[RBW] Re: Ride Report: The Willard Bay 200k

[Mack Penner]

Super write-up, Brady! I rode a 200 last month in a bigger group than I'd 
ridden with in the past (2 instead of 1, ha!) and likewise found myself 
pushing when I thought it was un-wise but hanging on nevertheless, building 
confidence along the way. 
Best of luck with the buildup to LEL!
Mack in Alberta 

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 11:01:38 AM UTC-6 Brady Smith wrote:

> I'd been looking forward to this ride for a long time. 
>
> I turned 40 in the fall, not long after my dad was diagnosed with 
> leukemia. He knew he was sick when he started the first day of RAGBRAI last 
> summer and found the first 40 hot and hilly miles of an 80 mile day 
> unbearably, miserably difficult. 
>
> He's fine now, at least for now, having made amazingly quick and 
> complication free work of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, 
> facilitated by the extraordinary generosity of a college student whom I owe 
> a case of beer and then some when we're allowed to know who he is, and the 
> skill of the oncologists and transplant team at the University of Colorado. 
>
> Needless to say, this illness provoked a fair amount of reflection and no 
> small amount of urgency when it comes to cycling, especially since cycling 
> has been so central to our relationship, and since the appearance of the 
> leukemia on a week-long cycling event made it abundantly clear just how 
> quickly one can go from able to not-so-able. 
>
> I've been a randonneur for a while, having gotten into it during my days 
> commuting from Fort Lee, NJ into NYC. Until last year, I'd only ever 
> managed 200ks, largely due to family and work obligations. I've always 
> loved the sport, and wanted to do more, but it was also incredibly easy for 
> things to get in the way, especially given how limited our brevet calendar 
> is where I live now in Utah, and how busy one gets as an educator in the 
> spring. 
>
> This fall, though, I put my name in the lottery for 
> London-Edinburgh-London 2025, and I got in. I've never been a slow rider, 
> but I've never been particularly fast either. My 300k last year was 15 
> hours; I managed 400k in 21 hours, and that with a few flats and a sidewall 
> cut and some patching of tubes at a Wendy's while eating a cheeseburger in 
> the hopes of not having to do it again in the mountains in the dark. 
>
> I could probably manage LEL after a summer of randonneuring, but at 300k a 
> day for five days is imposing no matter what one has done before. I set a 
> goal to get faster--to lose some weight and finally be able to ride with 
> the PBP finishers who always blasted off at the start of our brevets, never 
> to be seen again. I doubled down on weekend nordic skiing this winter and 
> bought a Zwift hub, upon which I mount my Roadini, which is transformed, 
> somewhat irritatinglly, into an S-Works Tarmac in the app. Tired of running 
> alone in the dark and the cold before work, I started riding most mornings, 
> sometimes doing group rides, sometimes racing, sometimes just plugging 
> along next to a pacer bot. 
>
> It's boring but effective. I could tell on my first mountain bike rides 
> this spring that I was stronger. I was climbing hills in higher gears than 
> I ever had before. I set a new personal best up Emigration Canyon a few 
> weeks ago. But a 200k is not a short weekend ride, and my one opportunity 
> to go long ahead of this event was a mixed bag, though in hindsight that 
> was probably entirely due to having spent a few days prior couch surfing in 
> a friends' apartment in NYC. 
>
> When we pulled out of the Centerville Walmart and headed north along a 
> mostly flat course to the tiny town of Corinne, Utah and back again, my 
> plan was "Hold on as long as you can, but no longer." 
>
> It was a beautiful day, with a high of around 70 degrees, and a slight 
> headwind as we moved north, which meant that we would largely have the wind 
> at our backs as we came home. I stayed with the lead group, mostly much 
> more seasoned riders than me, up through the first control, thinking that 
> I'd drop back after we headed out to make sure I didn't blow up later in 
> the ride. 
>
> When push came to shove, though, I kept on going. The second quarter of 
> the ride was hilly and windy, and I started to feel a bit queasy as I 
> worked through a big section of rollers that led up to lunch. 
>
> At lunch, I mentally resolved to drop back and save myself the misery that 
> I figured was out ahead, but after eating and getting back on the road, I 
> couldn't bring myself to do it. I spent fifteen miles yo-yoing off the back 
> of the group, watching my heart rate spike, thinking that I was about to 
> lose them for good, until the pizza/soda/bratwurst/energy bar combo I ate 
> in Corinne kicked in, and I realized I was going to stay with the pack 
> through to the end. 
>
> The last 40 miles or so were pure cycling bliss, a pack of riders on a mix 
> of steel and carbon riding swiftly along the shorelands of 

Re: [RBW] Winter Riding in Alberta

[Mack Penner]

Thanks, John! And thanks, Ian! I love it here on the prairie although it's 
hard not to think that a move to Vic will be at least a slight upgrade :)
Mack 

On Monday, March 4, 2024 at 6:58:28 PM UTC-7 iwdbu...@gmail.com wrote:

> I’m so disappointed that I didn’t discover these videos until today! I’ve 
> been living in southern Alberta for 4 years and I haven’t found much 
> content that captures what it’s like to ride around here. Great videos.
>
> Ian 
> Of Toronto, in Calgary, soon to be Victoria
> On Monday 4 March 2024 at 16:35:06 UTC-7 John Bokman wrote:
>
>> Fantastic vids (Summer, Autumn, Winter)! Reminds me of riding in Western 
>> Montana. Eager to see your spring Vid!
>>
>> John
>> Portland,OR
>>
>> On Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 8:02:34 AM UTC-8 penne...@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> I've updated this series with a tale of winter: 
>>> https://youtu.be/kJDmtL1OyBk?si=4uUgYg0kLhPasb06
>>> Happy Sunday,
>>> Mack
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 11:52:03 AM UTC-6 Mack Penner wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thanks, Stephen! Glad to hear it :)
>>>> Mack 
>>>>
>>>> On Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 8:56:01 PM UTC-6 RBW Owners Bunch wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> These are so good Mack, missed the first one back in august. Makes me 
>>>>> want to go ride my bike.
>>>>>
>>>>> -stephen
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 7:15:22 PM UTC-4 RBW Owners Bunch 
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> For those inclined to follow along, here's my "tale of fall 
>>>>>> <https://youtu.be/QHYWEnqN7s4?si=i8Ymj1yL6kf62I_v>," which in 
>>>>>> southern alberta is now all but over, snow on the ground and still 
>>>>>> falling, 
>>>>>> something like -10 degrees Celsius today. If you're hardcore, you might 
>>>>>> also consider this semi-absurd overnighter 
>>>>>> <https://youtu.be/g5Wgyit7vYs?si=2iADWpUXSwrEZw4m> I took my poor 
>>>>>> brother on at the end of September. 
>>>>>> Mack
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 7:20:18 PM UTC-6 RBW Owners Bunch wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Great looking rides. Been a while since I explored that part of the 
>>>>>>> world. 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 6:40:53 PM UTC-4 Andrew Letton wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Love it!  Especially the butterfly cameo!
>>>>>>>> cheers from Oz,
>>>>>>>> Andrew
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 01:36:32 AM GMT+10, Mack Penner <
>>>>>>>> penne...@gmail.com> wrote: 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi people,
>>>>>>>> I have been on a small eric rohmer kick this year, and when I 
>>>>>>>> started watching the tales of the four seasons it occurred to me that 
>>>>>>>> it 
>>>>>>>> would be fun to document a week of riding in every season. I had the 
>>>>>>>> idea 
>>>>>>>> in the summer, so first up is my tale of the summer. Nothin' fancy, I 
>>>>>>>> just 
>>>>>>>> perched my phone on my water bottle like a hundred times during my 
>>>>>>>> daily 
>>>>>>>> rides in the week from 14-18 August. I was gonna put it to music, but 
>>>>>>>> then 
>>>>>>>> I thought that if the goal is to document seasonal riding vibes the 
>>>>>>>> sounds 
>>>>>>>> that the season makes are important! Filmed in southern alberta on my 
>>>>>>>> atlantis, my joe, my homer, and finally my quickbeam. 
>>>>>>>> Vid's here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR01_FmkQOE>. Hope you 
>>>>>>>> find it fun!
>>>>>>>> Enjoy the rest of August,
>>>>>>>> Mack 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>>> 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 rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
>>>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit 
>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/45f6f00d-fe69-4bf6-8229-011c21473069n%40googlegroups.com
>>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/45f6f00d-fe69-4bf6-8229-011c21473069n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer>
>>>>>>>> .
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>

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Re: [RBW] Winter Riding in Alberta

[Mack Penner]

Cheers, Andy :)
Mack 

On Monday, March 4, 2024 at 2:49:21 AM UTC-7 ascpgh wrote:

> Love the compilation of winter rides! The big Ruthworks rando bag on the 
> last one too. 
>
> Andy Cheatham
> Pittsburgh
>
>
> On Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 11:02:34 AM UTC-5 penne...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> I've updated this series with a tale of winter: 
>> https://youtu.be/kJDmtL1OyBk?si=4uUgYg0kLhPasb06
>> Happy Sunday,
>> Mack
>>
>>
>> On Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 11:52:03 AM UTC-6 Mack Penner wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks, Stephen! Glad to hear it :)
>>> Mack 
>>>
>>> On Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 8:56:01 PM UTC-6 RBW Owners Bunch wrote:
>>>
>>>> These are so good Mack, missed the first one back in august. Makes me 
>>>> want to go ride my bike.
>>>>
>>>> -stephen
>>>>
>>>> On Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 7:15:22 PM UTC-4 RBW Owners Bunch wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> For those inclined to follow along, here's my "tale of fall 
>>>>> <https://youtu.be/QHYWEnqN7s4?si=i8Ymj1yL6kf62I_v>," which in 
>>>>> southern alberta is now all but over, snow on the ground and still 
>>>>> falling, 
>>>>> something like -10 degrees Celsius today. If you're hardcore, you might 
>>>>> also consider this semi-absurd overnighter 
>>>>> <https://youtu.be/g5Wgyit7vYs?si=2iADWpUXSwrEZw4m> I took my poor 
>>>>> brother on at the end of September. 
>>>>> Mack
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 7:20:18 PM UTC-6 RBW Owners Bunch wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Great looking rides. Been a while since I explored that part of the 
>>>>>> world. 
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 6:40:53 PM UTC-4 Andrew Letton wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Love it!  Especially the butterfly cameo!
>>>>>>> cheers from Oz,
>>>>>>> Andrew
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 01:36:32 AM GMT+10, Mack Penner <
>>>>>>> penne...@gmail.com> wrote: 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi people,
>>>>>>> I have been on a small eric rohmer kick this year, and when I 
>>>>>>> started watching the tales of the four seasons it occurred to me that 
>>>>>>> it 
>>>>>>> would be fun to document a week of riding in every season. I had the 
>>>>>>> idea 
>>>>>>> in the summer, so first up is my tale of the summer. Nothin' fancy, I 
>>>>>>> just 
>>>>>>> perched my phone on my water bottle like a hundred times during my 
>>>>>>> daily 
>>>>>>> rides in the week from 14-18 August. I was gonna put it to music, but 
>>>>>>> then 
>>>>>>> I thought that if the goal is to document seasonal riding vibes the 
>>>>>>> sounds 
>>>>>>> that the season makes are important! Filmed in southern alberta on my 
>>>>>>> atlantis, my joe, my homer, and finally my quickbeam. 
>>>>>>> Vid's here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR01_FmkQOE>. Hope you 
>>>>>>> find it fun!
>>>>>>> Enjoy the rest of August,
>>>>>>> Mack 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>> 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 rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
>>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit 
>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/45f6f00d-fe69-4bf6-8229-011c21473069n%40googlegroups.com
>>>>>>>  
>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/45f6f00d-fe69-4bf6-8229-011c21473069n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer>
>>>>>>> .
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>

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Re: [RBW] Winter Riding in Alberta

[Mack Penner]

I've updated this series with a tale of winter: 
https://youtu.be/kJDmtL1OyBk?si=4uUgYg0kLhPasb06
Happy Sunday,
Mack


On Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 11:52:03 AM UTC-6 Mack Penner wrote:

> Thanks, Stephen! Glad to hear it :)
> Mack 
>
> On Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 8:56:01 PM UTC-6 RBW Owners Bunch wrote:
>
>> These are so good Mack, missed the first one back in august. Makes me 
>> want to go ride my bike.
>>
>> -stephen
>>
>> On Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 7:15:22 PM UTC-4 RBW Owners Bunch wrote:
>>
>>> For those inclined to follow along, here's my "tale of fall 
>>> <https://youtu.be/QHYWEnqN7s4?si=i8Ymj1yL6kf62I_v>," which in southern 
>>> alberta is now all but over, snow on the ground and still falling, 
>>> something like -10 degrees Celsius today. If you're hardcore, you might 
>>> also consider this semi-absurd overnighter 
>>> <https://youtu.be/g5Wgyit7vYs?si=2iADWpUXSwrEZw4m> I took my poor 
>>> brother on at the end of September. 
>>> Mack
>>>
>>> On Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 7:20:18 PM UTC-6 RBW Owners Bunch wrote:
>>>
>>>> Great looking rides. Been a while since I explored that part of the 
>>>> world. 
>>>>
>>>> On Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 6:40:53 PM UTC-4 Andrew Letton wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Love it!  Especially the butterfly cameo!
>>>>> cheers from Oz,
>>>>> Andrew
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 01:36:32 AM GMT+10, Mack Penner <
>>>>> penne...@gmail.com> wrote: 
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi people,
>>>>> I have been on a small eric rohmer kick this year, and when I started 
>>>>> watching the tales of the four seasons it occurred to me that it would be 
>>>>> fun to document a week of riding in every season. I had the idea in the 
>>>>> summer, so first up is my tale of the summer. Nothin' fancy, I just 
>>>>> perched 
>>>>> my phone on my water bottle like a hundred times during my daily rides in 
>>>>> the week from 14-18 August. I was gonna put it to music, but then I 
>>>>> thought 
>>>>> that if the goal is to document seasonal riding vibes the sounds that the 
>>>>> season makes are important! Filmed in southern alberta on my atlantis, my 
>>>>> joe, my homer, and finally my quickbeam. 
>>>>> Vid's here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR01_FmkQOE>. Hope you 
>>>>> find it fun!
>>>>> Enjoy the rest of August,
>>>>> Mack 
>>>>>
>>>>> -- 
>>>>> 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 rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit 
>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/45f6f00d-fe69-4bf6-8229-011c21473069n%40googlegroups.com
>>>>>  
>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/45f6f00d-fe69-4bf6-8229-011c21473069n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer>
>>>>> .
>>>>>
>>>>

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[RBW] Re: Susie Longbolts – offload yours on me or talk me out of it?!

[Mack Penner]

Hi Max,

In the spirit of talking you in rather than talking you out: I completely 
love my 59 cm Susie and it would be great for what you describe. 

The only time I think I could stand to add another mountain bike is when I 
don't ride the Susie for a period of time. Otherwise, it does everything 
I'd ever ask of it, from the prairie single track I usually ride to 
occasional visits to the Rockies. 

But thinking of it as a mountain bike sells it short; hillibike is apt. The 
best thing about it is its versatility. It does not ever tempt me (well, I 
don't own a car, but the point stands) to drive to a trailhead, because it 
is super pleasant for cruising along city streets. And for related reasons 
it would make a great touring bike (I'll try that next summer). Last week, 
I did a 65km ride that was half city cruising with my dad, half mtb ride. 
Then, a couple days later, I did 50kms on trails, gravel roads, city 
streets, and a large hike-a-bike segment. Best bike around for that kind of 
mix-and-match stuff. 

And I wouldn't worry for a second about weight. Mine is rackless, but 
otherwise built without a care for weight: super heavy dynamo hub (w front 
and rear lights), super heavy Flyer saddle, super heavy xtra wide steel 
bars, heavy Cliffhanger rims, and heavy 2.8 inch tires. It's right around 
30 pounds and it rides light. My 2TT appaloosa doesn't ever compare, the 
Susie is tons more "sporty." And oh the flex! It's like a dual sus bike 
without all the drawbacks. I also think, fwiw, that it's a great candidate 
for a "light build," and one day I'll prob cannibalize another bike to try 
it out with a light wheelset, 2.2ish inch tires... it would fly. 

Mack 


On Monday, November 20, 2023 at 10:06:25 AM UTC-7 Max S wrote:

> Thinking of getting a fatter-tired bike going for casual Zone 2 sorties 
> and quiet trail riding. (Mainly need a frame as an excuse to use my idle 
> Bullmoose bars... so it goes.) 
>
> If you have a Susie, what's your experience been like? Would you recommend 
> it and for what? Should I try to find a 56 cm Susie (Riv is out of stock), 
> or should I get something else?.. Should I get something custom made 
> that'll be lighter?.. 
>
> - Max "idle lunchtime thoughts on this cool November day while not wanting 
> to do any work nor organize my already overflowing bike room" in MI 
>

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Re: [RBW] Expert level bike commuting strategies?

[Mack Penner]

I think Ted is right: the secret commuting sauce is "zen." I don't commute 
in comparable conditions (small city, Canada, prairies), but I keep it 
interesting by always mixing up routes (if only slightly) and, when 
possible, mixing up the bikes, too (a second wheelset could do that 
trick!). I guess I try to treat commutes less like commutes and more like 
bike rides than can be whatever I want them to be. 

I also love keeping track on Strava, but I have banished any concern about 
avg speeds. 

Counter-intuitively, sometimes taking ridiculous routes helps, too. 
Yesterday, my commute involved pushing my Appaloosa up a steep dirt trail 
covered in snow and ice. Had to squeeze the brakes and make progress a step 
at a time in order to avoid slipping. Easy to laugh at yourself in those 
circumstances. 

Also, potentially unpopular opinion, but single speed helps. Single 
speeding makes "zen" easier, and you'll never have a derailer freeze up in 
a gear you don't like. 

And finally, is it possible to ditch the concept of work clothes? 5 years 
ago, "work clothes" for me meant fancy boots and a blazer. Now, my clothes 
are my clothes and I dress in a way that works for how I get around. I 
still keep the fancy boots and a blazer in my office, but I never wear 
them. 

Good luck out there,
Mack 

On Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 8:42:34 AM UTC-6 ted.l...@gmail.com wrote:

> Bike commuter here. I ditched the second family car a couple of years ago 
> and any time I'm going somewhere without my wife within the city, I'm on my 
> bike. I average about 20 miles per day between commuting to work and other 
> errands around town. I'm also in a less-than-ideal bike city (at least 
> that's what I'm told, I don't think it's that bad... maybe I'm just 
> desensitized at this point). My advice may or may not be all that helpful 
> but I'll offer it anyway:
>
> Find your mental happy place, your "zen" if you want to call it that. For 
> me, that was understanding that I can't control what other people do and 
> just expect it, handle it and move on. I'm far happier if I don't let 
> things outside of my control bother me. Stuff in the bike lane, aggressive 
> drivers yelling at me, inattentive drivers turning in front of me. I have 
> found that if I just expect every car to turn in front of me and every bike 
> lane to be blocked, I don't get mad and I just shake my head and move on 
> with my life. Part of this, too, has been exploring alternate routes. If I 
> take a route that's full of inattentive dockless scooter riders, maybe I'll 
> see if I can find a less crowded way to get through that section of my 
> route, even if it means adding extra to the route.
>
> My last piece of advice is to check out Ride with GPS's route planner 
>  and their public heatmaps. I have 
> found that this, in conjunction with Google Map's bike navigation can help 
> me avoid bad roads and ride routes that other cyclists ride regularly. To 
> me, this indicates that either there is good infrastructure along that 
> route or, at the very least, drivers might be more accustomed to seeing 
> bikes along that route. 
>
> I hope you found that information helpful.
>
> On Thu, Oct 26, 2023 at 10:26 AM Michael Morrissey  
> wrote:
>
>> Lately I have been biking to work again, from my home in Queens to work 
>> in Manhattan. Unfortunately, my commute is less than ideal. There are few 
>> bike lanes in my neighborhood. I leave at 6:30, when it’s dark and cold 
>> outside. There are lots of big trucks and fast drivers. It’s hilly. Then, 
>> when I get to the bike lane section of the ride, it’s crowded with electric 
>> bikes, deliveristas, and stand-up electric scooters. 
>>
>> My commute is 7.8 miles point to point, and I make it in about 53 
>> minutes. I started keeping track of my times on Strava. I like looking at 
>> my records (eastbound across Central Park in 1:40!) but I feel Strava is 
>> mostly a record of how long I get stuck at red lights. There are so many 
>> stoplights that I struggle to raise my average speed over 11 MPH. 
>>
>> I use one Ortlieb bag, and I’ve tried to lighten my load as much as 
>> possible. Yet, I still feel like I am carrying a lot to work. One thing 
>> I’ve been doing is rolling my work clothes and putting rubber bands around 
>> them. That helps with the organization.
>>
>> I’m riding my Rivendell Appaloosa with a big back rack and fenders. 
>> Fortunately, even after riding it for about 7 years, the bike still feels 
>> amazing. I also feel great getting so much exercise, and I find I feel I 
>> have more energy on days I ride compared to when I take the subway.
>>
>> I was wondering if anyone has any bike commuting advice? I’m finding it 
>> hard to stay motivated. I want advanced level advice - not just “keep your 
>> tires pumped up,” but more along the lines of “Buy 5 Bromptons and have 
>> your wife drop them off at work every Sunday so you can ride one home 

Re: [RBW] Fall Riding in Alberta

[Mack Penner]

Thanks, Stephen! Glad to hear it :)
Mack 

On Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 8:56:01 PM UTC-6 RBW Owners Bunch wrote:

> These are so good Mack, missed the first one back in august. Makes me want 
> to go ride my bike.
>
> -stephen
>
> On Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 7:15:22 PM UTC-4 RBW Owners Bunch wrote:
>
>> For those inclined to follow along, here's my "tale of fall 
>> <https://youtu.be/QHYWEnqN7s4?si=i8Ymj1yL6kf62I_v>," which in southern 
>> alberta is now all but over, snow on the ground and still falling, 
>> something like -10 degrees Celsius today. If you're hardcore, you might 
>> also consider this semi-absurd overnighter 
>> <https://youtu.be/g5Wgyit7vYs?si=2iADWpUXSwrEZw4m> I took my poor 
>> brother on at the end of September. 
>> Mack
>>
>> On Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 7:20:18 PM UTC-6 RBW Owners Bunch wrote:
>>
>>> Great looking rides. Been a while since I explored that part of the 
>>> world. 
>>>
>>> On Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 6:40:53 PM UTC-4 Andrew Letton wrote:
>>>
>>>> Love it!  Especially the butterfly cameo!
>>>> cheers from Oz,
>>>> Andrew
>>>>
>>>> On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 01:36:32 AM GMT+10, Mack Penner <
>>>> penne...@gmail.com> wrote: 
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hi people,
>>>> I have been on a small eric rohmer kick this year, and when I started 
>>>> watching the tales of the four seasons it occurred to me that it would be 
>>>> fun to document a week of riding in every season. I had the idea in the 
>>>> summer, so first up is my tale of the summer. Nothin' fancy, I just 
>>>> perched 
>>>> my phone on my water bottle like a hundred times during my daily rides in 
>>>> the week from 14-18 August. I was gonna put it to music, but then I 
>>>> thought 
>>>> that if the goal is to document seasonal riding vibes the sounds that the 
>>>> season makes are important! Filmed in southern alberta on my atlantis, my 
>>>> joe, my homer, and finally my quickbeam. 
>>>> Vid's here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR01_FmkQOE>. Hope you 
>>>> find it fun!
>>>> Enjoy the rest of August,
>>>> Mack 
>>>>
>>>> -- 
>>>> 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 rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
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>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/45f6f00d-fe69-4bf6-8229-011c21473069n%40googlegroups.com
>>>>  
>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/45f6f00d-fe69-4bf6-8229-011c21473069n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer>
>>>> .
>>>>
>>>

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Re: [RBW] Fall Riding in Alberta

[Mack Penner]

For those inclined to follow along, here's my "tale of fall 
<https://youtu.be/QHYWEnqN7s4?si=i8Ymj1yL6kf62I_v>," which in southern 
alberta is now all but over, snow on the ground and still falling, 
something like -10 degrees Celsius today. If you're hardcore, you might 
also consider this semi-absurd overnighter 
<https://youtu.be/g5Wgyit7vYs?si=2iADWpUXSwrEZw4m> I took my poor brother 
on at the end of September. 
Mack

On Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 7:20:18 PM UTC-6 RBW Owners Bunch wrote:

> Great looking rides. Been a while since I explored that part of the world. 
>
> On Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 6:40:53 PM UTC-4 Andrew Letton wrote:
>
>> Love it!  Especially the butterfly cameo!
>> cheers from Oz,
>> Andrew
>>
>> On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 01:36:32 AM GMT+10, Mack Penner <
>> penne...@gmail.com> wrote: 
>>
>>
>> Hi people,
>> I have been on a small eric rohmer kick this year, and when I started 
>> watching the tales of the four seasons it occurred to me that it would be 
>> fun to document a week of riding in every season. I had the idea in the 
>> summer, so first up is my tale of the summer. Nothin' fancy, I just perched 
>> my phone on my water bottle like a hundred times during my daily rides in 
>> the week from 14-18 August. I was gonna put it to music, but then I thought 
>> that if the goal is to document seasonal riding vibes the sounds that the 
>> season makes are important! Filmed in southern alberta on my atlantis, my 
>> joe, my homer, and finally my quickbeam. 
>> Vid's here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR01_FmkQOE>. Hope you find 
>> it fun!
>> Enjoy the rest of August,
>> Mack 
>>
>> -- 
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>> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
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>> email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
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>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/45f6f00d-fe69-4bf6-8229-011c21473069n%40googlegroups.com
>>  
>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/45f6f00d-fe69-4bf6-8229-011c21473069n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email_source=footer>
>> .
>>
>

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Re: [RBW] 2.25 Thunder Burt on a Platypus?

[Mack Penner]

Hi Justin,
FWIW, the April 28 email newsletter featured a 60cm web special platy with 
2.3" Teravail Ehlines. Will said: "It clears easily, although I wouldn't go 
any bigger. I suspect these tires are measured knob to knob, because 
calipers showed them as closer to 2.1 than 2.3. Still good!"
Mack 

On Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 3:29:05 PM UTC-6 fra...@gmail.com wrote:

> I would say it isn’t likely. I have the Soma Cazadero 700x50mm on my 
> wife’s 55 with Cliffhanger rims and there is no room to spare. 
> On Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 7:10:49 AM UTC-7 ted.l...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> No specific experience mounting that combo but I can tell you that 2.25" 
>> tires on Cliffhanger rims, for me, measured 60mm. If you've got calipers, 
>> you could check the spacing between tubes and get an idea from that.
>>
>> On Tue, Oct 17, 2023 at 10:04 AM Justin Kennedy  
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I know it's beyond the official max tire size but wondering if anyone 
>>> has experience with big ol' tires on your Platy. Specifically, a 29'er 2.25 
>>> Thunder Burt (mounted on a Cliffhanger) on a 60cm Platypus. Thanks!  
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> 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 rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
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>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/485c9ac2-2e2b-41ef-b9fb-303ab0cc7158n%40googlegroups.com
>>>  
>>> 
>>> .
>>>
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Ted Wood < ted.l...@gmail.com >
>>
>

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[RBW] Re: Tire advice for my Toyo homer/max tire size

[Mack Penner]

Hi James,
My 67cm Toyo Homer wouldn't clear a knobby 44, I don't think. With Dyad 
rims (18.6mm internal), I've run 43mm Gravel King SKs (not exactly knobby) 
and that was just fine, although it was admittedly very tight at the 
chainstays, and if I recall those tires were measuring in the neighbourhood 
of 41.??mm actual when mounted. When I was running wider rims (Crust, 23mm 
internal), 40mm was about the max in the rear, and even a 38 wasn't exactly 
swimming in mms of clearance. In the fork, a knobby 44 would probably clear 
(I ran the 43mm Gravel King SK on the Crust rim with no clearance concerns 
at all in the fork). FWIW, I think my next Homer tires will be 40mm 
Challenge Strada Bianca.
Mack in Alberta

On Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 7:25:23 PM UTC-6 James wrote:

> My Barlow-pass tires blew a sidewall the other day and I'm in the market.  
> I mostly ride pavement but take it on train and across fields on occasion.  
> I have my eyes set on the Rene Herse 700x44 Manastash, the Soma Cazadero, 
> the Rene Herse Hurricane Ridge, or Schwalbe G-One R or Overland.
>
> Anyone got any experience with these tires they can speak to?  Do ya'll 
> know what size a 700c Toyo homer accommodates?  Not sure a knobby 44 would 
> fit...
>

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Re: [RBW] Summer Riding in Alberta

[Mack Penner]

Thanks for the kind notes, J and Jared and Andrew and Scott and Randy. Glad 
you enjoyed watching :)
Mack 

On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 6:31:00 AM UTC-6 larson@gmail.com 
wrote:

> Very nice! The simple and enjoyable act of riding a bicycle is captured 
> very well. Not all rides need to be epic with awesome mountain scenery.
> Randy in WI
>
> On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 12:21:10 AM UTC-5 psc...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Mack,   Nicely done!  Really enjoyable to watch and listen.  (no music, 
>> yay!)
>
>

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[RBW] Summer Riding in Alberta

[Mack Penner]

Hi people,
I have been on a small eric rohmer kick this year, and when I started 
watching the tales of the four seasons it occurred to me that it would be 
fun to document a week of riding in every season. I had the idea in the 
summer, so first up is my tale of the summer. Nothin' fancy, I just perched 
my phone on my water bottle like a hundred times during my daily rides in 
the week from 14-18 August. I was gonna put it to music, but then I thought 
that if the goal is to document seasonal riding vibes the sounds that the 
season makes are important! Filmed in southern alberta on my atlantis, my 
joe, my homer, and finally my quickbeam. 
Vid's here . Hope you find it 
fun!
Enjoy the rest of August,
Mack 

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[RBW] Re: Roaduno

[Mack Penner]

The mid-May Blahg  has 
em slated for December in purple and dark orange. 
Mack in Alberta 

On Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 4:21:05 PM UTC-6 Bill Lindsay wrote:

> The latest update they published was in February. saying they'd ship put 
> of Taiwan in August/September.  That same email update said there would be 
> a lugged Susie shipping in June and Platypus in July.  The Susie's don't 
> seem to be here yet, so maybe push everything back a little.  October?
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 1:54:59 PM UTC-7 Dick Combs wrote:
>
>> Anyone got any news/updates on availability?
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: FS: 61cm Roadini Complete

[Mack Penner]

This Roadini is sold! Thanks to Kevin, and to Jared for the shout out!MackOn Mar 2, 2023, at 5:23 PM, JW  wrote:Smoking deal from a solid seller, someone jump on this!JaredOn Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 4:01:43 PM UTC-8 penne...@gmail.com wrote:2020 Orange Roadini, 61cm, complete sans pedals and saddle, $1200usd shipped to CONUS from Alberta, CanadaFrameset is in very good condition, a little over 300 miles on it. No issues to note, other than clarifying that this version of the frame maxes out at a 38mm tire. Otherwise, the build:Nitto Albatross Handlebar (mounted upside down these are excellent "alt drops")Nitto Technomic stem 110mmOury lock-on gripsMiscellaneous Newbaum'sDia-Compe SS6 brake leversTektro long reachersSilver shifter on the thumb mountGran Compe shifter on the downtubeStock seatpostMavic CXP Elite x Shimano wheelset700x32 Panaracer Gravel Kings (I think they called this colour "olive")Clipper/Sugino Crankset, 175mm arms, 50x34 (non-original chainrings)Deore rear derailerSunRace R90 front derailerShimano bbSurely I'm forgetting something, but that'll do for now. Questions? Ask away! I have more photos - if you're interested send me an email off-list and I'll turn the rest of the photo batch around, or take any additional photos you'd like to see. Cheers and thanks,Mack 



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[RBW] Re: Back On A Platypus

[Mack Penner]

I loved this bike, and loved it 3x1 most of all. So glad that Jared is 
keeping the 3x1 Platy alive (along with many of its stickers, which is no 
small thing on account of the strange bunch I had on there). Such a great 
build!

The northbound Susie will get here early next week. I'll get it built up 
within a week or so, hopefully, and then I'll try to remember to hijack 
this Platy thread with a Susie build photo. I'm hoping to wind up with 
something like a fatter tire, higher bb version of the Platy. In any case, 
both of the bikes that come out of this trade will be 3x1 :) 

Mack

On Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 6:38:45 PM UTC-7 DavidP wrote:

> Nice! That Platy looks ready for anything. I love the versatility of this 
> bike.
>
> -Dave
>
> On Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 7:02:45 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote:
>
>> That's a fine bicycle, Jared! I did a 3x1 a few years ago and loved it, 
>> it taught me that I often downshift a rear cassette unnecessarily. 3 gears 
>> is enough! 
>>
>> Joe Bernard 
>>
>> On Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 3:55:01 PM UTC-8 Jared Wilson wrote:
>>
>>> Through various dealings the last year I worked my way down to only a 
>>> Susie, trying to convince myself that I wasn't overbiking, but I was. I 
>>> didn't need the tall BB or the clearance for 2.8's for the type of riding I 
>>> generally do, and for the amount of time I spend on trails it was hard to 
>>> justify having so much bike.
>>>
>>> Some of you may remember a WTT posting from the end of '22, I was 
>>> looking to trade for a 60cm Platypus to fill in the gap that was left when 
>>> I gave my wife my old 60cm and we sold her 55cm. Shortly after posting I 
>>> was approached by Mack with the Canadian Caveat, but we were determined to 
>>> make it worthwhile for both parties. After Mack crunched some numbers and 
>>> we wheeled and dealed a bit we came to an agreement and would soon have new 
>>> steeds!
>>>
>>> I received my new to me Platypus on Thursday of last week and wasted no 
>>> time getting it set up. Mack had a killer 3x1 drivetrain and I knew I'd 
>>> like to try the same, so I acquired some parts and pieced it together. I'm 
>>> still dialing in this set up but so far it's showing a lot of promise and I 
>>> couldn't be more grateful for Mack's advice along the way.
>>>
>>> So here it is, as of the ride I just got back from, and I'm so happy to 
>>> be back on a Platypus.
>>>
>>> Jared in SLO, CA
>>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Using Your Rivendell Vs. Being Precious: A Spectrum

[Mack Penner]

 Patrick, Dustin: don't worry too much about me. -20 and calmish around 
here is much preferable to the alternative of, say, 5 degrees with 80kmh 
winds. One way or the other, Patrick is correct: it's dry as can be in 
these parts. My coldest-feeling commutes were living near Toronto, where 
it's much wetter. I'm also not that hardcore - my buddy Andrew in Calgary 
(hi Andrew, he's in the group) is twice as hardcore when it comes to winter 
commutes, and in harsh winter places like Edmonton and Winnipeg there are 
some real maniacs, I think. 

To your question, Patrick, I am large load capable with the Joe but the 
basket/rack combo is pretty light, and the bags usually aren't full. Often 
just a big U-lock in the saddle bag and my messenger in the basket. Today, 
not joking, I lost traction and did a 
slow-motion-almost-360-degree-pirouette/donut on a parking lot ice sheet 
and stayed upright, so handling is fine! 

Anyways, blah blah blah, I'm glad to be riding the Joe when I wouldn't have 
before. 

Mack 

On Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 1:20:41 PM UTC-7 joshm...@gmail.com wrote:

> Imo one of the saddest things you can write in a FS post is "barely ridden"
>
> On Sat, Nov 5, 2022, 6:15 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!  
> wrote:
>
>> Did you read Grant’s Blahg? He covers a lot of ground, but most notable 
>> to me was the Please Don’t Be Precious About Your Rivendell section. In 
>> sum, Grant is saying it saddens him to think of people riding beater bikes 
>> instead of their Rivendells to do daily, monotonous tasks - because those 
>> tasks make up a lot of real life. If one “saves” their Rivendell, it will 
>> not realize its potential, sit mostly unused and then pass to one’s heirs 
>> who will sell it in “near mint” condition on EBay, and how sad. What was 
>> the bike for?
>>
>> I have found myself both guilty and innocent on the matter. My #1 
>> favorite bike is my raspberry Platypus. I ride it all the time, because I 
>> bought it to ride it, but I also dread any harm coming to it, and I do 
>> guard it from that. I got a second Platypus that I dedicated to shopping 
>> and traveling with and promised not to be precious about it. But now and 
>> then I still am tempted to backslide. When traveling to the Philly Bike 
>> Expo I dithered about which bike to bring. I didn’t want my raspberry Platy 
>> damaged while locked up at racks and I feared it being stolen. Roberta 
>> said, “I don’t think you have a choice, Leah. That’s the bike people will 
>> expect you to bring.” And she was right, and I did. 
>>
>> Then, there is Pam. Pam is at the other far end of the spectrum. Her bike 
>> is a model of beausage. Innumerable paint chips and little spots of rust 
>> cover her tiny Betty frame. Her Backabike bags are full of holes and the 
>> elastic closures are worn out. She locks it up and never worries about it. 
>> She did not obsessively stare out the restaurant window to see if it was 
>> still locked to the rack while we were at dinner (like yours truly). But 
>> she loves her bike, has real affection for it. She looked at me, eyes 
>> shining, and said exactly that. Ana, PurpleRiv, is another good example to 
>> us. She adores her bike, but has not spared it from hard work. Her bike has 
>> hauled obscene loads and taken her everywhere. I remember there was that 
>> one fateful camping trip for she 1. Posed it for a photo, only to have it 
>> topple and slide down the face of a boulder next to it. I believe she said 
>> she sat there and wept for 2 hours over her Joe Bell paint. And who among 
>> us would not do the same? 2. Same trip, another photo op, and the bike fell 
>> off a cliff. 
>>
>> So, who truly loves their Rivendell? The one who lavishes it with care 
>> and protection? Or the one who pulls it out of the garage and into all of 
>> life - the mundane and the adventurous? 
>>
>> On one end of the spectrum we have those who will only take a Rivendell 
>> out for special occasions so as not to spoil it, and on the other…well, we 
>> have Pam and Ana, who will give it a good thrashing. (Oh, don’t take it 
>> personally, friends, I’m being funny about both types of owners.)
>>
>> I find myself wanting to be precious but fighting it and succeeding 
>> *most* of the time. I’m lucky that the raspberry paint hides beausage and 
>> dirt, so it looks pretty new. But a dent in the top tube or a large chip in 
>> the paint would really hurt my feelings. Heaven help me. 
>>
>> Where are you on the spectrum? What words of wisdom might you have? What 
>> strategies do you employ? Do you want to change? Or are you 
>> unapologetically staying put on the matter? It might be fun to hear 
>> perspectives.
>> Leah
>>
>>
>>
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Re: [RBW] Is a Gus the right choice for me? Would a Platypus be better?

[Mack Penner]

Hi Jacob,
Based on the kind of riding you describe, I'd lean Platy. I have had mine 
set up mainly with the Juan Martin's (100mm stem), which are great on 
trails for the control I get from the width, and also good on roads because 
of the hand position at the bend. I have never felt too upright on them. I 
also have a long torso (6'7"). I have mostly run 2.2 inch mtb tires, but 
with tires in the mid-40s it feels plenty quick. Your RH tires would be 
great on a platy, imo. 
If you like the stiffness you get from the Bridge Club, though, watch out. 
I call the plat my dual suspension bike! Lots of flex (I'm 210 pounds). I 
think Will has described it's ride as kinda feeling like surfing, which is 
true to my experience although, come to think of it, I've never surfed. 
Mack 


On Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:39:19 AM UTC-7 jacob...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> That’s a valid point. I hate valid points. The head says Platy and the 
> heart says Gus. 
>
> I run the 700x55 Rene Herse on the BC most of the time. My alternative 
> wheelset is 27.5x2.8. Sometimes it feels like the 55’s are too plush? That 
> probably sounds crazy but I’ve never cared for them. Too expensive to not 
> use though. 
>
> I wonder what the wheelbase is on an XL Gus? The Ibis is a long bike. 
>
> I like fenders but never seem to use them. I’ve got a 1Up rack and the 
> arms clamp on the tire. 
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Nov 12, 2022, at 1:10 PM, Brian Turner  wrote:
>
> 
>
> Another factor of Gus to consider: tire size. You say you would be riding 
> the largest frame size in either, but would want tires suited more for 
> paved riding. The Gus is such a huge bike ( I feel like my Medium 54cm is 
> massive), and the XL sizes just furthers their massiveness. No slight to 
> anyone running an XL Gus, but I think even with 2.5 - 2.8 tires, they look 
> small and disproportional on the XL size because everything is so spread 
> out. Maybe fitted with some fenders to take up some of the room it could 
> look better, but I just find it a bit odd-looking and I would say the same 
> for all the long wheelbase Riv models and skinny(er) tires. All that extra 
> space just begs for fat rubber, IMO. I know it probably comes across as 
> superficial and picky, but I'm a stickler for function and the form of 
> proportion when it comes to bikes.
>
> On Sat, Nov 12, 2022 at 12:36 PM Jacob Byard  wrote:
>
>> Thanks for all the replies. It has given me some new things to consider. 
>>
>> @Mark C- I'm tall enough to ride the largest frame in either the Platy or 
>> Gus. Then reach comes into play. Right now I'm using a 120mm stem on a 
>> large Surly Bridge Club and could probably stand a 130mm or even a 140mm. 
>> I've also got an Ibis hardtail in an XL size. With the sloping top tube I 
>> clear the stand over and I'm able to use a short 60mm stem for a very 
>> comfortable reach. The high bottom bracket doesn't bother me and in my 
>> local area it's a plus. All the trails here are very rocky so the extra 
>> height is welcomed. The Ibis would be the bike normally ride on those 
>> trails but at times I do pick the wrong bike. 
>>
>> @Brian- I've used Billie bars on my Long Haul Trucker and found them 
>> comfortable but they made me so upright that I never got out of the wind 
>> and it felt like my pedaling changed to a less efficient position. I had 
>> Doom Bars make me a copy of the Uncle Ron's Ortho bars and put them on my 
>> Crust Lighting Bolt and ran into the same problem. True those bikes are not 
>> designed around a hugely sweptback bar so the Gus/ Platy would be better 
>> suited. I like the width and angle of the Jones bar or even the Crust Juan 
>> Martin bar. Those are probably my first choice. I don't think I'd be as 
>> upright with either. 
>>
>> I can't imagine any bike being more overbuilt than my Bridge Club. I've 
>> loaded that thing down with full racks/ panniers with zero flex. I'm heavy 
>> and have never managed to get disc rub. Have to say it's a well built bike. 
>> On Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:40:57 AM UTC-5 Mark C wrote:
>>
>>> The Platypus sounds perfect for you. I got the Rosco Platypus with the 
>>> same geometry and am amazed at how versatile it is. It is turning into my 
>>> favorite mountain bike, and for everything else too. Yes, the "top tube" is 
>>> shorter than the Gus, but far longer than most bikes. I was surprised that 
>>> I needed about a 110 stem extension, but that is with Bosco bars; you 
>>> should be able to use about anything on a Platypus with the right stem, at 
>>> least if you don't buy too small a size. 
>>>
>>> The other big thing is bottom bracket height (drop). You don't need the 
>>> higher bottom bracket, and I certainly prefer the lower one. If you do 
>>> still want the longer reach and longer wheelbase, it would be worth 
>>> conidering the Clem too.
>>> On Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 10:00:30 AM UTC-5 rmro...@gmail.com 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 This will be interesting to 

Re: [RBW] Re: Using Your Rivendell Vs. Being Precious: A Spectrum

[Mack Penner]

Theft scares me , too. I have some pretty hardcore locks and don't lock up 
for hours at a time if I can avoid it.

It may be possible to breathe a little easier in places where the bike 
culture is, let's say, highly modern. This might encompass a lot of places. 
Even if I struggle to totally believe it, a bike shop owner around here in 
southern Alberta told me that a decently locked bike without suspension 
basically isn't going to be stolen. I'm sure that silver or polished (ie 
"old looking") components make a bike even less interesting to would-be 
thieves. A basket might make a thief roll their eyes! Swept back bars? 
Puke! Suspension mountain bikes dominate the scene here, and I'm sure that 
the rapid takeover of all sorts of e-bikes further concentrates the efforts 
of real thieves on a particular part of the spectrum. 

Something Riv-ish and well-locked so as not to entice an opportunist is 
probably pretty safe in my neck of the woods, at least, even if I still 
worry. 

Mack 

On Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 1:34:52 PM UTC-7 Mackenzy Albright wrote:

> after riding a lot of bikes in a lot of terrible conditions i've come to 
> find for the most part a semi well maintained bike is pretty robust and not 
> so worried anymore. 
>
> the two things that DO worry me is 
>
> 1. bike theft. Having a bike you can lock up. Ideally the workplace has 
> secure bike parking and if I park for less than a few hours neighborhood 
> pending. I no longer bar hop and in general pretty careful about where to 
> park for short periods. Knock on wood aside from a few stolen bits and bobs 
> off my bikes never had any real major theft. 
>
> 2. SALT. Previously living in Alberta, they put some sort of demonic 
> liquid ice melt on the paths. I used the 45north Kavas on my winter bike 
> and they were great in all conditions and especially on ice and hardpack 
> snow. The ice melt would melt through snow and ice making some sort of 
> corrosive slurry that felt like riding on wet sand at a beach. The ice 
> slurry ate through an imperfect powder-coat on my SSFGmtb "winter bike". By 
> spring it was bubbling and flaking terribly and lead to a lot of rust that 
> I have yet to deal with since moving other than a good scrub and light 
> oiling. It's fine as "beausage" on my Marino winter bike - but would have 
> been pretty choked if it were a Riv or Crust 4x the cost and meant as a 
> "lifer".  If they just left the packed snow it'd been fine and i'd ride any 
> bike in the snow with studded tires. 
>
> I feel quite guilty if i'm not using most of my bikes regularly. 
>
> On Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 11:23:49 AM UTC-8 penne...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> Thanks, Jim. I’m running studs in the front (Schwalbe Marathon 29x2.0), 
>> but not in the back. On days like today, studs on both ends would be 
>> better, but where I live we are prone to warm (and fierce) chinook winds, 
>> which means that the roads will be clearish for a big chunk of the winter, 
>> so I compromise. There is a 90+% chance that I’ll lose rear traction and 
>> fall a time or two this winter, but I’ll be wearing lots of clothes so it 
>> won’t hurt too bad! If I had the clearance you’ve got on a Clem, I might 
>> even run something bigger and spikier (?) like the Schwalbe Ice Spiker, 
>> which I think comes in 29x2.25. Along with Schwalbe, 45NRTH seems to be the 
>> other good option for studs. They have a tire called the Kahva that is also 
>> 29x2.25. 
>>
>> Mack
>> (apologies to the thread if this message appears twice, I'm having email 
>> problems)
>>
>> On Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 11:55:07 AM UTC-7 Jim Whorton wrote:
>>
>>> Mack, I like that setup on your Joe a lot.  Cool!  Are those 2-inchers 
>>> studded?  
>>>
>>> I use studded tires in winter (Continental Spike Claw 26 x 2.1") that I 
>>> got cheap through Craigslist.  I have thought of getting a set of studded 
>>> tires for my Clem, but would need 700c and haven't begun to sort that out.  
>>>
>>> On Tue, Nov 8, 2022 at 1:39 PM Mack Penner  wrote:
>>>
>>>> Grant's blahg was a bit of a kick in the pants for me. Here is a photo 
>>>> of my just-winterized Joe in a snowbank on my commute this morning. This 
>>>> commute would have previously been earmarked for my "beater," which I've 
>>>> decided to give to my brother, so he can squirm through the snow on 30mm 
>>>> studded tires while I plow (and sometimes squirm), on 2-inchers. 
>>>> Coping in -20 degrees on the prairies,
>>>> Mack 
>>>>
>>>> On Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 7:35:19 PM UTC-7 Jas

Re: [RBW] Re: Using Your Rivendell Vs. Being Precious: A Spectrum

[Mack Penner]

 

Thanks, Jim. I’m running studs in the front (Schwalbe Marathon 29x2.0), but 
not in the back. On days like today, studs on both ends would be better, 
but where I live we are prone to warm (and fierce) chinook winds, which 
means that the roads will be clearish for a big chunk of the winter, so I 
compromise. There is a 90+% chance that I’ll lose rear traction and fall a 
time or two this winter, but I’ll be wearing lots of clothes so it won’t 
hurt too bad! If I had the clearance you’ve got on a Clem, I might even run 
something bigger and spikier (?) like the Schwalbe Ice Spiker, which I 
think comes in 29x2.25. Along with Schwalbe, 45NRTH seems to be the other 
good option for studs. They have a tire called the Kahva that is also 
29x2.25. 

Mack
(apologies to the thread if this message appears twice, I'm having email 
problems)

On Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 11:55:07 AM UTC-7 Jim Whorton wrote:

> Mack, I like that setup on your Joe a lot.  Cool!  Are those 2-inchers 
> studded?  
>
> I use studded tires in winter (Continental Spike Claw 26 x 2.1") that I 
> got cheap through Craigslist.  I have thought of getting a set of studded 
> tires for my Clem, but would need 700c and haven't begun to sort that out.  
>
> On Tue, Nov 8, 2022 at 1:39 PM Mack Penner  wrote:
>
>> Grant's blahg was a bit of a kick in the pants for me. Here is a photo of 
>> my just-winterized Joe in a snowbank on my commute this morning. This 
>> commute would have previously been earmarked for my "beater," which I've 
>> decided to give to my brother, so he can squirm through the snow on 30mm 
>> studded tires while I plow (and sometimes squirm), on 2-inchers. 
>> Coping in -20 degrees on the prairies,
>> Mack 
>>
>> On Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 7:35:19 PM UTC-7 Jason Fuller wrote:
>>
>>> Your two examples, Pam and Ana, are by no coincidence also my two 
>>> biggest role models when it comes to using the heck out of one's beautiful 
>>> bike. I try to channel them all the time, and in fact, I recently sold the 
>>> Charlie because I was finally able to fully accept that its existence in my 
>>> quiver was to be a "lockable" alternative to the Hillborne - and I should 
>>> just ride the Hillborne [but be smart about it]. The Hillborne is closing 
>>> on 8000km and the Bombadil nearing 5000km which is nothing compared to 
>>> Pam's numbers, but I'm proud of the mileage nonetheless - and optimistic 
>>> that this is just the beginning.  
>>>
>>> I spent a somewhat embarassing amount of money on the Bombadil's 
>>> repaint, but generally haven't been too fussed about the scratches I've put 
>>> into that paint - with one exception: it fell over once and the Paul brake 
>>> lever put a sizeable gouge in the top tube's paint.  It looks horrible 
>>> because it doesn't look like a scratch from riding, it looks like a scratch 
>>> from poor care. So if you ever wonder why I put a "BIKE" sticker in such an 
>>> odd spot on my bike... it's to cover that scratch (photo from today's cold 
>>> and wet ride) 
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sunday, 6 November 2022 at 18:04:25 UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com wrote:
>>>
>>>> Since this is the my first time owning a Rivendell bicycle; a Clem Jr. 
>>>> "L", I have grown to appreciate it more and more when I ride it. Purchased 
>>>> it mid-September of this year. I am relieved and happy at the same time to 
>>>> be able love this bike, after years from retiring my road bike (2012); a 
>>>> 1973 Cilo Sprint-X turned into a sports touring bike with drop bars. It 
>>>> fit 
>>>> me well. However, I became older and grew tried of riding in the drops. I 
>>>> struggled with my Raleigh Elkhorn in a lot of modifications that led to 
>>>> not 
>>>> riding the bike very much in the long run. 
>>>>
>>>> Generally, the material possessions that I own, I take good care of and 
>>>> not see them neglected. Knowing that my Clem Jr. "L" is not your everyday 
>>>> production bike and not that easy to replace, I plan on not locking it up 
>>>> and not letting out of my sight. My Cilo I never locked her up nor out of 
>>>> my sight. I do have a garage for my bikes. Yes, I would be very sad to 
>>>> have 
>>>> my Clem Jr. "L" stolen. I do not have a back up  bike for it at his time. 
>>>>
>>>> I know over time, there will be nicks, scuffs, scratches and deep cuts 
>>>> into the paint and 

[RBW] Inaugural tour on new-to-me Atlantis

[Mack Penner]

I wrote up a relatively brief tour from which I am just home, here: 
https://macksmilkshakes.tumblr.com/post/691589419370676224/pfrecord-scratchkw-tour-2022

The place references might be too local! Oh well. 

Cheers,

Mack in Alberta 

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[RBW] Re: WTB: 68cm Atlantis

[Mack Penner]

Thanks, all! I'm 6'7", but mercifully my pbh is sort of 6'4"ish, round 
about 96.5 or 97, with a saddle height of 85.5 or 86 depending on a few 
things. As you can imagine, I spent years on (non-Riv) 60s and 61s running 
a ton of seatpost to make it work. My 60cm Platypus (love it) is going to 
survive these developments, as is my 62cm Appaloosa, but otherwise I'm 
gettin' rid of everything else. I couldn't say whether it's all down to 
frame size, but these big ones (Atlantis and 67cm Homer, QB isn't built up 
yet) ride great, and I think they look better than smaller bikes that are 
set up "big." I'm now definitely an apostle of "bigger is better" which, to 
be fair, is easier to say now than it was before! 
Mack 

On Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 11:10:30 AM UTC-6 Cal Patterson wrote:

>
> Wow that is such a good looking bike. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 68 
> before, xl frames just look so dang good to my eye. I love how you’ve built 
> it too. I’m starting to think I could fit a much bigger atlantis than I 
> previously thought, inspired by this picture..
> On Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 9:42:02 AM UTC-7 larson@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> What a beautiful Atlantis! At just over 6’4” I can appreciate these bikes 
>> and hope to someday own a larger Atlantis. Great work and I bet it rides 
>> nice.
>> Randy
>>
>> On Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 9:49:12 AM UTC-5 brettjc...@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> What a great looking bike. The pink case on the Wahoo is a really nice 
>>> touch. 
>>>
>>> On Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 7:39:11 AM UTC-7 mark etze wrote:
>>>
>>>> That's a great looking Atlantis. I am always sorta looking for 68cm 
>>>> Riv's and when I saw your WTB I just figured there was no chance you would 
>>>> get one because they are so rare. Congratulations on finding 2.
>>>>
>>>> On Monday, July 18, 2022 at 2:13:23 PM UTC-4 penne...@gmail.com wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Following up here just to say that, against the odds, this worked 
>>>>> amazingly well. Took 9 days from the WTB being posted for me to take 
>>>>> delivery of a 68cm Atlantis frame, which I built up right away, fine 
>>>>> tuned 
>>>>> for a week or so, and is now up and running. The build was mainly 
>>>>> dictated 
>>>>> by parts availability in my garage (didn't buy anything), but I also took 
>>>>> inspiration from the colour scheme of 1980s era Burger Kings after a 
>>>>> photo 
>>>>> of one preserved behind a wall at a mall in Delaware made its rounds on 
>>>>> the 
>>>>> internet a couple of weeks ago! I've attached a photo—hope I've done so 
>>>>> properly. 
>>>>>
>>>>> This success, I presume, would be unlikely enough. But, my WTB also 
>>>>> led straight to finding the other 68 I had been wanting, a Quickbeam, 
>>>>> which 
>>>>> arrived today! Seems miraculous. Thanks to the tall guys on here who 
>>>>> helped 
>>>>> me out! 
>>>>>
>>>>> Mack in Alberta (and in the middle of a pbh range) 
>>>>>
>>>>> On Monday, June 20, 2022 at 11:00:11 AM UTC-6 Mack Penner wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> In the last couple of years, at least, the bunch seems to have been 
>>>>>> amazingly effective at moving some 68cm Atlantises (Atlantii?) around to 
>>>>>> new owners. So, one more time? F/F/HS would be ideal, but if you only 
>>>>>> want 
>>>>>> to sell complete my arm could be twisted, probably. 
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've been a reader for a little while, but never a poster, so this 
>>>>>> post might have an uphill battle ahead of it. Maybe a brief explanation 
>>>>>> will help: I managed to buy a 67cm Homer this winter, and it went 
>>>>>> straight 
>>>>>> to the top of my favourites list, ahead of a 62cm 2TT Appaloosa (thx Jim 
>>>>>> W!), a 61cm Roadini that I'm always on the verge of selling, and just 
>>>>>> barely ahead of a 60cm Platypus. Being totally hooked on the fit of the 
>>>>>> Homer, I want another big one but with room for fatter tires.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Could this work in time for my end of summer tour in the Rockies to 
>>>>>> be an Atlantis tour? Here's hoping!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Mack in Alberta 
>>>>>>
>>>>>

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[RBW] WTB: 68cm Atlantis

[Mack Penner]

In the last couple of years, at least, the bunch seems to have been 
amazingly effective at moving some 68cm Atlantises (Atlantii?) around to 
new owners. So, one more time? F/F/HS would be ideal, but if you only want 
to sell complete my arm could be twisted, probably. 

I've been a reader for a little while, but never a poster, so this post 
might have an uphill battle ahead of it. Maybe a brief explanation will 
help: I managed to buy a 67cm Homer this winter, and it went straight to 
the top of my favourites list, ahead of a 62cm 2TT Appaloosa (thx Jim W!), 
a 61cm Roadini that I'm always on the verge of selling, and just barely 
ahead of a 60cm Platypus. Being totally hooked on the fit of the Homer, I 
want another big one but with room for fatter tires.

Could this work in time for my end of summer tour in the Rockies to be an 
Atlantis tour? Here's hoping!

Mack in Alberta 

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