aprilstarchild | (no subject)

Most of what I learned at the School of Cross thing I did last night, is that my bike is completely unsuitable for cyclocross. The bottom bracket is too low (so it scrapes on stuff when I'm riding), my tires are too slick (although I knew that), friction shifting is useless when trying to ride cross. And, my frame is too heavy. It's the lightest frame I own; other people's bikes were many pounds lighter. I'm already at a disadvantage when it comes to lifting my bike to run over the barriers because of my height (which also makes my arms proportionally shorter), having a heavy bike makes it so much worse.

I did learn a way to dismount the bike while it's still moving. Whee!

Trying to ride the course was an exercise in absolute frustration. My gears kept changing on their own due to being bumped. There was no way for me to get into my tiny front ring fast enough on hills so I had to get off the bike to run it up short hills that other people were riding. There was that whole "being scared of downhills" thing working against me; having slick tires and facing a steep downhill of loose dirt meant I walked down the damn hills too. I didn't finish a whole lap.

The worst of it was knowing that if I had the right kind of bike and wasn't so damn scared, I know I'd be having a ton of fun! When we were just learning how to get off the bike, pick it up, jump barriers, and get back on--all on a grassy area--I had a blast even though I was slow and a bit clumsy. I kept laughing even though I was out of breath and trying it again and again. And out of the people who were there, somewhere between a third and half of them were women, some obviously newcomers as well, which was very encouraging.

*sigh* So, this does mean it's entirely possible that, by next year's cross season, I might have another (another!) bicycle, one actually meant for cyclocross. Surly Cross Checks are a fairly inexpensive option of course, but Soma makes a bike called Double Cross that's a bit cheaper and lighter!

I do want to go to some of the Cross Crusade games this year and ring a cowbell at people and shout until I'm hoarse.

My roommates think my interest in cyclocross is hilarious, as the person who moved out before I moved in started riding cross while she lived there. "Yeah, it's a trend in our housemates," Donna told me, "they start dating great guys and then take up cyclocross."

One last thought: Which bike to ride for the Flaming Lips video tomorrow?! The Miyata is the obvious one, as it's what I've been riding since I got it. But the old Raleigh would be fun, basket and all....hmm....

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That loose dirt was pretty treacherous. Especially at the backside of the course where there were a bunch of solid wheel ruts. I just had to aim at them and go through as straight as possible, but on one of the laps I hit it at an angle and almost crashed!

Also, I've noticed a trend. You have a bit of a crush on Surly. I looked at the Cross Check. I might have gone for them as well, but all the Cross Checks I could find when I was in the market were poop brown. Previous years they've done a nice gray/white, and a black...but... this was all the way crapbrown. I seem to recall them not having the braze-ons for fenders and a rack, which was a concern for me, since the plan for the CX bike was to be my all around rider for 3/4 of the year, and a CX bike for 1/4.

(Would it excite you to know that I picked up a Surly ride yesterday? I have a Conundrum frame now. The Unicycle Bastards have been working on making nice with Surly. As a group we have a full Conundrum built up, with the Large Marge rim, and the Endomorph tire, like you'd find on the Surly Pugsley. They've discontinued the Conundrum, and allowed the Bastards to buy out the last of their stock at super cheap prices. If you wanted, I could build it up, and you could race uCX on it!)

Sorry about the whole ride thing. I had originally planned on taking the car with the bike rack on it, but my day precluded me from getting home and swapping out the cars. The whole work driving thing has become increasingly stressful. They're happy to let good people go for 3 speeding tickets, so I have to play it supersafe.

Also, Daks and I will be there tomorrow. I and another UB plan on doing the 29er Unicycle thing for the video.

Fuck yes! Awesome! What time? They're filming from 10am to 10pm!!

Depends on how much sleep she gets tonight. She also wanted to get breakfast somewhere. So we'll probably have a late breakfast at Hungry Tiger and then head that way. Could be as early as 10, but it might be around noon. I can text you as we get closer if you'd like!

If you're not going right at 10, maybe you want to get breakfast with Daks and I?

We both took the day off and want to bum around as much as possible, because Wayne is awesome and maybe some of it will rub off.

Yeah! That would be awesome!

I plan to bring a book and/or knitting or something, and depending on how I feel, be there all day.

There's a pre-funk at the Radio Room on Alberta tonight. I'm almost definitely going to that.

Don't forget SUNBLOCK tomorrow. It's going to be sunny and 90F. And you will be naked. I have an almost-new tube of waterproof SPF 50. I hate wearing sunblock (it just feels greasy and weird, even the good stuff), but I've had sunburned nipples before and they're not fun. Plus it makes me a little shiny, and apparently they want that. *lol*

It's not that I have a crush on Surlys, so much as Surly makes good bikes that are inexpensive. That's the biggest reason that so many people I know have Long Haul Truckers--it's probably the least expensive well-made touring bike.

I've seen Cross Checks with fenders and racks, a friend of mine found that the Cross Check fit her better than the Long Haul and uses it as her commuting and touring bike.

You're just determined to get me on a uni, aren't you? *lol* Seriously, I have the worst balance!

Surlys are just a well-known name as well. I didn't know there were other inexpensive options for cross bikes until my roommate pointed out the Somas.

I understand about the ride. It worked out fine anyway, it was a beautiful night and I took a longer/less car traffic route along the esplanade.

I vote for the basket.
because I am a dork!

That is entirely valid reason, in my opinion.

it would be super cute.

I am having close consideration for the Flaming Lips naked ride. VERY close

It would be awesome to see you there!