All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

I have seen some that just HAVE to be wearing a protective cup underneath. I mean... the chamois pad is plenty thick enough to mask any shapes/outlines but to intentionally call attention to that area by wearing a cup underneath with a significant bulge is going a step too far. Also, no cycling kit manufacturer with any credibility would make their bibs/shorts with a light-colored material in that area and the ones that have in the past were summarily mocked for being so ignorant to human physiology. Keep it simple; basic black or dark colors around the chamois pad.. don't invite unnecessary attention where it's not needed.

 

I just picture that scene from Dodge Ball with the inflatable jock strap

 

I agree with the benefits to it. But for my rides that are casual I dont care enough. I have a couple pairs of bibs, and they are great. I did away with bibs for this past weekends 50mi singletrack event on the premise that if I needed to shit in the woods - it had to be a quick event.

 

the mountains are calling...

 

Indeed. I was there a few weeks ago skiing with the family.

 

Never thought I’d have to plug in a mountain bike. Got a demo for the weekend

 

Any of y’all go to any biking events? I just got a new job with Handup and they’re sending me to the Santos fat tire festival. Just curious what to expect.

 

I think conformity is probably the main reason for all of it or why we even talk about it. I totally understand your methods for race season and why you prefer tighter clothing during races. Not sure about your argument for shaving? If you remove your hair, your body does not automatically become free from bacteria. Makes it handy for pulling of bandaids/bandages though. The fact that you stop shaving after race season means you are not a total lunatic. lol.

I've ridden a road bike once and I have total respect for the physical and mental toughness of those who ride hard. I think what most mountain bikers don't understand about road cycling, I certainly did not, was the margin for error is so low and the consequences so high. I was hitting 50 mph on long downhills on a rental bike which was new for me. I hit a tiny rock near the end of my ride and it gave me a flat. I examined the tire and both tires were extremely dry rotted so I'm lucky I didn't die when I was going downhill. I got into it a little bit at the bike shop with the guy at the desk after he says "we gotta charge you for the tube, but we will not charge you for changing it." I didn't mind paying for the tube but they are renting gear that just plain is not safe to ride. Then act like they are doing me a favor to not charge me for changing a tube.

Two things I think none of us understand very well are layering clothing and textile performance. Over the last 5 years I'd say textile performance has had some pretty large leaps. My opinion here but I think tight clothing in hot climates creates more sweat than it wicks away. Loose fitting clothing is more ideal because no textile works better than air. Think about all the times we see people riding in the summer with their tight jersey unzipped as far as it will go. It is to get air circulating across their torso and cool them off. However, if your tight fitting clothing is thin enough, air will pass through it freely. In the winter I agree that sweat is the enemy and we need garments to wick it away while staying warm. I could talk for days on this subject because it frustrates me because of the climate and elevation of where I live. Super cold in the shade but the sun gets you toasty in seconds.

Compression clothing is another subject that I think has been proven by scientific studies to have a weak correlation to preventing muscle fatigue by increasing blood flow. I challenge you to find a real study in a peer reviewed scientific journal and change my mind on this one. The compression clothing business is huge and they pay athletes to wear it. The same could be said about ice baths. All of this stuff makes people "feel" good but has little science behind it. I like to feel good too so I understand the perceptual benefits. This is a really cool subject that has a lot of anecdotal information on the internet. I would love to learn more about it.

 

Slowly making your way back to riding Dirt Bikes.

 

Has anyone ever seen someone riding an e-bike in the wild?

I saw one guy and his was straight up some electric dirtbike disguised as a mountain bike. He wasn't even peddling going uphill. I had to do a triple check but he was just cruising on up and something didn't look right. I know thats not the norm and I have never seen the guy again.

 

No I have not, I used to ride dirt bikes with Vin a lot. He sold his but I still have mine, but he will eventually get another dirt bike.

 

Tons of em (pedal assist) up this way. On trails that allow them, at least 3 times a ride. Unfortunately, they're also on the trails that don't allow them...

 

Haha, I have grew up riding dirt bikes so that desire is always there. My problem is that I can ride my bike out of my front door but dirt bike ride takes way more logistics to go. I have a friend that is constantly prodding me to get a new one but I just rib him right back to get a real mountain bike...I think I'm winning..lol

 

Not on a trail.

 

No offense to e-bike owners but I personally don't get owning one unless you have an injury/disability/age reason. To me, if you don't want to pedal then go to a ski slope and take the lift.

 

Yea the marketeers were pushing hard that e-bikes were for people with disabilities to get them accepted onto American trails. I have several friends that have severe disabilities but they ride a normal bike just fine.

I think it just comes down to more range and more miles if given the same amount of time. I understand the allure for some people. If you live in Florida and get the chance to take a vacation at elevation the bike will allow you to overcome an acclimation period.

Ethically speaking, I do worry about unfit people venturing out further into wilderness but it happens everyday with other "sports." On the other side, more people enjoying trails is always good in my book. Presents more opportunities for us to advocate for more trails.

 

I was putting in work this morning on a climb (earning my descents!) when this mofo comes outta nowhere right behind me, sure enough, older guy not breaking a sweat on his ebike, he passed me on an uphill wide section with a "whirrrrr" of electric power. Saw a couple more in the parking lot. Not my thing but whatever.

 

1Up EZ Pull.

Makes it easier to flip the rack up to tucked position or all the way down to access the bed when the racks are loaded. This is specially convenient if you have 2+ bikes on the rack.

https://youtu.be/85hIqdZO2_k

 

New, to me, Frame Day!