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

Walked just over an hour tonight. Didn’t have a spare tube and definitely didn’t have a spare valve stem….. is that even something people carry?

 

Ouch! I carry a tube only

 

There have been a handful of times that had I not stopped and looked around me, I would have missed some of the best scenic views I’ve ever seen. So, I try to stop and look much more often for the exact reason you post!

 

Just dropped a bunch of stuff on pinkbike. Hmu it you see anything of intrest

 

I run vittora airliners so i dont carry anything. They say you can ride on them for awhile

 

Dang that’s weird. What brand are those? I have some spare cores with my plugs but not full stems

 

Cleaning (& beer) day

 

Any recommendation for easy (easier)/fun route from monarch crest trail? I’m doing a solo CO bike trip from Michigan and I’m not sure about killing myself on the long 35 mile usually recommended route. I’ve read some mixed comments about dropping off of monarch crest to mostly down hill trails but I haven’t been able to find a clear trail description. Thanks in advance.

 

i have not done it, but have heard its more climbing than you think.

this page has a few options from the summit along with their shuttle service
https://www.monarchcrest.com/ride-descriptions

when are you thinking of riding it? ive been trying to work a weekend either early august or late august to ride it

 

I’ll be leaving Detroit August 2nd and planning on a few stops so I don’t have a definite date. Maybe around the 8th or 9th. Thanks for the link.

 

Yea from what you're describing it doesn't make sense that road biking would be a preferable option.

Sorry, If you explained your situation already, I missed that post. I don't actually know what exactly you're dealing with. But from what I can gleen from these last two posts, it sounds like it's some kind of patellar grind issue? Is the cartilage degradation on the patella side, or on the femoral condyle, or both? Either way, unless the damage is REALLY advanced, a replacement really shouldn't be the go-to solution. Surgeries, non-surgical options, and rehab have come a long way in recent years.

Regardless, a consult with the sports PT in Reno is good call, you're right that they'd probably know more about your options than someone in Texas.

In the meantime, quad stretches and foam rolling would probably do you well

 

I just had the MPFL rebuilt again to stop the random dislocations. Almost did a tibial osteotemy but doc couldn’t give me a definitive answer on do it or not. So opted not to in order to limit risk. Cartilage damage is on both sides and past the point a maci biopsy repair can be done. So as far as cartilage goes doc said it’s pain tolerance now. And that it’ll likely continue to grind down unless the MPFL changes the position of the kneecap enough to stop it from grinding, which he said was about a 20% chance based on shape of knee/way my joint reacts through flexion.


Do you have any experience or have heard any info on non traditional treatment methods? Things like injections or non standard treatment? May have to explore some of that stuff eventually

 

Have you ever had any conservative management of this? It sounds like your patella was dislocating chronically? PT can usually help with that, before ever having surgery. But I know there are other surgical options before going to a full replacement. Namely doing stuff to the patella, like reshaping the bottom surface, or replacing that cartilage so it reduces grinding. Plus things like stretching and strengthening could definitely help. Often the quad is tight because the glutes and deep rotators are weak, making the quad compensate, and put excess force on the patella. Stuff like that, all of which gets well beyond the scope of keyboard diagnosis. This sounds like a fairly involved, complex situation, but it's not the end of the road for your riding. Find the right specialists, and get to work getting back at it!

 

I always carry a tube, and a piece of soda bottle plastic and duct tape for those sidewall tears and gashes that can be too much for the sealant. You can also carry a few dollar bills instead of the plastic. The only time I did not have one was when I had a sidewall tear in Moab, walked 2 mi.

 

on the topic of what we carry, has anyone had any luck finding replacement water bottle mount things for your pumps? i broke 2 different ones on different bikes this year and am not having any luck finding just the mount as a replacement item.

should I just try a local bike shop? is that something they would carry?

 

Always a good time at tamarancho even though i always seem to lose a water bottle here.
Best part is hitting up split rock at the end for a bike wash and beer.

 

I did it about 5 years ago. As I remember it there isn’t too much climbing before Rainbow trail. However, most the climbing occurs at or above 11,000 ft and is right out of the gate from Monarch pass to the Crest. Once you’re up on the crest you can take lots of shorter options like South Fooses or Greens creek but then you gotta find a way back to town or your car.

Here is the South Fooses version:
https://www.trailforks.com/ridelog/view/16915948/#details

 

I have a couple Lezyne pump mounts, no issue finding them as a seperate item at all.

 

Depends on the pump.
Oneup has lots of replacement parts, and the bonus of carrying a great multitool in it. Great pump, great tool, great support.

 

This will be my 3rd set of these shorts. I love them especially for $15. Company is from world wide cycle, kinda like a side venture. If they send me another coupon I’ll share it this time.



WWC also sent me a$15 off coupon. Running thick casing tires I find myself bending and breaking levers. No issue anymore.