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Oh I know, it just puzzles me that the tire holds air for 2 days no problem, then day 3 its dead flat. Its like it has some sort of time release on it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Finch
I think i need a new rear cartridge too. :( one of the rear gears skips like crazy, and it looks like the teeth are damaged on that one gear. It just happens to be the one thats the perfect cadence for crusing on level ground.
So, seeing as how I've been a bike courier for the last year, I decided to enter my first alleycat race last night.
I didn't expect to do very well, but at least I'd pick up a few new shortcuts or tricks, and get to know some of the other cyclists in the area. Besides, I am not by nature a competitive person.
I pulled up on Schwartzwind (my old custom Singletrack 950 from the late '80s, when Trek was at their peak). I just got a new drive train for it and was marveling at how light it was with all the cargo baskets removed. The other riders started pulling up on some serious road shit, Allez, Cannondales, Fujis, Bianchis, etc. I began to have some doubts about why I was there- I figured I was just gonna make an ass of myself. We got our checkpoints, and were off.
I have never in my life ridden so fast, so far, and for so long. It seriously felt like flying at points. Highlights included:
-Cutting across a farm field with cows and shit in it at one of 30 pt. checks, located in the next town which I reached in 9 minutes.
-Bombing a skywalk from a parking deck top level.
-Hitting the Dean Dome at 40 mph
-leaping stairs, then cutting across highway traffic, leaping the median, leaping the next curb and another flight of stairs.
The race had 20 checkpoints, the harder (and farther) being worth more points. The idea was that it should be impossible for anyone to hit nearly all 20 in the 2 hour time limit, so pick the best routes with the most points.
I got 18 of the 20 checks, and came in first by a huge margin- of 320 points, I had 270. 2nd place had 230. Jaws literally dropped.
It never ceases to amaze how rewarding cycling continues to be for me, even though I do it day in, day out, every day. There is always a new thrill to be had. I highly recommend entering an alleycat if you want to really get to know your city, and for a different riding experience.
Wow, that sounds like a great ride. Two hours at full pace? That's ridiculously intense. It probably didn't hurt that you were used to a bike that weighed a lot more.
Pretty bad ass.
Also: Bicycle messenger? That must be a hipster girl pussy magnet.
I was wondering what an alleycat race was, seeing it mentioned in another thread. Sounds pretty intense, and good job. It sounds like it rewards breaking laws and busting through traffic though, which while exhilarating, is probably going to end up with someone dead (eventually).
Fuck me I miss riding. Its been beautiful out and I'm not clear to ride for at least another month.
First ride out I am going to hit the trail I fell on and fuck that thing up though..
It is, but not as much as you'd think. The being broke part balances it out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tones
Thank you. As I understand it, when the alleycat trend started in larger cities years ago, the idea WAS to have a dangerous race to model what couriers do everyday, and this one was fairly tame. This is why they are usually at night and in traffic.Quote:
Originally Posted by FuryFox
Breaking laws and riding in traffic is what I have to do every day for work. I understand what this means for my life expectancy, and quite frankly, I'm happy enough that I don't give a shit. There are far worse ways to die than doing something I love. But really, they are more meant to reward who knows the tricks and ways around town the best.
i meant to reply to this back then, but i have to say this is complete grawesomeness.Quote:
It never ceases to amaze how rewarding cycling continues to be for me, even though I do it day in, day out, every day. There is always a new thrill to be had. I highly recommend entering an alleycat if you want to really get to know your city, and for a different riding experience.
it's happened. http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?sec...cal&id=5986557Quote:
It sounds like it rewards breaking laws and busting through traffic though, which while exhilarating, is probably going to end up with someone dead (eventually).
So... My front brake cable snapped a few days ago, so i thought since i'm riding fixed anyway, i'd go brakeless. It's easy on flats, it's fine up hill, even going down gradual hills aren't so bad, but when you're plummeting down a steep hill towards a busy intersection, about halfway down you start to wonder exactly how you're going to stop. My backpedaling isn't strong enough to stop me on a downhill, so it ended up being "gently crashing into the light pole". It works!
That video just makes it sound so much more awesome to the group that would actually participate. "Dangerous. Exciting. Reverence among your peers. But don't do it."
However, that bicycle shop guy is exactly how I would expect him to be. Never change.