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

This is what I think I am leaning towards

 

I'm not sure how this is even a comparison worth consideration.

 

lol. didn't i text you to warn you or something? lol.

 

Whistler... not even close! There's a bunch of good trail riding that will definitely be open even if the bike park isn't fully running. Bend is cool but it ain't Whistler.

 

Whistler or Bentonville... thats a tough one.

 

Agree with others if main goal is biking. I've heard Oakridge is cool but basically biking only (not much for amenities in the area) and no idea on seasonal conditions.

 

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/the-whistler-mountain-bike-parks-early-season-trail-report.html

We need an eyewitness report on the new Fitz lift and it's fender-breaking bike rack. Do it for us!!

 

Anyone have suggestions for hand cramps when using the brakes?

I haven't rode much in two years due to ankle surgeries, aka I haven't done anything at all strenuous. But I don't remember my hands getting so tired/crampy on fast descents where I'm giving the brakes a hard pull repeatedly. Maybe I need to use more front brake and let the rear roll more?

I've tried moving the levers around a bit but doesn't seem to change anything.

And note, this isn't just a sore feeling, this is sneaking into scary territory where I won't be able to control the bike on much faster/steeper stuff.

 

1:35 is roughly where it starts

https://youtu.be/Q-i5W9OhYpU?si=7KCnRxuaLDoXzUAy&t=92

 

haha! i'll be there end of June.

 

Comfy grips, compliant bars, spin the brake levers and mess with reach, that’s all I can think of doing.

 

Oakridge is cool for a long weekend. There's some camping in the area and a few local dive beers and breweries that are fun. It's mostly ridable all year round but best in summer. I'd recommend it for the biking over Bend, especially if you're from the PNW.

Lift weights and ride more! I personally really like kettlebells for strength training as it allows for more dynamic weight lifting moves.

If you don't/can't do a full weight lifting program than just get something heavy and hold it as long as possible.

 

To add to the others, bouldering is an amazing workout with fairly low impact. I haven’t gone in a few months but when I was going 1-2 times a week my grip strength was getting strong fast.

you could also be holding on too tight, which could still be a strength thing. Also grip diameter.

strength training in any form will probably help the most. It sounds like that’s where you’ll benefit the most. There are some wild stats I’ve seen when it comes to muscle and strength lost with reduced activity.

 

Speaking of riding pains. Posted a while back about grips after wrist surgery. Well since then I’ve put my Pike back to a 140 B-1 spring vs the 130 C-1 and the B-1 is just so much better for me (much more plush), added a PNW Loam carbon bar (more compliance plus extra backsweep), and have messed with grips a bit. First ride seemed much better. Need to dial the cockpit in as the new bar has more rise and backsweep.

Getting all matchy matchy.





And of course the kid had to have a matching sticker.

 

You need the electric green PNW grips!

 

Good to hear the B1 is working better for you.

I just put a PNW Loam on my trail bike too, the taller 38mm to experiment with a bit more rise. Not gonna lie it feels wacky as hell as I've been riding pretty much the same setups forever.

 

i like the ergon ga3. Helps the wrist angle for me.

 

Wanna ride mostly XC style trails? Bend.
Otherwise go Whistler.

Another option, way more fun, probably the same amount of $$ for a week or two... Austria. If you can snag a good flight, the most expensive part is a car rental, which can be shared with a friend you can convince join you. Get a SeaSucker to mount the bikes on the rental and you can get a smaller cheaper car and split a room.
There are tons of cheaper places to stay (like $50-70 a night), all within a 5m pedal to the multiple lifts, that will give a free lift ticket for each day you are there. It also includes free entrance to the most insane spas I've ever seen. Makes the stay almost free. If you want a bike rental, there are TONS of options with awesome bikes. That way no need for a rack, bigger car, or flying with the bike.
Stay in Solden, ride their park and take a lift over to Leogang. Here's PBs article.
I won't bother attaching my pics... The place is insanely beautiful and has such a fun vibe.
And the spa... This place was amazing. I was so sore, and after a day soaking in the various specialized pools there I was back to riding another 5 days.


I need to go back... I will say that be upper trails probably won't be open until first week of July though. Plenty of others before that.

Get stronger hands, or stronger brakes. Or try focusing on loosening up your grip a bit.

Ugh... I've heard now from my doc, PT, and various others that I need to start strength training. Apparently that's something people do even if they are active. Something about strength preventing injury, blah, blah, blah...

 

For those of you who run clipless (specifically SPD), roughly how long do your cleats last? I know crank brothers tend to wear out sooner due to the softer metal, but I believe the SPD cleats are pretty bombproof in their longevity. Only reason I ask is I have developed a pretty good squeak in my left foot and the float is a little more noticeable - I am going to tighten up the tension in the pedals to try and mitigate the float, but that seems to be a bandaid to potential cleat wear. I have taken out the cleat and cleaned out all the built up junk along with regreasing the screws, didnt help much.

I have enough spare cleats laying around that swapping in a new set is almost a no-brainer, but don't want to use them up if the cleat isn't the source. In going through the strava mileage, the cleats have about 3,200 miles on them.

 

ssshhhiiiii.... thats a lot of miles

i dont think i've swapped cleats on either of my spd shoes and the pedals have been the same for the last 9+ years. this is on my road/gravel bike but i also don't like my cleats tight, i have them on the loosest setting and like it that way. my cleats feel like cages where only the front is clipped not the rear. so i can move my foot straight back and get out of the cleat.