 to go.  I can still hear the sound of the retching and gagging of a few riders as we rode in the opposing lane past that Hell.  It literally made my eyes water.  Lucky, we were near the end of the ride because there was no way I was using my bidons with that spray all over them.

@RobSandy

@brett

Does your saddle tilt upwards?

It didn’t at the start of that ride!

You had all those cobble’s experts around you and yet nobody told you the rear tire is backwards?

Love the bike, hate the lack of drop, probably @frank took it. Horizontal stem in line with the top tube would be tits Bretto as long as you could handle the drop. Pardon my honesty.

Did you suffer back injury recently? I’d think after all these years on a bike you should be comfortable with more drop?

No mudguards in winter? In a bunch? Fuck everyone else just as long as you look good? That’s cuntish behaviour of the highest order.

*prepares for incoming*

For Pete’s sake, Frank, what’s with the green bidon? Looks terrible with the color scheme on the bike.

It does, doesn’t it! That’s what happens when you have car support and you’re just taking bidons through the window and getting on with crushing fools on the muddy pavé!

Plus its easy to not care about road grime when you have a car as a backup. When i have to go to work in heavy rain, which is not rare in Belgium, i take my randonneur.