Bill: APPROVE > On Apr 7, 2022, at 12:03 PM, Bill Lindsay <[email protected]> wrote: > > Speaking of riots of color: My "Michigan Man" bike had boring black > knobbies on it, that were skinnier than ideal. I swapped the tires out last > night for chubbier slicks in RED!! I think Leah may approve of this color > riot: > > https://www.flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/51988644588 > > It's a krazy kandy kolored klown! > > Bill Lindsay > Livonia MI > >> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 8:16:56 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! >> wrote: >> Bill! I laughed out loud, and I could use a laugh today. Riots of color ARE >> my thing - is it that obvious?! And I’m impressed that you manage switching >> between Eastern time and Pacific so well. It’s not hurt your wit, that’s for >> sure. >> >> The poor carbon bikes might be really good at what they’re designed to do, >> but they are rather soul-less looking. I looked around at the bikes in >> attendance and thought, “I guess the best you can hope to do is to throw on >> some colorful plastic bottle cages or a colorful seat bag and call it pretty. >> >> Leah >> >>>> On Apr 7, 2022, at 8:19 AM, Bill Lindsay <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>> Doug, I didn't mean it as a multiple choice. I meant it as three embedded >>> layers of "it ain't gonna happen". >> >>> >>> The strongest layer of "ain't gonna happen" in Leah's case is C. >>> >>> A. 100:1 odds Maybe 20 years from now all bikes are carbon. She'd buy one >>> if that was the only way >>> B. 10:1 odds Maybe 30 years from now Specialized has patented "bicycle" >>> and monopolizes the entire industry. She'd buy one if that was the only way >>> C. 1,000,000:1 odds Even if every bike in the world is a black carbon >>> specialized, on her first ride she'd go buy a rattle can and get some color >>> on that thing! >>> >>> BL in EC >>>> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 5:02:19 AM UTC-7 Doug H. wrote: >>>> Bill, >>>> My answer to the multiple choices is all of the above! >>>> Doug >>>> >>>>> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 7:52:51 AM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote: >>>>> Eric Daume jokingly asked: " how long until we see Leah on a black >>>>> carbon Diverge?" >>>>> >>>>> If we're taking bets, put my money on the "don't hold your breath" box. >>>>> LOL! >>>>> >>>>> A. I bet she won't ever ride carbon >>>>> B. If she ever rides carbon it won't be from Specialized >>>>> C. If she ever rides a carbon Specialized, it won't be black >>>>> >>>>> Bill Lindsay >>>>> El Cerrito, CA >>>>> >>>>>> On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 7:35:44 AM UTC-7 Eric Daume wrote: >>>>>> So how long until we see Leah on a black carbon Diverge? >>>>>> >>>>>> Eric >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! >>>>>>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> We moved to Michigan 4 months ago. After years of being a Lone Wolf I >>>>>>> did the unthinkable and joined the local bike club. The club was >>>>>>> founded by racers 50 (FIFTY!) years ago, but they seemed welcoming >>>>>>> enough. Having never ridden in a group, I lacked knowledge of my pace >>>>>>> and skill, did not knowif I’d enjoy club riding. I’ve never been a road >>>>>>> rider. The West has always offered me bike lanes and bike paths - >>>>>>> riding with cars going 55 mph seemed suicidal. Would it be stressful? >>>>>>> Would I be accepted? Would I be slow? My raspberry Platypus is my >>>>>>> lightest build. I don’t know how much it weighs, but it has a >>>>>>> lightweight Nitto rear rack, a Bag Boy Saddlesack (not pictured), and >>>>>>> too many things on the handlebars. Meet my club ride bike. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> My Racing Platypus. 😂 >>>>>>> >>>>>>> One of the board members took me under her wing. She invited her good >>>>>>> friend and organized a ride for the 3 of us. She taught me club >>>>>>> etiquette on the road. They rode carbon bikes with drop bars, but they >>>>>>> did not question my bike. It went great. Bolstered by that ride, I >>>>>>> accepted her invite to the first club ride of the season, provided we >>>>>>> could ride in the same group. “They’ll never believe it when you show >>>>>>> up with that bike, Leah, but you’re strong and you can definitely do >>>>>>> club rides.” I have stars in my eyes for this woman; she is admirable >>>>>>> in every way. If she said I could do it, I would try. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I pulled into the park and it was carbon and drop bars as far as the >>>>>>> eye could see. A wave of nausea washed over me as I walked my Platypus >>>>>>> to the group huddle. Billie Bars on full display, Grant Safety triangle >>>>>>> clasped around my waist, looking like a true Lone Wolf, I stood in the >>>>>>> circle. The older members were very welcoming and found nice things to >>>>>>> say about the Racing Platypus. The younger racers…well, they ignored >>>>>>> it. I’m just as guilty; I find them terrifying, so I didn’t say hello, >>>>>>> either. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> My mentor put us in the 12-14 mph group. A good place to start. It >>>>>>> proved too easy and I coasted much of that 20 miles. We decided we’d do >>>>>>> the 15-16 mph group next time. That day came and due to bad weather it >>>>>>> was a small turnout. We joined the slow group again because they would >>>>>>> have only had 2 riders otherwise. We chose the route famous for its >>>>>>> “rollers” (“What are rollers?” the Platypus rider asked.) and conquered >>>>>>> them in cold weather with a headwind. The Racing Platypus, baptized on >>>>>>> the mountains and hills of Las Vegas, took no issue with those rollers. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The next night was the women’s ride - the first of the season. About 10 >>>>>>> women, all experienced riders. Triathletes and marathoners, most. All >>>>>>> on drop bar carbon or aluminum. Wondering if they should create a slow >>>>>>> and a fast group, my mentor interrupted and said we’ll be one 15-16 mph >>>>>>> group. Leah can hang. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I hadn’t realized *I* was the reason they were considering a slow >>>>>>> group, but there it was. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> That was a challenging ride. Those women were fast. The route was 24 >>>>>>> miles and the wind was strong. I was able to stay in 2nd and 3rd >>>>>>> position but I was working to do it. I loved it; such fun to ride with >>>>>>> bike people and to let them plan the route. We passed by 4 lakes. We >>>>>>> saw tons of wildlife. Cars were nice to us and it felt safe to ride on >>>>>>> roads with the group. I got the “wow, a vintage bike” and “I’d like a >>>>>>> cruiser bike, too” comments, and one comment that assumed I must not be >>>>>>> able to afford a carbon bike. They don’t know how it’s possible not to >>>>>>> be clipped in. They marveled at my kickstand. But, I don’t mind because >>>>>>> it’s so much fun to ride with them. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Observations and Things I’m learning: >>>>>>> 1. Bike diversity is healthy. >>>>>>> It is good for racers to see Rivendells and similar style bikes in >>>>>>> their club rides. It is good for me to appreciate other kinds of bikes >>>>>>> and other riding styles. I can be as guilty as them for thinking my >>>>>>> way/bike are best. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 2. Bringing your practical, Just Ride mentality to a club is good. >>>>>>> It seems racer types don’t know about USING a bike. You cannot have >>>>>>> your carbon frame knocked about in a bike rack, so errands by >>>>>>> bike/commuting isn’t popular. I have been active on the club’s FB >>>>>>> discussion page, and been posting the 30 Days of Biking challenge. I’ve >>>>>>> got pics of my huge grocery hauls on my Shopping Platypus and the like. >>>>>>> Surprisingly, they did not know about this national challenge, and >>>>>>> several of them are now joining me, including my mentor! Riding for >>>>>>> pleasure and errands is a foreign concept to most. They ride to go fast >>>>>>> and get miles and be fit. But, they show genuine interest in riding for >>>>>>> practical reasons. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 3. There are things you can learn from racers. >>>>>>> They are more aware of safety issues than I am. They saved me from a >>>>>>> crash last night by calling out “HOLE!” while my head was turned, >>>>>>> enthralled with the swans on the lake. I saw the hole and swerved just >>>>>>> in time. I also ride too close to the yellow lines in the center of the >>>>>>> road for their comfort and they (rightly) corral me back in. Shifting >>>>>>> is going to matter. I rarely shift, but I noticed that after a stop, >>>>>>> I’m slow to get going and standing on my pedals - because I’m in my >>>>>>> hardest gear, duh. I should learn to anticipate that so I’m in a more >>>>>>> favorable gear when we set off from intersections. There will be more >>>>>>> lessons I glean from them, I am sure. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 4. Club riding will force you to be faster. >>>>>>> Speed hasn’t been a priority for me, but it’s nice to know you *can* be >>>>>>> fast. And if you can be faster, you will likely be fitter. I’m >>>>>>> interested to see how my body responds to these new challenges. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 5. Club riding will teach you about yourself. >>>>>>> The more I ride, the more I learn. My preferences have evolved over the >>>>>>> years, but I think I know how I like my bikes and my gear. I know the >>>>>>> terrain I prefer. But I was doing all my riding alone. Riding with >>>>>>> others shows you where you fall in context, introduces new experiences, >>>>>>> reveals little things you might not know about yourself - like your >>>>>>> biases. Riding with others can show you who you are - good, bad or >>>>>>> ugly. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Two women in my group are interested in a Platypus of their own. My >>>>>>> mentor is saving her pennies for one, and another woman told me last >>>>>>> night she is very interested. Mine will probably be the only Racing >>>>>>> Platypus. But it would be a thrill to see more of these bikes here in >>>>>>> town. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Don’t count yourself out just because you ride a bike that is markedly >>>>>>> different from the norm. Attached are photos from my last 2 club rides. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/086d823e-828a-433c-981d-8ea19ecfa962n%40googlegroups.com. >>> >>> -- >> >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/EICfswhTsI8/unsubscribe. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>> [email protected]. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/37067fd7-eec6-4275-a4f7-f83ea1a72165n%40googlegroups.com. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google > Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this topic, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/EICfswhTsI8/unsubscribe. > To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to > [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/afa2a555-e974-4c83-97b6-a2c4f0a90897n%40googlegroups.com.
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