Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Bicycling

cheerios · 07-03-2003, 12:25 AM

I've never done mt. biking, i've only done road, but i can second hte importance of saddle height, and WATER!!! I "boinked" once 'cuz I was used to soccer, and not drinking a lot till you were done, 'cuz you'd get cramps, and i didn't drink enough. in 100 degreee weather, in the summer, in the sun. BAD idea. drink little bits continally. hydration GOOD.

also may consider stashing a granola or power bar in a pocket to snack on... we used to ride in the morning, and i"m not a breakfast person, so getting that power bar, even if it was melted and hot, was heavenly. reward for mking it 1/2way!

some guys we used to ride with would ride over the altamont from Tracy to Livermore, and go to the Starbucks as a reward before turning around home.

the previous poster said "don't get hung up on equiptiment" and i'll second that, but mention a few things that I consider "more important" than others:
* a good pair of gloves -- these make riding SO much nicer, especially on longer rides, and especially if you don't have too many places on your handlebars to put your hands.
* a pair of shades -- 1 word: bugs. keep em out your eyes, keeps the sun out of em, makes it easier to see, and ify ou're worried about it, makes you that little bit more aerodynamic.
* A HELMET -- yes, you'll feel like a geek, and yes you'll look silly. but the first time a 4x4 takes you out at a stop sign, or your wheel catches in the train tracks and the worst thing you have out of it all is a bit of road rash, you'll be thankful you wore the damn thing.
* at LEAST one water bottle -- i was carrying 2 when I went riding... do what you will, but stay wet, guys!!
* comfy tennies or clippy shoes -- if you have clip petals, you should have shoes that lock into them... for us normal people, wear comfy shoes and socks. it can make all the difference!

optional stuff:
* a pair of biking shorts -- yes, they look goofy, but not having a seam in your crotch makes riding SOOO much more comfortable!
* a jersey -- t-shirts do well for this, but jerseys are cut for the leaned over posture that riding puts you in, and have those handy pockets in the back for snackies
* speedometer/tackometer -- keeper of fun stats on how far, how fast, how long you've been riding. kinda a bitch to set up, though.

last thought: check in your area, there may be a riding group already you can join up with!

07-03-2003, 12:25 AM	#21 (permalink)
cheerios Banned Location: 'bout 2 feet from my iMac	I've never done mt. biking, i've only done road, but i can second hte importance of saddle height, and WATER!!! I "boinked" once 'cuz I was used to soccer, and not drinking a lot till you were done, 'cuz you'd get cramps, and i didn't drink enough. in 100 degreee weather, in the summer, in the sun. BAD idea. drink little bits continally. hydration GOOD. also may consider stashing a granola or power bar in a pocket to snack on... we used to ride in the morning, and i"m not a breakfast person, so getting that power bar, even if it was melted and hot, was heavenly. reward for mking it 1/2way! some guys we used to ride with would ride over the altamont from Tracy to Livermore, and go to the Starbucks as a reward before turning around home. the previous poster said "don't get hung up on equiptiment" and i'll second that, but mention a few things that I consider "more important" than others: * a good pair of gloves -- these make riding SO much nicer, especially on longer rides, and especially if you don't have too many places on your handlebars to put your hands. * a pair of shades -- 1 word: bugs. keep em out your eyes, keeps the sun out of em, makes it easier to see, and ify ou're worried about it, makes you that little bit more aerodynamic. * A HELMET -- yes, you'll feel like a geek, and yes you'll look silly. but the first time a 4x4 takes you out at a stop sign, or your wheel catches in the train tracks and the worst thing you have out of it all is a bit of road rash, you'll be thankful you wore the damn thing. * at LEAST one water bottle -- i was carrying 2 when I went riding... do what you will, but stay wet, guys!! * comfy tennies or clippy shoes -- if you have clip petals, you should have shoes that lock into them... for us normal people, wear comfy shoes and socks. it can make all the difference! optional stuff: * a pair of biking shorts -- yes, they look goofy, but not having a seam in your crotch makes riding SOOO much more comfortable! * a jersey -- t-shirts do well for this, but jerseys are cut for the leaned over posture that riding puts you in, and have those handy pockets in the back for snackies * speedometer/tackometer -- keeper of fun stats on how far, how fast, how long you've been riding. kinda a bitch to set up, though. last thought: check in your area, there may be a riding group already you can join up with!