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

but do any of us really use any of our gear to its fullest potential? I mean, my bike is certainly more capable than I'm probably pushign into it.

 

I’ve been changing more tires than I’d have liked lately. Picked up an overpriced cushcore tire lever. Changing a tire still isn’t a sweat-less job, but this little gizmo and a compressor do make it substantially easier IMHO.

CushCore Bead Dropper – Bike Tire Lever, Tire Insert Installation Tool

$22 CushCore Bead Dropper - Bike Tire Lever, Makes Installing Tire Inserts Easier, Ergonomic Design, Strong & Durable Plastic, at-Home Installation (Bead Dropper)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0883G1XRD

 

That is a fair point, I guess it's a cost vs use at fullest haha. But I guess my truck has also been in that category for the last year or so.

 

Lot of truth to that statement - however I have always been in the mindset of showing up to an interview in a suit and tie than casual street wear. Especially in terms of bikes, my bike is way more capable than I am in almost any situation, however it's an easier pill to swallow that I am the limiting factor on the bike instead of the bike being the factor in what I can do. It justifies my stupid expenses and upgrades all the time....do I need it? Nope! Do I want it? Yup!

 

To add to that though, I like being over-biked because it can save me in some cases. If I go into something with a little too much heat for my abilities, good suspension and brakes can sometimes be the difference between coming out the other side good, but completely puckered or eating shit. Anything worth doing is worth overdoing!

 

It's un-American to be undergunned in any situation.

 

i'm a software engineer. I prefer to over engineer certain things if it can be done. haha! I am definitely overbiked on one bike. the other bike, underbiked. but all good fun.

 

I did it last year for the first time.
Not going this year, but I do see doing it again.
Lots of fun, and sometimes hard.
At some point I was miserable every single day with the humidity.

 

We live in the East where it’s either cool at night or dry heat. And in summer we usually camp near coast or in the mountains. In fact the furnace is more important than AC for us; we’ve camped at SnoParks down to 10-11° F. We have one sliding window and a ceiling vent/fan. Last year we were in Wisconsin/Minnesota/Nebraska etc and it got pretty warm … leaving doors open with screens helped a lot but I suspect AC is needed for VA or further south in summer. And that sucks a lot of power. Note that we don’t actually have hookups (except to refill water and charge batteries) and we are usually dispersed camping on BLM or FS land.

 

lol, I'm sure! I saw the 10 day forecast and parts of the state are close to 100*. The heat and humidity is going to be brutal. I don't know anyone else going so this will be interesting lol. The only two people who I know that live out in that area are only "possibles" for one or two of the days that week.
Got any tips?

 

It’s New Bike Day! Just got a text from my wife that it was dropped off, photos later

 

When it’s just wet enough to be awesome.

 

Do I even need to say it?

That's what she said

 

Kinda feels like new bike day for me as my Orbea has finally been put back together after the whole linkage bolt debacle. It took two weeks to get a new linkage bolt from Spain!

I've also got new bearings in the rear hub, new rotors and brake pads, and full re-built suspension. I can't wait to ride tonight.

 

A lot depends upon how you are doing it.
I used Pork Belly with my own tent.
I went not knowing anyone doing it, but when I checked into my hotel in Omaha the day before saw two guys I knew in the lobby. Ended up riding with them and their friends.
Advice is take all day to ride. Not much to do getting to camp too early but bake in the heat.
Treat the whole thing as a series of 10-15 mile rides.
Stop in the towns. Eat pork, corn. Stop for beer. Eat pie. Have ice cream.
We'd ride 7 am to about 3 or 4 with many stops.
Then set up camp and shower. We'd look for dinner and explore the towns and have some more beers.
Crash between 10-11 and do it all over.

 

And… fully assembled, my Fezzari Kings Peak!

 

@backcountryj what safety glasses you wear while biking that don’t fog up easily? Figured as close as our climates are your answer is gonna be better than most reviews online.

 

Tifosi Sledge for full sun days and X-Tigers with a clear lense for most anything else.

Both do a really good job in my experience with staying fog free, for the most part. I run pretty hot so the Tifosi do tend to begin fogging up when I stop moving.

I only have use with a half shell so your results may be different with a FF.

 

What do you guys recommend for locking up you bike on your rack? Understand no lock is perfect, not planning on leaving bikes out for a long time. Just something for a little more peace of mind if I need to run into the grocery store or something quick.