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

More towards.... quick run into the grocery store.. I know that's a bad idea.....

 

I just use a cheap combo lock i can carry on my bike for that. Might not be the safest but its more about making you bike look hard to steal. Because if someone wants it they will take it no matter what you have.

but if you want a quality lock abus makes good locks (not personally owned one of there bike specific locks though )

 

Not a veteran in the traditional sense, I was a asymmetric intel dude. Was involved in GWOT but was OGA, not uniformed services. Some dudes are cool with it, some arent, so I keep a low profile when it comes to that vet ride, etc sorta thing.

Id rock a singlespeed, but not sure Id personally bite on a fixie.

 

I think it is open to all https://weareprojecthero.org/events

 

You guys can get some less flashy black and cream or black on black DP3s now.

Be looking fresh with all that drip at the trailheads.

 

Agree with the @Dr. Doom Says .
Are you training to be become competitive? Is your goal to get to the podium? If so, "go ride your damn bike" on the trails. Nothing is better than seat time on your bike to make you faster and better. Go ride a pump track, that'll whip your butt into shape in no time, you'll be amazed how sore you will be after a short session. And you'll learn how to pump terrain, pop and find transitions, and become better bike handler overall.
Want to get faster downhill? Ride more downhill. Or if you can't due to weather, hit the gym. Lots and lots of gym workouts for MTB. That gets you stronger and able to move your bike around better, absorb impacts, push in to corners and exit faster.
Want more stamina? Nothing better than riding your bike uphill as fast as you can. Look into intervals and how they can impact aerobic/anaerobic fitness. Use a harder gear to get more strength in those legs.
I guess the overall message is; there's nothing a gravel grinder will gain for your riding skill/fitness that your regular bike won't. A grinder will get you farther, with less effort (though I don't think the fixie will), which is an enjoyable thing at times.
Best use of that money? Go take a skills class. That will 100% make you a better and faster rider.

 

You do have some time before the event in June, so you got that going for you. I am sure there are benefits to fixie riding, I'm just questioning how much will translate to an Enduro race. I think you will get better results elsewhere.

If im wrong on any of this please correct it.

• You are new to the sport or just picked it back up. Get a baseline from a couple of rides and think about where you need improvement.
• If you are riding your new Chameleon in the Enduro (I imagine you are), get your fit dialed in and make changes as needed.
• If this is all new to you, that money might make more sense going to proper gear if you havent done so already. (shoes, padded shorts,contact points, etc.) - this shit adds up fast.

 

I keep a kryptonite lock and chain in my truck with a cable lock. The bikes are on the tailgate pad, the kryptonite lock goes through the bed's D-ring, and then the chain goes through the frames. Then I use the cable lock through the front wheels. It's overkill. I bought the stuff when I lived in NYC and my motorcycle was parked in the street. It's come in handy for locking my jet ski, motorcycle, bicycles, etc. very happy with the security. I can go into a rest stop, use the bathroom, and eat without worrying.

https://www.kryptonitelock.com/en/products/product-information/current-key/002154.html?type=bicycle
https://www.kryptonitelock.com/en/p...ation/current-key/999492.html?type=motorcycle

 

I got a job offer down in St. petersburg florida. They want to fly me there and supply a rental car/hotel for a few days to see the area. The pay would be matched or a little more than I make now. I know florida is a boating lifestyle with very little biking so that would be an adjustment to me. The job opportunity is promising, but idk if st. petersburg is a greener pasture than NYC. I've been looking at the pacific northwest and I think its a good opportunity for me to continue working remote there and enjoy that im still young and free. Thoughts??? I'm going to NYC in a few weeks to sell my boat while the market is hot, and I can take a few days to go down to FLorida.

 

I’m not angry. .

 

I'm local to the area and while im actively looking to get out of FL, there is a surprising amount of riding in the area. I think its worth checking out, especially if you are getting NYC pay in a relatively low cost of living state of FL and no income tax.

Edit: If you have any specific questions shoot me a message.

 

Speaking of... are you in FL yet? Need an excuse to leave work early.

 

no, we leave Saturday morning from Pittsburgh. Should be there Sunday afternoon. We are traveling with my 5 year old daughter so our timing will directly correlate to her ability To be able to stay seated. . Any breweries around Indian Shores?!

 

Looks like there is one close by (Anecdote Brewing?). I've only been to the Big Storm Brewery probably 15 minutes from Indian Rocks, has good food too.

 

What do you guys run for riding pants? I have a bunch of chamois shorts and I put a layer on over depending on the weather (short or long pants); most of my riding pants are from Amazon and I am not super happy with them. The long pants are not fitting at the ankle to can get caught in the chain ring, and the shorts are generic stretchable fabric that is mediocre at best.

Figure I am going to have to pony up as Fox looks to have some good options - but open to anything at the moment.

 

Definitely get what you pay for in this category. I use Fox mtb riding shorts/chamois and have been very happy with them. Not the best liners/chamois but work and the shorts are great long-lasting products. I wear long tight stretchy pants made by Garneau when riding in colder weather, usually under 45 degrees.

Louis Garneau Men's Element Pants (Black) (S) - Performance Bicycle (performancebike.com)

 

adidas sweat pants

or i run leg warmers under shorts with knee pads on and longer socks

 

I guess my perception has been wrong. I use to ride (nothing crazy) but that was years ago. I again chose cycling as a outlet to deal with injures and a long recovery. I feel like I am starting out because my muscles have developed some atrophy (wheelchair,walker). to give some insight here, I am just starting again and when these guys were talking about the race in Ely it just looked like something worth challenging myself , army calls it "resiliency" . I see these dudes riding their road bikes and just hauling ass. I know you can get a EPIC cardio workout, so I took it upon myself to get a bike which I did. I have been riding everyday getting myself back to where I can cardiovascular wise. I have started to do hot yoga again (painful). I saw that gravel bike thinking I can ride really fast, get some good cardio for some good hills and flats for cardio training for this race. That's why I asked. Now, reading everyone's input and advice perhaps a entry road bike would suffice for road stuff. This is going to be my first race ever , I got a gaggle of disabled veterans that are going to participate and ride as well. I have also prepared other ways by sticking to fasting everyday, sticking to healthy fats and proteins (keto). I shredded 30lbs since last Aug.

I use to ride, prior to the military. I got gloves, got some bike shorts, liners and snagged a nice smith forefront 2 mips helmet. I want to take some of my old OCP pants and make them into some cool camo bike shorts. Shoes is one thing I am lacking. I am riding some Chester composite flat pedals. I noticed they make shoes specific for this. any recommendations for comfy riding shoes? I prob should ditch the mechanic gloves and get something with more protection crashing in sage isn't bad but the NV rocks very ouchie

 

Prana Zion pants for cold weather. Have a snap button in the lower legs so you can hipster roll them if need be too, but I find it works great for MTB as is.

Zoic Ethers are my go to for warm riding. Relatively cheap too, esp if you buy just the shorts and not the shorts + chamois combo package. Come to just below my kneecaps so dont have a pad gap either.

 

I snagged a pair of these on sale locally they seem to be comfy. I will prob go buy a sugoi liner.
https://www.rei.com/product/881810/zoic-ether-bike-shorts-and-liner-mens