What is the watts a measurement of, how much energy you're burning?From yesterday's 19.77 mile road ride...
What is the watts a measurement of, how much energy you're burning?From yesterday's 19.77 mile road ride...
Oops! Corrected, I meant to say RPM. Basically the number of pedal rotations while maintaining adequate speed.What is the watts a measurement of, how much energy you're burning?
Ah, now that makes sense. I was thinking "watts" was some hard-code bicyclist term and I had no idea what it meant.Oops! Corrected, I meant to say RPM. Basically the number of pedal rotations while maintaining adequate speed.
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?What is the watts a measurement of, how much energy you're burning?
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.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.
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 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.
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!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".
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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.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!
The air looks nice and cool!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.
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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.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.
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.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.