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rockermike
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Jun 12, 2015 - 08:24pm PT
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If you know a climber who uses EBs, hexes, 50 mtr ropes, Superguide alpine boots and/ or bamboo handled Chuoinard piolets.... then you know what old school is.
Well Rivendell bikes and Grant... the owner... is the old school of the biking world. Their frames are beautiful and over priced... but hell if you got the bucks why not. Better than buying a Porsche.
Anyway I was reading their catalog recently and came across this op ed piece....I like it.
Tips for happy riding
Learn right away that the front brake is the most effective one, and to never lock the front wheel. Learn how far you can lean over without scraping a pedal. Learn to keep the inside pedal UP when you corner, and learn to ride safely in all conditions. Signal your approach to pedestrians, especially if they’re old, and a bell is better than “On your left!” If no bell, try clacking your brake levers. If all you got is “On your left!” that’s fine. At least one ride in 10, go without your sunglasses and gloves. Sometime next month, put some doublesided cheap-style pedals on a good bike and ride in non-cycling garb. Carry an extra tube you can donate to somebody with a flat tire and just a repair kit. If you’re a guy, don’t try to be a mentor to every female cycler you meet. Don’t ride i n shoes you can’t walk through an antique s hop in. Don’t wear clothing that makes your sweat stink even more. Don’t think you’ll go faster in a significant way if you and your bike become more aerodynamic. Put a $20 bill inside your seat post or handlebar and hold it there, somehow. Don’t ride until you’re confident you can f ix a flat. If you ride more than one bike, have a set of bring-along tools for each one. Learn how to remove your rear wheel (put the chain onto the small cog, etc.). If you ride in a group, bring food for you and somebody who forgot to. Go for a one-hour ride underdressed sometime, because it’ll remind you that the earth can beat you up if you’re not careful, and if you always overdress you’ll forget that. Never blame your bike or your health if you’re the last one up the hill or in to the rest stop. If your brake hoods are black, your bar tape shouldn’t be. Don’t let your c hain squeak. If you pass another rider up a hill, say more than “Hi,” but if she’s a woman and you aren’t, don’t assume she wants to chat. If you’re a woman and he’s a guy, you can chit-chat all you like. If you see another rider fast approaching, trying to catch you, let it happen. Fun is more i mportant than fast. Bring normal food, if any, on your ride. Take photos on your rides and give them away. Feel comfortable mixing high tech and low tech, old and new parts and technologies, and don’t apologize to anybody for it. Compliment other people’s bikes, especially if they’re new. Buy the cheapest helmet that fits well. Try seersucker shirts for hot weather riding, and long-sleeved ones are best. If you get a new widget and like it, don’t “swear by it,” just use it. Don’t always shop by price and never ask for discounts at your local bike shop. Every time you go i nto a bike shop, spend at least $2, and if you ask a question and get good advice, s pend $5 (get a cable). If you buy a rack, don’t ask for free installation. Don’t assume your bike shop is making money. Ride only when you feel like it. If you know a fast new rider, don’t say, “You really ought to race…” If you see a stocky woman rider, don’t suggest she race track. Have at least one bike you feel comfortable riding in a downpour. Ride in weather that keeps other cyclers indoors. Don’t keep track of your pedaling cadence. If you have a normal loop or ride, count the number of times you shift on it; then the next time you ride it, cut that in half and see if it makes any difference. Learn to ride nohands and to hop over obstacles, but not simultaneously. Never hit a pedestrian. In traffic, be visible. If you have several bikes, set them up with different equipment…but always ride the saddle you like best. Don’t try to keep up with faster descenders if you’re not comfortable descending. Never apologize for buying something that’s not quite pro quality by saying, “I’m not going to race or anything.” If you buy a stock bike, do something to it that makes it the only one exactly like it in the world. Don’t think i t’s important to match front and rear hubs or rims. If you borrow somebody else’s bike, for a short test or a long ride, say something nice about it. Always bring a pump. Wear out something. Don’t describe any bike, no matter how c heap or dilapidated, as “a piece of crap.” If you get a fancy bike assembled by somebody else, allow them a scrape or two, especially if the bike is really expensive. If you’re suffering badly on a climb, walk. Go for a ride in sandals at least once, and ride around in normal clothes every so often, if only to get your neighbors used to seeing bike riders looking normal.
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Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
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Jun 13, 2015 - 10:20am PT
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Cool thoughts^^
Just finished a ride from Truckee to Shasta on this;
I have several others but am having the most fun currently with this one.
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Jun 13, 2015 - 10:26am PT
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Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
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Jun 13, 2015 - 10:34am PT
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Yeehaw cowboy!
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Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
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Jun 13, 2015 - 10:44am PT
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Good call, yep. I think maybe the middle falls.
Spent the day swimming and fishing before heading up the hill and into Mt. Shasta
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Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
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Jun 13, 2015 - 10:58am PT
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89 to A21 (that Westwood cutoff) to 44 to 89.
I've driven that so many times I just wanted to do it slower.
Fishing was ok, but you know what they say about that...
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rockermike
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Jun 13, 2015 - 05:21pm PT
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Hey DelhiDog.... how'd the solar panel work? I'm debating between a panel and an expensive dyno hub.
Largo looks like he's flying (or falling). :) You must be pretty good at that thing. I watched a vimeo video just yesterday of a couple who rode the continental divide route on unicycles, camping gear and all. ha
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martygarrison
Trad climber
Washington DC
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Jun 13, 2015 - 06:57pm PT
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Latest build.
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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Jun 13, 2015 - 07:38pm PT
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Covet....
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briham89
Big Wall climber
santa cruz, ca
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Jun 13, 2015 - 09:44pm PT
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This is what I have been working my ass off on for the last 2 years....
Inspired by vintage motorcycles. 36mph in race mode, 3000w motor.
They will put a smile on your face when you hit the throttle :)
Check them out at ----> http://vintageelectricbikes.com/
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rockermike
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Jun 14, 2015 - 04:42am PT
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↑↑↑↑
Pretty cool.
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Craig Fry
Trad climber
So Cal.
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Jun 18, 2015 - 11:24am PT
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Mine is a Real Mountain Bike, I forgot what kind it is,
used on Real Mts. I like big tires and a low seat.
a look back at our so called "Trail"
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Alpinista55
Mountain climber
Portland, OR
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Jun 18, 2015 - 11:42am PT
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I'm a triker!
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Jun 18, 2015 - 12:08pm PT
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I have a student on a course right now who had his Giant 'Trance' mountain bike stolen yesterday during class.
Scumbag thieves!
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sierracanon
Mountain climber
Sacramento, CA
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Jun 18, 2015 - 02:53pm PT
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This was a team bike for Saxo Bank in the 2010 Amgen Tour of California.
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onyourleft
climber
Smog Angeles
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Jun 18, 2015 - 05:43pm PT
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