I road ride at least once a week now & I started wearing a mirror on my glasses to see if vehicles are behind me to keep from getting caught off gaurd. Although it's a nice idea, it's a tad weird at first untill you get used to it. This past Monday was prime example. I was adjusting the mirror slightly while riding & right as I got it into it's correct position a pickup truck was already about 10-15ft behind me doing about 40mph at me! I don't know how those devoted roadies do it!
Wheels out 5:30 from the parking lots. Helmets mandatory, rain cancels.
Couple of change ups here. First, last week was a lot better. No one dropped without communication, and generally we all stuck together or in groups. I think what really works out best is a buddy system; pick a rider your level and stick together so no one ends up on their own.
Also, never leave anyone alone with a mechanical, (even if they say it's OK, they are lying); stick with them!
This week is a bit different. We are starting off as normal, but some of us are going to be sneaking off with the IMBA crew to check out Belmont. I know many of you won't have time for that, so please I want the regular ride to go ahead as planned, but if some of the more experienced riders want to join us please feel welcome.
Because of the change-up this week there might not be anyone sweeping at the back, so slow folks or first timers, you'll want to bring a buddy or check us out next week.
Anyway, what follows is the normal spiel: [divider]
Beginners are welcome but the Wiss Trails may be intimidating for 'first timers'.
If you are a first timer please feel free to contact me and we can schedule a separate ride to get you in the game. Or better yet, check out the Beginner clinics upcoming.
Don't forget hydration, and if you need any MTB 101 type advice please let me know.
Keep in mind too that the Wiss trails are demanding, so that $200 Wal-Mart bike won't cut it.
90% of the time we head up to Summit Ave and then take the upper trail out toward Lincoln Drive. Do a whole loop if you like or bail back the Forbidden Drive at any time. If you're late you can scoot up Wises Mill Rd or other sections from the Forbidden Trail and try to catch us.
I'd worry about hub warrantees over rim warrantees because rims get hammered and wear and tear is not a warrantee issue. Plus, a rim's strength lies in the skill of the wheelbuilder. Aside from unusual quality control issues from velocity (usually bomber) the only outright warranty issue I've seen on a rim was a leak in a mavic 819 ust rim. Hubs can suffer from freehub body failure, cracked flanges - bearings however are essentially a wear item and not covered.
Hope's have a nice rep. A knuckleheaded buddy of mine rides them and loves them.
pretty cool simple technology in trucks for protecting cyclists during turns. I wonder if this is as big an issue here as it is in the UK? I know riding in London is a scary experience, especially with the small streets and so much traffic. And you never want to be near a truck if it's turning; you're in no-mans land.
I was considering upgrading my stock Bontrager wheels and going for the nicer Race Lites. I wanted sealed bearings instead of cup and cone. I came across the five year warranty info on the Bontrager website. I also almost bid on a pair of Race Lites on e-bay - all this fuss within the last 24 hours. Bontrager being just a name of the manufacturer of components that usually are stock with Treks MTBs.
You're right about the warrantee. Where did you buy your set? I've also thought about building a set on my own. PricePoint has some Hope hubs for an ok price and I was thinking of putting mavic 717 or 719 on them. The hubs are Hope Pro2, has anyone ever ridden on these?
Personally I think they should have mentioned Bruno's for close-by food. Burger and cheese fries... to counteract the entire ride of course. And General Lafayette for beers.
Or McMenamin's for one-stop shopping on all of the above.
And General Lafayette for beers.
