MacRetro chat and rides thread

[velomaniac]

Might not be that bike I'm taking but whatever I take will be rigid. As for brakes, you only need good stoppers if you intend to ride fast. I have no intention of exceeding walking pace which to be honest will be what I will predominantly be doing. Not looking forward to course as it looks steep and gnarly plus I hate getting my feet wet, unavoidable it seems as a ford must be crossed. Hopefully the beer and sillyness will make it all worthwhile.

 

[clubby]

That bike will be fine. For one thing, it actually looks like it fits you properly. I reckon I’d struggle to swing my leg over it!

With you on the wet feet, I hate it. Maybe better to learn to embrace it though. Went for a ride up the Fungle to Aboyne last week. Came to a river crossing which looked deep enough to cause an issue riding it. Was an open sided bridge so decided to ride that instead. Unfortunately I caught my bars on an overhanging tree and fell off the side of it. Six foot up. With a 25 kg ebike landing on top of me. “Luckily” the river was deep enough and I was ok, more importantly so was the bike. I was however a bit wetter than if I’d just tried to ride the river. Had to strip to my liner shorts and wring everything out. And I’d no water for the rest of the ride as I’d landed on my Camelbak and burst the bladder. That little bit of good news was’t apparent until I was past the point of no return and had to finish the loop. Turns out they don’t make that bladder shape anymore, so I’ve had to buy a whole new pack as well, and I cracked the bottom corner of my iPhone screen. Expensive decision that one.

What I’m really saying is f#ck the wet feet and just get on with enjoying the ride

 

[velomaniac]

Decided best to stick with a mtb so Univega Fs730 gets the nod. At least its 24lbs so lightweight for all that bike pushing I will be doing

 

[epicyclo]

What I’m really saying is f#ck the wet feet and just get on with enjoying the ride

The answer is sandals and wool socks. Dry out fairly quickly if you're working hard.

 

[epicyclo]

Now this I think possibly only Brian would agree is a proper single speed off road bike. I shall probably die in Yorkshire but it might survive better than all of my wooden bike attempts View attachment 562137

Been off the 'net lately (thanks BT)

That's a proper bike Velo. Sadly I won't be there. Don't worry about the brakes, there's plenty room behind the downtube to wedge a foot against the tyre.

 

[old_coyote_pedaller]

Sandals? Wool socks? Hippie....

 

[velomaniac]

If you are working hard........... Brian this is single speed, you know that walking around pushing your bike and talking toot with others followed by a beer is the norm, certainly not working hard

 

[jimo746]

I think wellies would be suitable.
If you cut the toe off they'll drain the water out faster too ...

 

[velomaniac]

I have pulled out of single speed championships this year. Physical and mental health is the cause, cannot face the event. As I now know I am in the shallow end of the Autistic spectrum and thus I cannot cope with a field of strangers I cannot relate to. Cannot face the journey down and back and cannot beat back the the black dogs of depression. I find I need a couple of folk present I know who I am relaxed around but as Jamie and Brian are not there this year I do not really know anyone else sufficiently to be relaxed. I have coped with these issues at events past but this year I just cannot get past them. All this lock down has messed up many peoples confidence who have mental health issues and alas I am one of them.

 

[jimo746]

Hey, I'll be there Velo! Well, maybe.... I know what you mean though.
My original plan was to go down for the weekend and visit family at the same time, only the visiting family seems to have overtaken the bike event, not sure I can find the time, or even be arsed , to spend most of the Saturday driving over there and pushing my bike around the course.