After a year of strenuous work, I am finally at the point where I think it's worth upgrading my bike to try to eke out some more speed. But I want to know what kinds of improvements are really worth it.
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posted by RustyBrooks
on May 13, 2013 -
31 answers
I swear I saw this, probably 15 years ago, in a newspaper or cycling magazine or something. 2 guys riding bikes, pretty sure it was an article about the Tour de France. One guy has his pants rolled down to expose his crack, the other guy is applying lube in the form of a stick, looked sort of like a tube of deoderant.
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posted by RustyBrooks
on Apr 25, 2013 -
12 answers
I'm planning a cycling trip to San Francisco to the Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero in July. I think I have a pretty good idea of how to get there by just following Highway 1, but I'm not sure how to get back.
Instead of going back the way I came, I'd like to ride from Pescadero over the Santa Cruz mountains to Silicon Valley and catch the CalTrain into the city. Can anyone suggest a route? The shorter the better, so the station is not important! I know it'll be a climb.
posted by Borborygmus
on Apr 22, 2013 -
4 answers
I am looking to get into road cycling, but I cannot afford even the basic entry level bikes (with the Trek 1.1 running at $700 - and the others going on up in price). I found several old Peugeot bikes from the 70s and 80s on Craigslist in my area that are available for under $200. My question is would one of these old high quality bikes work or would I just be riding an albatross (so to speak)? I want to be able to keep up with my buddies if we ride together - so would I be too slow and/or worn out on an older bike? If people in the 70s could bike long distance on these things, why can't we today?
posted by cmp4Meta
on Apr 21, 2013 -
35 answers
Book recommendation for cycling nutrition: looking for something that details on and off the bike nutrition and cites studies and the physiology of what's happening when you ride/train. Something that seriously discusses supplementation, but steers clear of the hard stuff. I am an avid, but amateur, cyclist that wants something readable but not totally dumbed down.
posted by blueplasticfish
on Apr 8, 2013 -
5 answers
I am looking to buy a bike for basic getting-around-the-city purposes and I'd like to better understand the relative advantages of "hybrid" type bikes and "Dutch/upright" type bikes.
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posted by enn
on Apr 4, 2013 -
18 answers
I've signed up for a cycling event that will be my first metric century (100km/~65mi). Last year I was regularly riding 20-40 miles at a stretch on the weekends, and then I did a 50-mile ride and felt great after. So when I signed up for this one, 65 miles didn't seem particularly daunting. However, that 50-miler was last year, and between illness, weather, and travel I pretty much took the winter off from cycling. I've been doing regular training rides since early February, but none of my rides have been longer than 25 miles (but I usually feel great after). The metric century is this coming weekend, and I'm torn between skipping it because I might be unprepared, and going for it anyway because I'm already registered and why not try? Cyclists of Metafilter, what do you think--am I woefully unprepared? Should I try anyway? Have you done anything similar and felt great/terrible about it? More details below the fold.
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posted by rhiannonstone
on Apr 2, 2013 -
20 answers
I live in jeans and on my bicycle. I don't mind biking in jeans for short distances, but I'm finding myself doing a lot more bike riding in situations where I need something more presentable and versatile than bike shorts, skorts, or yoga-type pants, but more comfortable than jeans. (And it's not my bottom that's the issue, so wearing padded liner shorts under my jeans is not the solution I'm looking for.) The obvious answer here is pants designed for traveling and hiking, but I'm having a hard time finding any in my size (2X). I found some cargo pants at Old Navy that looked promising, but even though they're in my size they don't fit because they're super low-rise. REI has exactly one pair of plus-sized adventure travel pants and I have them, but I'd like more options. Do you have a recommendation for comfortable hiking/travel pants in plus sizes?
posted by rhiannonstone
on Mar 23, 2013 -
11 answers
Planning a vacation in California in May and was thinking I would like to do some cycling and see a bit of scenery. Sonoma and Yosemite seem attractive options, but where to stay and hire bikes? How many days should I set aside for this? I could be in the San Francisco area for ten days or so.
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posted by asok
on Mar 15, 2013 -
5 answers
Paint Removal/Solvent Experts: Looking for solvents/methods for removing paint (ink?) logos from semi-glossy aluminum bicycle parts, without damaging or changing the finish. Detailed pics inside.
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posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj
on Feb 20, 2013 -
13 answers
I've got a bike. I've got a compatible pump (two actually!). So why can't I seem to get the tires full enough to ride on? NB: I'm starting from completely flat tires (it's been a long time since I've ridden the bike). Is it not possible to hand pump bike tires all the way from flat?
posted by ocherdraco
on Jan 24, 2013 -
45 answers
I wear glasses and when I ride my bike the wind whips and eddies around them and makes my eyes water, so I end up riding with tears streaming down my face.
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posted by marienbad
on Jan 9, 2013 -
28 answers
The arches of my feet hurt quite a bit during my spin classes. What can I do to alleviate the pain?
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posted by amycup
on Dec 25, 2012 -
9 answers
Do you have a fitbit? How to you deal with biking and/or other activities that fitbit does not measure well? Or is there a better tool for this?
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posted by ManInSuit
on Nov 22, 2012 -
12 answers
We're Brits in Washington DC about to have our first baby! We have bicycles but don't own a car (use Zipcar / taxis). All the standard baby-prep advice seems to assume owning a car... so do you guys have any tips for car-free baby living? In particular: car seats (for occasional use / quick installation), diaper services and bike trailers? Details inside!
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posted by tkbarbarian
on Nov 18, 2012 -
16 answers
I've started my bike a little more seriously, and I have a few questions for the more experienced cyclists of the green.
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posted by ablazingsaddle
on Oct 22, 2012 -
25 answers
What advice would you give beginning cyclists interested in getting exercise as a couple? Bonus points for Rhode Island specific recommendations!
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posted by LouMac
on Sep 10, 2012 -
10 answers
I have literally (yes, literally) never stepped foot in a paid gym in my life. I'm a 27-year-old male, who (despite being almost rail-thin) is only "in shape" enough to bike-sprint the 1.7 miles to work, then back in the evening. It's time to change that, so I signed up for the small, limited (cheap!) gym on campus. Other than "get the professional help of a personal trainer", what should I do there?
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posted by supercres
on Aug 10, 2012 -
13 answers
Please suggest bike routes in New England that meet some specific criteria. We took our son on a section of the East Bay Bike Path near Providence for his first bike ride last week and he loved it. He sits in an
iBert on Mom's bike. We are looking for similar routes. In looking for similar I articulate what specifically I think is good about this path for us in the extended explanation. We can ride weekdays in addition to weekends. Thanks.
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posted by safetyfork
on Jun 25, 2012 -
11 answers
Bicycle touring logistics: Navigating the Trans Canadian Highway between Spanish, Ontario to Blind River, Ontario on bicycles. Crazy? Any other suggestions?
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posted by fieldtrip
on Jun 15, 2012 -
8 answers
If I wanted to make a paying hobby out of restoring and updating old bikes, what are some resources that would help me improve my skills, research the right bikes/components, and find the right places to buy them?
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posted by Scientist
on Jun 11, 2012 -
22 answers
Help transform a cycling commuter into a cycling centurion. Currently I cycle around 20 miles a day commuting, but would like to be able to knock off a century by the end of the summer (miles not km). Am happy with a basic training programme of increasing the miles at the weekend, but should the longer run be on a Saturday, for the recovery day before commuting again, or on a Sunday, for the recovery day
from commuting all week? Come, let me show you all my sparkly snowflakes.
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posted by fatfrank
on Jun 1, 2012 -
13 answers
You started biking later in life, and you did it in a big city. How did you become comfortable biking on roads with cars? I'm kind of freaked out by this.
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posted by showbiz_liz
on May 22, 2012 -
42 answers
What do I need in order to start commuting by bike? Assume that I currently have 1) a bike, 2) there is no 2.
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posted by Scientist
on May 17, 2012 -
51 answers
I'm looking for mefi's recommendations for late night take-out, fast food or quick ethnic food in Vancouver BC.
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posted by thewalrus
on May 16, 2012 -
4 answers
First-time bicycle rider: I want to buy a bicycle and learn how to ride it. Any recommendation / advice?
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posted by eisenl
on May 11, 2012 -
28 answers
Given my cycling style, is there any point for me to go clipless/clip'n'straps/other sort of shoe-to-pedal attachment?
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posted by Hakaisha
on Apr 26, 2012 -
33 answers
Where would an outgoing, adventurous bachelor live, his primary interests being craft brew and bicycling?
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posted by Giggilituffin
on Apr 23, 2012 -
40 answers
I'm seriously thinking of never riding a bike again, having just had my second serious crash in just over a year - despite it being my default mode of transport since I was 12 years old. I don't really want to stop, but I also don't want to end up a vegetable or dead.
What are some non-obvious defensive (bicycle) riding techniques for an experienced rider to start using?
How do you force yourself to learn and use them after 20+ years of habit?
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posted by deadwax
on Apr 20, 2012 -
58 answers
I'm signed up to do a century, a 100-mile bicycle ride, in a little over four weeks. Given the training that I've been doing, what are the best specific things I can do in the next month to get stronger and faster?
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posted by bluedaisy
on Apr 19, 2012 -
14 answers
Cheap men's synthetic underwear: nylon/spandex/polyester/etc. Would like approx 12 pair for bicycling. Flexible on style/aesthetics. Priority:
inexpensive.
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posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj
on Apr 12, 2012 -
8 answers
Doing my first (sprint) triathalon in about 6 weeks and need to start looking into gear. I don't have real bike/spin shoes yet, only good sneakers, and I'm ready to bite the bullet and get some. Anything specific I should know before I go into the store and ask someone knowledgeable for advice? Are there different types or are all bike shoes pretty much equal? (For instance, I'd love if I could get one pair and it would work for spin class + both the bike and run portion of the tri.)
posted by lovingkindness
on Mar 23, 2012 -
7 answers
Is there free or cheap software for analysing GPS tracks in detail? I want to be able to take a track produced by something like My Tracks (from an android phone) and look at it on my desktop computer, where I would like to zoom in on particular sections of the route: how fast was I going here? How steep is that hill?
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posted by alloneword
on Jan 15, 2012 -
11 answers
