Our bike rager isn't the only one who needs to lighten up:
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/karaoke-killing/?hp
!!
On the knobbies, yeah, I second everything that
has been said on the subject. Well, except the
DIY idea! The Finns seem to have it down to a
science and I'm going with science rather than
faith in my own mechanical ability--sorry Robin!
I've been happy with my Nokian Hock-up-a-löögie*
models which have lasted me more years than I can
remember. The idea of having a 2nd rim at the
ready solves many problems, most especially,
personal inertia.
On the importance of a good grip on the road:
When I was doing some research on hip fractures
(with regard to a TV news story on the importance
of shovelling sidewalks for the health & survival
of old people), I discovered these interesting
stats:
-Anyone 45 or older who suffers a hip fracture
has a 24% chance of dying within a year
(complications galore from lying in bed for
weeks).
-Of those who survive beyond a year, 75% will
never--*never*--reach their previous level of
activity.
YIKES!
All of a sudden sixty bucks ain't such a big
deal. I know someone who was well shy of the 45
mark and quite fit, who suffered a hip fracture
(slipping on ice on a bike). The recovery process
was grueling. Another friend who had a grand time
pooh-poohing my (neurotic, according to him)
espousal of studs, now has permanent back pain
and it has limited his cycling. He now uses
studs. Another certain someone also pooh-pooh'ed
my neurotic advocacy of studded tires til one day
she found herself sliding across Broom St--on her
ass--as a whole platoon of rush hour deathmobiles
bore down upon her. Momentum saved her life. In
that case. She now uses studs. (Well, she's
always had one, but I'm talking tires here,
people....!)
I could go on, but I'll spare you. Just this once!
I just talked to Jeff over at Revolution and he
has studded versions of 26" Nokians and 700c
Kendas. Both are of the carbide variety. (I'll
re-iterate: Carbide & Carbide only!) I hear that
other shops have them in stock as well. It is my
understanding that last year all the shops sold
out and the distributor didn't have any to
re-stock, so now might be the time to make the
(very wise) investment.
Happy ice biking!
-Mike
*Ok, you spell it!
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