I think a lot of people make a mistake when it comes to buying their first (or first in a while) bicycle. Instead of buying a bike that is good at one thing, many people opt for a bike that is a jack of all trades. The cycling manufacturers know this, and thus have spent a lot of time and money developing so-called hybrid bikes.
These bikes end up on Craigslist or eBay for good reason. People don't ride them because they while they excel at nothing.
Case in point, I opted for a road bike with drop handlebars as my first bike. I bought the cheapest version of the Specialized Allez and I've never regretted the decision
For a year I concentrated on my road skills. That's not to say I don't enjoy riding on the bike path. In fact, this is some of the most enjoyable riding that I do. My Allez does an okay job on the bike path, but it's not particularly suited to this type of riding. It does not turn or stop particularly well, because it's designed to that. It's designed to go fast, and it does this job every well.
So, for my second bike, I opted for a flat-bar road bike: A Specialized Sirrus. The riding position is a bit more relaxed, but it's not a hybrid with high handlebars that place the rider in (my opinion) an uncomfortable position. It has wider tires, a wider gear range, and turns and stops a heck of a lot better than the Allez. It's made for the bike path.
Look, you can spend $1,200 for a decent hybrid that does neither of these tasks well, or you can spend $700 for a decent road bike and $500 for a decent bike path bike. It's better to have two bikes that you will ride than one bike that will collect dust in the garage until you list it on Craigslist.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
Sources for upcoming events.
Thanks to Primal Wear's monthly newsletter I found a couple of good sources for upcoming rides, runs and tris.
The first site is cycling specific. It seems fairly conclusive, yet I noticed the event I'm doing here in Kansas City on Sunday is not included.
The second site is inclusive of cycling, running and triathlon events.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I have a new profile picture
I'm a proud member of Team Red, and I'm proud to have a father who is an artist. This is what happens when world's collide:
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| John Holloway by Bob Holloway |
Sunday, July 22, 2012
What I was reminded of while riding today
This morning I headed out for a ride on my favorite bike path and I was reminded of an important lesson I've learned from riding.
We are fortunate to have several wonderful bike paths in our area. My favorite is the tomahawk Creek Trail from Leawood City Park south as far as the trail goes somewhere around 143rd and Pflumm Road.
Anyway, the section in Leawood along Tomahawk Creek Parkway between College Boulevard and 119th has three lakes. The northernmost lake is currently drained and the path to the park is closed as it's being re-constructed. Because of that, this is where I've been starting my rides.
This morning two things happened. First, my legs were tight and I had just wolfed down some carbs and my stomach was upset. I thought there was no way I was going to complete this workout. I had planned on doing 12 miles, but decided I could justify stopping at eight, because it would give me an even 100 miles on my new bike's odometer. More about this later.
Second, I came upon the second lake at it looked fantastic in just-after-dawn light. It looked like something a cinematographer would flip over. The lake was perfectly calm, the sky was a perfect blue, the trees were a perfect shade of green and the nearby office buildings and trees reflected brilliantly. I decided I must get a picture on my way back.
I continued riding, and soon enough, my legs loosened up, my stomach began to get better and I picked up my pace. I got into a groove. It was a perfect day for a ride, low 70s and the humidity was bearable.
I clicked off four miles and decided to keep going. I made it all the way to my turn-around point at six miles with plenty of time to enjoy a bottle of water, ride back to the car and get home in time to take over watching the kids so Amy could go off to pilates.
Sadly, on my way back to the car, when I got to the middle lake, the light had changed. The moment had passed.
I was reminded of two things.
First, get on the bike. There are no excuses. If you don't feel like riding, just ride it out. You'll get into the groove. I have never regretted getting on the bike. It has changed every aspect of my life for the better.
The bike is a metaphor, of course. You can substitute it for whatever you like: Work, school, writing that novel, completing a model of the Washington Monument out of sugar cubes. Whatever makes you happy or has meaning.
Second, don't let life pass you buy. If you see an opportunity, take it. If you have the chance to help someone out or spend just a few minutes doing something with your children, then do it. Moments like these are fleeting, and they often never arise again. We are fortunate when we are able to take advantage of these opportunities. In fact, in my opinion that is the very definition of making your own luck: Putting yourself in position to take advantage of opportunities that arise.
A quick story about this. When I was at the University of Missouri and nearing graduation from journalism school I had two good job interviews where it was down to me and one other person. The first was for a copy editing job on the international edition of the Wall Street Journal. Getting the job would mean moving to New York and working for one of the nation's top newspapers and newspaper companies. The second was for a reporting job at a newspaper in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
I wanted to be a reporter. I really wanted that job in Poplar Bluff. I was uneasy about what the job in New York would mean. Sure, there was a tremendous upside, but was I good enough? Was I ready?
Ultimately, I did not have the opportunity to decide my own fate. A grad student got the Wall Street Journal job. I moved to Poplar Bluff.
Years later, I realized my entire career in journalism was determined by that event.
I won't soon forget how that lake looked in the morning light, but I sure wish I had a picture of it.
We are fortunate to have several wonderful bike paths in our area. My favorite is the tomahawk Creek Trail from Leawood City Park south as far as the trail goes somewhere around 143rd and Pflumm Road.
Anyway, the section in Leawood along Tomahawk Creek Parkway between College Boulevard and 119th has three lakes. The northernmost lake is currently drained and the path to the park is closed as it's being re-constructed. Because of that, this is where I've been starting my rides.
This morning two things happened. First, my legs were tight and I had just wolfed down some carbs and my stomach was upset. I thought there was no way I was going to complete this workout. I had planned on doing 12 miles, but decided I could justify stopping at eight, because it would give me an even 100 miles on my new bike's odometer. More about this later.
Second, I came upon the second lake at it looked fantastic in just-after-dawn light. It looked like something a cinematographer would flip over. The lake was perfectly calm, the sky was a perfect blue, the trees were a perfect shade of green and the nearby office buildings and trees reflected brilliantly. I decided I must get a picture on my way back.
I continued riding, and soon enough, my legs loosened up, my stomach began to get better and I picked up my pace. I got into a groove. It was a perfect day for a ride, low 70s and the humidity was bearable.
I clicked off four miles and decided to keep going. I made it all the way to my turn-around point at six miles with plenty of time to enjoy a bottle of water, ride back to the car and get home in time to take over watching the kids so Amy could go off to pilates.
Sadly, on my way back to the car, when I got to the middle lake, the light had changed. The moment had passed.
I was reminded of two things.
First, get on the bike. There are no excuses. If you don't feel like riding, just ride it out. You'll get into the groove. I have never regretted getting on the bike. It has changed every aspect of my life for the better.
The bike is a metaphor, of course. You can substitute it for whatever you like: Work, school, writing that novel, completing a model of the Washington Monument out of sugar cubes. Whatever makes you happy or has meaning.
Second, don't let life pass you buy. If you see an opportunity, take it. If you have the chance to help someone out or spend just a few minutes doing something with your children, then do it. Moments like these are fleeting, and they often never arise again. We are fortunate when we are able to take advantage of these opportunities. In fact, in my opinion that is the very definition of making your own luck: Putting yourself in position to take advantage of opportunities that arise.
A quick story about this. When I was at the University of Missouri and nearing graduation from journalism school I had two good job interviews where it was down to me and one other person. The first was for a copy editing job on the international edition of the Wall Street Journal. Getting the job would mean moving to New York and working for one of the nation's top newspapers and newspaper companies. The second was for a reporting job at a newspaper in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
I wanted to be a reporter. I really wanted that job in Poplar Bluff. I was uneasy about what the job in New York would mean. Sure, there was a tremendous upside, but was I good enough? Was I ready?
Ultimately, I did not have the opportunity to decide my own fate. A grad student got the Wall Street Journal job. I moved to Poplar Bluff.
Years later, I realized my entire career in journalism was determined by that event.
I won't soon forget how that lake looked in the morning light, but I sure wish I had a picture of it.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Best story on Tour de France Tacking
This is a pretty good story about the Mavic mechanics who provided support to the Tour de France riders who suffered punctures due to a tacking incident. Hope they catch the bastard.
Velo News story about the tacking
Velo News story about the tacking
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