Bicycle thread - Page 1766

fifthcircle · 12-10-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducnut

Don't be so hard on yourself. Inspiration here.

Cool story. I'm not depressed, or huge, just 30lbs from where I was/should be. That, and in a rut. It happens

I do have The Time Crunched Triathlete, but as a stay at home dad, that won't work. I will look into the TCC.

I just thought some of you might have a good three month winter program you liked to use to really tune up over the "off season". There is one on BeginnerTriathlere.com that I may end up using....

Aurelius · 12-10-2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moodfart

fixed.

Of course it's easier. That's why it's more enjoyable. Enjoying things because they're inherently unpleasant and dangerous is an indication of mental illness.

moodfart · 12-10-2012, 10:05 AM

Just being an ass... and who said anything about unpleasant?? I love the challenge of steep/super technical, but smooth and flowing is cool too; here in New England there just isn't much to be had. Those FL trails (from what I've seen on the webz) look fun as hell. This is a mototcycle forum; 99% of us like things that are dangerous...

If liking things that are unpleasant and dangerous is indication of mental illness, you'd see more big-pharma sponsoring/promoting triatholons. Or Dakar. Or Harley Davidson.

Aurelius · 12-10-2012, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moodfart

Just being an ass... and who said anything about unpleasant??

How can climbing up steep hills not be unpleasant? That's the kind of riding I did for years. Where I lived, you were either going down a steep hill or going up one. Thinking back on it, most of what I remember is constant burning pain in my legs and exhaustion. Kids weren't given cars by their parents in those days, so bicycling was basically the only way to get around. If the terrain were like that here, I'd give up bicycling altogether.

Quote:

I love the challenge of steep/super technical, but smooth and flowing is cool too; here in New England there just isn't much to be had. Those FL trails (from what I've seen on the webz) look fun as hell. This is a mototcycle forum; 99% of us like things that are dangerous...

'Challenging" shouldn't equated with "dangerous" or "unpleasant". There are technical trails I enjoy, but these are not physically exhausting like some others. Mostly they're rock gardens and heavily rooted areas, with lots of sharp turns and occasional drops. There are other technical trails consisting of incredibly steep climbs -- the kind where you have to depend on momentum to get you to the top, because they're too steep to pedal up. And they also contain hazards which can send even experienced riders to the emergency room. I have yet to meet anyone who says they enjoy those trails; most seem to ride them only for bragging rights or to practice for an upcoming race.

moodfart · 12-10-2012, 11:26 AM

It's mountain biking, man. It's dirty, difficult, dangerous, but fun as hell. The hills suck, but are balanced by the descents. Many people agree apparently; look at the trend in 6" all mountain bikes. Tons of people like riding the difficult/dangerous stuff. I'm talking New England here, too.... think of Colorado/Utah/BC.....

HappyRiding · 12-10-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurelius

I couldn't disagree more. I lived in hills of upstate NY for 17 years. Bicycling in that area is nothing but exhausting climbs and dangerously steep descents. Flatter is better.

Wait

. This should turn into a lively debate.

Gummee! · 12-10-2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyRiding

Wait

. This should turn into a lively debate.

Sez the climber-type. Phooey! Give me a nice field sprint or velodrome any day over that UPhill shit.

M

HappyRiding · 12-10-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gummee!

Sez the climber-type. Phooey! Give me a nice field sprint or velodrome any day over that UPhill shit.

M

Used to be a climber - type...now I am "Gravitationally Challenged"

Still, I always loved the challenge of the climb and the thrill of the descents both mtn and road.

YakSpout · 12-10-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyRiding

Wait

. This should turn into a lively debate.

Sometimes it's like every troll from bf.net has been distilled and is being posted here one per week...

ducnut · 12-10-2012, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyRiding

Still, I always loved the challenge of the climb and the thrill of the descents both mtn and road.

Quote:

Originally Posted by YakSpout

Sometimes it's like every troll from bf.net has been distilled and is being posted here one per week...

Aurelius · 12-10-2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moodfart

It's not unpleasant because your endorphins are flowing, you're in the woods with good friends, you're challenging yourself by having to pick the right line or walk up the unpleasantly steep hill, and you're rewarded with a dangerous, but adrenaline filled grin inducing descent on the other side. I was under the impression that this is why people mountain bike to begin with?

The kind of technical trails I prefer afford all those things, with the sole exception of steep elevation changes. But if it's steep elevation changes you want, you can get it without suffering the effects of severe exhaustion and lactic acid burn. Chuck Lennon mtb park, for instance, is one of several trails designed like a roller coaster. The climbs are steep, but by conserving your momentum from the steep descents that precede them, you don't wear yourself out. 'Gatorback', on the other hand, is the type of trail I'd never want to ride.

moodfart · 12-10-2012, 12:25 PM

Don't get me wrong, that sounds awesome! We just don't have that around here. There's a trail in Vermont I rode a couple weeks ago, tough climb for about 30 minutes, feels like you're breathing glass.... then you reach the top and ride for about 2 miles on relatively flat singletrack, weaving through towering pines on super loamy/smooth soil. It was epic, the flow through there will bring me back in the spring for sure. If I'm able to, I'd love to check out Santos at some point. Until then, it's roots, hills and rocks around here.

HappyRiding · 12-10-2012, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YakSpout

Sometimes it's like every troll from bf.net has been distilled and is being posted here one per week...

Sorry Yak if ya think I have invaded your treehouse but I have been subscribed to this thread since 2008 off and on. Sometimes my inner cyclist gets the best of me and I just have to comment.

mud · 12-10-2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurelius

The kind of technical trails I prefer afford all those things, with the sole exception of steep elevation changes. But if it's steep elevation changes you want, you can get it without suffering the effects of severe exhaustion and lactic acid burn. Chuck Lennon mtb park, for instance, is one of several trails designed like a roller coaster. The climbs are steep, but by conserving your momentum from the steep descents that precede them, you don't wear yourself out. 'Gatorback', on the other hand, is the type of trail I'd never want to ride.

OK, What don't you like about that? THAT is mountain biking! That trail looks awesome!

rbrsddn · 12-10-2012, 12:37 PM

I gotta get me one of those Go Pro's and video some of the technical trails we have here in CT. If Gatorback is one you'd never ride, you wouldn't like it here. There aren't many places where you can relax. Good for skills honing though! A good Orthopedic is a plus too!

12-10-2012, 10:05 AM	#26478
moodfart Let's get tropical Joined: Apr 2011 Location: CT Oddometer: 793	Just being an ass... and who said anything about unpleasant?? I love the challenge of steep/super technical, but smooth and flowing is cool too; here in New England there just isn't much to be had. Those FL trails (from what I've seen on the webz) look fun as hell. This is a mototcycle forum; 99% of us like things that are dangerous... If liking things that are unpleasant and dangerous is indication of mental illness, you'd see more big-pharma sponsoring/promoting triatholons. Or Dakar. Or Harley Davidson. moodfart screwed with this post 12-10-2012 at 10:14 AM

12-10-2012, 11:26 AM	#26480
moodfart Let's get tropical Joined: Apr 2011 Location: CT Oddometer: 793	It's mountain biking, man. It's dirty, difficult, dangerous, but fun as hell. The hills suck, but are balanced by the descents. Many people agree apparently; look at the trend in 6" all mountain bikes. Tons of people like riding the difficult/dangerous stuff. I'm talking New England here, too.... think of Colorado/Utah/BC..... moodfart screwed with this post 12-10-2012 at 11:44 AM

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12-10-2012, 12:25 PM	#26487
moodfart Let's get tropical Joined: Apr 2011 Location: CT Oddometer: 793	Don't get me wrong, that sounds awesome! We just don't have that around here. There's a trail in Vermont I rode a couple weeks ago, tough climb for about 30 minutes, feels like you're breathing glass.... then you reach the top and ride for about 2 miles on relatively flat singletrack, weaving through towering pines on super loamy/smooth soil. It was epic, the flow through there will bring me back in the spring for sure. If I'm able to, I'd love to check out Santos at some point. Until then, it's roots, hills and rocks around here.

12-10-2012, 12:37 PM	#26490
rbrsddn 3banger Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Madison,CT Oddometer: 2,031	I gotta get me one of those Go Pro's and video some of the technical trails we have here in CT. If Gatorback is one you'd never ride, you wouldn't like it here. There aren't many places where you can relax. Good for skills honing though! A good Orthopedic is a plus too!