"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
01/13/2020 at 00:09 • Filed to: None
5
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"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
01/13/2020 at 00:09 • Filed to: None | 5
| 20 |
For the last two years, I’ve been more of a SitOnMyAssBuck than a BicycleBuck. The challenge was a serious lack of affordable cycling opportunities which didn’t make my wife worry that I was going to get squished in Houston traffic. Now that my job is finally paying for a long-term lease, I don’t have to take my stuff home every weekend. That makes it a bit more reasonable to bring along my training bike!
It’s an old Schwinn World Sport that I lovingly repainted about 15 years ago. I got tired of dealing with 27" wheels, so I threw on a set of 26" MTB wheels I had lying around and mounted a set of long-reach caliper brakes with some drop bolts. They don’t have a ton of stopping power, but are adequate for a bike that sits on a trainer most of the time. :) While I was upgrading, I threw on a set of brifters. For those not in the know, brakes + shifters = brifters. You might notice that there’s no shifter cable coming out of the left one. With the smaller wheels and no hills to deal with, I just put the front shifter on the big ring and locked it in place. You might notice that there’s a blanket under the front wheel. Since the rear wheel is lifted by the trainer, it’s helpful to put a block under the front wheel so the bike is level. I forgot my leveling block, so the hotel’s spare bedding will have to do.
The trainer I’m using is an older RealAxiom wired. These simulate real riding conditions by varying the resistance in sync with a video that plays on your PC. I didn’t really do my homework, so it wasn’t until after I bought it that I discovered how expensive the videos are . Since I’m pretty cheap, I was stuck riding the same two rides that came with the trainer. That got old pretty quick. What’s it like? This guy made a short video so you can see:
His is a more expensive version without the wires. What wires, you ask? T he re’s a power wire, a wire from the cadence sensor to the trainer, a network cable from the trainer to the control panel on the handlebars, a nd finally, there’s a USB cable from the control panel to the computer. The newer versions use a wireless transmitter.
After I got the software installed, I tried for a couple of hours to get it to pick up the signal from the trainer, but it just wouldn’t work. I’m not sure why - windows could see the trainer, but the software couldn’t. As a last-ditch effort, I downloaded Zwift. To my delight, it found the trainer right off the bat!
So, what is Zwift? It’s a riding system that uses information from your trainer to put you into a virtual world where you can ride virtual courses by yourself, ride either a pre-designed or custom workout, ride virtual courses with friends, or compete with other riders in events.
So, here I am, starting a new journey to get myself back in shape. If everything goes well, perhaps I can ride the MS150 again. My last one was in 2001, so I think it would be appropriate to ride it again in 2021! I’m also looking forward to getting my Redline on the road again. It’s been hanging in the garage too for far too long.
Chariotoflove
> TheRealBicycleBuck
01/13/2020 at 00:17 |
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Even just using my hands I never change the chainring either. What passes for hills aren’t very hilly here either
If you get sweaty using your trainer, consider getting a floor fan to put in front of you. Happy trails.
SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
> TheRealBicycleBuck
01/13/2020 at 00:18 |
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I saw that photo and thought “I bet he’s pulled a Zwifty”. I haven’t bothered because a decent compatible trainer is expensive and the long latency of satellite internet is probably not compatible with the app.
PyramidHat
> TheRealBicycleBuck
01/13/2020 at 00:25 |
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Good on ya! Like those nice, fat tires you got on there! I got me a Bob Jackson touring bike, set up fixed gear and I refurbed an old rigid MTB and set it up like an adventure rig...
Been flying much? I went out after New Years...climbing out of KPAO, I noticed fuel pressure was are out o.5 PSIG. Hit the pump and it jumped up to 5 PSIG and I heade d home. (I was 3000 agl and 4 mi from the airport, so I wasn’t going to do much troubleshooting unless I really had to). Need to talk to the club to see if they found anything wrong.
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PyramidHat
> TheRealBicycleBuck
01/13/2020 at 00:26 |
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Also, if the brakes don’t work out, check Rivendell - they have some long reach calipers that may be better (Tektro 559, I think)
facw
> TheRealBicycleBuck
01/13/2020 at 00:29 |
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My previous powermeter died mysteriously, but I’ve got a new one on my trainer and it’s good to go as soon as I get cleared by my doctor/physical therapist. In theory, if I can remember not to put my left arm on the bars, it should be fine regardless, but I don’t really trust myself there. I’ve got this horrible feeling I’m in terrible shape at the moment though.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> PyramidHat
01/13/2020 at 00:43 |
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I really like those tires. They’re Specialized Nimbus 26"x 1.5", but I’ve had good luck with Kenda Kwest in the same size. I really liked to use mountain bikes for commuting and these were perfect in that role. No worries about pinch flats!
I haven’t flown since last year! :) I really wanted to be airborne for the New Year, but the weather didn’t cooperate . I should be back in the air in the next couple of weeks, weather permitting.
I’m glad to hear that nothing really bad happened. I had one flight where the alternator quit charging. My instructor caught it. I learned on that flight to improve my scan and pay close attention as some of the warning lights aren’t very bright. A quick off/on cycle and it started working again. It wasn’t my normal plane, so I was more than happy to get back to the airport at the end of that flight!
promoted by the color red
> TheRealBicycleBuck
01/13/2020 at 00:45 |
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Yay, another person on 26-inchers! I was shocked when I was refurbishing my bike a few years ago to see that all the new bikes were moving to 650b/29". What tires are you using?
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> facw
01/13/2020 at 00:45 |
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I once rode with a broken collar bone. I’ll never try that one again!
I was really, really disappointed in my current condition. I can see that I have a long way to go to get back in shape.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> Chariotoflove
01/13/2020 at 00:48 |
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When I was training for my first MS-150, we trained for the hills by riding a feeder-road loop which included a couple of overpasses.
I cranked the A/C down to 66 to help with the sweat, but a fan is on my short list of items to pick up this week.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
01/13/2020 at 00:52 |
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Pulled a zwifty... that’s a new one to me! Technically, you don’t need a trainer to use the app. If you have a Bluetooth or ANT+ speed sensor, you can get started. The app is free for 7 days and doesn’t require a credit card if you want to give it a try.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> PyramidHat
01/13/2020 at 00:54 |
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Thanks. These have been fine so far. A new set of Koolstop pads would make them better. This bike sees very little road time, so it’s not much of an issue.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> promoted by the color red
01/13/2020 at 00:56 |
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These are Specialized Nimbus 26" x 1.5". I’ve also had good luck with Kenda Kwest 26" x 1".
arl
> TheRealBicycleBuck
01/13/2020 at 06:37 |
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Nice! I still use an old non smart- trainer and watch Spinervals videos. They help keep my old-ass from getting too flabby. Congrats for getting back on the bike.
benjrblant
> TheRealBicycleBuck
01/13/2020 at 07:42 |
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Nice! Out of curiosity, why 26" and not 700c? I’m fully in support of the MS150!
Growing up in Houston meant lots of bike rides around the quiet neighborhood in the ‘burbs and the occasional MTB excursion to some local guerrilla trails or something near Austin.
Sovande
> promoted by the color red
01/13/2020 at 07:57 |
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I have 650b’s on my bike and love them. They are also 47mm wide which at 50 psi, is like riding on a cloud.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> benjrblant
01/13/2020 at 09:23 |
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I’m cheap and I didn’t want to pay for a new set of 700c wheels when I had a perfectly good extra set of MTB wheels sitting in the garage. These were my commuter swaps when I had space for only one bike. That bike wore these during the week and a different set of wheels with knobbies on the weekend.
I lived in the Houston/Galveston area when I was young er, so I may have ridden some of the same trails. We had to carry a friend out of Memorial Park on a backboard when he went over the bars on the Ho Chi Minh trail. Everything turned out fine after an ambulance ride to the hospital.
Good times.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> arl
01/13/2020 at 09:24 |
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I thought about going the Peloton route but I really don’t like people yelling at me.
DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
> TheRealBicycleBuck
01/13/2020 at 09:51 |
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I’ve heard many stories of people getting hurt on those old trails, which is definitely a contrast to how tame the trails are now.
Khalbali
> TheRealBicycleBuck
01/13/2020 at 10:02 |
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Are you chicago-area? My dad is heavily involved with the MS150 there, I dunno if there's others around the country or not.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> Khalbali
01/13/2020 at 10:32 |
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Most states have a local MS-150. I live in Louisiana, but I’ve only ridden the Houston to Austin (Texas) event.