Show "Bicycle"

115F here. Camping by a cold river. Hiding, basically, from the crazy heat. Biked all our gear the 5 miles the with ebikes, though!
KBRY3393.JPG
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
 
What is the watts a measurement of, how much energy you're burning? 🤔
If you watch many GCN videos, you'll see that they're all about metrics, including the number of watts of output a rider can sustain. Considering I probably output about the same amount of watts as a 10 year old on a balance bike when I'm riding, I don't bother tracking such things. But if you really want a headache before lunch, check this out: How does your cycling power output compare?
 
Today's ride!
208094559_1199506900563686_1717420279431710729_n.png

The trails are starting to heat up here in LA with really loose dirt and rocks on the trail, but thankfully we get a nice breeze even when it is hot. This the first time I took the bike to this trail with the GravelKing SK knobby tires and I swapped out my 110mm stem for a 130mm FSA stem. The carbon fork held up on the fast rocky downhill, but I'm having some alignment issues with the disc rotors rubbing on the calipers when hitting bumps. On the road descent after the trail, I almost hit 50mph and saw a coyote kill a house cat with the owner chasing after her deceased pet! :eek:

I really need to get an action cam so I can share my riding adventures! :D

LA_GRAVEL.jpg
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

angle_gravel.jpg
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
 
Last edited:
I'm a wimp . . . I stick to the indoor bike when weather is like that. Although I did once do a 50 mile ride starting out right after sunrise on a very pleasant morning. I didn't bother to check the weather, and didn't realize it was supposed to get hot fast! It hit the mid 90s by the time I still had about 20 miles to go - and this was the first of October. I would have been in trouble if the route hadn't taken me through a small rural town where I could rest and refill my big water bottle.
I have done 90 kilometres on my loaded bikepacking bike with the temperature on the bike around 50 C (122 F) and a hot headwind. As I was running out of water and hot water is not nice to drink I was signalling to passing motorists for water. Did get some milk from that endeavour which helped.

It was an unplanned diversion as my intended route along the beaches didn't work out in this section.

I think I drank the drinks cabinet at the Jerramungup roadhouse dry of water when I arrived :drinks:

I can assure you I have no desire to repeat that experience again.

This was bike setup on that ride. The photo was taken on the next day. It bucketed down a few hours later, I kid you not.

39814410562_95a10084c5_h.jpg

Next Stop Bremer Bay - {Day 08-08} by Andrew Priest, on Flickr
 
I have done 90 kilometres on my loaded bikepacking bike with the temperature on the bike around 50 C (122 F) and a hot headwind. As I was running out of water and hot water is not nice to drink I was signalling to passing motorists for water. Did get some milk from that endeavour which helped.
50 C is nuts! I can't function above 110 F and would rather sit in the comfort of indoor air conditioning! Be careful not to ride somewhere scorching hot without water. That can get dangerous really quick.

I need at least 2 water bottles for every 15 miles (24.1 km) or so. I get thirsty when riding!
 
We're back home after camping locally for 5 nights on the river, hiding from the crazy heat. Temps are back down to mormal levels, highs of 85-92 generally in the forecast, pleasant evenings in the 60s that cool the house off through open windows. We biked there, which we often do as it's only 5 miles away and we have e-assisted rigs to help haul stuff up the hills... the usual big bucket bike (Urban Arrow) and a mtb-style thing that pulls 1) a trail-a-bike with an 11 yr old on it, which is then towing 2) a Burley trailer full of gear. That rig is BIG, and asks a lot of the brakes downhill... caution required for sure.

Pictured here, minus the trail-a-bike segment:

207563405_2641508169306196_393458351475282821_n.jpg


Friends joined us most days, using our parking spot and cooling off in the cold glacial melt water.

KBRY3428.JPG
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)


KBRY3441.JPG
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)


KBRY3496.JPG
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)


One of the things that makes us so happy living here is being able to do this - bike camp from home, where I can get up in the morning, bike home and work, then bike right back out at 5pm with a fresh cold sixpack.
 
Last edited:
Bless me, but I'm going to be sleeping in the garage: I bought another bike frame, a Budnitz Alpha aluminum & CF cruiser. Paul Budnitz closed up the business and sold off his inventory during the pandemic, but this is one of the best looking frames I've ever seen. I ordered it from the bike shop that purchased his inventory. The swoop reminds me a lot of my 1999 Specialized Crossroads Sport, which I was riding this morning with my wife. The frame is highly customizeable, and comes stock with sliding dropouts - no more chain tensioner! The full Alpha came with an internal gear hub, and has a split frame, meaning I may (cough, cough!) some time down the road look at a carbon belt drive. Meantime, I'll swap all my 650B stuff from the heavy steel Big Red frame, and bid that bike adieu. Here's a promo shot. I just hope my order doesn't get canceled due to "lack of inventory".

Budnitz Alpha.jpg
 
Last edited:
Bless me, but I'm going to be sleeping in the garage: I bought another bike frame, a Budnitz Alpha aluminum & CF cruiser. Paul Budnitz closed up the business and sold off his inventory during the pandemic, but this is one of the best looking frames I've ever seen. I ordered it from the bike shop that purchased his inventory. The swoop reminds me a lot of my 1999 Specialized Crossroads Sport, which I was riding this morning with my wife. The frame is highly customizeable, and comes stock with sliding dropouts - no more chain tensioner! The full Alpha came with an internal gear hub, and has a split frame, meaning I may (cough, cough!) some time down the road look at a carbon belt drive. Meantime, I'll swap all my 650B stuff from the heavy steel Big Red frame, and bid that bike adieu. Here's a promo shot. I just hope my order doesn't get canceled due to "lack of inventory".

View attachment 262761
I saw some of that inventory being sold off. I regret not buying one of the steel disc forks they had on Ebay for $50. The next day the seller realized they underpriced it, raised the price and when everyone noticed these were not mass-produced items, people bought out all the forks!

Looking forward to your future bike build!
 
I saw some of that inventory being sold off. I regret not buying one of the steel disc forks they had on Ebay for $50. The next day the seller realized they underpriced it, raised the price and when everyone noticed these were not mass-produced items, people bought out all the forks!

Looking forward to your future bike build!
Me too! Shipping is crazy these days, but I'm going to try to sell off some bike stuff. If it works out, I intend to have just 2 bikes, both SS: the modern Budnitz, and the 1999 Specialized Crossroads.
 
207544366_979150326178459_5366409833058212654_n.png

A scenic (just under) 18 mile ride through the heart of LA. I always get antsy riding my bike through the city. While it's fun to explore the various neighborhoods, it's always a bit sketchy with bad drivers and shady individuals. When trail riding I have to be mindful of wildlife such as rattle snakes, mountain lions and bears! I always try to stay alert when riding!

DSC_4306.jpg
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
 
Early morning, 20.8 miles along our newest rail trail. Just as I was pulling up to my car at the trailhead, a lycra-clad guy on what appeared to be a gravel bike raced past me at a high rate of speed, continuing on up the unfinished part of the trail. I had not even heard him behind me before he went around me. FWIW, I was in my usual summer uniform of baggy t-shirt and shorts, plus sneakers.

009.JPG
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
 
Early morning, 20.8 miles along our newest rail trail. Just as I was pulling up to my car at the trailhead, a lycra-clad guy on what appeared to be a gravel bike raced past me at a high rate of speed, continuing on up the unfinished part of the trail. I had not even heard him behind me before he went around me. FWIW, I was in my usual summer uniform of baggy t-shirt and shorts, plus sneakers.

View attachment 262943
The air looks nice and cool!

One thing I noticed with road cyclists, turned gravel cyclists is that they don't adopt items such as bells that MTB'ers have on their kit. It's a PITA when they don't alert you when they're riding. Also I only wear my cycling jersey and bib when road biking and prefer MTB clothing when trail riding. I read that looser cycling gear is better for trails in case you crash reducing dirt/gravel rashing. :D
 
The air looks nice and cool!

One thing I noticed with road cyclists, turned gravel cyclists is that they don't adopt items such as bells that MTB'ers have on their kit. It's a PITA when they don't alert you when they're riding. Also I only wear my cycling jersey and bib when road biking and prefer MTB clothing when trail riding. I read that looser cycling gear is better for trails in case you crash reducing dirt/gravel rashing. :D
I've struggled with my weight much of my life, and have always preferred loose-fitting clothing. Although I've lost a fair bit of weight in recent years and have much better fitness and stamina than I did when I was 40, I still have a middle that stubbornly refuses to go away. I'd look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy if I wore lycra. :D
 
And when I find myself on a bike without a bell (it's a mix in my garage) I pass carefully, and not at a huge differential of speed. I also always say hi and wave a little... trying to be a good guest.
I don't have a bell on any of my bikes, but I always announce myself when passing someone, whether they be walkers or riders. Like you, I try to ease around them to avoid startling them.
 
Back
Top