bike trail!

[5l1mm]

found a nice bike trail about 30 min north of bmore.
theres a church on the corner of Delaney valley road, and seminary ave.
park at that church, and bike east for like 200ft, turn left onto trail.
we went there Sunday morning, and i saw like 20 road bikers, and over fifty mountain bikers.
complete with proper passing etiquette and all that shit.


but be sure you eat breakfast or something.
i almost died

[BuzzCat]

I miss hitting the bike trails around here with my mom's road bike. That bike is long gone though, and I won't be able to buy one for a while.

It always felt so satisfying to go for a long ride.

[5l1mm]

hm..
well mine are all 21 inch frames, what i hear of you, they may be a bit tiall for you.
Your not quite 6'6" are you?

[5l1mm]

ps, a freind of mine owns "instant cash trade depot" on dundalk ave.
hes got a crap ton of cheep bikes there, im sure if we did a group buy (pluss being close friends and all) he'd sell them even cheeper.

[zartan]

i took the Capital Crescent Trail from Georgetown to Silver Spring and came back to Georgetown through Rock Creek Park yesterday - thats gotta be one of the best urban biking loops in the country, what a great workout and beautiful scenery. 22 miles.

[5l1mm]

wah for 22 miles i think i only did like 7 yesterday.
first ride of the season
:out-of-shape:

[zartan]

i'm out of shape too and completely fucked up my back doing that. oh well.

[someguy]

i took the Capital Crescent Trail from Georgetown to Silver Spring and came back to Georgetown through Rock Creek Park yesterday - thats gotta be one of the best urban biking loops in the country, what a great workout and beautiful scenery. 22 miles.

that sounds awsome. i was on the Sligo Creek trail a bit yesterday, but i didnt see any connectors to the crescent trail... do you have a map online by any chance? that route sounds really fun.

[uberclkgtr]

found a nice bike trail about 30 min north of bmore.
theres a church on the corner of Delaney valley road, and seminary ave.
park at that church, and bike east for like 200ft, turn left onto trail.
we went there Sunday morning, and i saw like 20 road bikers, and over fifty mountain bikers.
complete with proper passing etiquette and all that shit.


but be sure you eat breakfast or something.
i almost died

yeah, that's definitely a good trail.

[5l1mm]

i herd these good things about "the fire trails" but i dont remember where exactly they are.
im thinking its in patapsco park. at the bottom of 695 somewhere.

[zartan]

that sounds awsome. i was on the Sligo Creek trail a bit yesterday, but i didnt see any connectors to the crescent trail... do you have a map online by any chance? that route sounds really fun.


http://www.cctrail.org/

its amazing.

[ladymaroo]

found a nice bike trail about 30 min north of bmore.
theres a church on the corner of Delaney valley road, and seminary ave.
park at that church, and bike east for like 200ft, turn left onto trail.
we went there Sunday morning, and i saw like 20 road bikers, and over fifty mountain bikers.
complete with proper passing etiquette and all that shit.


but be sure you eat breakfast or something.
i almost died
was that the NCR trail?

[someguy]

http://www.cctrail.org/

its amazing.

totally riding this trail in a few days.... i've got some comp time i need to use on wensday or thursday, which hopefully means the trail will be empty of other riders.

[retail]

i need new clipless shoes, STAT! :dammit:

[5l1mm]

was that the NCR trail?
it very well may have been, i didnt notice a sign.
and probably wouldnt have read it if i did. (sry)

[5l1mm]

i need new clipless shoes, STAT! :dammit:
i kinda wanna get clips, and shoes for them, but im afraid ill just eat it constantly if i do.

[retail]

i kinda wanna get clips, and shoes for them, but im afraid ill just eat it constantly if i do.

when i first got started on the clipless system i ate it a couple of times, but never while riding out in the woods or anything. it was always stupid shit, like falling over at a busy intersection or trying to get off my bike. after about a month it became second nature. i hate not having clipless now.... i'm trying to remember the name of the pedals that I have is they are clipless but have a platform so they can be used like regular pedals. they're really really good...

[Heider]

but be sure you eat breakfast or something.
i almost died

ditto:hangover:

[retail]

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/50-1192-NCL-ANGLE.jpg

THESE (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=13207&subcategory_ID=5240) are what I'm talking about. the ones i have are about 8 years old (and red :drool:) - although by the picture i'm rather certain i have a slightly larger platform. may be a slightly different model

[5l1mm]

Price: $74.99
omigod no!!!
i just bought a helmit, its gonna be a little bit before i can splurge on such luxuries.

[5l1mm]

i think im down for riding again today.
its too close to my house not to.

and im definitely riding somewhere next sunday morn. sunday just seems like the rite day to do it.

[Heider]

so once you cliip in, how do you unclip if you are going to wipe out?

[5l1mm]

so once you cliip in, how do you unclip if you are going to wipe out?
point toes out i think

[5l1mm]

ps, does anybody want to buy a canondale full suspensionbike?
its the single center shock in the front, and a fox vanilla in the rear if i remember correctly.
hydrolic disk brakes.
i can provide pics and prices if anyones serious pm me

[retail]

point toes out

umm are you crazy double-jointed? :X

swing heel away from bike and it pops right out :)

[5l1mm]

umm are you crazy double-jointed? :X

swing heel away from bike and it pops right out :)
oh it was heels then?

[ransom]

For mountain biking info in the area check out http://www.more-mtb.org. Lots of info about trails in MD and VA. Apparently there is an illegal trail right behind where I live. But I currently do not have a mountain bike, but want to get one soon.

[someguy]

just got in from Fairland Recreational Park, which is about a 5 minute bike ride via paved roads from my apartment. not a bad ride, nothing very technical, but lots of inter-connected paved / off-road trails through the woods. shoulda had a powerbar before i left though, my stomach is about to eat itself.

[ransom]

Actually, if someone has some good recommendations on what a beginner needs to get in to mountain biking (basically, what to look for in a bike, what kinds of questions to ask when looking for a bike), please post them up. Kind of easier to ask people you relate to instead of being a total newb on a new forum.

[someguy]

Actually, if someone has some good recommendations on what a beginner needs to get in to mountain biking (basically, what to look for in a bike, what kinds of questions to ask when looking for a bike), please post them up. Kind of easier to ask people you relate to instead of being a total newb on a new forum.

i'd consider myself a beginner, as such i'll offer my 2 cents. i just bought a new mountain bike last month, and i love it. basically, i looked for responsive front shocks (full suspension was too expensive), good shifters, and a smooth transition between gears. there's nothing more annoying than climbing a hill and having the gears slip. I also got an aluminium frame, so while my bike isnt feather light, its alot lighter than a steel frame.

check out the Jamis - Cross Country 2.0 (2007 model has disc brakes, which i didnt care for... didnt stop very fast, so i got the '06 for $400)
http://products.howstuffworks.com/jamis-cross-country-20-mountain-bike-review.htm

[badkitty3804]

I should invest in another bike. I use to rock out 15 mile bike rides like it was my job.

[Heider]

Actually, if someone has some good recommendations on what a beginner needs to get in to mountain biking (basically, what to look for in a bike, what kinds of questions to ask when looking for a bike), please post them up. Kind of easier to ask people you relate to instead of being a total newb on a new forum.

you lookin for a hybrid or a full on mt. bike? i've been using a Giant Y frame bike for years (aluminum) and it has done me well. though it's due to get a new one since i've grown out of it. i don't have disc brakes, but i used them today and they were amazing (maybe too responsive). i'm not sure if i'd want full suspension, as the more suspension you have the more it eats up the energy you put into pedaling. in the end it comes down to correct bike height, feel, and MONEY.

[someguy]

you lookin for a hybrid or a full on mt. bike? i've been using a Giant Y frame bike for years (aluminum) and it has done me well. though it's due to get a new one since i've grown out of it. i don't have disc brakes, but i used them today and they were amazing (maybe too responsive). i'm not sure if i'd want full suspension, as the more suspension you have the more it eats up the energy you put into pedaling. in the end it comes down to correct bike height, feel, and MONEY.

i test rode some bikes with disc brakes... they felt really sluggish to respond. maybe they just need to be broke in or something?

[zartan]

this trail looks sick

http://bikewashington.org/trails/wmrt/wmrt.htm

[retail]

you lookin for a hybrid or a full on mt. bike? i've been using a Giant Y frame bike for years (aluminum) and it has done me well. though it's due to get a new one since i've grown out of it. i don't have disc brakes, but i used them today and they were amazing (maybe too responsive). i'm not sure if i'd want full suspension, as the more suspension you have the more it eats up the energy you put into pedaling. in the end it comes down to correct bike height, feel, and MONEY.

unless you are doing SERIOUS downhill riding (read: racing) dual suspension is absolutely unnecessary. it's not cool to cruise around town on rear suspension - everyone who knows anything about mountain biking will be secretly laughing at you as you cruise by.


p.s. bookmarking this thread for trail info. thanks for all the links...

p.s.s. when it's time to upgrade i'm getting an ellsworth or santa cruz :drool:

[Heider]

p.s.s. when it's time to upgrade i'm getting an ellsworth or santa cruz :drool:

never heard of ellsworth, but it looks pretty sweet from the videos on the site. i'm guessing it's pretty pricey?

[retail]

they start at around $1.5k, but are more than worth that IMO

[ransom]

you lookin for a hybrid or a full on mt. bike? i've been using a Giant Y frame bike for years (aluminum) and it has done me well. though it's due to get a new one since i've grown out of it. i don't have disc brakes, but i used them today and they were amazing (maybe too responsive). i'm not sure if i'd want full suspension, as the more suspension you have the more it eats up the energy you put into pedaling. in the end it comes down to correct bike height, feel, and MONEY.

Full on mt. bike. I might buy a BMX cruiser just for, well, cruising around the streets.

[5l1mm]

both my bikes are trek, they were cheep(under 1k) but heavier than i want.
disk brakes can be really nice. but they will always be heavier.
both of mine have front/rear disk brakes.
i like the dependability,
they dont wear as fast,
they clean faster when you get crud on them, and apply them, instead of say, cantilevers that grind that stuff into your rim.
my favorite is that im a bit ocd, so the brake leavers on my bike only have to be moved about .5 inches to fully apply the brake.

but they are mad heavy wich does subtract for how nimble i can be on the trail.
mine is mostly a daily driver, instead of performance machine.
so overall the dependability, and consistency are worth it

[zartan]

i have an older trek hybrid that cost about $350 new 10 years ago and am thinking of upgrading. i have little interest in real mountain biking but a lot of interest in doing things like long distance trips along the C&O canal and biking around the city. I think my priorities therefore would be light weight, light weight, comfort, and also light weight.

any thoughts on what I should consider? $1000 is too much but I can spend more than $300.

Also, I get lower back pain fairly easily and biking has been causing this lately; would the hunched over position of a real road bike be more or less harmful for this?

[5l1mm]

i have an older trek hybrid that cost about $350 new 10 years ago and am thinking of upgrading. i have little interest in real mountain biking but a lot of interest in doing things like long distance trips along the C&O canal and biking around the city. I think my priorities therefore would be light weight, light weight, comfort, and also light weight.

any thoughts on what I should consider? $1000 is too much but I can spend more than $300.

Also, I get lower back pain fairly easily and biking has been causing this lately; would the hunched over position of a real road bike be more or less harmful for this?
lower back pain can be caused by incorect bike frame size, saddle height, or incorrect disnce between the handlebars, and saddle.

to start
-sit overtop of bike (off saddle) with top bar between your legs.
-the top bar should be about 2 inches from your nuts (give or take)
-put the peddle all the way down, and put your foot on it.
-the saddle should come up to touch your ass, with your knee just slightly bent.
-the flat part of the saddle should be angled parallel with the ground
-too far in either direction will hurt your ass or balls
-unfortunately i do not know exactly hoe to size handlebar height, or seat istance from the handlebars
-i would suggest mentioning that at your local bike reatiler, or feeling it out, and trying some things

buying a bike should be a cross between cothes shopping, and car shopping

[5l1mm]

ps, hybrids with bald tires are great for cross town.
but 35 mph then hitting a spot of dirt sent me to the emergency room.
they have xcountry bikes with a little more tread on the tire.

[Heider]

Full on mt. bike. I might buy a BMX cruiser just for, well, cruising around the streets.

like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx_bO30xyOU

[ransom]

like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx_bO30xyOU

:no: too extreme. Baby steps.

[5l1mm]

:no: too extreme. Baby steps.
put training wheels on..

[retail]

i have an older trek hybrid that cost about $350 new 10 years ago and am thinking of upgrading. i have little interest in real mountain biking but a lot of interest in doing things like long distance trips along the C&O canal and biking around the city. I think my priorities therefore would be light weight, light weight, comfort, and also light weight.

any thoughts on what I should consider? $1000 is too much but I can spend more than $300.

Also, I get lower back pain fairly easily and biking has been causing this lately; would the hunched over position of a real road bike be more or less harmful for this?

get a cyclo-cross bike :)

[Heider]

i was always a fan of the old trek Y series bikes
http://www.users.bigpond.com/cool386/trek/trek.htm
http://www.users.bigpond.com/cool386/trek/1treky33.jpg

[5l1mm]

i think that i might get a cannondale after seeing this
http://www.saintzeno.com/blog/wp-content/200611051528.cannondalejackknife.jpg

[d_m_b]

i absolutely <3 my cannondale...it's not all crazy'n'shit like that one though. tryin to build a fixed gear road bike at the moment...then probably on to a single speed mountain (maybe even flip flop single/fixed...who knows)

slimm...where did you say that cash on the go place on dundalk was?

[5l1mm]

i like puppies!

[retail]

that cannondale looks r.e.t.a.r.d.e.d. :no:

[5l1mm]

that cannondale looks r.e.t.a.r.d.e.d. :no:
that'd be my pimpin city yuppy ride.
i think its hot, but i wouldnt take it on a mountain or open road.

[someguy]

ah, just got in from a ride from silver spring to georgetown and back on the capital crescent trail. that is in fact, a very nice ride, although the portion closer to silver spring is all gravel, so you need a mountain bike for that part. great ride with today's weather though.

kickin back with a pete's wicked "summer ale" now :chug:

[5l1mm]

im gonna need to heal until this weekend

[SiKniSS]

about 5 years ago i bought a used trek single track(930) which was a rigid MB. i changed the bars, seat, brakes, wheels n tires, & changed to a roxshox suspension fork.
it ripped up some florida trails good as hell and was good on road too. all for the initial investment of like $200. It's been sitting in my basement for the last 3 years since i moved here and theres a trail right across from my house.

the problem is the last time i rode it the gears fucked up, i think the spider was bent going over razorback roots.
before riding again i'd like to get a new set of gears/ derailer/spiders.

how much would it cost me to drop that puppy off and get all new shit installed?
with decent parts no less.

[SiKniSS]

oooh my dreams have come true :wtf:
http://www.bikepartsusa.com/product_images/mfg_06/C/full_CityBlue.jpg

[ladymaroo]

i think that i might get a cannondale after seeing this
http://www.saintzeno.com/blog/wp-content/200611051528.cannondalejackknife.jpg
that shit is crazy.

perfect biking weather today. time to tear up the city!

[nsI]

i herd these good things about "the fire trails" but i dont remember where exactly they are.
im thinking its in patapsco park. at the bottom of 695 somewhere.

ask April, she knows patapsco park really well from hiking. she could point you in the right direction

[5l1mm]

im sure i could google it.
its sucha far drive though, when i live 15 min from loch raven resivior
gunpowder falls is good stuff too.
i think i might go there next time. i sat out of this weekend cause i overdid it on sat. it wasnt the party or the liquor.
it was the cheeseburger bite at 7-11.
that shit was serious nastyness, i puked a couple times on the way home, and wasnt drunk.
sunday morning was automatically out after that

[SiKniSS]

shitty dude... no more 7/11 food fool...

[Bioteknik]

unless you are doing SERIOUS downhill riding (read: racing) dual suspension is absolutely unnecessary. it's not cool to cruise around town on rear suspension - everyone who knows anything about mountain biking will be secretly laughing at you as you cruise by.


p.s. bookmarking this thread for trail info. thanks for all the links...

p.s.s. when it's time to upgrade i'm getting an ellsworth or santa cruz :drool:

eh.. my sister and brother-in-law both race xc, they basically told me I should go with the full suspension if I could afford it, and well since he works at a bike shop, I just got a Specialized stumpjumper FSR. I don't plan on riding it around the streets though...