Spotted Along The Santa Ana River Bike Trail: Random Acts Of Storage?

 

Santa Ana River Bike Trail, Costa Mesa, California.

With Storage Centers popping up like weeds everywhere, it was probably inevitable this would happen, sooner or later.

As to the reason for this random act of POD, well, no one seems to know for sure.

This may indeed fall under the heading of, "Things best left unsolved."

Yes, There Is Still Life On This Blog.

When I started this project it was with the best intentions to inform, and share with others, a common thread of this activity we call Cycling.  Well, that mission has remained true, although some of my former, personal biases have been brought back to reality via a more focused attention on the passing scene.  Allow me to espouse.

When I began Cycling Dynamics, I was still pretty much riding hard core, evaluating new products quite often, was still very interested in professional racing, and I still thought Cycling Coalitions were benevolent factions, with everyone’s best interests at heart (Hah!  Share the road?  Heck, those anarchists want to OWN the road, and, at taxpayer’s expense!).  Well, quite a few things have changed, as I have had my, as alcoholics call it, a personal moment of clarity.

Riding is the reason we live.  And, if it is not, you really are missing out.  I have seen people on old beaters having the time of their lives, smiling, and waving at people, while the “Roadies” astride their $10,000, plastic wonders are snarling, frowning at, and flipping off, the masses.  My guess is, deep down inside, they know they are total douchebags for spending that much money on a bicycle, whilst pretending to be a professional racer.  Cycling is about getting out there, seeing where the road takes us, seizing the moment(s), bothering to enjoy the scenery, a total experience, aboard two-wheels. 

In the realm of always trying out “New Stuff,” well, I have finally seen that charade for what it is – To suck revenue out of the pockets of the masses, and deposit said money into the pockets of the Industry, merely for their own needs.  In totality, what this means is I intend to write reviews on items that have some actual, real value to cyclists, not just the latest, lightest, most expensive, useless gadgets, parts, nutrition, or items of clothing.  Cycling stuff is expensive, and upgrading, purely for upgrading’s sake, is just not sensible (hear me, Garmin?  And, that goes for you bike manufacturers, too!).  If I see some value in something, then I will try it out, and I will share the results with all of you.  Then, you can draw your own conclusions.

As for professional bike racing, while I still give it a cursory glance, the truth is, I really could not give a shit, anymore.  Basically, the product is a complete fraud, and why the hell should I pay attention to grown men (and now the ladies, which if you criticize that even more awful product, somehow you are a Misogynist), being paid for what is essentially their hobby?  I mean, I have to work for a living, so excuse me if my heart does not skip a beat because Mark Cavendish happens to ride by. 

As for the un-pleasantries of our past-time, well, just by being out in public, we will encounter assholes, be they in motor vehicles, on bicycles, or even walking/running.  We are in a Post-Decorum Age, and as long as you are not being an ass yourself, the most difficult thing you will ever do in your life is deal with other human beings.

So, there.  And, if I have not pissed you off by now, stick round.  In the next few months, give me a chance to do so.  Then again, I just may inform, or even entertain you, too.

Meanwhile, I’m going riding.

Ringing In The New Year With Peter Sagan & The Movie "Grease?" John Travolta, And Olvia Newton-John, Would Be Proud.

Merry Christmas To All From Cycling Dynamics.

Image courtesy of fat-bike.com

Yes, we find being Politically Correct extremely boring.

God Bless, to all!

Conforming – Is Resistance Futile? No Way!

According to the proverbial “Powers-That-Be,” cycling should be done either at the crack of dawn or when direct sunlight is available.  You must also have the “Correct” riding apparel, and bicycle, lest thou offend the God of The Cycling Snobs.  Well, I say NUTS to that!

Imagine how much better (and fun) life would be if we did not do everything we were told to?  I know a lot of people that indeed do everything they are told, or are expected, to do.  And, guess what?  They are boring.  Thus, while I may not be the “World’s Most Interesting Man” like in those beer commercials, I do refrain from comfort zones because they make humans two-dimensional and uninteresting.

Case in point: I rode to lunch with a friend, and while that may not seem Earth shattering, the ride was done on a couple of old, steel beaters, wearing blue-jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers, with nary a sight of carbon fiber, spandex, or expensive Italian shoes.   It was a care-free ride, sans all of the accoutrements normally associated with “Proper” cycling.  It was really quite liberating and refreshing.

From time to time, it is perfectly OK to forget the norms, and shedding any, and all, comfort zones builds character.  Plus, it certainly makes life, and us humans, a whole lot more interesting.

Just get out and pedal.

Fizik Microtex Bar Tape: An Honest-To-Goodness, Long-Term "Wrap-Up."

November 2015.  Tape still going strong!

Letters, we actually get letters.  Well, emails, actually, but none-the-less, we do receive inquiries here at the plush Cycling Dynamics offices.  And, the latest inquiry was from reader "Happy Camper."  H.C. asked the following, very good, question: "Three years later, how is that tape?  Did it last?"

First, Mr. Camper, thank you for the inquiry.  It is indeed always nice to hear from the readership.  And, to answer your question, the tape is doing just fine, with no signs of wear, tear or fading.  Pretty cool, huh?  Try that with any other bar tape!  Three years, three sets of test bars, three applications of the same tape, and it looks as good as it did when first applied in September 2012.  That's some seriously good tape, people!  I even bought a spare box, foolishly thinking I would have to replace it when I swapped out the bars.  Nope.  The spare box is still sitting on the shelf in the garage.

With a retail price of $21.50 USD (per Fizik), this stuff is a bargin, as far as tape goes.  Yes, it can be a bit troublesome to apply, but once on, it stays put, is non-slip, cleans up easily, and looks great for years.  What's not to like about that? 

Good job, Fizik.  The tape may actually try to outlast my bike (maybe, even me!).

Happy Birthday To Me - Time To Retire, With The Schwalbe Durano HS464.

With Schwalbe committing the unfortunate sin of killing off the incredible Durano HS399, it was time to try out that models direct replacement, the HS464.  Bear in mind, I am not too happy with this.  Product-wise, all-things-new are usually an improvement, however, the progression of products does not always produce a winner.  Therefore, when something which works magnificently, like the HS399, is replaced, a dose of healthy skepticism is natural.  Think “New” Coke or Microsoft Windows (I drink Dr. Pepper, and Windows 2000 Server was still my all-time favorite). 

I have become a sworn disciple of 25C tires, as not only are the running pressures lower, air-wise, and the ride much more comfortable than 23c’s, the true crowning glory of 25’s are massively increased puncture protection due in part to the aforementioned lower tire pressures.  The fact Durano’s possess a built in feature known as “RaceGuard” (a belt under the dual-compound tread made for increased puncture protection), is just the icing on the proverbial cake (I wonder if 28’s are better still???).

To date, I have a bit over 3000-miles, on two sets of HS399’s, on two sets of wheels.  The only reason I am changing out the tires is due to some minor tread cracking, but the tires are truly far from being worn-out.  In my opinion, if I had ridden them more, thus keeping the tires up to proper pressure, versus sitting around as often as they did, the HS399’s would definitely have gone a whole lot farther.  These are some serious-good tires, folks.

I’ll put some miles on the newer Durano’s and report back with my initial, and long-term, findings.  If my hunch is correct, the HS464’s will be damn good rubber.  The new kid on the Schwalbe block has some seriously BIG shoes to fill. 

 

Makes a heck of a "Happy Birthday" gift to myself, too.