Getting up to speed

Luigi de Guzman said:

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 16:52:37 -0400, Badger_South <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 16:22:29 -0400, Luigi de Guzman <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 16:10:40 -0400, Badger_South <[email hidden]>
wrote:

>Get some toeclip pedals if you don't have these already. They help a huge
>amt getting that spinning down - at least it did for me. Aim to graduate to
>clipless and biking shoes at some point in the future.
>
I have no such ambitions, yet.

My pedals are MKS GR-9 platform pedals. I can ride long and hard, or
spin easy to the store. No goofy shoes necessary.

I forgot to add '...except for Luigi'. ;-p

"If you haven't ridden pedals with clips or clipless you're missing out on
50% of the riding experience" That's how it was explained to me. I tried it
and now I agree. I won't go back to plain platform pedals. YMMV.

I don't deny the performance advantage--what I do dispute is what that
performance advantage means to *me*.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm all about efficiency, but presently I've only got *one* bicycle.
Maybe when the sportier bike gets overhauled, I'll think about it.

-Luig

Right. Ya gotta be able to jump up and pedal to the pizza place in your
jammies on Sat. mornings, eh? ;-)

Or down to church on Sundays. (must remember to get a pair of
trouser clips--am scared to death of fouling my nice woolen trousers
on the chain). Or to the library, or the store--trivially short
distances, sure (a mile or so), but cycling gets me there and back
again so much faster.

Not all novices want to make the leap to full-bore bikie that's
represented by cleated shoes and pedals...if they want to get there
eventually, great. But I'm all for a gradual, softly-softly approach
where that's concerned.

-Luigi

Luigi,
Sorry to be a bore about this, but you're a perfect candidate for toe
cups. Get the decent $7 ones, not the crappy $5 ones. They'll scuff
your dress shoes a little, but if you use shoe polish, it will rub out
easily.
They can be adjusted inboard and outboard, but not fore and aft. Will
increase stability and power. I'm betting they work for you.
Best, Bernie

Badger_South <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:

Firstly, thanks for all the advice.

Quoted message said:

If you weigh 230, you'll do yourself a favor to lose 20-30lbs of fat if you
can. (Cut back on the sugars and sodas. Eat 6 small meals per day. Drink
more water.)

That's WIP, unfortunately, I don't eat much with sugar in (no
"manufactured" food), nor carbonated drinks (other than fizzy water),
so I didn't have any scope to cut back there

(snipped advice noted)

Quoted message said:

Get some toeclip pedals if you don't have these already. They help a huge
amt getting that spinning down - at least it did for me. Aim to graduate to
clipless and biking shoes at some point in the future.

I'm afraid I'm terrified of not being able to remove my feet from the
pedals quickly (read instantly). I doubt if I could get to wear clips
of cleats.

I also find that I cannot cycle using the balls of my feet. Feet and
to a certain extent calves become very painful, very quickly. Not only
that, but I find that if I try and pedal in this manner I have to
concentrate to keep my feet on the pedals.

I find the pedals are not wide enough - they're wide enough for the
shoe, but I always cycle with about an inch of shoe off the pedal -
and yet I've never seen pedal position mentioned in talk about
fitting.

What is the advantage to clips and cleats?

Quoted message said:

Finally make sure your seat is up high enough. Many people are not getting
all the power they're capable of generating b/c the leg is not straight
enough on the downstroke. Raise it 1/8" each ride until it feels like
you're rocking the hips, then back it down 1/8".

That's one thing I have got right 🙂

BTW: There seems to be a mega trend at the moment for adolescant boys
to ride around on what appear to be their baby brother's cycles. They
have a seat that is so low their knees look as if they come up to
their chins as they cycle.

The first time I saw one of these, I really did think the boy was on a
child's bike, but now about 50% of them seem to have them. As with so
many teenage "fashions", it doesn't seem to matter how stupid they
look, as long as they all look stupid together.

Does anyone know what this sillyness is all about?

Mike

On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:18:21 -0700, Bernie <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Sorry to be a bore about this, but you're a perfect candidate for toe
cups. Get the decent $7 ones, not the crappy $5 ones. They'll scuff
your dress shoes a little, but if you use shoe polish, it will rub out
easily.
They can be adjusted inboard and outboard, but not fore and aft. Will
increase stability and power. I'm betting they work for you.

I'd never tried toecups; I do however like my clips and straps.
They're vile black plastic, with black nylon straps. They don't look
nearly as cool as the shiny steel Christophe ones. But they have one
great advantage: with two loops, they hold the straps open better,
and they're wide enough for my feet.

--Luigi

Quoted message said:

Best, Bernie

Mike VM said:

BTW: There seems to be a mega trend at the moment for adolescant boys
to ride around on what appear to be their baby brother's cycles. They
have a seat that is so low their knees look as if they come up to
their chins as they cycle.

The first time I saw one of these, I really did think the boy was on a
child's bike, but now about 50% of them seem to have them. As with so
many teenage "fashions", it doesn't seem to matter how stupid they
look, as long as they all look stupid together.

Does anyone know what this sillyness is all about?

If anybody ever figures out why adolescent boys do anything, as a mother
of 4 boys with three of them adolescents and the oldest arguably still
adolescent at 23, I want to know.

There was an article in May 10, 2004 issue of Time magazine about the
teenage brain. It seems that preliminary results from some long-term
studies are indicating that the part of the brain involved in judgment
and impulse-control matures LAST.

That just explains SO much about teenagers.

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
http://community.webshots.com/user/blackrosequilts

Luigi de Guzman said:

I know I
should be happy that they're riding bicycles at all, but my inner
Fabrizio rankles at the thought that they don't do their bikes
justice.

Luigi, Luigi, Luigi. You have an inner Fabrizio? *sigh* Go to your
room. Take yer bike and an indoor trainer with you. Yer grounded.

;-)

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
http://community.webshots.com/user/blackrosequilts

David Reuteler said:

Luigi de Guzman said:

I get *crushed* on a regular basis by guys who look twice or three
times my age. I try to chase and they drop me like a bad habit.

They've probably been riding since you were in diapers, too, ya know.
When you've been riding that long, you too will be blowing guys off the
road who are half your age.

Quoted message said:

luigi: i know you're only 23 but are you aware just how damn hard it is to
drop a bad habit?

Hehe.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm 23. That speaks badly of my fitness, eh?

quite highly actually.

Indeed.

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
http://community.webshots.com/user/blackrosequilts

(Mike VM) said:

BTW: There seems to be a mega trend at the moment for adolescant boys
to ride around on what appear to be their baby brother's cycles. They
have a seat that is so low their knees look as if they come up to
their chins as they cycle.

The first time I saw one of these, I really did think the boy was on a
child's bike, but now about 50% of them seem to have them. As with so
many teenage "fashions", it doesn't seem to matter how stupid they
look, as long as they all look stupid together.

Does anyone know what this sillyness is all about?

Isn't about fashion, it's about stunts.

The BMX kiddies use the little bikes to do tricks. Watch them; they
may impress you occasionally.

Their bikes aren't meant to be ridden any measurable distance, but
they are meant to be jumped, thrown about, walked on, flipped, spun,
ground....you get the picture.

It's a lot easier to chuck a little bike underneath you than a
"properly-sized" one--it's likewise difficult to do freestyle BMX on a
road racing bike. I have a hard time popping wheelies on my touring
bicycle, but I'd probably get right back into it if I rode a BMX.

As I recall, one of the big British velodrome competitors these days
(a gold-medal winner at the most recent Commonwealth Games) started
out in BMX. After he won one event at the Commonwealth Games in
Manchester, he rode a BMX bike around Manchester Velodrome, popping
wheelies and doing tricks to enthusiastic applause.

-Luigi

the official Voice of Yoof on RBM

the black rose said:

Luigi de Guzman said:

I know I
should be happy that they're riding bicycles at all, but my inner
Fabrizio rankles at the thought that they don't do their bikes
justice.

Luigi, Luigi, Luigi. You have an inner Fabrizio? *sigh* Go to your
room. Take yer bike and an indoor trainer with you. Yer grounded.

Amidst Fab's excesses of style and despite his fashion victimhood,
there is something to the idea that one's bicycle should suit its
rider, and vice-versa.

It's also what I tell myself when I go to the bikeshop to buy tubes or
cadge small parts from the mechanic and walk by all the shiny new road
racers I can't afford.

-Luigi

"the black rose" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]

[...]

Quoted message said:

If anybody ever figures out why adolescent boys do anything, as a
mother of 4 boys with three of them adolescents and the oldest
arguably still adolescent at 23, I want to know.

There was an article in May 10, 2004 issue of Time magazine about the
teenage brain. It seems that preliminary results from some long-term
studies are indicating that the part of the brain involved in judgment
and impulse-control matures LAST.

Not to mention al that testosterone.

--

A: Top-posters.
Q: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet?

Quoted message said:

Luigi de Guzman [email hidden]

wrote in part:

Quoted message said:

I get *crushed* on a regular basis by guys who look twice or three
times my age. I try to chase and they drop me like a bad habit.

Was that you? Sorry, man. I thought you were just trying to make me feel good.
<g>

Quoted message said:

I'm 23. That speaks badly of my fitness, eh?

Not necessarily. Fast twitch versus slow twitch muscles, no?

Regards,
Bob Hunt

DRS said:

"the black rose" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]

[...]

Quoted message said:

If anybody ever figures out why adolescent boys do anything, as a
mother of 4 boys with three of them adolescents and the oldest
arguably still adolescent at 23, I want to know.

There was an article in May 10, 2004 issue of Time magazine about the
teenage brain. It seems that preliminary results from some long-term
studies are indicating that the part of the brain involved in judgment
and impulse-control matures LAST.

Not to mention al that testosterone.

HA! There's so much testosterone at my house, it's a wonder *I* don't
grow a beard. Even my dog is a boy.

I need to re-read the article, but I seem to remember that testosterone
has less to do with the silly things teenagers do than it does with the
lack of impulse control. C'mon, tell me you 30+ yr old guys don't get
the same impulses you did as teens -- you do and you know it, you just
have the good sense to dismiss or control them. Well, most of you do,
anyway. :-D

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
http://community.webshots.com/user/blackrosequilts

Luigi de Guzman said:

the black rose said:

Luigi de Guzman said:

I know I
should be happy that they're riding bicycles at all, but my inner
Fabrizio rankles at the thought that they don't do their bikes
justice.

Luigi, Luigi, Luigi. You have an inner Fabrizio? *sigh* Go to your
room. Take yer bike and an indoor trainer with you. Yer grounded.

Amidst Fab's excesses of style and despite his fashion victimhood,
there is something to the idea that one's bicycle should suit its
rider, and vice-versa.

It's also what I tell myself when I go to the bikeshop to buy tubes or
cadge small parts from the mechanic and walk by all the shiny new road
racers I can't afford.

Ah, I get it. I can't remember the psychological term for that
(compensation, maybe?). I *guess* you can come out of your room now.
*evil grin*

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
http://community.webshots.com/user/blackrosequilts

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Make sure your bike is set up correctly (saddle and handlebar adjustment).
You might consider getting clipless pedals if you haven't got them
already.

Why does everyone seem so fixated on going clipless? |-)

I do just fine without it, and am not willing to sacrifice "hop on any
time" on the altar of increased pedaling efficiency. And no, I won't
wear bike shoes all the time. Just....no.

I was in this same camp for years, until I bought a used bike and the
seller threw in clipless pedals, shoes and cleats. I didn't use them
for the longest time, but I began to notice some pain after ~2 hours
of riding with toe clips rubbing against the fronts and/or tops of my
sneakers. So this winter I put the clipless pedals on my trainer to
try them out. I put them on my road bike this spring. Ahhhhh,
comfort...!

I've noticed that I use more/different leg muscles with clipless
pedals (I guess that's the efficiency everybody talks about). I never
tightened my toe clips before, so it's a new sensation to be able to
pull back and up during a pedal stroke.

As for fear of falling, I've found that it helped to do single-leg
intervals over the winter. If I'm worried about clipping in after a
red-light or after stopping on a hill, I just pedal with one leg to
get up some speed, then clip in the other shoe.

So... it ain't just about cool gadgets. I don't care much for
gew-gaws either, but any equipment which makes a long ride
significantly more comfortable has my gratitude.

-BC

On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 09:43:40 -0400, Luigi de Guzman <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

(Mike VM) said:

BTW: There seems to be a mega trend at the moment for adolescant boys
to ride around on what appear to be their baby brother's cycles. They
have a seat that is so low their knees look as if they come up to
their chins as they cycle.

The first time I saw one of these, I really did think the boy was on a
child's bike, but now about 50% of them seem to have them. As with so
many teenage "fashions", it doesn't seem to matter how stupid they
look, as long as they all look stupid together.

Does anyone know what this sillyness is all about?

Isn't about fashion, it's about stunts.

The BMX kiddies use the little bikes to do tricks. Watch them; they
may impress you occasionally.

Their bikes aren't meant to be ridden any measurable distance, but
they are meant to be jumped, thrown about, walked on, flipped, spun,
ground....you get the picture.

It's a lot easier to chuck a little bike underneath you than a
"properly-sized" one--it's likewise difficult to do freestyle BMX on a
road racing bike. I have a hard time popping wheelies on my touring
bicycle, but I'd probably get right back into it if I rode a BMX.

As I recall, one of the big British velodrome competitors these days
(a gold-medal winner at the most recent Commonwealth Games) started
out in BMX. After he won one event at the Commonwealth Games in
Manchester, he rode a BMX bike around Manchester Velodrome, popping
wheelies and doing tricks to enthusiastic applause.

-Luigi

the official Voice of Yoof on RBM

I think the bit about stunts is pretty valid since even though I can do a
wheely with my MTB I can't hold it and look impressive. I did see one of
the riders on the TDF do it on OLNTV at the end, THAT was impressive.
As for collectively looking stupid, my 18 year old grandson is proof of
that,
with his pants falling off look, he bent over and did lose them one time.
Good chess player but grown up...!not.
Bill Baka

--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Bill Baka said:

I think the bit about stunts is pretty valid since even though I can do a
wheely with my MTB I can't hold it and look impressive. I did see one of
the riders on the TDF do it on OLNTV at the end, THAT was impressive.

Probably Robbie McEwen, a former BMX rider.

http://grahamwatson.com/gw/imagedocs.nsf/photos/04tourSt20-013000

Floyd Landis is often seen doing a wheelie, also.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2002/jul02/tdf/?id=stage20/AFPfloyd

--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/

"Mike VM" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm afraid I'm terrified of not being able to remove my feet from the
pedals quickly (read instantly). I doubt if I could get to wear clips
of cleats.

Sure you could. Try some clips -- they're cheap and easy to install. Try
them with the straps loose, or removed altogether. Either way, you can
disengage easily and quickly by simply pulling your feet back. (That is,
unless you're wearing running shoes or the like, with nubby soles -- those
can catch on your pedal.) Even clips with the straps loose will improve
your efficiency A LOT. When you've been using the clips a while and you
feel comfortable, and you're not in city traffic where you have to stop
every block or two, tighten the straps down and you'll get even more
efficient.

I've gone to clipless, but really, the difference between clips and cleats
is nothing compared to the difference between free feet and clips. If
Bernard Hinault could win the TdF 5 times wearing clips... And of course
clips have the advantage of working with any old street shoes, if you use
your bike for running errands and stuff.

Quoted message said:

I also find that I cannot cycle using the balls of my feet. Feet and
to a certain extent calves become very painful, very quickly. Not only
that, but I find that if I try and pedal in this manner I have to
concentrate to keep my feet on the pedals.

I'm guessing the soles of your shoes are too flexible. Are you wearing
sneakers? Try something with a stiffer sole, the stiffer the better.

Quoted message said:

What is the advantage to clips and cleats?

Efficiency. One, you don't use any muscle power for keeping your feet on
the pedals, which takes more than you think, as you'll find if you try
clips. Two, you can get power through the whole pedaling cycle, not just on
the downstroke.

Perry
--
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." -- Mohandas Gandhi
http://www.afsc.org/

Terry Morse said:

Bill Baka said:

I think the bit about stunts is pretty valid since even though I can do a
wheely with my MTB I can't hold it and look impressive. I did see one of
the riders on the TDF do it on OLNTV at the end, THAT was impressive.

Probably Robbie McEwen, a former BMX rider.

http://grahamwatson.com/gw/imagedocs.nsf/photos/04tourSt20-013000

Floyd Landis is often seen doing a wheelie, also.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2002/jul02/tdf/?id=stage20/AFPfloyd

Hey that's a great picture. Thanks, TM!!

-B

Luigi de Guzman said:

On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 00:18:21 -0700, Bernie <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Sorry to be a bore about this, but you're a perfect candidate for toe
cups. Get the decent $7 ones, not the crappy $5 ones. They'll scuff
your dress shoes a little, but if you use shoe polish, it will rub out
easily.
They can be adjusted inboard and outboard, but not fore and aft. Will
increase stability and power. I'm betting they work for you.

I'd never tried toecups; I do however like my clips and straps.
They're vile black plastic, with black nylon straps. They don't look
nearly as cool as the shiny steel Christophe ones. But they have one
great advantage: with two loops, they hold the straps open better,
and they're wide enough for my feet.

--Luigi

Quoted message said:

Best, Bernie

Well, my error. By now I should know you use clips and straps. I still
can't get comfortable with strapping my feet in. Went from toe clips
less straps to toe cups, after reading Guy C. some time ago. For me it
works. Zero problem getting the foot free in an emergency.
Chaque un a son gout!
Go well, Luigi!
Bernie

"the black rose" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

DRS said:

"the black rose" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]

[...]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

There was an article in May 10, 2004 issue of Time magazine about
the teenage brain. It seems that preliminary results from some
long-term studies are indicating that the part of the brain
involved in judgment and impulse-control matures LAST.

Not to mention al that testosterone.

HA! There's so much testosterone at my house, it's a wonder *I* don't
grow a beard. Even my dog is a boy.

I need to re-read the article, but I seem to remember that
testosterone has less to do with the silly things teenagers do than
it does with the lack of impulse control. C'mon, tell me you 30+ yr
old guys don't get the same impulses you did as teens -- you do and
you know it, you just have the good sense to dismiss or control them.
Well, most of you do, anyway. :-D

30+ year old guys have less testosterone than adolescent males. It matters
in these matters. Read the experiences of trans-sexuals about the vastly
different ways they perceive themselves with and without testosterone.
Apparently it's like chalk and cheese.

--

A: Top-posters.
Q: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet?

DRS said:

"the black rose" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

DRS said:

"the black rose" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]

[...]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> There was an article in May 10, 2004 issue of Time magazine about
> the teenage brain. It seems that preliminary results from some
> long-term studies are indicating that the part of the brain
> involved in judgment and impulse-control matures LAST.

Not to mention al that testosterone.

HA! There's so much testosterone at my house, it's a wonder *I* don't
grow a beard. Even my dog is a boy.

I need to re-read the article, but I seem to remember that
testosterone has less to do with the silly things teenagers do than
it does with the lack of impulse control. C'mon, tell me you 30+ yr
old guys don't get the same impulses you did as teens -- you do and
you know it, you just have the good sense to dismiss or control them.
Well, most of you do, anyway. :-D

30+ year old guys have less testosterone than adolescent males. It
matters
in these matters. Read the experiences of trans-sexuals about the vastly
different ways they perceive themselves with and without testosterone.
Apparently it's like chalk and cheese.

Some of us just don't grow up. I just taught two of my grandchildren
the proper technique for climbing trees, by example "Hey, I got a really
good view up here, c'mon up.". And it was fun, even at 55, <smirk>.
Oh yeah, bike group.
Still had fun.
Bill Baka

--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/