Bicycle Trail Rant

[.RJ]

I've never done it, and it looks like it could be fun? :dunno:

[Ginger]

It is - and it's a damn good workout, too. Spinning's been popular for nearly a decade now.... I don't think it's fair to be all derogatory about it. I did it when I raced bicycles, and I knew profressional racers who did it, too. It's certainly better than plowing away on an indoor trainer or rollers when it's below freezing outside.

[Sijray21]

stationary bikes are alright, but i prefer to be outside 'going somewhere' if i'm going to do anything - same goes for running outside and treadmills.

side question: do you guys use any specific sites for bike parts? I found a bike in my back yard. It's a pretty decent little road bike and i just wanted to fix it up a little for me to use around town. Everything works fine, but i need to replace the brake pads, get a new seat and maybe a new derailer.

[WRXtranceformed]

Ooouu maybe that's where I can make my money, a virtual reality biking experience! You stay stationary on a bike that moves up and down with inclines and there's a big screen in front of you with like a country road landscape. You could have a big fan in front of you that blows wind in your face the faster you go!

[Sijray21]

Ooouu maybe that's where I can make my money, a virtual reality biking experience! You stay stationary on a bike that moves up and down with inclines and there's a big screen in front of you with like a country road landscape. You could have a big fan in front of you that blows wind in your face the faster you go!

lol, not sure why that sounds so funny to me:



i think an HDTV and a fan would work

[Evan]

Its that time a year again. I've been back out off and on (weather pending) for 2 months now... and now that the weather's warmed up, nothings changed, if not gotten worse on the trail. Today's best was the 4 people with 2 or 3 dogs that decided to stop in the middle of the trail (blocking both lanes) and let their dogs do the butt sniffing dance on relaxed leashes. I went by the group at 20mph in the gravel, hilarity ensued for me.

I guess I cant expect anything less.

ooooohhhh the irony

[Evan]

side question: do you guys use any specific sites for bike parts? I found a bike in my back yard. It's a pretty decent little road bike and i just wanted to fix it up a little for me to use around town. Everything works fine, but i need to replace the brake pads, get a new seat and maybe a new derailer.

performance bike is pretty good with local stores. id recommend having them install a derallieur
nashbar.com is an ok online store

i have a brand new titanium rail seat ive never used if youre interested

[.RJ]

side question: do you guys use any specific sites for bike parts? I found a bike in my back yard. It's a pretty decent little road bike and i just wanted to fix it up a little for me to use around town. Everything works fine, but i need to replace the brake pads, get a new seat and maybe a new derailer.

Performance is good for buying stuff - I buy most of my gear there. For service, I havent really found a great shop - there's a place right near where you live on the corner of Wilson and Quincy, that might be a good place to start.

ooooohhhh the irony

Like the sunrise

[xvxax]

If you want a fun experience go to Bike Club off Washington in Falls Church. Interesting place with a very interesting owner. There is a parrot who I think lives inside the shop who I have only heard whistle and yell curses.
Every day the owner has to haul at least 30-40 of the most junked out bikes outside just so you can move around. There are bikes lined all the way down the isles. Look up in the rafters and you can see a time capsule of brand new 90s road, bmx, and mountain bikes and some really weird/cool track stuff that he never sold or is collecting. The guy has no problem pulling parts off a bike and selling it to you. Bizarre place, worth visiting once.

Oh and WO&D sucks still, I rode it for a bit 2-3 weeks ago. People get too excited about being outside in April. I think bicycle repair is pretty standard in northern virginia. You're gonna wait a while for them to fix your bike because they all get busy this time of year. Performance is pretty decent though, Spokes Etc. is better.

[.RJ]

Bike club is right up the street from me - its an interesting place, for sure...

Reminds me, I need to go back there and get some parts for my fixed gear project.

[xvxax]

What do you need? I might have it.

[mrbaggio]

side question: do you guys use any specific sites for bike parts? I found a bike in my back yard. It's a pretty decent little road bike and i just wanted to fix it up a little for me to use around town. Everything works fine, but i need to replace the brake pads, get a new seat and maybe a new derailer.

Performance is good for buying stuff - I buy most of my gear there. For service, I havent really found a great shop - there's a place right near where you live on the corner of Wilson and Quincy, that might be a good place to start.

ooooohhhh the irony

Like the sunrise

The shop on Wilson and Quincy is Contes. They suck ass. I only go there if im in the middle of a ride and a break something and must fix it right there. If I shop locally I usually go to performance. They have a good "cash back" rewards program.

Trails too crowded? Learn to ride on the street. If the traffic is heavy you will move faster than the cars and you will then be avoiding them rather than the other way around which I prefer.

[Sijray21]

The shop on Wilson and Quincy is Contes. They suck ass.

yeah, i checked them out last week, but they seemed kind of expensive. i ended up picking up a seat online though.

[Mike]

i read favorable reviews of contes online. i'm gonna swing by there on my way home from work today. expect a review in about 45 minutes.

i used to work for performance. if you need to buy something, go there. if you need service, it's hit or miss. i was in there the other day and one kid at checkout actually had to ask the mechanic "what's the other type of valve? schraeder and ?" seriously... that's like the most elementary thing ever.

i do most of my shopping online...

[Evan]

I was pretty happy with performance when I had them install a new bottom bracket and crank. The tech I talked to did know his stuff though so I guess I got a hit

[Mike]

Oh... so conte's. Definitely a very high-end shop. I'l llikely use them for labor; their guys seemed pretty knowledgeable in talks I overheard with other customers.

[.RJ]

Unseasonably warm weather and the 1st ride outside of the new year (been riding on rollers for a few weeks)... I got hit riding down wilson blvd by a girl making a left turn and not paying attention. She almost took out ginger and then with nowhere to go I went right into her rear quarter panel. I was wearing a bright orange jacket too, somehow she missed a 180lb traffic cone (or maybe more like one of those traffic barrels) coming at her.

Fuck. My shoulder hurts a lot

Yes, she was asian.

[Mike]

fuck street riding.

[.RJ]

First time i've gone down on a road bike, I guess my record isnt that bad.

[ScottyB]

glad you're OK. i'm with Mikey.