The All Things Cycling Thread

#2,501
#2,501
VOLatile said:
8 miles of technical trail tonight. Then 3.5 beers and I'm drunk. Tolerance has ceased to exist.
Click to expand...

smoke a bowl afterwards and see how it impacts you....I used to work with a guy that worked out like a fiend and his favorite thing was to smoke weed after his run or bike ride....he said he would get totally smashed due to his heart rate being up and etc....
 
#2,505
#2,505
Velo, if I parked at Townsend and rode a loop to Cades Cove early Saturday morning what would traffic be like? I know the Cove is bikes only but curious about the two lane road through the park.
 
#2,506
#2,506
tri_vol said:
Velo, if I parked at Townsend and rode a loop to Cades Cove early Saturday morning what would traffic be like? I know the Cove is bikes only but curious about the two lane road through the park.
Click to expand...

I don't think I've ever been there that time of day.

If you're going up when the loop is closed, I can't imagine traffic being very bad. In other words, I wouldn't hesitate to try it (though I'm kind of used to riding with traffic).

It's also a nice ride of several miles if you turn left at the "Wye" towards Sugarlands/Gatlinburg and follow the stream. Even if there is some traffic, it's generally going slow along the curvy road.
 
#2,510
#2,510
Anybody know anything about mountain biking? I'd like to buy one soon..but I don't know too much about them.
 
#2,512
#2,512
Velo Vol said:
I don't think I've ever been there that time of day.

If you're going up when the loop is closed, I can't imagine traffic being very bad. In other words, I wouldn't hesitate to try it (though I'm kind of used to riding with traffic).

It's also a nice ride of several miles if you turn left at the "Wye" towards Sugarlands/Gatlinburg and follow the stream. Even if there is some traffic, it's generally going slow along the curvy road.
Click to expand...

Pretty steep though, right?
 
#2,514
#2,514
ACvol3 said:
Pretty steep though, right?
Click to expand...

I drove there last year and remember one good climb. Looking at it on Google Maps the contour seems to follow the grade of the valley as it climbs.

Velo, there is a road on the right side of the loop that will cross the mountain and dump you into Townsend. Have you ever ridden it?
 
#2,516
#2,516
ACvol3 said:
Some good bikes to start with.. I'd like to stay around $1,000, don't wanna go much more than that.
Click to expand...

Felt Nine 60. $1029. Pretty good value, good handling bike. The Trek Cobia isn't bad. If you can squeak a little more, find a Jamis Dragon 29 Sport - excellent value for $1250.

All models in the $1k price range will be comparable. Ride some and buy the one you like the most.
 
#2,517
#2,517
ACvol3 said:
Pretty steep though, right?
Click to expand...

No, not until you pass the Elkmont camping area. The road follows the stream for several miles, so it's a gradual climb.

Past Elkmont, the road goes up over a ridge and drops down to the Sugarlands. So if you did an out-and-back from Townsend to Sugarlands, the only real climb is after you turn around and head back--approximately 1-2 miles of ~5% grade. You can avoid this simply by turning around before you get there.

tri_vol said:
Velo, there is a road on the right side of the loop that will cross the mountain and dump you into Townsend. Have you ever ridden it?
Click to expand...

Off Cades Cove? All those side roads are gravel (unless they've paved recently) so I haven't ridden them. Not a gravel fan.
 
#2,518
#2,518
Velo Vol said:
No, not until you pass the Elkmont camping area. The road follows the stream for several miles, so it's a gradual climb.

Past Elkmont, the road goes up over a ridge and drops down to the Sugarlands. So if you did an out-and-back from Townsend to Sugarlands, the only real climb is after you turn around and head back--approximately 1-2 miles of ~5% grade. You can avoid this simply by turning around before you get there.



Off Cades Cove? All those side roads are gravel (unless they've paved recently) so I haven't ridden them. Not a gravel fan.
Click to expand...

Wish I had some 5% climbs... it's either flat or 14-20% here.
 
#2,519
#2,519
VOLatile said:
Felt Nine 60. $1029. Pretty good value, good handling bike. The Trek Cobia isn't bad. If you can squeak a little more, find a Jamis Dragon 29 Sport - excellent value for $1250.

All models in the $1k price range will be comparable. Ride some and buy the one you like the most.
Click to expand...

Thanks, ill check them our.. R there some basic things I should make sure the bike has? Certain shocks/brakes/gears, etc?
 
#2,520
#2,520
ACvol3 said:
Thanks, ill check them our.. R there some basic things I should make sure the bike has? Certain shocks/brakes/gears, etc?
Click to expand...

Try to get something with Rock Shox, XFusion, Manitou, or other brand name shocks (not Suntour), stay away from anything with Bengal brakes, Shimano is okay from Acera and up, SRAM is okay from X5 and up. Double wall rims are a necessity. In the $1000 price range all of that should be covered.
 
#2,521
#2,521
VOLatile said:
Try to get something with Rock Shox, XFusion, Manitou, or other brand name shocks (not Suntour), stay away from anything with Bengal brakes, Shimano is okay from Acera and up, SRAM is okay from X5 and up. Double wall rims are a necessity. In the $1000 price range all of that should be covered.
Click to expand...

Sweet, that's good to know.. What r ur thoughts on full suspension bikes vs just front fork suspension? The full suspension bikes I've ridden just seemed too mushy for me.. Is that something u get used to?
 
#2,522
#2,522
ACvol3 said:
Sweet, that's good to know.. What r ur thoughts on full suspension bikes vs just front fork suspension? The full suspension bikes I've ridden just seemed too mushy for me.. Is that something u get used to?
Click to expand...

A well set up full suspension bike will feel like a hardtail, but perform better on most terrain. In your price range a decent one is out of the question, though.
 
#2,523
#2,523
So. Much. Rain. And more is predicted for tomorrow's race. The brick crosswalks will be extremely hazardous. I should get out front immediately.
 
#2,524
#2,524
40+ miles on the road yesterday. perfect weather. bagged my first two mountains of the year. 2100' & 1600'. Think I'm gonna try to get one every weekend.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top