Boomers on Bicycles

Today is Halloween. Just another day on the trails? Probably not. Here are some tips as you ride in costume today:

• If you are riding as the Headless Horseman, watch where you’re going, if you can
• Boy band, girl band singers, if you bring your microphone, you’ll need a very long extension cord
• If you are riding as: Drag queens and society mavens, do be careful to not get your spike heels caught in the pedals
• For the costumed Wall Street hedge fund managers, mortgage fund managers, none of the rules apply to you, so do what you want. If it all goes wrong, bailouts will appear
• Fairy Princesses, Tinkerbells: keep your magic wand tucked in tight. Snagging it on a tree branch would not be good
• Multi-armed creatures of any kind: remember which arms you are using on the handle bars
• Batman, Batwoman, Superman, Superwoman: tuck your cape in. If it gets tangled in your chain, or wheels, you might become engaged in unplanned flight
• Starwars enthusiasts please turn your light sabers off. They could really wreak havoc on a single track.
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: that’s a lot of people on a bike, so balance well. Stay away from apples
• If you are a ghost, gobblin, or among the undead, careful to not scare yourself into crashing into the nearest tree, bush, or pond
• If you are riding as a politician, well, who knows what you’re likely to do?

Last, not least by any means, ride early, ride safely. You need to get home in one piece. The trick-or-treat crowd is headed your way. Have a great Halloween.

Under-reported by the mainstream press, road, mountain, and cross bike races are in full bloom this time of year. About the only thing that has the media time it deserves in the US is Le Tour. All the rest, the Gran Fondos, Giros, tours of everywhere, downhill, cyclocross, cross country, are virtually ignored by the TV folks. It’s difficult to find consistent written pieces in the local newspapers. If it weren’t for the internet and the various magazines out there, it is entirely possible that the sport of cycling, in general, would be almost completely unknown in this country.

Here are some sources for you to check out, both print and internet:

• cyclingdirt
  
• velonews
  
• Mountain Bike Magazine
• Mountain Bike Action
  
• Bike Mag
  
• Dirt Rag
  
• Transcend Magazine-Downhill at its best

There are, of course, more ezines, print places, and websites to explore. These are a few, and should help you keep up with what is going on in the cycling world. You will notice that most of the sites listed above are related to mountain bikes. The video that comes next features mountain bikes as well. I find it very interesting to see what the more limber and adventurous among us are doing. I’ll follow up with some road bike news. I’ll ride anything, and in fact have both a mountain and road bike, and enjoy them both, for very different reasons. The important thing, as always, is the ride, not what you’re on.

Whether you are on a road or mountain bike, the basic rule is the same: you need to be seen. California state law actually specifies that your bike needs to be visible. That’s the basic reason there are reflectors on them. The reflectors are on the front, back, and on your wheels for all around visibility. Common sense works wonders here: the more visible you are increases the likelihood that motorists will be able to see you. This is a good thing. Professional racers don’t usually participate in the light experience, but then they are on courses that are fairly well protected, or, like the downhills and crosses, are all off road.

Why would a mountain bike need visibility? This rider goes off into the woods on a regular basis. Getting to the woods requires some time pedaling on the roads. Sometimes most of the ride is on a road, with a burst or two into the wilds. It is readily obvious that a car will always win a crash test with a bicycle, so the mountain bike is lit with flashing lights.

There are several options for increasing your visibility while riding. There are lights for your helmet, handlebars, seat tube or saddle. The bikes in this riders family have the reflectors plus front and rear lights. The lights on the bikes can be set to flash or just stay on. The intermittent flash seems to be a better signal to the car driving public that something is out there, so pay attention.

The light business has evolved and has much better offerings these days. The LED’s that are common now are brighter, last longer, and take less battery power to run. MTBR has a pretty good review and comparison of the types of lights that are available.REI is another place to look.  If you go with a lithium ion battery type, think about getting a re-chargeable one. It’s also possible to get a set that has a generator. In the rather olden days there was a light that ran off a generator that was powered by the bikes’ wheel, which probably slowed the rider down a bit, but it looked really cool. It was about the size of a grapefruit. Fortunately, the entire bike light business has moved pretty far beyond that. Check with your local bike shop for all this gear.

Reflective clothing is a must if your ride always encompasses some portion of dawn or dusk in it. A bright, eye catching jersey comes in handy too. Just keep in mind that it is best to be visible, so make a point of it, even if you’re in the woods on a single track most of the time. Sooner or later, you’ll be on a road, so keep it lit.

In the meantime, check out this National Parks piece:

Autumn rides, just about perfect

Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer will ride in the 2010 Amgen Tour of California. The Tour will begin in Nevada City this year, and will cover 16 cities in 8 days. It should be quite a ride this year. It will be in May, and the weather probably will be better than the previous February starts.

Closer to home, it’s time to get out and ride. While there isn’t really a bad time of year to ride (although riding in the snow isn’t on my list of things to do), autumn seems to be a particularly nice time of year to ride. The weather, most of the time, is just about perfect, and the chorus of colors that the trees and bushes put on is just about the best you can ask for. When you do head out for a ride, take your camera with you.

I love the chaos of fall, the sound of my bike tires crunching through the leaves, and riding through leaves that are falling from the trees. The smell of autumn, and the sure bet that a good cup of coffee and tasty crumpet of some kind are waiting for me when I’m done is simply irresistible. Get out there and ride!

Interbike/CrossVegas 2009 brought dealers, manufacturers, and shop owners together in Las Vegas a couple of weeks back.  It is the biggest bike show in the western U.S. and is eagerly anticipated and attended by the bicycle industry. Everyone gets to ride, and the U.S. Cyclocross seasons opens. If you don’t make bicycles, bicycle components, clothing, gear, food, or own a shop, you don’t get to go.

The dealers bring their newest gear out, and the owners start placing orders for 2010. It’s a pretty amazing gathering, and some really good stuff is rolled out. Do you actually need any of it?

If your bike is really old, it’s tough to maintain, the parts are junk, you might. You might also get a pretty good deal on a 2008 or 2009 model that is sitting on the racks at your local bike shop. Trade your old one in, ride out with a better bike.

It could be that your needs have changed, and you need a better bike. If that’s the case, still look for a good deal on something that fits your current needs. Maybe you need better suspension, either front, or full. You’d want full if you are riding a lot over really bumpy stuff. Good front suspension will ease your fatigue level, perhaps let you ride longer, or more often.

It could be that you simply want a new ride. Do you really need an excuse? Check your bank account first. These new rides can be pretty pricey. Head down to your local bike shop, or take a tour of a few in your area, and take a look. The first question you want to hear from the guys and gals in the shop would be about your riding habits and needs. If the first question is how much do you want to spend, find a different shop.

It’s always a mix of fun, research, and a bit of sweat when buying a new bike. Buy what you need, for your current riding habits and needs. Enjoy your new bike. The 2010’s are headed your way.