Cycling NC

[johnribes]

For anyone who knows or wants to know anything about cycling post it here. Cool places to ride, parts you recommend, experiences, literally anything you want to say about cycling.

[johnribes]

I made these stickers to pass out to anyone who wants to support cycling in their community by practicing one of the simplest rules that is often neglected. If any of you guys want some just let me know and send my your address and I can get you some.

[max]

this is my bike right now, i just got it recently and ive been working on it a little bit:

[johnribes]

Cool bike dude it's really clean.

Also, I'm sure most of you know about this but if not it's a pretty cool blog that's updated recently with bike stuff. Mostly fixed gear or trick bike stuff but there some bmx once in a while.

prollyisnotprobably.com/

[collin]

I was living in L.A. and the only mode of transportation I liked was biking. Unfortunately my bike was cursed. Fortunately I learned a good deal about bike maintenance.

The Asheville bike recyclery is a great resource for people who want to build up a bike from scratch/don't have money to repair their bike. People donate old frames/parts/etc, the people who volunteer at the recyclery show you how to use the tools, and you basically teach yourself. Self-sustaining bicycle know-how.

Oh, and for anyone living in or around the Asheville area, every month we have a group ride. Cool people, fun times. Holla if ya interested.

Right now I have a Takara fixed gear and a huge Motobecane that I basically just use for parts. This is the Takara, but I've since put on drop bars.



woooooooooooooooooo

[max]

i think there is a bike recyclery somewhere in the triangle. i need to check that out. i know there was one in raleigh but it shut down or something

[jimbo]

Apr 8, 2011 15:00:56 GMT -5 max said:

i think there is a bike recyclery somewhere in the triangle. i need to check that out. i know there was one in raleigh but it shut down or something

There's the one at BCHQ in durham. Its called the Durham bike co-op I think. I got/fixed up a shitty mountain bike frame there a few years ago. It was pretty awesome.



Specialized cirrus triple from the 90s. I like it but never ride it. I want to do that a lot more.

[rob]

ride every day to work at back. I had to take the winter off because of how dark it was in the morning when I was going to work. People drive nuts at 6am when it's dark. but now that the sun is out when I'm en route, it's back to normal.

[jason]

I need to get a bike soon.

[michaelh]

If anyone in the Asheville area has an old cruddy bike they are looking at getting rid of let me know, I live about 45 minutes west.

[jimbo]

Apr 8, 2011 18:53:50 GMT -5 michaelh said:

If anyone in the Asheville area has an old cruddy bike they are looking at getting rid of let me know, I live about 45 minutes west.

I have an old mountain bike that needs to have the wheels trued. It also squeaks really bad. You can have it if you want. I live in asheville

[johnribes]

I'm trying to start some stuff like the recyclery in Boone. I'm also trying to work up a program to educate people on biking since we are supposed to be some sort of a green city and barely anyone comutes by bike. Are there any programs like that around any of you guy's areas that I could get some idea's from?

[jimbo]

Apr 9, 2011 0:30:47 GMT -5 johnribes said:

I'm trying to start some stuff like the recyclery in Boone. I'm also trying to work up a program to educate people on biking since we are supposed to be some sort of a green city and barely anyone comutes by bike. Are there any programs like that around any of you guy's areas that I could get some idea's from?

I'm pretty sure there's a bike co-op/recyclery type place in boone, at least there was a year or two ago. It was underneath the arts building or something

[rob]

yeah there totally used to be a recyclery in boone, I don't know if there is anymore, but it was there at one point.
the one in charlotte moves in waves, but they help run Trips For Kids which is an awesome program that every city should emulate.

[max]

what is trips for kids?

[johnribes]

Yeah it's called the Boone Bike Initiative which basically fixes bikes for people and does have a few spare parts but it's nothing like other recyclerys. My friend is in it and they just got a new space so they haven't really had any shop hours for a while.

[forget it]

all we have in wilkes is brushy mountain bicycle shop. the guy who runs it is a melvins fan so we hit it off pretty good and i'm currently paying payments on my second haro from him.

but first and foremost about anything cycling, i just want to say i dont wear a helmet and i hate people who refuse to ride with me because i refuse to wear a helmet. they dont wanna be around if i crack my skull on a rock. i understand that, but goddamn, i dont have healthcare either, so i'm fucked regardless of whether or not i'm wearing a helmet if i fall off my bike that insanely.

[johnribes]

There's actually been studies done that prove wearing helmets for more advanced commuting cyclists is more dangerous than not wearing on. Basically the studies show that car stay farther away from a cyclist when they aren't wearing a helmet almost to compensate for the "lack" of safety. Plus normally when I fall I fall on my hands/arms/something other than my head. I understand why people say they are safe but they are for inexperience cyclists or cyclist that go at high speeds (racers). Plus if you get hit by a car a helmet isn't going to save your life.


So I got a new frame a few days ago and also a new bottom bracket. It's the right size BB just to out that in there. As I was putting it into the frame it just stopped going into the thread (it's already almost in there and about 3 threads away from being completely in). The tool im using is stripping the BB teeth and I can make it go further or even get it back out to see what's going on. I really don't want to get it stuck in there but I don't know what the problem could be. Has this happened to anyone or does anyone know what could be wrong?

[rob]

Apr 10, 2011 22:05:47 GMT -5 johnribes said:

There's actually been studies done that prove wearing helmets for more advanced commuting cyclists is more dangerous than not wearing on. Basically the studies show that car stay farther away from a cyclist when they aren't wearing a helmet almost to compensate for the "lack" of safety. Plus normally when I fall I fall on my hands/arms/something other than my head. I understand why people say they are safe but they are for inexperience cyclists or cyclist that go at high speeds (racers). Plus if you get hit by a car a helmet isn't going to save your life.

there was A study done. It was a big deal on fgg a few years ago when people started quoting it all the time, and yeah, people stay a little further away if you aren't wearing one. But as someone that has cracked a helmet on the ground after being hit by a car, I gotta say is it really worth it to take the advice of a single survey over the risk of hitting the fucking concrete with your noggin?

[johnribes]

Apr 11, 2011 6:04:47 GMT -5 rob said:

Apr 10, 2011 22:05:47 GMT -5 johnribes said:

There's actually been studies done that prove wearing helmets for more advanced commuting cyclists is more dangerous than not wearing on. Basically the studies show that car stay farther away from a cyclist when they aren't wearing a helmet almost to compensate for the "lack" of safety. Plus normally when I fall I fall on my hands/arms/something other than my head. I understand why people say they are safe but they are for inexperience cyclists or cyclist that go at high speeds (racers). Plus if you get hit by a car a helmet isn't going to save your life.

there was A study done. It was a big deal on fgg a few years ago when people started quoting it all the time, and yeah, people stay a little further away if you aren't wearing one. But as someone that has cracked a helmet on the ground after being hit by a car, I gotta say is it really worth it to take the advice of a single survey over the risk of hitting the fucking concrete with your noggin?

I'm not totally against wearing helmets. I'm just saying that someone can use that study as a way to address unfair helmet laws that require helmets of all ages. I know there are only 2 citys in NC that require all ages to wear helmets and I happen to be living in one. A 16 and under helmet rule should be enforced but to try to force everyone to wear helmets is a little ridiculous. I believe helmets should be worn if you are going moderately long distances or riding where a lot of cars are but I don't think they should be needed if someone is going on a small commute or, for example, going from one side of campus to another. If someone chooses not to wear a helmet though I do think that they need to have a heightened sense of riding and be more cautious which a lot of riders forget. It all goes back to responsibility and knowing when to take certain precautions. I know I need to wear a helmet at night because it's harder for cars to see you therefore increasing the risk, but during the day I think it's pretty clear, most of the time, where a cyclist is.

[jim]

Does anyone know about any group rides in Charlotte? I'll be home for the summer soon and would love to do some riding while I can

[jim]

Apr 11, 2011 10:05:02 GMT -5 johnribes said:

Apr 11, 2011 6:04:47 GMT -5 rob said:

there was A study done. It was a big deal on fgg a few years ago when people started quoting it all the time, and yeah, people stay a little further away if you aren't wearing one. But as someone that has cracked a helmet on the ground after being hit by a car, I gotta say is it really worth it to take the advice of a single survey over the risk of hitting the fucking concrete with your noggin?

I'm not totally against wearing helmets. I'm just saying that someone can use that study as a way to address unfair helmet laws that require helmets of all ages. I know there are only 2 citys in NC that require all ages to wear helmets and I happen to be living in one. A 16 and under helmet rule should be enforced but to try to force everyone to wear helmets is a little ridiculous. I believe helmets should be worn if you are going moderately long distances or riding where a lot of cars are but I don't think they should be needed if someone is going on a small commute or, for example, going from one side of campus to another. If someone chooses not to wear a helmet though I do think that they need to have a heightened sense of riding and be more cautious which a lot of riders forget. It all goes back to responsibility and knowing when to take certain precautions. I know I need to wear a helmet at night because it's harder for cars to see you therefore increasing the risk, but during the day I think it's pretty clear, most of the time, where a cyclist is.

The legality of wearing helmets is one thing, but it's really just common sense. Car vs. bicycle accidents aren't only one way to get hurt riding. You can get fucked up on a bike by all sorts of things- potholes, tree limbs, etc. especially at night. If you talked to any hospital doctor, they would definitely tell you some gruesome stories about bicycle accidents and permanent damage as a result of not wearing a helmet. Plus, a lot of stuff can go wrong when it comes to head injuries, and it would really suck to permanently fuck your head or even die over just a bike ride. c'mon reebus

[johnribes]

Apr 14, 2011 10:46:59 GMT -5 jim said:

Apr 11, 2011 10:05:02 GMT -5 johnribes said:

I'm not totally against wearing helmets. I'm just saying that someone can use that study as a way to address unfair helmet laws that require helmets of all ages. I know there are only 2 citys in NC that require all ages to wear helmets and I happen to be living in one. A 16 and under helmet rule should be enforced but to try to force everyone to wear helmets is a little ridiculous. I believe helmets should be worn if you are going moderately long distances or riding where a lot of cars are but I don't think they should be needed if someone is going on a small commute or, for example, going from one side of campus to another. If someone chooses not to wear a helmet though I do think that they need to have a heightened sense of riding and be more cautious which a lot of riders forget. It all goes back to responsibility and knowing when to take certain precautions. I know I need to wear a helmet at night because it's harder for cars to see you therefore increasing the risk, but during the day I think it's pretty clear, most of the time, where a cyclist is.

The legality of wearing helmets is one thing, but it's really just common sense. Car vs. bicycle accidents aren't only one way to get hurt riding. You can get fucked up on a bike by all sorts of things- potholes, tree limbs, etc. especially at night. If you talked to any hospital doctor, they would definitely tell you some gruesome stories about bicycle accidents and permanent damage as a result of not wearing a helmet. Plus, a lot of stuff can go wrong when it comes to head injuries, and it would really suck to permanently fuck your head or even die over just a bike ride. c'mon reebus

Hahah respect Jim, Kathy would be proud. But like I said I'm not totally putting off helmets at all. I'm reiterating the fact that it is the cyclist's responsibility to know when they need to wear a helmet. Yes I know we can't predict what is going to happen when we are riding so wearing a helmet would be safer if you predict you are gonna fall off, which you will some point or another. But if you use that type of mindset then you must believe that when riding you also need to wear wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads because the percentage of people falling off their bike and hitting those parts is much more than them hitting their head. This is plainly just silly. There is no need for so much protection if the cyclist is responsible and understands the obstacles that he/she will face. That's why I'm saying an "all ages" helmet law is a little ridiculous in comparison to a "16 and under" helmet law. Yes, helmet's should be worn but older cyclists have more experience and should be able to make a choice compared to younger riders who have less experience. Obviously there are outliers to this when older people have just started riding and little kids are pro bmxers but in general the age prediction is true. So no one thinks I'm really bias against helmets, I actually do wear a helmet depending on where I'm riding and always at night. I would say that Boone is a moderately safe place to ride in the day with no helmet but if I was riding in Charlotte with poster Jim I would wear a helmet because of the increased traffic and other obstacles that I don't know about. A sense of safety is very important when cycling and helmets, much of the time, cause a false sense of safety, the same as bike lanes, so I think if you wear a helmet you need to know that you still can get hurt and that you shouldn't rely strictly on your helmet to save you. You need to know the rules of the road as well as be responsible in you riding techniques.

[max]

ive been commuting the 3 miles to class since the weather has been so awesome. today was perfect.

all this talk of helmets...i dont even have one. anyone give me a recommendation on a good helmet that is not too expensive and doesnt make me look like a goober?

[forget it]

i have two helmets, but both would make you look weird because they're sized for my big ass head.

as for me actually wearing my helmets, yeah it comes down to a "what is the chances i would get into a wreck on this ride" kind of thing, plus i like to have one around in case someone wants to ride my bike. i dont knock people who do wear them, i just think its really shitty that the only groups around my neck of the woods that ride straight up tell me that i cant ride with them because i wont wear my helmet on a casual group ride through the greenway or one of the many bike trails around here. sure the ride ends with the awesome speed straight shot down what we call roller coaster hill, but the way i see it, if i fall on that shit, i'm dead anyways.

[rob]

I always buy a helmet when it's on sale so I can't give you good advice.

[forget it]

ive found that the ratio to how much you pay compared to how non-goofy it looks are usually exact.

walmart helmet = goofy and cheap

professional helmet = streamline only slightly goofy and budget breaking

[michaelh]

Don't know if you guys know about the website steepandcheap.com

But sometimes, very rarely, I've seen some bike gear at ridiculously cheap prices.

[johnribes]

Apr 15, 2011 9:16:11 GMT -5 michaelh said:

Don't know if you guys know about the website steepandcheap.com

But sometimes, very rarely, I've seen some bike gear at ridiculously cheap prices.

Yeah I always check it out. I've seen a few helmets go up but that's about all. A lot of other stuff they have though rules.

[jmattiacci]

Apr 14, 2011 13:26:35 GMT -5 max said:

all this talk of helmets...i dont even have one. anyone give me a recommendation on a good helmet that is not too expensive and doesnt make me look like a goober?

All helmets make you look goober-cile. FACT.

Also, I was in Durham this weekend and had the privilege of going to the durham bike co-op. Got a seat and a seatpost for my bmx bike. It looks totally awesome. When I'm home I'll post some pics.