Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Fullylugged]

Tell Braelyn when you see her next that we all say hello!

On Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 10:26:42 AM UTC-5 upyou...@yahoo.com wrote:

> [image: Mister Fox]
>
> Leah,
> I love this story and I can see the whole thing in my mind.  How wonderful!
> Love, Your RivSister, Kate
>
> *upyou...@yahoo.com*
> *Kate Gilson*
> [image: Image Preview]
>
>
> [image: Mister Fox]
> [image: Paperless Post] 
> 
>  Yahoo 
> Mail Stationery 
> On Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 10:11:21 AM CDT, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>  wrote: 
>
>
> Every other Tuesday, when her dad has her, this little thing waits at the 
> end of her driveway with her dad and they jump on the back. She smiles the 
> entire time, and we don’t slow down for her. She can hang a few miles, then 
> she thanks us and she and her dad head for home. She’s our baby, but we 
> cannot call her that to her face. But she is. It’s a pretty far age gap 
> from us to her, age 8. I can’t wait for her to join us for real as she gets 
> a little older. You just don’t often get experiences that are this level of 
> adorable, but here we are, getting one every other Tuesday!
> Leah
>
> On Friday, August 4, 2023 at 2:15:49 PM UTC-4 Bikie#4646 wrote:
>
> Leah,
>
> As a grandfather of three - two now grown - this was fun to read. I am 
> sure the little girl caught your enthusiasm. When I can, I slow down and 
> call out, "Nice bike!" to very young riders I encounter on our local trail. 
> We are all ambassadors.
>
> Paul Germain
> Midlothian, Va.
>
> On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 9:12:31 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
> I really do have the sweetest, cutest story from the Tuesday night women’s 
> ride. 
>
> We had a small group of 7 riders that night. We were several miles in when 
> suddenly from behind, I heard two unfamiliar voices, one belonging to a 
> child, and one belonging to a man. I looked back and was astounded - there 
> at the end of our peloton was an 8 year old girl on a tiny blue Trek bike, 
> wearing her matching blue helmet, blonde hair flying and huge grin on full 
> display. I looked at her father, helmetless and riding his own bike. He 
> wore a look half proud and half sheepish. “This is Braelyn, and she’s been 
> watching you go by every week,” he said. “And she’s been wanting to ride 
> with you; she said, ‘Daddy, Tuesday night at 6:50 they’ll be here.’ And she 
> got ready so she could join you tonight.” I looked at my speedometer…we 
> were riding at over 17 mph. She moved up behind me and another woman fell 
> in behind her. 
>
> “Ok, honey, you listen for when I call out things like stick or hole, ok?” 
>
> “Ok!” she said, flashing a Cheshire Cat grin. And we pedaled on, flying 
> over country roads with our tiny companion and her daddy. She stayed with 
> us for a few miles and then they peeled off after the second set of 
> railroad tracks. I wish I had gotten a photo, but maybe next week we’ll see 
> her again and I’ll get my chance.
>
> I’m sure we were in violation of like 30 club rules but Michigan doesn’t 
> scold you for things like these. Braelyn and her little Trek, legs flying 
> and hair streaming…I doubt we will ever see anything better than her on the 
> Tuesday Night Ride.
> On Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 4:38:01 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:
>
> Delicious!
>
> On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 3:58 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> ... Some guy will come find me at my vehicle and tell me how I’m doing it 
> wrong. After getting lectured about how I could go 25% faster if I had this 
> bike and narrow tires, blah, blah, I say, “Well, I just beat you, so I 
> don’t think my bike is the problem.”  
>
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> .
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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Evan E.]

*LOVE* this story. Thank you, Leah, for telling it. 

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

['Kate Gilson' via RBW Owners Bunch]

| 
| 
|  |

 |
| 
| Leah,I love this story and I can see the whole thing in my mind.  How 
wonderful!Love, Your RivSister, Kate
upyourkarma@yahoo.comKate Gilson 

  |

 |
| 
|  |

 |

 |
| 
|  | Yahoo Mail Stationery |

 |

On Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 10:11:21 AM CDT, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
 wrote:  
 
 Every other Tuesday, when her dad has her, this little thing waits at the end 
of her driveway with her dad and they jump on the back. She smiles the entire 
time, and we don’t slow down for her. She can hang a few miles, then she thanks 
us and she and her dad head for home. She’s our baby, but we cannot call her 
that to her face. But she is. It’s a pretty far age gap from us to her, age 8. 
I can’t wait for her to join us for real as she gets a little older. You just 
don’t often get experiences that are this level of adorable, but here we are, 
getting one every other Tuesday!Leah

On Friday, August 4, 2023 at 2:15:49 PM UTC-4 Bikie#4646 wrote:

Leah,
As a grandfather of three - two now grown - this was fun to read. I am sure the 
little girl caught your enthusiasm. When I can, I slow down and call out, "Nice 
bike!" to very young riders I encounter on our local trail. We are all 
ambassadors.
Paul GermainMidlothian, Va.

On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 9:12:31 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

I really do have the sweetest, cutest story from the Tuesday night women’s 
ride. 
We had a small group of 7 riders that night. We were several miles in when 
suddenly from behind, I heard two unfamiliar voices, one belonging to a child, 
and one belonging to a man. I looked back and was astounded - there at the end 
of our peloton was an 8 year old girl on a tiny blue Trek bike, wearing her 
matching blue helmet, blonde hair flying and huge grin on full display. I 
looked at her father, helmetless and riding his own bike. He wore a look half 
proud and half sheepish. “This is Braelyn, and she’s been watching you go by 
every week,” he said. “And she’s been wanting to ride with you; she said, 
‘Daddy, Tuesday night at 6:50 they’ll be here.’ And she got ready so she could 
join you tonight.” I looked at my speedometer…we were riding at over 17 mph. 
She moved up behind me and another woman fell in behind her. 
“Ok, honey, you listen for when I call out things like stick or hole, ok?” 
“Ok!” she said, flashing a Cheshire Cat grin. And we pedaled on, flying over 
country roads with our tiny companion and her daddy. She stayed with us for a 
few miles and then they peeled off after the second set of railroad tracks. I 
wish I had gotten a photo, but maybe next week we’ll see her again and I’ll get 
my chance.

I’m sure we were in violation of like 30 club rules but Michigan doesn’t scold 
you for things like these. Braelyn and her little Trek, legs flying and hair 
streaming…I doubt we will ever see anything better than her on the Tuesday 
Night Ride.On Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 4:38:01 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore 
wrote:

Delicious!
On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 3:58 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!  
wrote:
... Some guy will come find me at my vehicle and tell me how I’m doing it 
wrong. After getting lectured about how I could go 25% faster if I had this 
bike and narrow tires, blah, blah, I say, “Well, I just beat you, so I don’t 
think my bike is the problem.”  





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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

['Bikie#4646' via RBW Owners Bunch]

Leah,

As a grandfather of three - two now grown - this was fun to read. I am sure 
the little girl caught your enthusiasm. When I can, I slow down and call 
out, "Nice bike!" to very young riders I encounter on our local trail. We 
are all ambassadors.

Paul Germain
Midlothian, Va.

On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 9:12:31 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> I really do have the sweetest, cutest story from the Tuesday night women’s 
> ride. 
>
> We had a small group of 7 riders that night. We were several miles in when 
> suddenly from behind, I heard two unfamiliar voices, one belonging to a 
> child, and one belonging to a man. I looked back and was astounded - there 
> at the end of our peloton was an 8 year old girl on a tiny blue Trek bike, 
> wearing her matching blue helmet, blonde hair flying and huge grin on full 
> display. I looked at her father, helmetless and riding his own bike. He 
> wore a look half proud and half sheepish. “This is Braelyn, and she’s been 
> watching you go by every week,” he said. “And she’s been wanting to ride 
> with you; she said, ‘Daddy, Tuesday night at 6:50 they’ll be here.’ And she 
> got ready so she could join you tonight.” I looked at my speedometer…we 
> were riding at over 17 mph. She moved up behind me and another woman fell 
> in behind her. 
>
> “Ok, honey, you listen for when I call out things like stick or hole, ok?” 
>
> “Ok!” she said, flashing a Cheshire Cat grin. And we pedaled on, flying 
> over country roads with our tiny companion and her daddy. She stayed with 
> us for a few miles and then they peeled off after the second set of 
> railroad tracks. I wish I had gotten a photo, but maybe next week we’ll see 
> her again and I’ll get my chance.
>
> I’m sure we were in violation of like 30 club rules but Michigan doesn’t 
> scold you for things like these. Braelyn and her little Trek, legs flying 
> and hair streaming…I doubt we will ever see anything better than her on the 
> Tuesday Night Ride.
> On Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 4:38:01 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:
>
>> Delicious!
>>
>> On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 3:58 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
>> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> ... Some guy will come find me at my vehicle and tell me how I’m doing 
>>> it wrong. After getting lectured about how I could go 25% faster if I had 
>>> this bike and narrow tires, blah, blah, I say, “Well, I just beat you, so I 
>>> don’t think my bike is the problem.”  
>>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Wesley]

OMG this is so cute!
-W

On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 6:12:31 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> I really do have the sweetest, cutest story from the Tuesday night women’s 
> ride. 
>
> We had a small group of 7 riders that night. We were several miles in when 
> suddenly from behind, I heard two unfamiliar voices, one belonging to a 
> child, and one belonging to a man. I looked back and was astounded - there 
> at the end of our peloton was an 8 year old girl on a tiny blue Trek bike, 
> wearing her matching blue helmet, blonde hair flying and huge grin on full 
> display. I looked at her father, helmetless and riding his own bike. He 
> wore a look half proud and half sheepish. “This is Braelyn, and she’s been 
> watching you go by every week,” he said. “And she’s been wanting to ride 
> with you; she said, ‘Daddy, Tuesday night at 6:50 they’ll be here.’ And she 
> got ready so she could join you tonight.” I looked at my speedometer…we 
> were riding at over 17 mph. She moved up behind me and another woman fell 
> in behind her. 
>
> “Ok, honey, you listen for when I call out things like stick or hole, ok?” 
>
> “Ok!” she said, flashing a Cheshire Cat grin. And we pedaled on, flying 
> over country roads with our tiny companion and her daddy. She stayed with 
> us for a few miles and then they peeled off after the second set of 
> railroad tracks. I wish I had gotten a photo, but maybe next week we’ll see 
> her again and I’ll get my chance.
>
> I’m sure we were in violation of like 30 club rules but Michigan doesn’t 
> scold you for things like these. Braelyn and her little Trek, legs flying 
> and hair streaming…I doubt we will ever see anything better than her on the 
> Tuesday Night Ride.
> On Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 4:38:01 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:
>
>> Delicious!
>>
>> On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 3:58 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
>> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> ... Some guy will come find me at my vehicle and tell me how I’m doing 
>>> it wrong. After getting lectured about how I could go 25% faster if I had 
>>> this bike and narrow tires, blah, blah, I say, “Well, I just beat you, so I 
>>> don’t think my bike is the problem.”  
>>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Ted Durant]

On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 8:12:31 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

I looked back and was astounded - there at the end of our peloton was an 8 
year old girl on a tiny blue Trek bike, wearing her matching blue helmet, 
blonde hair flying and huge grin on full display. I looked at her father, 
helmetless and riding his own bike. He wore a look half proud and half 
sheepish. “This is Braelyn, and she’s been watching you go by every week,” 
he said. “And she’s been wanting to ride with you; she said, ‘Daddy, 
Tuesday night at 6:50 they’ll be here.’ And she got ready so she could join 
you tonight.” I looked at my speedometer…we were riding at over 17 mph. She 
moved up behind me and another woman fell in behind her. 


I LOVE this, but you know, Leah, this is a great burden on you. It's 
totally up to you to show that young girl that she doesn't have to be just 
like all the others. 

Ted Durant 
Milwaukee, WI USA

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Slin]

That’s very cute. The first club rule broken was “no smiling” …. Jk!!

On Friday, August 4, 2023 at 3:46:38 AM UTC-7 Roberta wrote:

> Delightful!  I hope they join you again. 
>
> On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 9:12:31 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> I really do have the sweetest, cutest story from the Tuesday night 
>> women’s ride. 
>>
>> We had a small group of 7 riders that night. We were several miles in 
>> when suddenly from behind, I heard two unfamiliar voices, one belonging to 
>> a child, and one belonging to a man. I looked back and was astounded - 
>> there at the end of our peloton was an 8 year old girl on a tiny blue Trek 
>> bike, wearing her matching blue helmet, blonde hair flying and huge grin on 
>> full display. I looked at her father, helmetless and riding his own bike. 
>> He wore a look half proud and half sheepish. “This is Braelyn, and she’s 
>> been watching you go by every week,” he said. “And she’s been wanting to 
>> ride with you; she said, ‘Daddy, Tuesday night at 6:50 they’ll be here.’ 
>> And she got ready so she could join you tonight.” I looked at my 
>> speedometer…we were riding at over 17 mph. She moved up behind me and 
>> another woman fell in behind her. 
>>
>> “Ok, honey, you listen for when I call out things like stick or hole, 
>> ok?” 
>>
>> “Ok!” she said, flashing a Cheshire Cat grin. And we pedaled on, flying 
>> over country roads with our tiny companion and her daddy. She stayed with 
>> us for a few miles and then they peeled off after the second set of 
>> railroad tracks. I wish I had gotten a photo, but maybe next week we’ll see 
>> her again and I’ll get my chance.
>>
>> I’m sure we were in violation of like 30 club rules but Michigan doesn’t 
>> scold you for things like these. Braelyn and her little Trek, legs flying 
>> and hair streaming…I doubt we will ever see anything better than her on the 
>> Tuesday Night Ride.
>> On Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 4:38:01 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:
>>
>>> Delicious!
>>>
>>> On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 3:58 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
>>> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
 ... Some guy will come find me at my vehicle and tell me how I’m doing 
 it wrong. After getting lectured about how I could go 25% faster if I had 
 this bike and narrow tires, blah, blah, I say, “Well, I just beat you, so 
 I 
 don’t think my bike is the problem.”  

>>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Roberta]

Delightful!  I hope they join you again. 

On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 9:12:31 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> I really do have the sweetest, cutest story from the Tuesday night women’s 
> ride. 
>
> We had a small group of 7 riders that night. We were several miles in when 
> suddenly from behind, I heard two unfamiliar voices, one belonging to a 
> child, and one belonging to a man. I looked back and was astounded - there 
> at the end of our peloton was an 8 year old girl on a tiny blue Trek bike, 
> wearing her matching blue helmet, blonde hair flying and huge grin on full 
> display. I looked at her father, helmetless and riding his own bike. He 
> wore a look half proud and half sheepish. “This is Braelyn, and she’s been 
> watching you go by every week,” he said. “And she’s been wanting to ride 
> with you; she said, ‘Daddy, Tuesday night at 6:50 they’ll be here.’ And she 
> got ready so she could join you tonight.” I looked at my speedometer…we 
> were riding at over 17 mph. She moved up behind me and another woman fell 
> in behind her. 
>
> “Ok, honey, you listen for when I call out things like stick or hole, ok?” 
>
> “Ok!” she said, flashing a Cheshire Cat grin. And we pedaled on, flying 
> over country roads with our tiny companion and her daddy. She stayed with 
> us for a few miles and then they peeled off after the second set of 
> railroad tracks. I wish I had gotten a photo, but maybe next week we’ll see 
> her again and I’ll get my chance.
>
> I’m sure we were in violation of like 30 club rules but Michigan doesn’t 
> scold you for things like these. Braelyn and her little Trek, legs flying 
> and hair streaming…I doubt we will ever see anything better than her on the 
> Tuesday Night Ride.
> On Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 4:38:01 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:
>
>> Delicious!
>>
>> On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 3:58 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
>> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> ... Some guy will come find me at my vehicle and tell me how I’m doing 
>>> it wrong. After getting lectured about how I could go 25% faster if I had 
>>> this bike and narrow tires, blah, blah, I say, “Well, I just beat you, so I 
>>> don’t think my bike is the problem.”  
>>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Ryan]

Nice!

On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 8:12:31 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> I really do have the sweetest, cutest story from the Tuesday night women’s 
> ride. 
>
> We had a small group of 7 riders that night. We were several miles in when 
> suddenly from behind, I heard two unfamiliar voices, one belonging to a 
> child, and one belonging to a man. I looked back and was astounded - there 
> at the end of our peloton was an 8 year old girl on a tiny blue Trek bike, 
> wearing her matching blue helmet, blonde hair flying and huge grin on full 
> display. I looked at her father, helmetless and riding his own bike. He 
> wore a look half proud and half sheepish. “This is Braelyn, and she’s been 
> watching you go by every week,” he said. “And she’s been wanting to ride 
> with you; she said, ‘Daddy, Tuesday night at 6:50 they’ll be here.’ And she 
> got ready so she could join you tonight.” I looked at my speedometer…we 
> were riding at over 17 mph. She moved up behind me and another woman fell 
> in behind her. 
>
> “Ok, honey, you listen for when I call out things like stick or hole, ok?” 
>
> “Ok!” she said, flashing a Cheshire Cat grin. And we pedaled on, flying 
> over country roads with our tiny companion and her daddy. She stayed with 
> us for a few miles and then they peeled off after the second set of 
> railroad tracks. I wish I had gotten a photo, but maybe next week we’ll see 
> her again and I’ll get my chance.
>
> I’m sure we were in violation of like 30 club rules but Michigan doesn’t 
> scold you for things like these. Braelyn and her little Trek, legs flying 
> and hair streaming…I doubt we will ever see anything better than her on the 
> Tuesday Night Ride.
> On Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 4:38:01 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:
>
>> Delicious!
>>
>> On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 3:58 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
>> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> ... Some guy will come find me at my vehicle and tell me how I’m doing 
>>> it wrong. After getting lectured about how I could go 25% faster if I had 
>>> this bike and narrow tires, blah, blah, I say, “Well, I just beat you, so I 
>>> don’t think my bike is the problem.”  
>>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

I really do have the sweetest, cutest story from the Tuesday night women’s 
ride. 

We had a small group of 7 riders that night. We were several miles in when 
suddenly from behind, I heard two unfamiliar voices, one belonging to a 
child, and one belonging to a man. I looked back and was astounded - there 
at the end of our peloton was an 8 year old girl on a tiny blue Trek bike, 
wearing her matching blue helmet, blonde hair flying and huge grin on full 
display. I looked at her father, helmetless and riding his own bike. He 
wore a look half proud and half sheepish. “This is Braelyn, and she’s been 
watching you go by every week,” he said. “And she’s been wanting to ride 
with you; she said, ‘Daddy, Tuesday night at 6:50 they’ll be here.’ And she 
got ready so she could join you tonight.” I looked at my speedometer…we 
were riding at over 17 mph. She moved up behind me and another woman fell 
in behind her. 

“Ok, honey, you listen for when I call out things like stick or hole, ok?” 

“Ok!” she said, flashing a Cheshire Cat grin. And we pedaled on, flying 
over country roads with our tiny companion and her daddy. She stayed with 
us for a few miles and then they peeled off after the second set of 
railroad tracks. I wish I had gotten a photo, but maybe next week we’ll see 
her again and I’ll get my chance.

I’m sure we were in violation of like 30 club rules but Michigan doesn’t 
scold you for things like these. Braelyn and her little Trek, legs flying 
and hair streaming…I doubt we will ever see anything better than her on the 
Tuesday Night Ride.
On Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 4:38:01 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:

> Delicious!
>
> On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 3:58 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> ... Some guy will come find me at my vehicle and tell me how I’m doing it 
>> wrong. After getting lectured about how I could go 25% faster if I had this 
>> bike and narrow tires, blah, blah, I say, “Well, I just beat you, so I 
>> don’t think my bike is the problem.”  
>>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Patrick Moore]

Delicious!

On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 3:58 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
jonasandle...@gmail.com> wrote:

> ... Some guy will come find me at my vehicle and tell me how I’m doing it
> wrong. After getting lectured about how I could go 25% faster if I had this
> bike and narrow tires, blah, blah, I say, “Well, I just beat you, so I
> don’t think my bike is the problem.”
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[ascpgh]

What's mostly sown are seeds of thought when you show up on something other 
than the LBS/brand flavor of the month. It would be akin to treason amongst 
peers to go beyond that to inquire or ask for a spin. To uphold their toxic 
cyclista* chops they mostly only ask "how heavy is it?"

(*Affect derived from one's cycling consciousness being perspectives 
dictated by sources taken as credible until enlightenment by personal 
curiosity and experience)

Andy Cheatham
Pittsburgh

On Monday, September 12, 2022 at 6:35:10 AM UTC-4 ryan.merri...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> "No,  I have to admit I never made a convert. I got admiring comments 
> (beautiful bike! How old is that?) and sometimes an old guy would start 
> telling me about his bikes back in the day. But never a request to ride or 
> request for info. I think the Ram also just wasn’t quite odd enough. "
>
>
> I never got any body to convert either...I tried too but nobody ever 
> showed up with a handlebar bag or panniers to a club ride (except me). 
> There were a few cyclists who would show up on steel racing frames, some 
> even with downtube shifters, and tear up a club ride. That was cool to see. 
>
> On Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 5:35:43 PM UTC-5 felt...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> No,  I have to admit I never made a convert. I got admiring comments 
>> (beautiful bike! How old is that?) and sometimes an old guy would start 
>> telling me about his bikes back in the day. But never a request to ride or 
>> request for info. I think the Ram also just wasn’t quite odd enough. 
>>
>> On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 11:37:19 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding 
>> Ding! wrote:
>>
>>> I’m *loving* these bike stories you guys are giving. Now that I’ve got 
>>> club riding experience, I can better relate to your stories. 
>>>
>>> Interesting observation about the comfort of the Trek - I wonder why it 
>>> became uncomfortable when slowing? I can relate about the hills, too. We 
>>> Riv riders are working harder on our hills than the rest. I stand up and 
>>> PUSH on my pedals on our ascents. I feel like I need more weight to get 
>>> them to turn faster, and I can feel the bikes behind me gaining. But once 
>>> we crest the top I’m back up to pace again. I know I work harder on my 
>>> bike, but I also think that makes me stronger. I am at my high school 
>>> weight, or maybe less, and I have new muscles and even new circulation. I 
>>> have augmented my riding with weight lifting and core about 6 days a week, 
>>> and I think that helps my rides, too.
>>>
>>> I can also relate to the bag comments - Marc (Sam rider with a 
>>> Saddlesack) and I rode a club ride one day. One guy said to us, “You guys 
>>> are ready for anything. Even a job interview…with your little briefcases.” 
>>>
>>> Club rides are good, clean fun and a good way to challenge yourself. 
>>> They don’t replace the best kind of riding - using your bike to go places 
>>> and do things - but they are a good time.
>>>
>>> Ryan and Feltovich - did either of you make any converts? Anyone want to 
>>> try your Rivendell and then love the comfort?
>>>
>>> L
>>>
>>> On Sep 10, 2022, at 12:51 PM, Ryan M.  wrote:
>>>
>>> Club riding can be a lot of fun and quite rewarding. I always liked 
>>> riding with a group like that when I had the time...the fitness of it was 
>>> great. 
>>>
>>>
>>> I started out club riding on my Sam Hillborne with a Sackville handlebar 
>>> bag hooked up to a set of Nitto Noodles. My friend would make fun of me 
>>> asking why I needed a trout creel on the bike; I just answered that it was 
>>> the perfect size for a 6 pack of beer and a sandwich in case we needed a 
>>> rest stop. It was a great bike for riding with the slower or medium speed 
>>> group. Eventually I bought a carbon Trek and really started riding with the 
>>> faster group. Did it for a few years and I do think the bike setup helped 
>>> with the speed and I don't think I could have kept up with the group on my 
>>> Sam. I did buy a Roadeo and road that...and it was a great bike for club 
>>> riding. That carbon bike could climb a hill faster and more efficiently 
>>> than the Hillborne could, I can't deny that. The Roadeo was faster than the 
>>> Sam too and really about the same as the carbon bike for efficiency.  The 
>>> thing about that carbon Trek bike was that it was really comfortable for 
>>> long rides provided I was kinda hammering the pedals most of the time. As 
>>> soon as the pace came down to casual, the bike would become uncomfortable. 
>>> The Rivs were comfortable all the time.
>>>
>>> It's always a sobering moment when the group gets blown away by the 
>>> single speed riding, flip flop sporting, floppy t-shirt and jean short 
>>> wearing bike shop employee who just looks like he is out for a Sunday 
>>> stroll. 
>>>
>>>
>>> On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:26:17 AM UTC-5 felt...@gmail.com 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 When we lived in minneapolis I rode with a small neighborhood group 
 that did 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Ryan M.]

"No,  I have to admit I never made a convert. I got admiring comments 
(beautiful bike! How old is that?) and sometimes an old guy would start 
telling me about his bikes back in the day. But never a request to ride or 
request for info. I think the Ram also just wasn’t quite odd enough. "


I never got any body to convert either...I tried too but nobody ever showed 
up with a handlebar bag or panniers to a club ride (except me). There were 
a few cyclists who would show up on steel racing frames, some even with 
downtube shifters, and tear up a club ride. That was cool to see. 

On Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 5:35:43 PM UTC-5 felt...@gmail.com wrote:

> No,  I have to admit I never made a convert. I got admiring comments 
> (beautiful bike! How old is that?) and sometimes an old guy would start 
> telling me about his bikes back in the day. But never a request to ride or 
> request for info. I think the Ram also just wasn’t quite odd enough. 
>
> On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 11:37:19 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding 
> Ding! wrote:
>
>> I’m *loving* these bike stories you guys are giving. Now that I’ve got 
>> club riding experience, I can better relate to your stories. 
>>
>> Interesting observation about the comfort of the Trek - I wonder why it 
>> became uncomfortable when slowing? I can relate about the hills, too. We 
>> Riv riders are working harder on our hills than the rest. I stand up and 
>> PUSH on my pedals on our ascents. I feel like I need more weight to get 
>> them to turn faster, and I can feel the bikes behind me gaining. But once 
>> we crest the top I’m back up to pace again. I know I work harder on my 
>> bike, but I also think that makes me stronger. I am at my high school 
>> weight, or maybe less, and I have new muscles and even new circulation. I 
>> have augmented my riding with weight lifting and core about 6 days a week, 
>> and I think that helps my rides, too.
>>
>> I can also relate to the bag comments - Marc (Sam rider with a 
>> Saddlesack) and I rode a club ride one day. One guy said to us, “You guys 
>> are ready for anything. Even a job interview…with your little briefcases.” 
>>
>> Club rides are good, clean fun and a good way to challenge yourself. They 
>> don’t replace the best kind of riding - using your bike to go places and do 
>> things - but they are a good time.
>>
>> Ryan and Feltovich - did either of you make any converts? Anyone want to 
>> try your Rivendell and then love the comfort?
>>
>> L
>>
>> On Sep 10, 2022, at 12:51 PM, Ryan M.  wrote:
>>
>> Club riding can be a lot of fun and quite rewarding. I always liked 
>> riding with a group like that when I had the time...the fitness of it was 
>> great. 
>>
>>
>> I started out club riding on my Sam Hillborne with a Sackville handlebar 
>> bag hooked up to a set of Nitto Noodles. My friend would make fun of me 
>> asking why I needed a trout creel on the bike; I just answered that it was 
>> the perfect size for a 6 pack of beer and a sandwich in case we needed a 
>> rest stop. It was a great bike for riding with the slower or medium speed 
>> group. Eventually I bought a carbon Trek and really started riding with the 
>> faster group. Did it for a few years and I do think the bike setup helped 
>> with the speed and I don't think I could have kept up with the group on my 
>> Sam. I did buy a Roadeo and road that...and it was a great bike for club 
>> riding. That carbon bike could climb a hill faster and more efficiently 
>> than the Hillborne could, I can't deny that. The Roadeo was faster than the 
>> Sam too and really about the same as the carbon bike for efficiency.  The 
>> thing about that carbon Trek bike was that it was really comfortable for 
>> long rides provided I was kinda hammering the pedals most of the time. As 
>> soon as the pace came down to casual, the bike would become uncomfortable. 
>> The Rivs were comfortable all the time.
>>
>> It's always a sobering moment when the group gets blown away by the 
>> single speed riding, flip flop sporting, floppy t-shirt and jean short 
>> wearing bike shop employee who just looks like he is out for a Sunday 
>> stroll. 
>>
>>
>> On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:26:17 AM UTC-5 felt...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> When we lived in minneapolis I rode with a small neighborhood group that 
>>> did a weekly Sunday ride at a respectable pace. I was riding a Rambouillet 
>>> back then: fenders, canvas saddle bag, shellacked bar tape, 33.333mm tires, 
>>> etc. The other riders were on aluminum or CF bikes, of course. One day, we 
>>> were doing our version of a paceline on a winding road near the U of M 
>>> campus when we got passed by some shirtless college kid in jean shorts on a 
>>> mountain bike. The group instinctively sped up to chase, but it was quickly 
>>> obvious that we weren't going to catch him. Wry smiles and "holy crap, that 
>>> kid was flying!" But the obvious point was that his speed wasn't really 
>>> hindered that much by 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Ryan M.]

Yeah, that's pretty close to the feeling I had on that Trek...It was a good 
bike for one type of riding, but trying to use it for casual cruising or 
picking up groceries was futile. Lol. 

On Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 2:32:10 PM UTC-5 Slin wrote:

> > Interesting observation about the comfort of the Trek - I wonder why it 
> became uncomfortable when slowing?
>
> I've noticed that pedaling hard removes pressure from the hands and 
> saddle. So on some bike setups with low handlebars, if I'm coasting, I can 
> feel like I'm sliding forward on my saddle or need to support more of my 
> weight with my arms. 
>
>
>
> On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:37:19 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding 
> Ding! wrote:
>
>> I’m *loving* these bike stories you guys are giving. Now that I’ve got 
>> club riding experience, I can better relate to your stories. 
>>
>> Interesting observation about the comfort of the Trek - I wonder why it 
>> became uncomfortable when slowing? I can relate about the hills, too. We 
>> Riv riders are working harder on our hills than the rest. I stand up and 
>> PUSH on my pedals on our ascents. I feel like I need more weight to get 
>> them to turn faster, and I can feel the bikes behind me gaining. But once 
>> we crest the top I’m back up to pace again. I know I work harder on my 
>> bike, but I also think that makes me stronger. I am at my high school 
>> weight, or maybe less, and I have new muscles and even new circulation. I 
>> have augmented my riding with weight lifting and core about 6 days a week, 
>> and I think that helps my rides, too.
>>
>> I can also relate to the bag comments - Marc (Sam rider with a 
>> Saddlesack) and I rode a club ride one day. One guy said to us, “You guys 
>> are ready for anything. Even a job interview…with your little briefcases.” 
>>
>> Club rides are good, clean fun and a good way to challenge yourself. They 
>> don’t replace the best kind of riding - using your bike to go places and do 
>> things - but they are a good time.
>>
>> Ryan and Feltovich - did either of you make any converts? Anyone want to 
>> try your Rivendell and then love the comfort?
>>
>> L
>>
>> On Sep 10, 2022, at 12:51 PM, Ryan M.  wrote:
>>
>> Club riding can be a lot of fun and quite rewarding. I always liked 
>> riding with a group like that when I had the time...the fitness of it was 
>> great. 
>>
>>
>> I started out club riding on my Sam Hillborne with a Sackville handlebar 
>> bag hooked up to a set of Nitto Noodles. My friend would make fun of me 
>> asking why I needed a trout creel on the bike; I just answered that it was 
>> the perfect size for a 6 pack of beer and a sandwich in case we needed a 
>> rest stop. It was a great bike for riding with the slower or medium speed 
>> group. Eventually I bought a carbon Trek and really started riding with the 
>> faster group. Did it for a few years and I do think the bike setup helped 
>> with the speed and I don't think I could have kept up with the group on my 
>> Sam. I did buy a Roadeo and road that...and it was a great bike for club 
>> riding. That carbon bike could climb a hill faster and more efficiently 
>> than the Hillborne could, I can't deny that. The Roadeo was faster than the 
>> Sam too and really about the same as the carbon bike for efficiency.  The 
>> thing about that carbon Trek bike was that it was really comfortable for 
>> long rides provided I was kinda hammering the pedals most of the time. As 
>> soon as the pace came down to casual, the bike would become uncomfortable. 
>> The Rivs were comfortable all the time.
>>
>> It's always a sobering moment when the group gets blown away by the 
>> single speed riding, flip flop sporting, floppy t-shirt and jean short 
>> wearing bike shop employee who just looks like he is out for a Sunday 
>> stroll. 
>>
>>
>> On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:26:17 AM UTC-5 felt...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> When we lived in minneapolis I rode with a small neighborhood group that 
>>> did a weekly Sunday ride at a respectable pace. I was riding a Rambouillet 
>>> back then: fenders, canvas saddle bag, shellacked bar tape, 33.333mm tires, 
>>> etc. The other riders were on aluminum or CF bikes, of course. One day, we 
>>> were doing our version of a paceline on a winding road near the U of M 
>>> campus when we got passed by some shirtless college kid in jean shorts on a 
>>> mountain bike. The group instinctively sped up to chase, but it was quickly 
>>> obvious that we weren't going to catch him. Wry smiles and "holy crap, that 
>>> kid was flying!" But the obvious point was that his speed wasn't really 
>>> hindered that much by his upright/heavy bike and that the racy bikes and 
>>> fancy clothes in our group were not making a significant difference to our 
>>> middle-aged dadbod speeds. 
>>>
>>> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 8:05:49 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding 
>>> Ding! wrote:
>>>
 Doug - congrats on your increasing fitness on your new bike! Bikes and 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[brian feltovich]

No,  I have to admit I never made a convert. I got admiring comments 
(beautiful bike! How old is that?) and sometimes an old guy would start 
telling me about his bikes back in the day. But never a request to ride or 
request for info. I think the Ram also just wasn’t quite odd enough. 

On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 11:37:19 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding 
Ding! wrote:

> I’m *loving* these bike stories you guys are giving. Now that I’ve got 
> club riding experience, I can better relate to your stories. 
>
> Interesting observation about the comfort of the Trek - I wonder why it 
> became uncomfortable when slowing? I can relate about the hills, too. We 
> Riv riders are working harder on our hills than the rest. I stand up and 
> PUSH on my pedals on our ascents. I feel like I need more weight to get 
> them to turn faster, and I can feel the bikes behind me gaining. But once 
> we crest the top I’m back up to pace again. I know I work harder on my 
> bike, but I also think that makes me stronger. I am at my high school 
> weight, or maybe less, and I have new muscles and even new circulation. I 
> have augmented my riding with weight lifting and core about 6 days a week, 
> and I think that helps my rides, too.
>
> I can also relate to the bag comments - Marc (Sam rider with a Saddlesack) 
> and I rode a club ride one day. One guy said to us, “You guys are ready for 
> anything. Even a job interview…with your little briefcases.” 
>
> Club rides are good, clean fun and a good way to challenge yourself. They 
> don’t replace the best kind of riding - using your bike to go places and do 
> things - but they are a good time.
>
> Ryan and Feltovich - did either of you make any converts? Anyone want to 
> try your Rivendell and then love the comfort?
>
> L
>
> On Sep 10, 2022, at 12:51 PM, Ryan M.  wrote:
>
> Club riding can be a lot of fun and quite rewarding. I always liked 
> riding with a group like that when I had the time...the fitness of it was 
> great. 
>
>
> I started out club riding on my Sam Hillborne with a Sackville handlebar 
> bag hooked up to a set of Nitto Noodles. My friend would make fun of me 
> asking why I needed a trout creel on the bike; I just answered that it was 
> the perfect size for a 6 pack of beer and a sandwich in case we needed a 
> rest stop. It was a great bike for riding with the slower or medium speed 
> group. Eventually I bought a carbon Trek and really started riding with the 
> faster group. Did it for a few years and I do think the bike setup helped 
> with the speed and I don't think I could have kept up with the group on my 
> Sam. I did buy a Roadeo and road that...and it was a great bike for club 
> riding. That carbon bike could climb a hill faster and more efficiently 
> than the Hillborne could, I can't deny that. The Roadeo was faster than the 
> Sam too and really about the same as the carbon bike for efficiency.  The 
> thing about that carbon Trek bike was that it was really comfortable for 
> long rides provided I was kinda hammering the pedals most of the time. As 
> soon as the pace came down to casual, the bike would become uncomfortable. 
> The Rivs were comfortable all the time.
>
> It's always a sobering moment when the group gets blown away by the single 
> speed riding, flip flop sporting, floppy t-shirt and jean short wearing 
> bike shop employee who just looks like he is out for a Sunday stroll. 
>
>
> On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:26:17 AM UTC-5 felt...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> When we lived in minneapolis I rode with a small neighborhood group that 
>> did a weekly Sunday ride at a respectable pace. I was riding a Rambouillet 
>> back then: fenders, canvas saddle bag, shellacked bar tape, 33.333mm tires, 
>> etc. The other riders were on aluminum or CF bikes, of course. One day, we 
>> were doing our version of a paceline on a winding road near the U of M 
>> campus when we got passed by some shirtless college kid in jean shorts on a 
>> mountain bike. The group instinctively sped up to chase, but it was quickly 
>> obvious that we weren't going to catch him. Wry smiles and "holy crap, that 
>> kid was flying!" But the obvious point was that his speed wasn't really 
>> hindered that much by his upright/heavy bike and that the racy bikes and 
>> fancy clothes in our group were not making a significant difference to our 
>> middle-aged dadbod speeds. 
>>
>> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 8:05:49 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Doug - congrats on your increasing fitness on your new bike! Bikes and 
>>> health are great investments. Despite demonstrating that speed and comfort 
>>> are NOT mutually exclusive, I have made zero converts. Absolutely no one is 
>>> rushing out to buy a Racing Platypus of their own. However, their gaze has 
>>> been shifted to using bikes as transportation/for errands, and there is 
>>> some interest in the club about getting Rivendells to that end. The club 
>>> recently asked 5 of 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Slin]

> Interesting observation about the comfort of the Trek - I wonder why it 
became uncomfortable when slowing?

I've noticed that pedaling hard removes pressure from the hands and saddle. 
So on some bike setups with low handlebars, if I'm coasting, I can feel 
like I'm sliding forward on my saddle or need to support more of my weight 
with my arms. 



On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:37:19 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding 
Ding! wrote:

> I’m *loving* these bike stories you guys are giving. Now that I’ve got 
> club riding experience, I can better relate to your stories. 
>
> Interesting observation about the comfort of the Trek - I wonder why it 
> became uncomfortable when slowing? I can relate about the hills, too. We 
> Riv riders are working harder on our hills than the rest. I stand up and 
> PUSH on my pedals on our ascents. I feel like I need more weight to get 
> them to turn faster, and I can feel the bikes behind me gaining. But once 
> we crest the top I’m back up to pace again. I know I work harder on my 
> bike, but I also think that makes me stronger. I am at my high school 
> weight, or maybe less, and I have new muscles and even new circulation. I 
> have augmented my riding with weight lifting and core about 6 days a week, 
> and I think that helps my rides, too.
>
> I can also relate to the bag comments - Marc (Sam rider with a Saddlesack) 
> and I rode a club ride one day. One guy said to us, “You guys are ready for 
> anything. Even a job interview…with your little briefcases.” 
>
> Club rides are good, clean fun and a good way to challenge yourself. They 
> don’t replace the best kind of riding - using your bike to go places and do 
> things - but they are a good time.
>
> Ryan and Feltovich - did either of you make any converts? Anyone want to 
> try your Rivendell and then love the comfort?
>
> L
>
> On Sep 10, 2022, at 12:51 PM, Ryan M.  wrote:
>
> Club riding can be a lot of fun and quite rewarding. I always liked 
> riding with a group like that when I had the time...the fitness of it was 
> great. 
>
>
> I started out club riding on my Sam Hillborne with a Sackville handlebar 
> bag hooked up to a set of Nitto Noodles. My friend would make fun of me 
> asking why I needed a trout creel on the bike; I just answered that it was 
> the perfect size for a 6 pack of beer and a sandwich in case we needed a 
> rest stop. It was a great bike for riding with the slower or medium speed 
> group. Eventually I bought a carbon Trek and really started riding with the 
> faster group. Did it for a few years and I do think the bike setup helped 
> with the speed and I don't think I could have kept up with the group on my 
> Sam. I did buy a Roadeo and road that...and it was a great bike for club 
> riding. That carbon bike could climb a hill faster and more efficiently 
> than the Hillborne could, I can't deny that. The Roadeo was faster than the 
> Sam too and really about the same as the carbon bike for efficiency.  The 
> thing about that carbon Trek bike was that it was really comfortable for 
> long rides provided I was kinda hammering the pedals most of the time. As 
> soon as the pace came down to casual, the bike would become uncomfortable. 
> The Rivs were comfortable all the time.
>
> It's always a sobering moment when the group gets blown away by the single 
> speed riding, flip flop sporting, floppy t-shirt and jean short wearing 
> bike shop employee who just looks like he is out for a Sunday stroll. 
>
>
> On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:26:17 AM UTC-5 felt...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> When we lived in minneapolis I rode with a small neighborhood group that 
>> did a weekly Sunday ride at a respectable pace. I was riding a Rambouillet 
>> back then: fenders, canvas saddle bag, shellacked bar tape, 33.333mm tires, 
>> etc. The other riders were on aluminum or CF bikes, of course. One day, we 
>> were doing our version of a paceline on a winding road near the U of M 
>> campus when we got passed by some shirtless college kid in jean shorts on a 
>> mountain bike. The group instinctively sped up to chase, but it was quickly 
>> obvious that we weren't going to catch him. Wry smiles and "holy crap, that 
>> kid was flying!" But the obvious point was that his speed wasn't really 
>> hindered that much by his upright/heavy bike and that the racy bikes and 
>> fancy clothes in our group were not making a significant difference to our 
>> middle-aged dadbod speeds. 
>>
>> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 8:05:49 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Doug - congrats on your increasing fitness on your new bike! Bikes and 
>>> health are great investments. Despite demonstrating that speed and comfort 
>>> are NOT mutually exclusive, I have made zero converts. Absolutely no one is 
>>> rushing out to buy a Racing Platypus of their own. However, their gaze has 
>>> been shifted to using bikes as transportation/for errands, and there is 
>>> some interest in the club about 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Leah Peterson]

I’m *loving* these bike stories you guys are giving. Now that I’ve got club 
riding experience, I can better relate to your stories. 

Interesting observation about the comfort of the Trek - I wonder why it became 
uncomfortable when slowing? I can relate about the hills, too. We Riv riders 
are working harder on our hills than the rest. I stand up and PUSH on my pedals 
on our ascents. I feel like I need more weight to get them to turn faster, and 
I can feel the bikes behind me gaining. But once we crest the top I’m back up 
to pace again. I know I work harder on my bike, but I also think that makes me 
stronger. I am at my high school weight, or maybe less, and I have new muscles 
and even new circulation. I have augmented my riding with weight lifting and 
core about 6 days a week, and I think that helps my rides, too.

I can also relate to the bag comments - Marc (Sam rider with a Saddlesack) and 
I rode a club ride one day. One guy said to us, “You guys are ready for 
anything. Even a job interview…with your little briefcases.” 

Club rides are good, clean fun and a good way to challenge yourself. They don’t 
replace the best kind of riding - using your bike to go places and do things - 
but they are a good time.

Ryan and Feltovich - did either of you make any converts? Anyone want to try 
your Rivendell and then love the comfort?

L

> On Sep 10, 2022, at 12:51 PM, Ryan M.  wrote:
> 
> Club riding can be a lot of fun and quite rewarding. I always liked riding 
> with a group like that when I had the time...the fitness of it was great. 
> 
> I started out club riding on my Sam Hillborne with a Sackville handlebar bag 
> hooked up to a set of Nitto Noodles. My friend would make fun of me asking 
> why I needed a trout creel on the bike; I just answered that it was the 
> perfect size for a 6 pack of beer and a sandwich in case we needed a rest 
> stop. It was a great bike for riding with the slower or medium speed group. 
> Eventually I bought a carbon Trek and really started riding with the faster 
> group. Did it for a few years and I do think the bike setup helped with the 
> speed and I don't think I could have kept up with the group on my Sam. I did 
> buy a Roadeo and road that...and it was a great bike for club riding. That 
> carbon bike could climb a hill faster and more efficiently than the Hillborne 
> could, I can't deny that. The Roadeo was faster than the Sam too and really 
> about the same as the carbon bike for efficiency.  The thing about that 
> carbon Trek bike was that it was really comfortable for long rides provided I 
> was kinda hammering the pedals most of the time. As soon as the pace came 
> down to casual, the bike would become uncomfortable. The Rivs were 
> comfortable all the time.
> 
> It's always a sobering moment when the group gets blown away by the single 
> speed riding, flip flop sporting, floppy t-shirt and jean short wearing bike 
> shop employee who just looks like he is out for a Sunday stroll. 
> 
> 
>> On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:26:17 AM UTC-5 felt...@gmail.com wrote:
>> When we lived in minneapolis I rode with a small neighborhood group that did 
>> a weekly Sunday ride at a respectable pace. I was riding a Rambouillet back 
>> then: fenders, canvas saddle bag, shellacked bar tape, 33.333mm tires, etc. 
>> The other riders were on aluminum or CF bikes, of course. One day, we were 
>> doing our version of a paceline on a winding road near the U of M campus 
>> when we got passed by some shirtless college kid in jean shorts on a 
>> mountain bike. The group instinctively sped up to chase, but it was quickly 
>> obvious that we weren't going to catch him. Wry smiles and "holy crap, that 
>> kid was flying!" But the obvious point was that his speed wasn't really 
>> hindered that much by his upright/heavy bike and that the racy bikes and 
>> fancy clothes in our group were not making a significant difference to our 
>> middle-aged dadbod speeds. 
>> 
>>> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 8:05:49 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>>> wrote:
>>> Doug - congrats on your increasing fitness on your new bike! Bikes and 
>>> health are great investments. Despite demonstrating that speed and comfort 
>>> are NOT mutually exclusive, I have made zero converts. Absolutely no one is 
>>> rushing out to buy a Racing Platypus of their own. However, their gaze has 
>>> been shifted to using bikes as transportation/for errands, and there is 
>>> some interest in the club about getting Rivendells to that end. The club 
>>> recently asked 5 of us to present how we commute/shop by bike and two of us 
>>> were Rivendell owners, so that was pretty awesome. The club has been saying 
>>> it wants to broaden its focus and even changed its mission statement to be 
>>> more inclusive of all types of cycling. So, the winds of change are blowing.
>>> 
>>> Joe - I think you have to join a club ride. Your paint is Rad Red. That’s 
>>> racing paint.
>>> 
>>> I try to be a good 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Ryan M.]

Club riding can be a lot of fun and quite rewarding. I always liked riding 
with a group like that when I had the time...the fitness of it was great. 

I started out club riding on my Sam Hillborne with a Sackville handlebar 
bag hooked up to a set of Nitto Noodles. My friend would make fun of me 
asking why I needed a trout creel on the bike; I just answered that it was 
the perfect size for a 6 pack of beer and a sandwich in case we needed a 
rest stop. It was a great bike for riding with the slower or medium speed 
group. Eventually I bought a carbon Trek and really started riding with the 
faster group. Did it for a few years and I do think the bike setup helped 
with the speed and I don't think I could have kept up with the group on my 
Sam. I did buy a Roadeo and road that...and it was a great bike for club 
riding. That carbon bike could climb a hill faster and more efficiently 
than the Hillborne could, I can't deny that. The Roadeo was faster than the 
Sam too and really about the same as the carbon bike for efficiency.  The 
thing about that carbon Trek bike was that it was really comfortable for 
long rides provided I was kinda hammering the pedals most of the time. As 
soon as the pace came down to casual, the bike would become uncomfortable. 
The Rivs were comfortable all the time.

It's always a sobering moment when the group gets blown away by the single 
speed riding, flip flop sporting, floppy t-shirt and jean short wearing 
bike shop employee who just looks like he is out for a Sunday stroll. 


On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:26:17 AM UTC-5 felt...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> When we lived in minneapolis I rode with a small neighborhood group that 
> did a weekly Sunday ride at a respectable pace. I was riding a Rambouillet 
> back then: fenders, canvas saddle bag, shellacked bar tape, 33.333mm tires, 
> etc. The other riders were on aluminum or CF bikes, of course. One day, we 
> were doing our version of a paceline on a winding road near the U of M 
> campus when we got passed by some shirtless college kid in jean shorts on a 
> mountain bike. The group instinctively sped up to chase, but it was quickly 
> obvious that we weren't going to catch him. Wry smiles and "holy crap, that 
> kid was flying!" But the obvious point was that his speed wasn't really 
> hindered that much by his upright/heavy bike and that the racy bikes and 
> fancy clothes in our group were not making a significant difference to our 
> middle-aged dadbod speeds. 
>
> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 8:05:49 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Doug - congrats on your increasing fitness on your new bike! Bikes and 
>> health are great investments. Despite demonstrating that speed and comfort 
>> are NOT mutually exclusive, I have made zero converts. Absolutely no one is 
>> rushing out to buy a Racing Platypus of their own. However, their gaze has 
>> been shifted to using bikes as transportation/for errands, and there is 
>> some interest in the club about getting Rivendells to that end. The club 
>> recently asked 5 of us to present how we commute/shop by bike and two of us 
>> were Rivendell owners, so that was pretty awesome. The club has been saying 
>> it wants to broaden its focus and even changed its mission statement to be 
>> more inclusive of all types of cycling. So, the winds of change are blowing.
>>
>> Joe - I think you have to join a club ride. Your paint is Rad Red. That’s 
>> racing paint.
>>
>> I try to be a good sport about the comments but they do get old. They 
>> just have to say something, though; I think it’s too much for them. They 
>> have subscribed to the racing school of thought and then a clear violator 
>> of the rules speeds by. If one can assign value to suffering, then that’s 
>> one thing. You can be willing to suffer if there’s a payoff. But what if 
>> you were riding an uncomfortable bike/saddle and wearing uncomfortable 
>> clothes/shoes/diaper butt for NO REASON? If you can be fast without that 
>> stuff, then what? Sacred cows. Being slaughtered.
>>
>> Anyway, I am not trying to rag on the racers. I love riding with the 
>> racers. We just see things differently, but I’m glad to know them.
>> L
>>
>> On Sep 9, 2022, at 9:01 PM, Joe Bernard  wrote:
>>
>> I love your smiling comeback to the guys. Personally if I was hammering 
>> on a carbon racer and a young lady on a pretty raspberry mixte with 
>> fenders, rack and dynohub beat me I wouldn't pull up in the parking lot and 
>> tell her she's doing it wrong. I'd ask what *I'm *doing wrong! 
>>
>>
>>
>> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 2:58:33 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I’ve continued my club rides this summer, and will soon get to 
>>> experience them in the fall. There is no question that these rides have 
>>> made me fitter; I can look back at my Apple Watch recordings and see it. 
>>> I’m sure everyone is fitter by the end of the season, actually. Before I 
>>> joined the group, my 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[brian feltovich]

When we lived in minneapolis I rode with a small neighborhood group that 
did a weekly Sunday ride at a respectable pace. I was riding a Rambouillet 
back then: fenders, canvas saddle bag, shellacked bar tape, 33.333mm tires, 
etc. The other riders were on aluminum or CF bikes, of course. One day, we 
were doing our version of a paceline on a winding road near the U of M 
campus when we got passed by some shirtless college kid in jean shorts on a 
mountain bike. The group instinctively sped up to chase, but it was quickly 
obvious that we weren't going to catch him. Wry smiles and "holy crap, that 
kid was flying!" But the obvious point was that his speed wasn't really 
hindered that much by his upright/heavy bike and that the racy bikes and 
fancy clothes in our group were not making a significant difference to our 
middle-aged dadbod speeds. 

On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 8:05:49 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Doug - congrats on your increasing fitness on your new bike! Bikes and 
> health are great investments. Despite demonstrating that speed and comfort 
> are NOT mutually exclusive, I have made zero converts. Absolutely no one is 
> rushing out to buy a Racing Platypus of their own. However, their gaze has 
> been shifted to using bikes as transportation/for errands, and there is 
> some interest in the club about getting Rivendells to that end. The club 
> recently asked 5 of us to present how we commute/shop by bike and two of us 
> were Rivendell owners, so that was pretty awesome. The club has been saying 
> it wants to broaden its focus and even changed its mission statement to be 
> more inclusive of all types of cycling. So, the winds of change are blowing.
>
> Joe - I think you have to join a club ride. Your paint is Rad Red. That’s 
> racing paint.
>
> I try to be a good sport about the comments but they do get old. They just 
> have to say something, though; I think it’s too much for them. They have 
> subscribed to the racing school of thought and then a clear violator of the 
> rules speeds by. If one can assign value to suffering, then that’s one 
> thing. You can be willing to suffer if there’s a payoff. But what if you 
> were riding an uncomfortable bike/saddle and wearing uncomfortable 
> clothes/shoes/diaper butt for NO REASON? If you can be fast without that 
> stuff, then what? Sacred cows. Being slaughtered.
>
> Anyway, I am not trying to rag on the racers. I love riding with the 
> racers. We just see things differently, but I’m glad to know them.
> L
>
> On Sep 9, 2022, at 9:01 PM, Joe Bernard  wrote:
>
> I love your smiling comeback to the guys. Personally if I was hammering 
> on a carbon racer and a young lady on a pretty raspberry mixte with 
> fenders, rack and dynohub beat me I wouldn't pull up in the parking lot and 
> tell her she's doing it wrong. I'd ask what *I'm *doing wrong! 
>
>
>
> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 2:58:33 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> I’ve continued my club rides this summer, and will soon get to experience 
>> them in the fall. There is no question that these rides have made me 
>> fitter; I can look back at my Apple Watch recordings and see it. I’m sure 
>> everyone is fitter by the end of the season, actually. Before I joined the 
>> group, my normal trips were a mere 10 miles, and I was proud of that 
>> mileage. Now, is not uncommon for me to ride 28-30 miles on a club ride, 
>> and go out again on my own ride the same day. I just have to be careful 
>> that I get enough hydration and electrolytes, or I pay for it the next day. 
>> At the beginning of the season I was in the 14 mph group. The watch shows 
>> the “splits”, a mile by mile tracking of speed, and I can also see what my 
>> heart rate was doing - it was up in 140s and 150s. Now I’m in the 16 mph 
>> group and we exceed 16 regularly, but my heart rate is still slower at high 
>> speeds than it was when I was in the slower group. I’ve considered riding 
>> with a group going 17, but I would be pushing and I have to think it’s hard 
>> on one’s heart to push it for upwards of 2 hours. 
>>
>> Today’s women’s ride was a hilly route that took us through vineyard 
>> after vineyard. Wait until you smell the grapes, they told me. Did you know 
>> that grapes have a scent? I did not. They smell exactly like grape juice, 
>> which I did not expect, since I’ve never eaten a grape that tasted like 
>> grape juice. Also of note from today: a near tragedy. The ride starts at a 
>> park. The group was circled up, waiting for the last woman to arrive. She 
>> approached on the 2 lane road, 2 vehicles behind her. She was lit up, had 
>> her arm wide out, signaling to turn left. A woman near me began to scream 
>> NO NO NO NO NO NO!! The truck directly behind her slowed, but the one 
>> behind him decided to pass. He nearly killed Anne. She was unharmed but 
>> deeply shaken. 
>>
>> I’ve learned a lot about road safety and being a good group member by 
>> 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[RichS]

Leah,

Your club ride stories are very enjoyable. From a Vegas Lone Wolf to a full 
on Michigan "clubbie". Great that you found such a nice bunch to ride with!
Speaking of club rides, the Clarion National Cycling Club is your kind of 
club — and would be mine. Check out this group. Cheers!
https://membermojo.co.uk/cotswold-clarion-cycling-club/

Best,
Rich in ATL (wishing it was the Cotswolds)

On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 10:05:49 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Doug - congrats on your increasing fitness on your new bike! Bikes and 
> health are great investments. Despite demonstrating that speed and comfort 
> are NOT mutually exclusive, I have made zero converts. Absolutely no one is 
> rushing out to buy a Racing Platypus of their own. However, their gaze has 
> been shifted to using bikes as transportation/for errands, and there is 
> some interest in the club about getting Rivendells to that end. The club 
> recently asked 5 of us to present how we commute/shop by bike and two of us 
> were Rivendell owners, so that was pretty awesome. The club has been saying 
> it wants to broaden its focus and even changed its mission statement to be 
> more inclusive of all types of cycling. So, the winds of change are blowing.
>
> Joe - I think you have to join a club ride. Your paint is Rad Red. That’s 
> racing paint.
>
> I try to be a good sport about the comments but they do get old. They just 
> have to say something, though; I think it’s too much for them. They have 
> subscribed to the racing school of thought and then a clear violator of the 
> rules speeds by. If one can assign value to suffering, then that’s one 
> thing. You can be willing to suffer if there’s a payoff. But what if you 
> were riding an uncomfortable bike/saddle and wearing uncomfortable 
> clothes/shoes/diaper butt for NO REASON? If you can be fast without that 
> stuff, then what? Sacred cows. Being slaughtered.
>
> Anyway, I am not trying to rag on the racers. I love riding with the 
> racers. We just see things differently, but I’m glad to know them.
> L
>
> On Sep 9, 2022, at 9:01 PM, Joe Bernard  wrote:
>
> I love your smiling comeback to the guys. Personally if I was hammering 
> on a carbon racer and a young lady on a pretty raspberry mixte with 
> fenders, rack and dynohub beat me I wouldn't pull up in the parking lot and 
> tell her she's doing it wrong. I'd ask what *I'm *doing wrong! 
>
>
>
> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 2:58:33 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> I’ve continued my club rides this summer, and will soon get to experience 
>> them in the fall. There is no question that these rides have made me 
>> fitter; I can look back at my Apple Watch recordings and see it. I’m sure 
>> everyone is fitter by the end of the season, actually. Before I joined the 
>> group, my normal trips were a mere 10 miles, and I was proud of that 
>> mileage. Now, is not uncommon for me to ride 28-30 miles on a club ride, 
>> and go out again on my own ride the same day. I just have to be careful 
>> that I get enough hydration and electrolytes, or I pay for it the next day. 
>> At the beginning of the season I was in the 14 mph group. The watch shows 
>> the “splits”, a mile by mile tracking of speed, and I can also see what my 
>> heart rate was doing - it was up in 140s and 150s. Now I’m in the 16 mph 
>> group and we exceed 16 regularly, but my heart rate is still slower at high 
>> speeds than it was when I was in the slower group. I’ve considered riding 
>> with a group going 17, but I would be pushing and I have to think it’s hard 
>> on one’s heart to push it for upwards of 2 hours. 
>>
>> Today’s women’s ride was a hilly route that took us through vineyard 
>> after vineyard. Wait until you smell the grapes, they told me. Did you know 
>> that grapes have a scent? I did not. They smell exactly like grape juice, 
>> which I did not expect, since I’ve never eaten a grape that tasted like 
>> grape juice. Also of note from today: a near tragedy. The ride starts at a 
>> park. The group was circled up, waiting for the last woman to arrive. She 
>> approached on the 2 lane road, 2 vehicles behind her. She was lit up, had 
>> her arm wide out, signaling to turn left. A woman near me began to scream 
>> NO NO NO NO NO NO!! The truck directly behind her slowed, but the one 
>> behind him decided to pass. He nearly killed Anne. She was unharmed but 
>> deeply shaken. 
>>
>> I’ve learned a lot about road safety and being a good group member by 
>> calling out road hazards and taking my turn leading the group so the ride 
>> leaders can rest. I love all the scenery and the wildlife and the crops. We 
>> see animals and flowers and lakes on every ride. It’s a feast for the eyes, 
>> and I love that I can sit upright to fully see and appreciate them. I look 
>> down at my raspberry bike and I love that we get to do this together. The 
>> camaraderie is enjoyable; it is good to be with bike people, even 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Leah Peterson]

Doug - congrats on your increasing fitness on your new bike! Bikes and health 
are great investments. Despite demonstrating that speed and comfort are NOT 
mutually exclusive, I have made zero converts. Absolutely no one is rushing out 
to buy a Racing Platypus of their own. However, their gaze has been shifted to 
using bikes as transportation/for errands, and there is some interest in the 
club about getting Rivendells to that end. The club recently asked 5 of us to 
present how we commute/shop by bike and two of us were Rivendell owners, so 
that was pretty awesome. The club has been saying it wants to broaden its focus 
and even changed its mission statement to be more inclusive of all types of 
cycling. So, the winds of change are blowing.

Joe - I think you have to join a club ride. Your paint is Rad Red. That’s 
racing paint.

I try to be a good sport about the comments but they do get old. They just have 
to say something, though; I think it’s too much for them. They have subscribed 
to the racing school of thought and then a clear violator of the rules speeds 
by. If one can assign value to suffering, then that’s one thing. You can be 
willing to suffer if there’s a payoff. But what if you were riding an 
uncomfortable bike/saddle and wearing uncomfortable clothes/shoes/diaper butt 
for NO REASON? If you can be fast without that stuff, then what? Sacred cows. 
Being slaughtered.

Anyway, I am not trying to rag on the racers. I love riding with the racers. We 
just see things differently, but I’m glad to know them.
L

> On Sep 9, 2022, at 9:01 PM, Joe Bernard  wrote:
> 
> I love your smiling comeback to the guys. Personally if I was hammering on a 
> carbon racer and a young lady on a pretty raspberry mixte with fenders, rack 
> and dynohub beat me I wouldn't pull up in the parking lot and tell her she's 
> doing it wrong. I'd ask what I'm doing wrong! 
> 
>> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 2:58:33 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>> I’ve continued my club rides this summer, and will soon get to experience 
>> them in the fall. There is no question that these rides have made me fitter; 
>> I can look back at my Apple Watch recordings and see it. I’m sure everyone 
>> is fitter by the end of the season, actually. Before I joined the group, my 
>> normal trips were a mere 10 miles, and I was proud of that mileage. Now, is 
>> not uncommon for me to ride 28-30 miles on a club ride, and go out again on 
>> my own ride the same day. I just have to be careful that I get enough 
>> hydration and electrolytes, or I pay for it the next day. At the beginning 
>> of the season I was in the 14 mph group. The watch shows the “splits”, a 
>> mile by mile tracking of speed, and I can also see what my heart rate was 
>> doing - it was up in 140s and 150s. Now I’m in the 16 mph group and we 
>> exceed 16 regularly, but my heart rate is still slower at high speeds than 
>> it was when I was in the slower group. I’ve considered riding with a group 
>> going 17, but I would be pushing and I have to think it’s hard on one’s 
>> heart to push it for upwards of 2 hours. 
>> 
>> Today’s women’s ride was a hilly route that took us through vineyard after 
>> vineyard. Wait until you smell the grapes, they told me. Did you know that 
>> grapes have a scent? I did not. They smell exactly like grape juice, which I 
>> did not expect, since I’ve never eaten a grape that tasted like grape juice. 
>> Also of note from today: a near tragedy. The ride starts at a park. The 
>> group was circled up, waiting for the last woman to arrive. She approached 
>> on the 2 lane road, 2 vehicles behind her. She was lit up, had her arm wide 
>> out, signaling to turn left. A woman near me began to scream NO NO NO NO NO 
>> NO!! The truck directly behind her slowed, but the one behind him 
>> decided to pass. He nearly killed Anne. She was unharmed but deeply shaken. 
>> 
>> I’ve learned a lot about road safety and being a good group member by 
>> calling out road hazards and taking my turn leading the group so the ride 
>> leaders can rest. I love all the scenery and the wildlife and the crops. We 
>> see animals and flowers and lakes on every ride. It’s a feast for the eyes, 
>> and I love that I can sit upright to fully see and appreciate them. I look 
>> down at my raspberry bike and I love that we get to do this together. The 
>> camaraderie is enjoyable; it is good to be with bike people, even if they 
>> don’t understand your choice of bike. I’m no longer self-conscious when I 
>> roll up at the start of the ride. I don’t feel pressure to wear clicky shoes 
>> or a jersey; I’m there with my Grant Safety Triangle and my Target workout 
>> wear and my Keen sandals and I don’t feel inadequate. 
>> 
>> I still get comments on nearly every ride about how much my bike weighs or 
>> how fast I *could* be if only I had a real road bike, but I weather them 
>> pretty well and only send comebacks to the most egregious offenders. 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Joe Bernard]

I love your smiling comeback to the guys. Personally if I was hammering on 
a carbon racer and a young lady on a pretty raspberry mixte with fenders, 
rack and dynohub beat me I wouldn't pull up in the parking lot and tell her 
she's doing it wrong. I'd ask what *I'm *doing wrong! 

On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 2:58:33 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> I’ve continued my club rides this summer, and will soon get to experience 
> them in the fall. There is no question that these rides have made me 
> fitter; I can look back at my Apple Watch recordings and see it. I’m sure 
> everyone is fitter by the end of the season, actually. Before I joined the 
> group, my normal trips were a mere 10 miles, and I was proud of that 
> mileage. Now, is not uncommon for me to ride 28-30 miles on a club ride, 
> and go out again on my own ride the same day. I just have to be careful 
> that I get enough hydration and electrolytes, or I pay for it the next day. 
> At the beginning of the season I was in the 14 mph group. The watch shows 
> the “splits”, a mile by mile tracking of speed, and I can also see what my 
> heart rate was doing - it was up in 140s and 150s. Now I’m in the 16 mph 
> group and we exceed 16 regularly, but my heart rate is still slower at high 
> speeds than it was when I was in the slower group. I’ve considered riding 
> with a group going 17, but I would be pushing and I have to think it’s hard 
> on one’s heart to push it for upwards of 2 hours. 
>
> Today’s women’s ride was a hilly route that took us through vineyard after 
> vineyard. Wait until you smell the grapes, they told me. Did you know that 
> grapes have a scent? I did not. They smell exactly like grape juice, which 
> I did not expect, since I’ve never eaten a grape that tasted like grape 
> juice. Also of note from today: a near tragedy. The ride starts at a park. 
> The group was circled up, waiting for the last woman to arrive. She 
> approached on the 2 lane road, 2 vehicles behind her. She was lit up, had 
> her arm wide out, signaling to turn left. A woman near me began to scream 
> NO NO NO NO NO NO!! The truck directly behind her slowed, but the one 
> behind him decided to pass. He nearly killed Anne. She was unharmed but 
> deeply shaken. 
>
> I’ve learned a lot about road safety and being a good group member by 
> calling out road hazards and taking my turn leading the group so the ride 
> leaders can rest. I love all the scenery and the wildlife and the crops. We 
> see animals and flowers and lakes on every ride. It’s a feast for the eyes, 
> and I love that I can sit upright to fully see and appreciate them. I look 
> down at my raspberry bike and I love that we get to do this together. The 
> camaraderie is enjoyable; it is good to be with bike people, even if they 
> don’t understand your choice of bike. I’m no longer self-conscious when I 
> roll up at the start of the ride. I don’t feel pressure to wear clicky 
> shoes or a jersey; I’m there with my Grant Safety Triangle and my Target 
> workout wear and my Keen sandals and I don’t feel inadequate. 
>
> I still get comments on nearly every ride about how much my bike weighs or 
> how fast I *could* be if only I had a real road bike, but I weather them 
> pretty well and only send comebacks to the most egregious offenders. This 
> will always happen at the end of the ride, after we sprint to the parking 
> lot. Some guy will come find me at my vehicle and tell me how I’m doing it 
> wrong. After getting lectured about how I could go 25% faster if I had this 
> bike and narrow tires, blah, blah, I say, “Well, I just beat you, so I 
> don’t think my bike is the problem.”  This is now my standard response. But 
> I smile when I say it. Seeing that I will not be parted from my Racing 
> Platypus, some have now moved onto my heavy Hydroflask. I carry 40 oz of 
> water in a stainless steel Hydroflask and they can’t get over me lugging 
> all that extra weight along. Also, they want to know if it is orange juice 
> in there. Oh, whatever. 
>
> I laugh, and they laugh and we ride on.
>
> Leah
> (Pictures attached, but only of the women’s rides, because they are the 
> only group who will stop for a photo op!)
> On Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 9:27:43 PM UTC-4 Max S wrote:
>
>> As many / most of you know, carbon fiber composites have been in 
>> structural applications in aerospace and other fields for decades. That 
>> said, the frequency and thoroughness of regular inspections (and 
>> replacement) carried out in those applications is perhaps beyond what a 
>> typical cyclist is willing to do. But here's a couple of nice videos that 
>> demonstrate the durability of CF bike parts: 
>>
>> Danny MacAskill Tests Santa Cruz Reserve Carbon Wheels: 
>> https://youtu.be/VfjjiHGuHoc 
>>
>> Carbon vs Aluminum Frames - Which is Stronger? (you can skip to 1:40 mark 
>> for start of tests)
>> https://youtu.be/w5eMMf11uhM 
>>
>> But there are also examples of frames and 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Doug H.]

So glad you are showing the others that you can be both comfortable and 
fast!  I've noticed too that as I ride more, especially more hills, I've 
gotten stronger and developed more endurance. I'm not looking to be fast 
but my average speed has increased with the same effort the past few 
months. It really makes cycling more fun when I can ride with less effort. 
Your group looks fun!
Doug

On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 5:58:33 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> I’ve continued my club rides this summer, and will soon get to experience 
> them in the fall. There is no question that these rides have made me 
> fitter; I can look back at my Apple Watch recordings and see it. I’m sure 
> everyone is fitter by the end of the season, actually. Before I joined the 
> group, my normal trips were a mere 10 miles, and I was proud of that 
> mileage. Now, is not uncommon for me to ride 28-30 miles on a club ride, 
> and go out again on my own ride the same day. I just have to be careful 
> that I get enough hydration and electrolytes, or I pay for it the next day. 
> At the beginning of the season I was in the 14 mph group. The watch shows 
> the “splits”, a mile by mile tracking of speed, and I can also see what my 
> heart rate was doing - it was up in 140s and 150s. Now I’m in the 16 mph 
> group and we exceed 16 regularly, but my heart rate is still slower at high 
> speeds than it was when I was in the slower group. I’ve considered riding 
> with a group going 17, but I would be pushing and I have to think it’s hard 
> on one’s heart to push it for upwards of 2 hours. 
>
> Today’s women’s ride was a hilly route that took us through vineyard after 
> vineyard. Wait until you smell the grapes, they told me. Did you know that 
> grapes have a scent? I did not. They smell exactly like grape juice, which 
> I did not expect, since I’ve never eaten a grape that tasted like grape 
> juice. Also of note from today: a near tragedy. The ride starts at a park. 
> The group was circled up, waiting for the last woman to arrive. She 
> approached on the 2 lane road, 2 vehicles behind her. She was lit up, had 
> her arm wide out, signaling to turn left. A woman near me began to scream 
> NO NO NO NO NO NO!! The truck directly behind her slowed, but the one 
> behind him decided to pass. He nearly killed Anne. She was unharmed but 
> deeply shaken. 
>
> I’ve learned a lot about road safety and being a good group member by 
> calling out road hazards and taking my turn leading the group so the ride 
> leaders can rest. I love all the scenery and the wildlife and the crops. We 
> see animals and flowers and lakes on every ride. It’s a feast for the eyes, 
> and I love that I can sit upright to fully see and appreciate them. I look 
> down at my raspberry bike and I love that we get to do this together. The 
> camaraderie is enjoyable; it is good to be with bike people, even if they 
> don’t understand your choice of bike. I’m no longer self-conscious when I 
> roll up at the start of the ride. I don’t feel pressure to wear clicky 
> shoes or a jersey; I’m there with my Grant Safety Triangle and my Target 
> workout wear and my Keen sandals and I don’t feel inadequate. 
>
> I still get comments on nearly every ride about how much my bike weighs or 
> how fast I *could* be if only I had a real road bike, but I weather them 
> pretty well and only send comebacks to the most egregious offenders. This 
> will always happen at the end of the ride, after we sprint to the parking 
> lot. Some guy will come find me at my vehicle and tell me how I’m doing it 
> wrong. After getting lectured about how I could go 25% faster if I had this 
> bike and narrow tires, blah, blah, I say, “Well, I just beat you, so I 
> don’t think my bike is the problem.”  This is now my standard response. But 
> I smile when I say it. Seeing that I will not be parted from my Racing 
> Platypus, some have now moved onto my heavy Hydroflask. I carry 40 oz of 
> water in a stainless steel Hydroflask and they can’t get over me lugging 
> all that extra weight along. Also, they want to know if it is orange juice 
> in there. Oh, whatever. 
>
> I laugh, and they laugh and we ride on.
>
> Leah
> (Pictures attached, but only of the women’s rides, because they are the 
> only group who will stop for a photo op!)
> On Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 9:27:43 PM UTC-4 Max S wrote:
>
>> As many / most of you know, carbon fiber composites have been in 
>> structural applications in aerospace and other fields for decades. That 
>> said, the frequency and thoroughness of regular inspections (and 
>> replacement) carried out in those applications is perhaps beyond what a 
>> typical cyclist is willing to do. But here's a couple of nice videos that 
>> demonstrate the durability of CF bike parts: 
>>
>> Danny MacAskill Tests Santa Cruz Reserve Carbon Wheels: 
>> https://youtu.be/VfjjiHGuHoc 
>>
>> Carbon vs Aluminum Frames - Which is Stronger? (you can skip to 1:40 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Karl Wilcox]

But aren’t carbon rims ridiculously expensive?

On Monday, August 15, 2022, Max S  wrote:

> Patrick,
>
> This is a deeply and widely explored topic. There are some numbers and
> graphs to look at here:  https://www.wheelscience.com/pages/aero-v-weight
> In my personal experience, deep rims can save me ~10-20 watts, depending
> on how fast and where I ride. So, it can get me from 16.5 to 17.0 mph or to
> 17.5 mph average over a 50 mile ride on our local gravel roads, for
> example.
> If those rims are carbon, that nets a 1.3-1.5 kg wheelset that is both
> aerodynamic AND sturdy. If I try to hit that weight mark with aluminum
> rims, I get a less aerodynamic and a flimsier wheelset.
> Speaking for myself, the upshot of running deep dish carbon wheels is that
> they let me give up an hour of sleep the night before to keep up with my
> riding pal... But if you're riding by yourself, and your sleep hygiene is
> good, and you're eating right, and you're not checking the local rankings
> on various "segments" on Strava, it doesn't make much difference.
> Well, no, let me take that back. What I've discovered of late in riding
> gravel roads is that half of my aluminum rims have developed dents, whereas
> the carbon wheels have not. I'm not a particularly heavy rider and I like
> to think I'm a careful rider. But running the same size tires on carbon
> wheels seems to not result in the same number of dents. Now this will
> probably at some point turn into a chipped / delaminated section on that
> carbon rim, but for now, they seem to suffer fewer of those dents.
> Carbon frames and forks do save a significant amount of weight – expect
> about 2-3 lbs saved over a similarly sized steel frame & fork, especially
> from Rivendell. The weight is felt on the hills – about 10 seconds per mile
> of climbing at 4-5% gradients, in my experience, but I could be
> mis-remembering. It's easy to stick two extra 2-liter soda bottles in your
> saddlebag and test the effect quantitatively and qualitatively for yourself.
> If the above makes me sound like a carbon apologist, I'll say that all my
> bikes have steel frames and forks, and most have aluminum rims. I just
> prefer those for now, for a variety of reasons. But sometimes I do ride
> carbon wheels and enjoy the looks and the very very slight speed benefits,
> and noticeable durability benefits for some aspects of my riding.
>
> - Max "who should be working on getting more sleep rather than re-gluing
> his tires" in A2
> On Monday, August 15, 2022 at 12:30:36 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:
>
>> Pretty Sotherland, and that's one of the most interesting head badges
>> I've seen. The motto in full is "Sans peur et sans reproche" -- "Without
>> fear and without blame" or generally, "Beyond fear and reproach," the motto
>> of the ideal knight of chivalry.
>>
>> I'm just asking this (of the group) and not reproaching: Do carbon fork
>> and aero carbon fiber wheels make that much of a difference over a good
>> steel fork and say lightweight tubulars or RH extralight clinchers at less
>> than race speeds?
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Aug 12, 2022 at 2:03 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
>> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Today was a women’s ride. 29 miles at over 16 mph, and it was great.
>>> Such a nice group of women. Many of them ride TO the ride, and then ride
>>> home again. I come from the opposite end of the city, so I am always stuck
>>> driving. Anyway, I have some photos but first let’s take a minute to
>>> appreciate this lugged, steel bike that belongs to my ride leader. You’ll
>>> see her decals say “Sotherland.” That does happen to be her name, yes, but
>>> it is also the builder’s name. John Sotherland used to build the Rivendell
>>> frames in the Waterford days; he has since opened his own shop. John is a
>>> brother-in-law to my ride leader, and he made her this beautiful pink and
>>> white fade bike in 1988. This is the original paint job. I did not have
>>> time to ask about the fork, but aren’t her chainstays interesting? We were
>>> pulled over on a highway waiting for a rider to fix her flat, so I
>>> hurriedly took these few shots.
>>>
>>> Save this one bike, all the rest were carbon.
>>> Leah
>>>
>>
>> [image: image.png]
>>
>>
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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Max S]

As many / most of you know, carbon fiber composites have been in structural 
applications in aerospace and other fields for decades. That said, the 
frequency and thoroughness of regular inspections (and replacement) carried 
out in those applications is perhaps beyond what a typical cyclist is 
willing to do. But here's a couple of nice videos that demonstrate the 
durability of CF bike parts: 

Danny MacAskill Tests Santa Cruz Reserve Carbon Wheels: 
https://youtu.be/VfjjiHGuHoc 

Carbon vs Aluminum Frames - Which is Stronger? (you can skip to 1:40 mark 
for start of tests)
https://youtu.be/w5eMMf11uhM 

But there are also examples of frames and wheels failing... like this one: 
https://youtu.be/NVkWlsbnUZ8 

Aluminum fails too, but for different reasons:  
https://youtu.be/qKeeHDuoFq8 

- Max "horses for courses & ride what you brung" in A2 

On Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 8:52:20 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:

> Thanks, Max, a clear and informative response. I didn't realize one could 
> save so much time at sub 18 mph.
>
> I've only dented 1 rim that I remember, back in about 1971 or 1972 when I 
> bashed a steel 27" rim by failing to dodge a pothole at the bottom of a 
> fast hill on the way to school, but it is good to know that CF rims can 
> outlast and outwear aluminum ones and at lighter weights; the Velocity 
> Blunt SS wheels on my (disc brake) dirt road bike are very light, but I've 
> thought of replacing them with an even lighter CF-rim pair (but thin crust 
> and not deep dish!) some day, especially since I could use the Blunts for a 
> wheelset for a long-wished-for Monocog replacement.
>
> As to weight, I've had a few heavy bikes that just felt easier to pedal in 
> given gears in given conditions; a mark of these was that I naturally 
> tended to ride at cruising speed on flats 1 cog smaller / 5 gear inches 
> bigger. But I never took any measurements.
>
> To respond to Andy's remarks, I myself tend to gauge "speed" by feel, 
> first by ease of pedaling as described, and distant second, smoothness of 
> tires (I qualify "smooth" by "tires" because I've had at least 1 noodle 
> frame that felt very plush but not particularly fast; not particularly 
> slow, but not especially fast -- ancient long wheelbase Raleigh Technium). 
> But I have never, ever thought a bike faster because of it felt rode rough 
> or buzzy. 
>
> So indeed, my criteria are largely sensory. But I'd still not baulk at 
> lighter and stronger rims.
>
> On Mon, Aug 15, 2022 at 10:10 PM Max S  wrote:
>
>> Patrick, 
>>
>> This is a deeply and widely explored topic. There are some numbers and 
>> graphs to look at here:  https://www.wheelscience.com/pages/aero-v-weight
>>  
>> In my personal experience, deep rims can save me ~10-20 watts, depending 
>> on how fast and where I ride. So, it can get me from 16.5 to 17.0 mph or to 
>> 17.5 mph average over a 50 mile ride on our local gravel roads, for 
>> example. 
>> If those rims are carbon, that nets a 1.3-1.5 kg wheelset that is both 
>> aerodynamic AND sturdy. If I try to hit that weight mark with aluminum 
>> rims, I get a less aerodynamic and a flimsier wheelset. 
>> Speaking for myself, the upshot of running deep dish carbon wheels is 
>> that they let me give up an hour of sleep the night before to keep up with 
>> my riding pal... But if you're riding by yourself, and your sleep hygiene 
>> is good, and you're eating right, and you're not checking the local 
>> rankings on various "segments" on Strava, it doesn't make much difference. 
>> Well, no, let me take that back. What I've discovered of late in riding 
>> gravel roads is that half of my aluminum rims have developed dents, whereas 
>> the carbon wheels have not. I'm not a particularly heavy rider and I like 
>> to think I'm a careful rider. But running the same size tires on carbon 
>> wheels seems to not result in the same number of dents. Now this will 
>> probably at some point turn into a chipped / delaminated section on that 
>> carbon rim, but for now, they seem to suffer fewer of those dents. 
>> Carbon frames and forks do save a significant amount of weight – expect 
>> about 2-3 lbs saved over a similarly sized steel frame & fork, especially 
>> from Rivendell. The weight is felt on the hills – about 10 seconds per mile 
>> of climbing at 4-5% gradients, in my experience, but I could be 
>> mis-remembering. It's easy to stick two extra 2-liter soda bottles in your 
>> saddlebag and test the effect quantitatively and qualitatively for yourself.
>> If the above makes me sound like a carbon apologist, I'll say that all my 
>> bikes have steel frames and forks, and most have aluminum rims. I just 
>> prefer those for now, for a variety of reasons. But sometimes I do ride 
>> carbon wheels and enjoy the looks and the very very slight speed benefits, 
>> and noticeable durability benefits for some aspects of my riding. 
>>
>> - Max "who should be working on getting more sleep rather than re-gluing 
>> 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Patrick Moore]

Thanks, Max, a clear and informative response. I didn't realize one could
save so much time at sub 18 mph.

I've only dented 1 rim that I remember, back in about 1971 or 1972 when I
bashed a steel 27" rim by failing to dodge a pothole at the bottom of a
fast hill on the way to school, but it is good to know that CF rims can
outlast and outwear aluminum ones and at lighter weights; the Velocity
Blunt SS wheels on my (disc brake) dirt road bike are very light, but I've
thought of replacing them with an even lighter CF-rim pair (but thin crust
and not deep dish!) some day, especially since I could use the Blunts for a
wheelset for a long-wished-for Monocog replacement.

As to weight, I've had a few heavy bikes that just felt easier to pedal in
given gears in given conditions; a mark of these was that I naturally
tended to ride at cruising speed on flats 1 cog smaller / 5 gear inches
bigger. But I never took any measurements.

To respond to Andy's remarks, I myself tend to gauge "speed" by feel, first
by ease of pedaling as described, and distant second, smoothness of tires
(I qualify "smooth" by "tires" because I've had at least 1 noodle frame
that felt very plush but not particularly fast; not particularly slow, but
not especially fast -- ancient long wheelbase Raleigh Technium). But I have
never, ever thought a bike faster because of it felt rode rough or buzzy.

So indeed, my criteria are largely sensory. But I'd still not baulk at
lighter and stronger rims.

On Mon, Aug 15, 2022 at 10:10 PM Max S  wrote:

> Patrick,
>
> This is a deeply and widely explored topic. There are some numbers and
> graphs to look at here:  https://www.wheelscience.com/pages/aero-v-weight
> In my personal experience, deep rims can save me ~10-20 watts, depending
> on how fast and where I ride. So, it can get me from 16.5 to 17.0 mph or to
> 17.5 mph average over a 50 mile ride on our local gravel roads, for
> example.
> If those rims are carbon, that nets a 1.3-1.5 kg wheelset that is both
> aerodynamic AND sturdy. If I try to hit that weight mark with aluminum
> rims, I get a less aerodynamic and a flimsier wheelset.
> Speaking for myself, the upshot of running deep dish carbon wheels is that
> they let me give up an hour of sleep the night before to keep up with my
> riding pal... But if you're riding by yourself, and your sleep hygiene is
> good, and you're eating right, and you're not checking the local rankings
> on various "segments" on Strava, it doesn't make much difference.
> Well, no, let me take that back. What I've discovered of late in riding
> gravel roads is that half of my aluminum rims have developed dents, whereas
> the carbon wheels have not. I'm not a particularly heavy rider and I like
> to think I'm a careful rider. But running the same size tires on carbon
> wheels seems to not result in the same number of dents. Now this will
> probably at some point turn into a chipped / delaminated section on that
> carbon rim, but for now, they seem to suffer fewer of those dents.
> Carbon frames and forks do save a significant amount of weight – expect
> about 2-3 lbs saved over a similarly sized steel frame & fork, especially
> from Rivendell. The weight is felt on the hills – about 10 seconds per mile
> of climbing at 4-5% gradients, in my experience, but I could be
> mis-remembering. It's easy to stick two extra 2-liter soda bottles in your
> saddlebag and test the effect quantitatively and qualitatively for yourself.
> If the above makes me sound like a carbon apologist, I'll say that all my
> bikes have steel frames and forks, and most have aluminum rims. I just
> prefer those for now, for a variety of reasons. But sometimes I do ride
> carbon wheels and enjoy the looks and the very very slight speed benefits,
> and noticeable durability benefits for some aspects of my riding.
>
> - Max "who should be working on getting more sleep rather than re-gluing
> his tires" in A2
> On Monday, August 15, 2022 at 12:30:36 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:
>
>> Pretty Sotherland, and that's one of the most interesting head badges
>> I've seen. The motto in full is "Sans peur et sans reproche" -- "Without
>> fear and without blame" or generally, "Beyond fear and reproach," the motto
>> of the ideal knight of chivalry.
>>
>> I'm just asking this (of the group) and not reproaching: Do carbon fork
>> and aero carbon fiber wheels make that much of a difference over a good
>> steel fork and say lightweight tubulars or RH extralight clinchers at less
>> than race speeds?
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Aug 12, 2022 at 2:03 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
>> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Today was a women’s ride. 29 miles at over 16 mph, and it was great.
>>> Such a nice group of women. Many of them ride TO the ride, and then ride
>>> home again. I come from the opposite end of the city, so I am always stuck
>>> driving. Anyway, I have some photos but first let’s take a minute to
>>> appreciate this lugged, steel bike that belongs to my ride 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[ascpgh]

I believe this will come to a division at the invisible and transient line 
separating  linear and non-linear sensory processing by riders. Many will 
have an appreciation of a varying balance of both extremes of integrating 
and appreciating sensory input from riding their bikes. 

Ride reports demonstrate this and will range from expanded Strava data 
recaps to descriptions of scenery, locations of stops and what was eaten in 
that setting. Folks will vary between appreciating information in 
spreadsheet form or in a rich verbal descriptive with included photos to 
convey the satisfaction of a ride. Depends on your brain's manner of being 
satisfied and how a bike ride meets those objectives. After any ride do you 
look at the pictures from the ride or data collected by and processed by 
technical means?

I am not concerned by gram counting or resistance reduction, both mean I'll 
get more exercise sooner than those with equipment offering both to them. 
If we ride the same ride I will be better exercised at the end than they 
will. 

What I do notice are the sounds of a bike. We've gone on about the varying 
loudness of free hubs ratcheting and I have to admit to being a sound 
processor, seeking satisfaction through that input along with the others. 
Maybe it's why I strive to resolve adventitious sounds from my bikes but 
it's also why I am not much of a fan of road disc brakes and two piece 
cranks that under normal operation by the average bike owner (vs a shop 
employee or well appointed and experienced individual with daily access to 
a work stand, tools and materials) squeak, creak and shriek from the need 
for some nominal regular service or adjustment that's being missed. 

I hear CF rimmed wheels under way on others bikes and it isn't the quieter 
sound of an aluminum rimmed wheel to me. Maybe it's the majority of hollow 
CF frames those wheels are on, acting as a soundbox amplifying their aural 
footprint and I'd be less aware of them under a less amplifying steel 
frame. I have my own bandwidth of technical appreciation and realize each 
facet comes with a reason, a story from the past that makes it have meaning 
that is persistent to me, not usurped by the next big thing on specs alone. 
there is much in all of our lives beyond bicycle parts that is important to 
us but non-sensical to others, including those close to you. To argue or 
apply effort to align others is misplaced and fails to acknowledge how 
individual and unique processing of stimulus is. 

Any way, bicycling is about sights and sounds, smells and tastes, comfort 
and discomfort, enjoyment and displeasure. Each in a balance that satisfies 
my moment when I choose to go on a ride. The hardware is important but not 
enough to elevate spreadsheet data to gospel above experiential 
associations that I learned and come to trust over time. No component 
manufacturer and spec sheet has that power over me. Frame builders, maybe. 

When I say enjoy your ride I mean to optimize the sensory experience that 
brings you satisfaction and if grams related to time reduction under a 
known caloric output capacity defined from previous segment performance, 
let that be expressed. I'd choose to be out riding for the extra time, 
appreciating the experiences it's providing.

Andy Cheatham
Pittsbburgh

On Monday, August 15, 2022 at 12:30:36 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:

> Pretty Sotherland, and that's one of the most interesting head badges I've 
> seen. The motto in full is "Sans peur et sans reproche" -- "Without fear 
> and without blame" or generally, "Beyond fear and reproach," the motto of 
> the ideal knight of chivalry.
>
> I'm just asking this (of the group) and not reproaching: Do carbon fork 
> and aero carbon fiber wheels make that much of a difference over a good 
> steel fork and say lightweight tubulars or RH extralight clinchers at less 
> than race speeds? 
>
>
> On Fri, Aug 12, 2022 at 2:03 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Today was a women’s ride. 29 miles at over 16 mph, and it was great. Such 
>> a nice group of women. Many of them ride TO the ride, and then ride home 
>> again. I come from the opposite end of the city, so I am always stuck 
>> driving. Anyway, I have some photos but first let’s take a minute to 
>> appreciate this lugged, steel bike that belongs to my ride leader. You’ll 
>> see her decals say “Sotherland.” That does happen to be her name, yes, but 
>> it is also the builder’s name. John Sotherland used to build the Rivendell 
>> frames in the Waterford days; he has since opened his own shop. John is a 
>> brother-in-law to my ride leader, and he made her this beautiful pink and 
>> white fade bike in 1988. This is the original paint job. I did not have 
>> time to ask about the fork, but aren’t her chainstays interesting? We were 
>> pulled over on a highway waiting for a rider to fix her flat, so I 
>> hurriedly took these few shots. 
>>
>> Save this one bike, all the 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Max S]

Patrick, 

This is a deeply and widely explored topic. There are some numbers and 
graphs to look at here:  https://www.wheelscience.com/pages/aero-v-weight 
In my personal experience, deep rims can save me ~10-20 watts, depending on 
how fast and where I ride. So, it can get me from 16.5 to 17.0 mph or to 
17.5 mph average over a 50 mile ride on our local gravel roads, for 
example. 
If those rims are carbon, that nets a 1.3-1.5 kg wheelset that is both 
aerodynamic AND sturdy. If I try to hit that weight mark with aluminum 
rims, I get a less aerodynamic and a flimsier wheelset. 
Speaking for myself, the upshot of running deep dish carbon wheels is that 
they let me give up an hour of sleep the night before to keep up with my 
riding pal... But if you're riding by yourself, and your sleep hygiene is 
good, and you're eating right, and you're not checking the local rankings 
on various "segments" on Strava, it doesn't make much difference. 
Well, no, let me take that back. What I've discovered of late in riding 
gravel roads is that half of my aluminum rims have developed dents, whereas 
the carbon wheels have not. I'm not a particularly heavy rider and I like 
to think I'm a careful rider. But running the same size tires on carbon 
wheels seems to not result in the same number of dents. Now this will 
probably at some point turn into a chipped / delaminated section on that 
carbon rim, but for now, they seem to suffer fewer of those dents. 
Carbon frames and forks do save a significant amount of weight – expect 
about 2-3 lbs saved over a similarly sized steel frame & fork, especially 
from Rivendell. The weight is felt on the hills – about 10 seconds per mile 
of climbing at 4-5% gradients, in my experience, but I could be 
mis-remembering. It's easy to stick two extra 2-liter soda bottles in your 
saddlebag and test the effect quantitatively and qualitatively for yourself.
If the above makes me sound like a carbon apologist, I'll say that all my 
bikes have steel frames and forks, and most have aluminum rims. I just 
prefer those for now, for a variety of reasons. But sometimes I do ride 
carbon wheels and enjoy the looks and the very very slight speed benefits, 
and noticeable durability benefits for some aspects of my riding. 

- Max "who should be working on getting more sleep rather than re-gluing 
his tires" in A2
On Monday, August 15, 2022 at 12:30:36 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:

> Pretty Sotherland, and that's one of the most interesting head badges I've 
> seen. The motto in full is "Sans peur et sans reproche" -- "Without fear 
> and without blame" or generally, "Beyond fear and reproach," the motto of 
> the ideal knight of chivalry.
>
> I'm just asking this (of the group) and not reproaching: Do carbon fork 
> and aero carbon fiber wheels make that much of a difference over a good 
> steel fork and say lightweight tubulars or RH extralight clinchers at less 
> than race speeds? 
>
>
> On Fri, Aug 12, 2022 at 2:03 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Today was a women’s ride. 29 miles at over 16 mph, and it was great. Such 
>> a nice group of women. Many of them ride TO the ride, and then ride home 
>> again. I come from the opposite end of the city, so I am always stuck 
>> driving. Anyway, I have some photos but first let’s take a minute to 
>> appreciate this lugged, steel bike that belongs to my ride leader. You’ll 
>> see her decals say “Sotherland.” That does happen to be her name, yes, but 
>> it is also the builder’s name. John Sotherland used to build the Rivendell 
>> frames in the Waterford days; he has since opened his own shop. John is a 
>> brother-in-law to my ride leader, and he made her this beautiful pink and 
>> white fade bike in 1988. This is the original paint job. I did not have 
>> time to ask about the fork, but aren’t her chainstays interesting? We were 
>> pulled over on a highway waiting for a rider to fix her flat, so I 
>> hurriedly took these few shots. 
>>
>> Save this one bike, all the rest were carbon.
>> Leah
>>
>
> [image: image.png]
>  
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Joe Bernard]

Typo. Sotherland. 

On Friday, August 12, 2022 at 4:02:31 PM UTC-7 Joe Bernard wrote:

> The pink/white fade on that Southerland is too cool, I'm a sucker for '80s 
> neon. Rad! 
>
> On Friday, August 12, 2022 at 1:03:24 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Today was a women’s ride. 29 miles at over 16 mph, and it was great. Such 
>> a nice group of women. Many of them ride TO the ride, and then ride home 
>> again. I come from the opposite end of the city, so I am always stuck 
>> driving. Anyway, I have some photos but first let’s take a minute to 
>> appreciate this lugged, steel bike that belongs to my ride leader. You’ll 
>> see her decals say “Sotherland.” That does happen to be her name, yes, but 
>> it is also the builder’s name. John Sotherland used to build the Rivendell 
>> frames in the Waterford days; he has since opened his own shop. John is a 
>> brother-in-law to my ride leader, and he made her this beautiful pink and 
>> white fade bike in 1988. This is the original paint job. I did not have 
>> time to ask about the fork, but aren’t her chainstays interesting? We were 
>> pulled over on a highway waiting for a rider to fix her flat, so I 
>> hurriedly took these few shots. 
>>
>> Save this one bike, all the rest were carbon.
>> Leah
>>
>> On Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 9:59:15 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Yes, and if I only had one Platypus it would be jazzed up just like that 
>>> poor Betty. I had to get a second so that one could be my Racing Platypus. 
>>>
>>> On Jun 29, 2022, at 9:33 PM, Marc Irwin  wrote:
>>>
>>> Boy you did have that Betty geared up.
>>>
>>>
>>> Marc
>>>
>>> On Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 4:14:53 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 You guys are funny. I mean, I might have been *accused* of being the 
 Godzilla in the Velotaxonomy, but I was at least half Lone Wolf. But Marc, 
 you are the original Lone Wolf. The Lone Wolf that will tolerate the 
 Platypus Rider. 

 I won’t make it a habit challenging the the strident spandex hamsters 
 (Marc actually calls them this in person and gets by with it), but last 
 night I was goaded into it on our Women’s Ride. There’s a straightaway 
 that 
 apparently means, “SPRINT” and everyone knows this except the oblivious 
 Platypus Rider. I was chatting with a gal at the back of the group when we 
 noticed them all take off like bats out of hell.  “Go catch her, Leah!”she 
 yelled. Oh, is that what we do? Ok, I’ll try. I caught up to the 2 in the 
 lead but the sprint was over before I could catch them. Next time I’ll be 
 ready!

 Here is from the old Godzilla days. No baguette, though: 
 [image: image1.jpeg][image: image2.jpeg]


 On Jun 29, 2022, at 12:51 PM, Joe Bernard  wrote:

 "Beautiful Godzilla" and "strident spandex hamsters"..I'm clearly 
 behind on the latest cycling terminology! 



 On Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 7:31:07 AM UTC-7 Marc Irwin wrote:

> It was just a few months ago Leah and her family moved to Kalamazoo 
> from Las Vegas, several people suggested she contact me about riding in 
> the 
> area.  She was a self described "Beautiful Godzilla" (Bike Snob p. 75)  
> who 
> had never ridden more than 17 miles and never with anybody else.  I 
> introduced her to the women in the local club and she reluctantly 
> participated in a few rides.  She is now a brilliant example of a 
> "Godzilla" in recovery who has moved on to bigger things leaving the 
> poodle 
> behind.  Actually, she found out from riding with a regular group that 
> she 
> is a lot better at this bike thing than she thought.  I don't see her 
> challenging the strident spandex hamsters on her gorgeous platypus, but...
>
> Marc
>  
>
> On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 11:42:23 PM UTC-4 Roberta wrote:
>
>> What a great story.   Very impressive. 
>> I think you've earned biking R-E-S-P-E-C-T. 
>> Congratulations.   
>> On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 4:42:29 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> My first 100k ride is in the books!
>>>
>>> Every year my bike club does a tour around the county. You choose a 
>>> route and sign up. I was going to do a 50 mile ride; my longest ride so 
>>> far 
>>> is 35 miles, so I thought this would be a good starting point. I’ve 
>>> never 
>>> been on a tour, and I don’t know how fast the Club expects one to go - 
>>> is 
>>> this like a weekly club ride or something different? 
>>>
>>> T talked me into a metric century. I’ve said before, I have stars in 
>>> my eyes for this amazing woman and if she says I can do 62 miles, I’m 
>>> doing 
>>> 62 miles. My MNR leader was heading up the group, 15-16 mph would be 
>>> the 
>>> pace. There would be 2 SAG stops. Here is my 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Joe Bernard]

The pink/white fade on that Southerland is too cool, I'm a sucker for '80s 
neon. Rad! 

On Friday, August 12, 2022 at 1:03:24 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Today was a women’s ride. 29 miles at over 16 mph, and it was great. Such 
> a nice group of women. Many of them ride TO the ride, and then ride home 
> again. I come from the opposite end of the city, so I am always stuck 
> driving. Anyway, I have some photos but first let’s take a minute to 
> appreciate this lugged, steel bike that belongs to my ride leader. You’ll 
> see her decals say “Sotherland.” That does happen to be her name, yes, but 
> it is also the builder’s name. John Sotherland used to build the Rivendell 
> frames in the Waterford days; he has since opened his own shop. John is a 
> brother-in-law to my ride leader, and he made her this beautiful pink and 
> white fade bike in 1988. This is the original paint job. I did not have 
> time to ask about the fork, but aren’t her chainstays interesting? We were 
> pulled over on a highway waiting for a rider to fix her flat, so I 
> hurriedly took these few shots. 
>
> Save this one bike, all the rest were carbon.
> Leah
>
> On Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 9:59:15 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Yes, and if I only had one Platypus it would be jazzed up just like that 
>> poor Betty. I had to get a second so that one could be my Racing Platypus. 
>>
>> On Jun 29, 2022, at 9:33 PM, Marc Irwin  wrote:
>>
>> Boy you did have that Betty geared up.
>>
>>
>> Marc
>>
>> On Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 4:14:53 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> You guys are funny. I mean, I might have been *accused* of being the 
>>> Godzilla in the Velotaxonomy, but I was at least half Lone Wolf. But Marc, 
>>> you are the original Lone Wolf. The Lone Wolf that will tolerate the 
>>> Platypus Rider. 
>>>
>>> I won’t make it a habit challenging the the strident spandex hamsters 
>>> (Marc actually calls them this in person and gets by with it), but last 
>>> night I was goaded into it on our Women’s Ride. There’s a straightaway that 
>>> apparently means, “SPRINT” and everyone knows this except the oblivious 
>>> Platypus Rider. I was chatting with a gal at the back of the group when we 
>>> noticed them all take off like bats out of hell.  “Go catch her, Leah!”she 
>>> yelled. Oh, is that what we do? Ok, I’ll try. I caught up to the 2 in the 
>>> lead but the sprint was over before I could catch them. Next time I’ll be 
>>> ready!
>>>
>>> Here is from the old Godzilla days. No baguette, though: 
>>> [image: image1.jpeg][image: image2.jpeg]
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jun 29, 2022, at 12:51 PM, Joe Bernard  wrote:
>>>
>>> "Beautiful Godzilla" and "strident spandex hamsters"..I'm clearly 
>>> behind on the latest cycling terminology! 
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 7:31:07 AM UTC-7 Marc Irwin wrote:
>>>
 It was just a few months ago Leah and her family moved to Kalamazoo 
 from Las Vegas, several people suggested she contact me about riding in 
 the 
 area.  She was a self described "Beautiful Godzilla" (Bike Snob p. 75)  
 who 
 had never ridden more than 17 miles and never with anybody else.  I 
 introduced her to the women in the local club and she reluctantly 
 participated in a few rides.  She is now a brilliant example of a 
 "Godzilla" in recovery who has moved on to bigger things leaving the 
 poodle 
 behind.  Actually, she found out from riding with a regular group that she 
 is a lot better at this bike thing than she thought.  I don't see her 
 challenging the strident spandex hamsters on her gorgeous platypus, but...

 Marc
  

 On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 11:42:23 PM UTC-4 Roberta wrote:

> What a great story.   Very impressive. 
> I think you've earned biking R-E-S-P-E-C-T. 
> Congratulations.   
> On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 4:42:29 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> My first 100k ride is in the books!
>>
>> Every year my bike club does a tour around the county. You choose a 
>> route and sign up. I was going to do a 50 mile ride; my longest ride so 
>> far 
>> is 35 miles, so I thought this would be a good starting point. I’ve 
>> never 
>> been on a tour, and I don’t know how fast the Club expects one to go - 
>> is 
>> this like a weekly club ride or something different? 
>>
>> T talked me into a metric century. I’ve said before, I have stars in 
>> my eyes for this amazing woman and if she says I can do 62 miles, I’m 
>> doing 
>> 62 miles. My MNR leader was heading up the group, 15-16 mph would be the 
>> pace. There would be 2 SAG stops. Here is my Racing Platypus before the 
>> ride:
>>
>> -- 
>>> 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 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Leah Peterson]

Yes, and if I only had one Platypus it would be jazzed up just like that poor 
Betty. I had to get a second so that one could be my Racing Platypus. 

> On Jun 29, 2022, at 9:33 PM, Marc Irwin  wrote:
> 
> Boy you did have that Betty geared up.
> 
> Marc
> 
>> On Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 4:14:53 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>> You guys are funny. I mean, I might have been *accused* of being the 
>> Godzilla in the Velotaxonomy, but I was at least half Lone Wolf. But Marc, 
>> you are the original Lone Wolf. The Lone Wolf that will tolerate the 
>> Platypus Rider. 
>> 
>> I won’t make it a habit challenging the the strident spandex hamsters (Marc 
>> actually calls them this in person and gets by with it), but last night I 
>> was goaded into it on our Women’s Ride. There’s a straightaway that 
>> apparently means, “SPRINT” and everyone knows this except the oblivious 
>> Platypus Rider. I was chatting with a gal at the back of the group when we 
>> noticed them all take off like bats out of hell.  “Go catch her, Leah!”she 
>> yelled. Oh, is that what we do? Ok, I’ll try. I caught up to the 2 in the 
>> lead but the sprint was over before I could catch them. Next time I’ll be 
>> ready!
>> 
>> Here is from the old Godzilla days. No baguette, though: 
>> 
>> 
>> 
 On Jun 29, 2022, at 12:51 PM, Joe Bernard  wrote:
 
>>> "Beautiful Godzilla" and "strident spandex hamsters"..I'm clearly behind 
>>> on the latest cycling terminology! 
>> 
>>> 
>>> 
> On Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 7:31:07 AM UTC-7 Marc Irwin wrote:
> It was just a few months ago Leah and her family moved to Kalamazoo from 
> Las Vegas, several people suggested she contact me about riding in the 
> area.  She was a self described "Beautiful Godzilla" (Bike Snob p. 75)  
> who had never ridden more than 17 miles and never with anybody else.  I 
> introduced her to the women in the local club and she reluctantly 
> participated in a few rides.  She is now a brilliant example of a 
> "Godzilla" in recovery who has moved on to bigger things leaving the 
> poodle behind.  Actually, she found out from riding with a regular group 
> that she is a lot better at this bike thing than she thought.  I don't 
> see her challenging the strident spandex hamsters on her gorgeous 
> platypus, but...
> 
> Marc
>  
> 
>> On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 11:42:23 PM UTC-4 Roberta wrote:
>> What a great story.   Very impressive. 
>> I think you've earned biking R-E-S-P-E-C-T. 
>> Congratulations.   
>>> On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 4:42:29 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>>> wrote:
>>> My first 100k ride is in the books!
>>> 
>>> Every year my bike club does a tour around the county. You choose a 
>>> route and sign up. I was going to do a 50 mile ride; my longest ride so 
>>> far is 35 miles, so I thought this would be a good starting point. I’ve 
>>> never been on a tour, and I don’t know how fast the Club expects one to 
>>> go - is this like a weekly club ride or something different? 
>>> 
>>> T talked me into a metric century. I’ve said before, I have stars in my 
>>> eyes for this amazing woman and if she says I can do 62 miles, I’m 
>>> doing 62 miles. My MNR leader was heading up the group, 15-16 mph would 
>>> be the pace. There would be 2 SAG stops. Here is my Racing Platypus 
>>> before the ride:
>>> 
 
>>> -- 
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>>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
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>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/EICfswhTsI8/unsubscribe.
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>> 
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>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/7f2ce686-2fdc-478b-ae54-ef0cde116499n%40googlegroups.com.
> 
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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Marc Irwin]

Boy you did have that Betty geared up.

Marc

On Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 4:14:53 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> You guys are funny. I mean, I might have been *accused* of being the 
> Godzilla in the Velotaxonomy, but I was at least half Lone Wolf. But Marc, 
> you are the original Lone Wolf. The Lone Wolf that will tolerate the 
> Platypus Rider. 
>
> I won’t make it a habit challenging the the strident spandex hamsters 
> (Marc actually calls them this in person and gets by with it), but last 
> night I was goaded into it on our Women’s Ride. There’s a straightaway that 
> apparently means, “SPRINT” and everyone knows this except the oblivious 
> Platypus Rider. I was chatting with a gal at the back of the group when we 
> noticed them all take off like bats out of hell.  “Go catch her, Leah!”she 
> yelled. Oh, is that what we do? Ok, I’ll try. I caught up to the 2 in the 
> lead but the sprint was over before I could catch them. Next time I’ll be 
> ready!
>
> Here is from the old Godzilla days. No baguette, though: 
> [image: image1.jpeg][image: image2.jpeg]
>
>
> On Jun 29, 2022, at 12:51 PM, Joe Bernard  wrote:
>
> "Beautiful Godzilla" and "strident spandex hamsters"..I'm clearly behind 
> on the latest cycling terminology! 
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 7:31:07 AM UTC-7 Marc Irwin wrote:
>
>> It was just a few months ago Leah and her family moved to Kalamazoo from 
>> Las Vegas, several people suggested she contact me about riding in the 
>> area.  She was a self described "Beautiful Godzilla" (Bike Snob p. 75)  who 
>> had never ridden more than 17 miles and never with anybody else.  I 
>> introduced her to the women in the local club and she reluctantly 
>> participated in a few rides.  She is now a brilliant example of a 
>> "Godzilla" in recovery who has moved on to bigger things leaving the poodle 
>> behind.  Actually, she found out from riding with a regular group that she 
>> is a lot better at this bike thing than she thought.  I don't see her 
>> challenging the strident spandex hamsters on her gorgeous platypus, but...
>>
>> Marc
>>  
>>
>> On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 11:42:23 PM UTC-4 Roberta wrote:
>>
>>> What a great story.   Very impressive. 
>>> I think you've earned biking R-E-S-P-E-C-T. 
>>> Congratulations.   
>>> On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 4:42:29 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 My first 100k ride is in the books!

 Every year my bike club does a tour around the county. You choose a 
 route and sign up. I was going to do a 50 mile ride; my longest ride so 
 far 
 is 35 miles, so I thought this would be a good starting point. I’ve never 
 been on a tour, and I don’t know how fast the Club expects one to go - is 
 this like a weekly club ride or something different? 

 T talked me into a metric century. I’ve said before, I have stars in my 
 eyes for this amazing woman and if she says I can do 62 miles, I’m doing 
 62 
 miles. My MNR leader was heading up the group, 15-16 mph would be the 
 pace. 
 There would be 2 SAG stops. Here is my Racing Platypus before the ride:

 -- 
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>  
> 
> .
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Joe Bernard]

"Beautiful Godzilla" and "strident spandex hamsters"..I'm clearly behind on 
the latest cycling terminology! 

On Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 7:31:07 AM UTC-7 Marc Irwin wrote:

> It was just a few months ago Leah and her family moved to Kalamazoo from 
> Las Vegas, several people suggested she contact me about riding in the 
> area.  She was a self described "Beautiful Godzilla" (Bike Snob p. 75)  who 
> had never ridden more than 17 miles and never with anybody else.  I 
> introduced her to the women in the local club and she reluctantly 
> participated in a few rides.  She is now a brilliant example of a 
> "Godzilla" in recovery who has moved on to bigger things leaving the poodle 
> behind.  Actually, she found out from riding with a regular group that she 
> is a lot better at this bike thing than she thought.  I don't see her 
> challenging the strident spandex hamsters on her gorgeous platypus, but...
>
> Marc
>  
>
> On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 11:42:23 PM UTC-4 Roberta wrote:
>
>> What a great story.   Very impressive. 
>> I think you've earned biking R-E-S-P-E-C-T. 
>> Congratulations.   
>> On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 4:42:29 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> My first 100k ride is in the books!
>>>
>>> Every year my bike club does a tour around the county. You choose a 
>>> route and sign up. I was going to do a 50 mile ride; my longest ride so far 
>>> is 35 miles, so I thought this would be a good starting point. I’ve never 
>>> been on a tour, and I don’t know how fast the Club expects one to go - is 
>>> this like a weekly club ride or something different? 
>>>
>>> T talked me into a metric century. I’ve said before, I have stars in my 
>>> eyes for this amazing woman and if she says I can do 62 miles, I’m doing 62 
>>> miles. My MNR leader was heading up the group, 15-16 mph would be the pace. 
>>> There would be 2 SAG stops. Here is my Racing Platypus before the ride:
>>>
>>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Marc Irwin]

It was just a few months ago Leah and her family moved to Kalamazoo from 
Las Vegas, several people suggested she contact me about riding in the 
area.  She was a self described "Beautiful Godzilla" (Bike Snob p. 75)  who 
had never ridden more than 17 miles and never with anybody else.  I 
introduced her to the women in the local club and she reluctantly 
participated in a few rides.  She is now a brilliant example of a 
"Godzilla" in recovery who has moved on to bigger things leaving the poodle 
behind.  Actually, she found out from riding with a regular group that she 
is a lot better at this bike thing than she thought.  I don't see her 
challenging the strident spandex hamsters on her gorgeous platypus, but...

Marc
 

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 11:42:23 PM UTC-4 Roberta wrote:

> What a great story.   Very impressive. 
> I think you've earned biking R-E-S-P-E-C-T. 
> Congratulations.   
> On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 4:42:29 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> My first 100k ride is in the books!
>>
>> Every year my bike club does a tour around the county. You choose a route 
>> and sign up. I was going to do a 50 mile ride; my longest ride so far is 35 
>> miles, so I thought this would be a good starting point. I’ve never been on 
>> a tour, and I don’t know how fast the Club expects one to go - is this like 
>> a weekly club ride or something different? 
>>
>> T talked me into a metric century. I’ve said before, I have stars in my 
>> eyes for this amazing woman and if she says I can do 62 miles, I’m doing 62 
>> miles. My MNR leader was heading up the group, 15-16 mph would be the pace. 
>> There would be 2 SAG stops. Here is my Racing Platypus before the ride:
>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Roberta]

What a great story.   Very impressive. 
I think you've earned biking R-E-S-P-E-C-T. 
Congratulations.   
On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 4:42:29 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

> My first 100k ride is in the books!
>
> Every year my bike club does a tour around the county. You choose a route 
> and sign up. I was going to do a 50 mile ride; my longest ride so far is 35 
> miles, so I thought this would be a good starting point. I’ve never been on 
> a tour, and I don’t know how fast the Club expects one to go - is this like 
> a weekly club ride or something different? 
>
> T talked me into a metric century. I’ve said before, I have stars in my 
> eyes for this amazing woman and if she says I can do 62 miles, I’m doing 62 
> miles. My MNR leader was heading up the group, 15-16 mph would be the pace. 
> There would be 2 SAG stops. Here is my Racing Platypus before the ride:
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[George Schick]

Good thing this tour took place today.  The weather last week around the 
Midwest was brutal.  Today it was beautiful, Northwoods-like even.

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 3:42:29 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

> My first 100k ride is in the books!
>
> Every year my bike club does a tour around the county. You choose a route 
> and sign up. I was going to do a 50 mile ride; my longest ride so far is 35 
> miles, so I thought this would be a good starting point. I’ve never been on 
> a tour, and I don’t know how fast the Club expects one to go - is this like 
> a weekly club ride or something different? 
>
> T talked me into a metric century. I’ve said before, I have stars in my 
> eyes for this amazing woman and if she says I can do 62 miles, I’m doing 62 
> miles. My MNR leader was heading up the group, 15-16 mph would be the pace. 
> There would be 2 SAG stops. Here is my Racing Platypus before the ride:
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Joe Bernard]

This exact thing happened to me on my first metric century, it was 3 miles 
longer than advertised and I was already a good 10 miles over my limit at 
62 and ready to quit!* Good on you, Leah, you kick butt on that Racing 
Platypus all day, every day 

*Yes, 62 miles is too dang long. The last charity ride I did was 40 and 
that was plenty. 

Joe Bernard 

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 2:12:35 PM UTC-7 Patrick Moore wrote:

> Well done! I am sincerely and truly impressed!
>  
>
> On Sun, Jun 26, 2022 at 2:42 PM Leah Peterson  wrote:
>
>> My first 100k ride is in the books!
>>
>> Every year my bike club does a tour around the county. You choose a route 
>> and sign up. I was going to do a 50 mile ride; my longest ride so far is 35 
>> miles, so I thought this would be a good starting point. I’ve never been on 
>> a tour, and I don’t know how fast the Club expects one to go - is this like 
>> a weekly club ride or something different? 
>>
>> T talked me into a metric century. I’ve said before, I have stars in my 
>> eyes for this amazing woman and if she says I can do 62 miles, I’m doing 62 
>> miles. My MNR leader was heading up the group, 15-16 mph would be the pace. 
>> There would be 2 SAG stops. Here is my Racing Platypus before the ride:
>>
>  
>
>> Of course when we rolled up there were roadies as far as the eye could 
>> see and a bike like this is bound to attract attention. Lucky for me, I 
>> spotted Marc immediately. It is less weird when there is a second Rivendell:
>> He rode a shorter route, as his family was in town. 
>>
>> So, after some onlookers gawked at my bike and the length of my 
>> chainstays, I headed out. There were ponds and swamps and ditches full of 
>> wild lilies. Just when I think Michigan can’t be prettier, it suddenly is. 
>> 30 miles in, we stopped for our first SAG break. One of these things is not 
>> like the others in this video…
>>
>  
>
>> On my way out of the bathroom, a roadie approached me and asked if I was 
>> riding in “those sandals.” I said, “I am! And I think I’m going to pull it 
>> off, too.” He said, “I think I’ve heard about you. There were some people 
>> talking, they said, ‘She has fenders and everything.’” This is how I 
>> *know* I am not imagining my incongruence in the eyes of the group. 
>> Well, whatever. I’ll see you at the finish line.
>>
>> At the next SAG stop my ride leader, G, went to reapply chamois cream. I 
>> said he should try a leather saddle - mine disappears beneath me and I 
>> never think of it. I don’t use cream and I don’t wear padded shorts. He 
>> pointed to his impossibly small, evil, plasticky perch and said, “I love 
>> this saddle.” I said something nice and moved on, lest I be guilty of the 
>> same crimes the roadies commit against me. Then he asked if he could pick 
>> up my bike, to see how heavy it was. He declared it wasn’t as bad as he 
>> thought. 
>>
>> We finished out the rest of the ride fighting winds and fatigue - the 
>> route was not actually 62 miles, but nearly 65. We were ready to be 
>> finished by then; it was a great ride but it taught me that I don’t need to 
>> do a century. Riding stops being fun around 55 miles, I think. 
>>
>> G declared me the winner of the Best Rider Award in the group award. What 
>> probably won me that distinction, in his eyes, was that I finished, despite 
>> rocking Billie Bars. He just cannot get over those upright Billie Bars. But 
>> if upright bars are such a hindrance, how do you explain my ride today? 
>> What if you can ride steel, carry your steel, 40 oz capacity Hydroflask, 
>> your Saddlesack, and wear your Keen sandals and Target athleisure and 
>> finish at the front of your group? Presented with that evidence, would a 
>> person have to reconsider?
>>
>> My Racing Platypus is the best bike ever made. It hums along and does 
>> whatever is asked of it. It’s sparkly and gorgeous, and I so love to look 
>> down at on the ride. I’m comfortable. It’s capable. That bike does not 
>> limit me. When will everyone catch on? When the Platypus presale link 
>> drops, I’m posting it on the Club’s Facebook page. It is my dearest wish to 
>> dot the Michigan countryside with Platypuses. 
>> Leah
>>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Patrick Moore]

Well done! I am sincerely and truly impressed!


On Sun, Jun 26, 2022 at 2:42 PM Leah Peterson 
wrote:

> My first 100k ride is in the books!
>
> Every year my bike club does a tour around the county. You choose a route
> and sign up. I was going to do a 50 mile ride; my longest ride so far is 35
> miles, so I thought this would be a good starting point. I’ve never been on
> a tour, and I don’t know how fast the Club expects one to go - is this like
> a weekly club ride or something different?
>
> T talked me into a metric century. I’ve said before, I have stars in my
> eyes for this amazing woman and if she says I can do 62 miles, I’m doing 62
> miles. My MNR leader was heading up the group, 15-16 mph would be the pace.
> There would be 2 SAG stops. Here is my Racing Platypus before the ride:
>


> Of course when we rolled up there were roadies as far as the eye could see
> and a bike like this is bound to attract attention. Lucky for me, I spotted
> Marc immediately. It is less weird when there is a second Rivendell:
> He rode a shorter route, as his family was in town.
>
> So, after some onlookers gawked at my bike and the length of my
> chainstays, I headed out. There were ponds and swamps and ditches full of
> wild lilies. Just when I think Michigan can’t be prettier, it suddenly is.
> 30 miles in, we stopped for our first SAG break. One of these things is not
> like the others in this video…
>


> On my way out of the bathroom, a roadie approached me and asked if I was
> riding in “those sandals.” I said, “I am! And I think I’m going to pull it
> off, too.” He said, “I think I’ve heard about you. There were some people
> talking, they said, ‘She has fenders and everything.’” This is how I
> *know* I am not imagining my incongruence in the eyes of the group. Well,
> whatever. I’ll see you at the finish line.
>
> At the next SAG stop my ride leader, G, went to reapply chamois cream. I
> said he should try a leather saddle - mine disappears beneath me and I
> never think of it. I don’t use cream and I don’t wear padded shorts. He
> pointed to his impossibly small, evil, plasticky perch and said, “I love
> this saddle.” I said something nice and moved on, lest I be guilty of the
> same crimes the roadies commit against me. Then he asked if he could pick
> up my bike, to see how heavy it was. He declared it wasn’t as bad as he
> thought.
>
> We finished out the rest of the ride fighting winds and fatigue - the
> route was not actually 62 miles, but nearly 65. We were ready to be
> finished by then; it was a great ride but it taught me that I don’t need to
> do a century. Riding stops being fun around 55 miles, I think.
>
> G declared me the winner of the Best Rider Award in the group award. What
> probably won me that distinction, in his eyes, was that I finished, despite
> rocking Billie Bars. He just cannot get over those upright Billie Bars. But
> if upright bars are such a hindrance, how do you explain my ride today?
> What if you can ride steel, carry your steel, 40 oz capacity Hydroflask,
> your Saddlesack, and wear your Keen sandals and Target athleisure and
> finish at the front of your group? Presented with that evidence, would a
> person have to reconsider?
>
> My Racing Platypus is the best bike ever made. It hums along and does
> whatever is asked of it. It’s sparkly and gorgeous, and I so love to look
> down at on the ride. I’m comfortable. It’s capable. That bike does not
> limit me. When will everyone catch on? When the Platypus presale link
> drops, I’m posting it on the Club’s Facebook page. It is my dearest wish to
> dot the Michigan countryside with Platypuses.
> Leah
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Mike Packard]

This thread is epic. Thank you continuing to share your adventures with us 
Leah.

FWIW: I'm no expert but if there is anyone in Austin TX who would like to 
learn to change a tire I'd be happy to show how I do it. I can provide the 
wheel and tube and tools and stuff so you wouldn't have to mess with your 
own bike. For me the most finicky / difficult parts are getting the very 
first part of the tire off the rim and getting the last part of the tire 
back on the rim; those are where I get the most pinched fingers and am 
worried I'm going to hurt the tire or rim with the tire levers. 

I've never used something like this but I wonder how much it would help. 
https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop/equipment/tools/kool-stop-tire-bead-jack/

Mike


On Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 12:43:52 AM UTC-5 ttoshi wrote:

> Wow after making it through heat dome and flat torture your future rides 
> will be too easy for you.
>
> Toshi
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Toshi Takeuchi]

Wow after making it through heat dome and flat torture your future rides
will be too easy for you.

Toshi

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Leah Peterson]

I have heard it but it’s just as good the 2nd time. I also would have cheered 
for the intrepid bike mechanic. Flat-fixers are heros!

> On Jun 15, 2022, at 10:43 PM, Joe Bernard  wrote:
> 
> Ooh, you invoked the flat* jinx after another person's flat. That one landed 
> fast! 
> 
> Yes, men love to stop and help fix flats. Once a many years ago I was on a 
> century ride and there was a group of women at a rest stop crowded around a 
> mountain bike, staring forlornly at a very flat front tire. Here comes old 
> Joe Bernard (ok I was younger then), "Need any help? I have tools!" Turns out 
> they didn't know how to use these tools so your intrepid bike mechanic got to 
> work and fixed the tire. They cheered. I'm not kidding, an actual YAY JOE!
> 
> Imagine how many times I've told this story. There's a 98% chance Leah's 
> already heard it at least once. 
> 
>> On Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 6:57:28 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>> 
>> This week has been one for the books. Not the good books. 
>> 
>> The Monday Night Ride (MNR) is my favorite. It’s the biggest event of the 
>> riding week and everyone is there. The groups are divided by speed, and not 
>> gender-specific. The radar was wild that evening. A line of thunderstorms 
>> were sure to arrive, but the timing changed by the hour. Marc and I decided 
>> not to chance it and stayed home, but a lot of the riders went. The storm 
>> blew in earlier than expected. My group hit the parking lot as the storm 
>> unleashed torrents of rain, but the 18 mph group was unlucky. They were 
>> caught but rescued by a good Michigander who allowed them to shelter in his 
>> garage.
>> 
>> Tuesday night is the women’s ride. It was 95 degrees with 280% humidity. I 
>> knew it was probably a dumb idea to go, but I hated to miss BOTH rides, so I 
>> went. I have a built-up tolerance to heat from my years in the West and 
>> Southwest but the others weren’t as lucky. One woman could not handle it. We 
>> had to stop so she could recover and then her rear tire went flat. The Ride 
>> leader, K, said, “I know how to fix flats. I’m not fast at it but I can do 
>> it.” Nobody else knew what to do, so we stood watched and shared our mutual 
>> dread of flats that we didn’t know how to fix. (Also, this is one of the 
>> glories of the MNR - men love to fix flats, apparently.)
>> 
>> K was now bruised from the slipped tire lever that hit her wrist. Ants were 
>> crawling on her as she knelt in the grass. Wanting to be helpful, I took 
>> goofy videos and posted them to the Club page while she worked. Also, I 
>> thought it would be a great time to extol the virtues of tubeless tires 
>> (which I have on the Racing Platypus). I told the women they should look 
>> into it. I’d never known how to fix flats and with this handy-dandy new 
>> system, I likely never would! You should look into it, I said.
>> 
>> As soon as the words left my mouth I knew it. I had jinxed myself. I t would 
>> not be a question of IF I’d get a flat, only a matter of WHEN.
>> 
>> I didn’t have to wait long. With only 1.5 miles to go I heard the most awful 
>> sound, and it was coming from my bike. I dismounted and saw the longest, 
>> ugliest sharp thing sticking through the sidewall of my new Ultradynamico 
>> tires. It was this:
>> 
>> 
>> The nail head was in the tire tread, but somehow skewered the sidewall, 
>> sharp end sticking outward. The sharp end was hitting into my brake pad, 
>> thus the noise. The nailhead was flush against the tread and I could not get 
>> purchase on it to pull it. Nor could I hit against the sharp end to push it 
>> backward without getting tetanus! 
>> 
>> K arrived and pulled a Leatherman from her bag. As she approached, I 
>> thought, “Wait. When patients come to us with impalements, you leave the 
>> object in place until you are in an operating suite and can deal with the 
>> blood loss. If we could just back that nail out a bit to clear the brake 
>> pads as the wheel rotates, the sealant might do its job, leaving me enough 
>> air to get me get back to the car. ”
>> 
>> But my mind was not quick enough to string my thoughts into sentences. 
>> Before I got them verbalized, K hit the nail with the side of her Leatherman 
>> and backed the nail all the way out of the tire. 
>> 
>> The sealant was no match for that - the skewered tire immediately went flat. 
>> The useless sealant pooled on the pavement, making a fool of me. I pulled 
>> out my Dynaplug but could not force the plug through the punctures and 
>> especially since I had no air in the tire. The holes were big enough that I 
>> couldn’t see my little Lezyne pump inflating the tire fast enough. 
>> 
>> 
>> The mouthy, flat-protected Platypus Rider was sidelined. 
>> 
>> By a flat. 
>> 
>> I had it coming, really. I admit annoyance with the woman who held us up and 
>> then flatted. Forced to run alongside my bike for the next mile, I was 
>> adequately punished. You’ll remember how 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Joe Bernard]

Ooh, you invoked the flat* jinx after another person's flat. That one 
landed fast! 

Yes, men love to stop and help fix flats. Once a many years ago I was on a 
century ride and there was a group of women at a rest stop crowded around a 
mountain bike, staring forlornly at a very flat front tire. Here comes old 
Joe Bernard (ok I was younger then), "Need any help? I have tools!" Turns 
out they didn't know how to use these tools so your intrepid bike mechanic 
got to work and fixed the tire. They cheered. I'm not kidding, an actual 
YAY JOE!

Imagine how many times I've told this story. There's a 98% chance Leah's 
already heard it at least once. 

On Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 6:57:28 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> 
> This week has been one for the books. Not the good books. 
>
> The Monday Night Ride (MNR) is my favorite. It’s the biggest event of the 
> riding week and everyone is there. The groups are divided by speed, and not 
> gender-specific. The radar was wild that evening. A line of thunderstorms 
> were sure to arrive, but the timing changed by the hour. Marc and I decided 
> not to chance it and stayed home, but a lot of the riders went. The storm 
> blew in earlier than expected. My group hit the parking lot as the storm 
> unleashed torrents of rain, but the 18 mph group was unlucky. They were 
> caught but rescued by a good Michigander who allowed them to shelter in his 
> garage.
>
> Tuesday night is the women’s ride. It was 95 degrees with 280% humidity. I 
> knew it was probably a dumb idea to go, but I hated to miss BOTH rides, so 
> I went. I have a built-up tolerance to heat from my years in the West and 
> Southwest but the others weren’t as lucky. One woman could not handle it. 
> We had to stop so she could recover and then her rear tire went flat. The 
> Ride leader, K, said, “I know how to fix flats. I’m not fast at it but I 
> can do it.” Nobody else knew what to do, so we stood watched and shared our 
> mutual dread of flats that we didn’t know how to fix. (Also, this is one of 
> the glories of the MNR - men love to fix flats, apparently.)
>
> K was now bruised from the slipped tire lever that hit her wrist. Ants 
> were crawling on her as she knelt in the grass. Wanting to be helpful, I 
> took goofy videos and posted them to the Club page while she worked. Also, 
> I thought it would be a great time to extol the virtues of tubeless tires 
> (which I have on the Racing Platypus). I told the women they should look 
> into it. I’d never known how to fix flats and with this handy-dandy new 
> system, I likely never would! You should look into it, I said.
>
> As soon as the words left my mouth I knew it. I had jinxed myself. I t 
> would not be a question of IF I’d get a flat, only a matter of WHEN.
>
> I didn’t have to wait long. With only 1.5 miles to go I heard the most 
> awful sound, and it was coming from *my* bike. I dismounted and saw the 
> longest, ugliest sharp thing sticking through the sidewall of my new 
> Ultradynamico tires. It was this:
> [image: image0.jpeg][image: image1.jpeg]
>
> The nail head was in the tire tread, but somehow skewered the sidewall, 
> sharp end sticking outward. The sharp end was hitting into my brake pad, 
> thus the noise. The nailhead was flush against the tread and I could not 
> get purchase on it to pull it. Nor could I hit against the sharp end to 
> push it backward without getting tetanus! 
>
> K arrived and pulled a Leatherman from her bag. As she approached, I 
> thought, “Wait. When patients come to us with impalements, you leave the 
> object in place until you are in an operating suite and can deal with the 
> blood loss. If we could just back that nail out a bit to clear the brake 
> pads as the wheel rotates, the sealant might do its job, leaving me enough 
> air to get me get back to the car. ”
>
> But my mind was not quick enough to string my thoughts into sentences. 
> Before I got them verbalized, K hit the nail with the side of her 
> Leatherman and backed the nail all the way out of the tire. 
>
> The sealant was no match for that - the skewered tire immediately went 
> flat. The useless sealant pooled on the pavement, making a fool of me. I 
> pulled out my Dynaplug but could not force the plug through the punctures 
> and especially since I had no air in the tire. The holes were big enough 
> that I couldn’t see my little Lezyne pump inflating the tire fast enough. 
> [image: image2.jpeg]
>
> The mouthy, flat-protected Platypus Rider was sidelined. 
>
> By a *flat*. 
>
> I had it coming, really. I admit annoyance with the woman who held us up 
> and then flatted. Forced to run alongside my bike for the next mile, I was 
> adequately punished. You’ll remember how hot it was. I told the other women 
> to go without me, I’d be fine with my Vegas conditioning and all. 
>
> After work today I took the defeated Racing Platypus to the bike shop and 
> had them inspect the tire. I have had these new 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Ed Fausto]

Hi Evan,

I could not agree more! :-)
This is the first thread I open everyday!

Edgar from Manila, Philippines
(Cheviot, Gus, Atlantis)

On Sunday, June 12, 2022 at 3:07:03 AM UTC+8 Evan E. wrote:

> Racing Platypus. Upright handlebars. Safety triangle on a belt. Thousand 
> helmet. 16-19mph. She is . . . the most interesting person on this list. 
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Leah Peterson]

Oh, Evan, ♥️.


> On Jun 11, 2022, at 3:07 PM, Evan E.  wrote:
> 
> 
> Racing Platypus. Upright handlebars. Safety triangle on a belt. Thousand 
> helmet. 16-19mph. She is . . . the most interesting person on this list. 
> 
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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Evan E.]

Racing Platypus. Upright handlebars. Safety triangle on a belt. Thousand 
helmet. 16-19mph. She is . . . the most interesting person on this list. 

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Joe Bernard]

Leah, I love that you look like the ringleader in the group photo. Everyone 
else is on horses and you're in a gleaming CHARIOT 

On Friday, June 10, 2022 at 5:14:30 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

> I got my Racing Platypus back for the rides this week. It has heavenly new 
> gray Ultradynamico tires and I love them. The roadies have been telling me 
> I should have a road bike. Today they said I should not have a road bike. I 
> should stay on that heavy Platypus or the carbon bike would spirit me away 
> and ahead of them. I’m glad we are finally in agreement. I will just ride 
> the Racing Platypus, like I intended from the start.
>
> Honestly I keep waiting for the day when they are just USED to me. They 
> still get nervous when I roll up to their 16 mph ride, like I’m gonna wreck 
> it. “This route has hills but we’ll wait if we lose some of you.” (Looks at 
> me.) I’ve never slowed them up or asked for any favors - this is all 
> prejudice. They make sure to give me backhanded compliments at the end of 
> the ride. You know the ones. “How much does that bike WEIGH?” “You are just 
> wearing sandals? Those aren’t clipless?” “You must be a really strong rider 
> [to pedal THAT bike].” “Well, I gotta hand it to you… [we all thought you 
> were a joke, but I guess you can do it.]” 
>
> We did 27.9 miles mostly between 16-19 mph, according to the splits on my 
> Apple Watch. Not bad.
> Photos in the next post…
> Leah
>
>
> On Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 2:57:28 PM UTC-4 George Schick wrote:
>
>> Curtis - Type 3 also, after the dust has settled, seems to entitle 
>> bragging rights whereas the first two types don't.
>>
>> On Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 11:02:37 AM UTC-5 Curtis wrote:
>>
>>> Toshi it sounds like you are describing a Type 2 activity.
>>>
>>> https://goeast.ems.com/three-types-of-fun/
>>>
>>> Peace
>>> Curtis
>>>
>>> On Thu, Jun 2, 2022, 8:47 AM Toshi Takeuchi  wrote:
>>>
 Hi Leah,

 Congrats on your Clem ride (I would have been lying on the asphalt 
 going over 180 bpm!).  Do you think it was more enjoyable now that it's 
 been a few days?  In my randonneuring rides, there is a common phenomenon 
 known as randonesia, where the farther away from the suffering you get, 
 the 
 more fun it was to have completed that ride. Day of ride: "This really 
 sucks, why am I so stupid to do these rides."  After ride: "That hurt.  It 
 was nice to finish, but I'm never doing that again."  A week later: "I 
 can't believe I made it through that ride. It was "fun".  When is the next 
 ride?"

 Have "fun"!

 Toshi

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Patrick Moore]

Da-yum! I'm going to stop reading your posts!

On Fri, Jun 10, 2022 at 6:14 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
jonasandle...@gmail.com> wrote:

> ... We did 27.9 miles mostly between 16-19 mph, according to the splits on
> my Apple Watch. Not bad
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[JAS]

You continue to be an inspiration, Leah!  You love your bike and show 
others how capable one can be no matter the differences.  Thank you for the 
reports and photos.

#RivSisters,
Joyce  

On Friday, June 10, 2022 at 7:01:17 PM UTC-7 Garth wrote:

> Well just think how blah-zay their ride would be if you weren't around, 
> and before you came about !  Just remember, people aren't of themselves 
> what they think or what they do, it's not their real/true Identity. That 
> may go against what "society" says, everything you've ever been told and 
> accepted. Yeah so what ! Well who the heck is "society" anyways ? It's no 
> one, that's the "mother/father of all delusions" . that there is such a 
> thing and we answer to and are a product of "it/they/them". People are 
> People.ONESELF !    not a thing, a noun, a verb, an adjective 
> .. that's all nonsense. You are THAT You are ...and THAT is "beyond all 
> categorization".
>
> Just imagine for a moment, a group of Riv riders who do regular rides and 
> along comes someone on a carbon racing bike to play along, wearing full 
> racing gear. Would Riv riders look at them a little funny ? Make 
> suggestions of change their bike or setup so they can "be like/keep 
> up/down" with the rest of the group ?  Would the carbon "fit in" against 
> all the assumptions/biases about carbon bikes ?  
> "Road bikers" are just "bikers" like everyone else, as People are just 
> People. unconditionally so. None above or below anyone else. One's 
> distinct identity can't be homogenized into colors, races, classes, 
> religions and all the other ways of dishonoring and ignoring that inherent 
> distinction. 
>
> So I Honor the ride in You that Honors the Ride in Me. 
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Garth]

Well just think how blah-zay their ride would be if you weren't around, and 
before you came about !  Just remember, people aren't of themselves what 
they think or what they do, it's not their real/true Identity. That may go 
against what "society" says, everything you've ever been told and accepted. 
Yeah so what ! Well who the heck is "society" anyways ? It's no one, that's 
the "mother/father of all delusions" . that there is such a thing and 
we answer to and are a product of "it/they/them". People are 
People.ONESELF !    not a thing, a noun, a verb, an adjective 
.. that's all nonsense. You are THAT You are ...and THAT is "beyond all 
categorization".

Just imagine for a moment, a group of Riv riders who do regular rides and 
along comes someone on a carbon racing bike to play along, wearing full 
racing gear. Would Riv riders look at them a little funny ? Make 
suggestions of change their bike or setup so they can "be like/keep 
up/down" with the rest of the group ?  Would the carbon "fit in" against 
all the assumptions/biases about carbon bikes ?  
"Road bikers" are just "bikers" like everyone else, as People are just 
People. unconditionally so. None above or below anyone else. One's 
distinct identity can't be homogenized into colors, races, classes, 
religions and all the other ways of dishonoring and ignoring that inherent 
distinction. 

So I Honor the ride in You that Honors the Ride in Me. 

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[CoalTrain]

Ha! You go gurl!


On Friday, June 10, 2022 at 8:08:19 PM UTC-5 Doug H. wrote:

> The gray tires look great. I had Ultradynamico on my first Clem and they 
> were really nice albeit with knobs for off-road riding. It is cool that 
> your group poses for a photo and you are surrounded by a sea of Lycra! lol
> Doug
>
> On Friday, June 10, 2022 at 8:18:07 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> [image: image0.jpeg]
>>
>> The Racing Platypus and its new tires.
>> [image: image1.jpeg]
>>
>> The Lone Wolf, in a park bathroom selfie, obviously trying NOT to blend 
>> in:
>> [image: image2.jpeg][image: image3.jpeg]
>>
>> On Jun 10, 2022, at 8:14 PM, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
>> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I got my Racing Platypus back for the rides this week. It has heavenly 
>> new gray Ultradynamico tires and I love them. The roadies have been telling 
>> me I should have a road bike. Today they said I should not have a road 
>> bike. I should stay on that heavy Platypus or the carbon bike would spirit 
>> me away and ahead of them. I’m glad we are finally in agreement. I will 
>> just ride the Racing Platypus, like I intended from the start.
>>
>>
>> Honestly I keep waiting for the day when they are just USED to me. They 
>> still get nervous when I roll up to their 16 mph ride, like I’m gonna wreck 
>> it. “This route has hills but we’ll wait if we lose some of you.” (Looks at 
>> me.) I’ve never slowed them up or asked for any favors - this is all 
>> prejudice. They make sure to give me backhanded compliments at the end of 
>> the ride. You know the ones. “How much does that bike WEIGH?” “You are just 
>> wearing sandals? Those aren’t clipless?” “You must be a really strong rider 
>> [to pedal THAT bike].” “Well, I gotta hand it to you… [we all thought you 
>> were a joke, but I guess you can do it.]” 
>>
>> We did 27.9 miles mostly between 16-19 mph, according to the splits on my 
>> Apple Watch. Not bad.
>> Photos in the next post…
>> Leah
>>
>>
>> On Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 2:57:28 PM UTC-4 George Schick wrote:
>>
>>> Curtis - Type 3 also, after the dust has settled, seems to entitle 
>>> bragging rights whereas the first two types don't.
>>>
>>> On Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 11:02:37 AM UTC-5 Curtis wrote:
>>>
 Toshi it sounds like you are describing a Type 2 activity.

 https://goeast.ems.com/three-types-of-fun/

 Peace
 Curtis

 On Thu, Jun 2, 2022, 8:47 AM Toshi Takeuchi  wrote:

> Hi Leah,
>
> Congrats on your Clem ride (I would have been lying on the asphalt 
> going over 180 bpm!).  Do you think it was more enjoyable now that it's 
> been a few days?  In my randonneuring rides, there is a common phenomenon 
> known as randonesia, where the farther away from the suffering you get, 
> the 
> more fun it was to have completed that ride. Day of ride: "This really 
> sucks, why am I so stupid to do these rides."  After ride: "That hurt.  
> It 
> was nice to finish, but I'm never doing that again."  A week later: "I 
> can't believe I made it through that ride. It was "fun".  When is the 
> next 
> ride?"
>
> Have "fun"!
>
> Toshi
>
> -- 
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>  
> 
> .
>
 -- 
>>
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>>  
>> 
>> .
>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Doug H.]

The gray tires look great. I had Ultradynamico on my first Clem and they 
were really nice albeit with knobs for off-road riding. It is cool that 
your group poses for a photo and you are surrounded by a sea of Lycra! lol
Doug

On Friday, June 10, 2022 at 8:18:07 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

> [image: image0.jpeg]
>
> The Racing Platypus and its new tires.
> [image: image1.jpeg]
>
> The Lone Wolf, in a park bathroom selfie, obviously trying NOT to blend in:
> [image: image2.jpeg][image: image3.jpeg]
>
> On Jun 10, 2022, at 8:14 PM, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!  
> wrote:
>
> I got my Racing Platypus back for the rides this week. It has heavenly 
> new gray Ultradynamico tires and I love them. The roadies have been telling 
> me I should have a road bike. Today they said I should not have a road 
> bike. I should stay on that heavy Platypus or the carbon bike would spirit 
> me away and ahead of them. I’m glad we are finally in agreement. I will 
> just ride the Racing Platypus, like I intended from the start.
>
>
> Honestly I keep waiting for the day when they are just USED to me. They 
> still get nervous when I roll up to their 16 mph ride, like I’m gonna wreck 
> it. “This route has hills but we’ll wait if we lose some of you.” (Looks at 
> me.) I’ve never slowed them up or asked for any favors - this is all 
> prejudice. They make sure to give me backhanded compliments at the end of 
> the ride. You know the ones. “How much does that bike WEIGH?” “You are just 
> wearing sandals? Those aren’t clipless?” “You must be a really strong rider 
> [to pedal THAT bike].” “Well, I gotta hand it to you… [we all thought you 
> were a joke, but I guess you can do it.]” 
>
> We did 27.9 miles mostly between 16-19 mph, according to the splits on my 
> Apple Watch. Not bad.
> Photos in the next post…
> Leah
>
>
> On Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 2:57:28 PM UTC-4 George Schick wrote:
>
>> Curtis - Type 3 also, after the dust has settled, seems to entitle 
>> bragging rights whereas the first two types don't.
>>
>> On Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 11:02:37 AM UTC-5 Curtis wrote:
>>
>>> Toshi it sounds like you are describing a Type 2 activity.
>>>
>>> https://goeast.ems.com/three-types-of-fun/
>>>
>>> Peace
>>> Curtis
>>>
>>> On Thu, Jun 2, 2022, 8:47 AM Toshi Takeuchi  wrote:
>>>
 Hi Leah,

 Congrats on your Clem ride (I would have been lying on the asphalt 
 going over 180 bpm!).  Do you think it was more enjoyable now that it's 
 been a few days?  In my randonneuring rides, there is a common phenomenon 
 known as randonesia, where the farther away from the suffering you get, 
 the 
 more fun it was to have completed that ride. Day of ride: "This really 
 sucks, why am I so stupid to do these rides."  After ride: "That hurt.  It 
 was nice to finish, but I'm never doing that again."  A week later: "I 
 can't believe I made it through that ride. It was "fun".  When is the next 
 ride?"

 Have "fun"!

 Toshi

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 .

>>> -- 
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> .
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

I got my Racing Platypus back for the rides this week. It has heavenly new 
gray Ultradynamico tires and I love them. The roadies have been telling me 
I should have a road bike. Today they said I should not have a road bike. I 
should stay on that heavy Platypus or the carbon bike would spirit me away 
and ahead of them. I’m glad we are finally in agreement. I will just ride 
the Racing Platypus, like I intended from the start.

Honestly I keep waiting for the day when they are just USED to me. They 
still get nervous when I roll up to their 16 mph ride, like I’m gonna wreck 
it. “This route has hills but we’ll wait if we lose some of you.” (Looks at 
me.) I’ve never slowed them up or asked for any favors - this is all 
prejudice. They make sure to give me backhanded compliments at the end of 
the ride. You know the ones. “How much does that bike WEIGH?” “You are just 
wearing sandals? Those aren’t clipless?” “You must be a really strong rider 
[to pedal THAT bike].” “Well, I gotta hand it to you… [we all thought you 
were a joke, but I guess you can do it.]” 

We did 27.9 miles mostly between 16-19 mph, according to the splits on my 
Apple Watch. Not bad.
Photos in the next post…
Leah


On Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 2:57:28 PM UTC-4 George Schick wrote:

> Curtis - Type 3 also, after the dust has settled, seems to entitle 
> bragging rights whereas the first two types don't.
>
> On Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 11:02:37 AM UTC-5 Curtis wrote:
>
>> Toshi it sounds like you are describing a Type 2 activity.
>>
>> https://goeast.ems.com/three-types-of-fun/
>>
>> Peace
>> Curtis
>>
>> On Thu, Jun 2, 2022, 8:47 AM Toshi Takeuchi  wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Leah,
>>>
>>> Congrats on your Clem ride (I would have been lying on the asphalt going 
>>> over 180 bpm!).  Do you think it was more enjoyable now that it's been a 
>>> few days?  In my randonneuring rides, there is a common phenomenon known as 
>>> randonesia, where the farther away from the suffering you get, the more fun 
>>> it was to have completed that ride. Day of ride: "This really sucks, why am 
>>> I so stupid to do these rides."  After ride: "That hurt.  It was nice to 
>>> finish, but I'm never doing that again."  A week later: "I can't believe I 
>>> made it through that ride. It was "fun".  When is the next ride?"
>>>
>>> Have "fun"!
>>>
>>> Toshi
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> 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/CAGB59xymyiBkgpLAXKG_Qur6SzbVjFUqiRUMsvyFmqd0pKTo2g%40mail.gmail.com
>>>  
>>> 
>>> .
>>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[George Schick]

Curtis - Type 3 also, after the dust has settled, seems to entitle bragging 
rights whereas the first two types don't.

On Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 11:02:37 AM UTC-5 Curtis wrote:

> Toshi it sounds like you are describing a Type 2 activity.
>
> https://goeast.ems.com/three-types-of-fun/
>
> Peace
> Curtis
>
> On Thu, Jun 2, 2022, 8:47 AM Toshi Takeuchi  wrote:
>
>> Hi Leah,
>>
>> Congrats on your Clem ride (I would have been lying on the asphalt going 
>> over 180 bpm!).  Do you think it was more enjoyable now that it's been a 
>> few days?  In my randonneuring rides, there is a common phenomenon known as 
>> randonesia, where the farther away from the suffering you get, the more fun 
>> it was to have completed that ride. Day of ride: "This really sucks, why am 
>> I so stupid to do these rides."  After ride: "That hurt.  It was nice to 
>> finish, but I'm never doing that again."  A week later: "I can't believe I 
>> made it through that ride. It was "fun".  When is the next ride?"
>>
>> Have "fun"!
>>
>> Toshi
>>
>> -- 
>> 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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>>  
>> 
>> .
>>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Curtis McKenzie]

Toshi it sounds like you are describing a Type 2 activity.

https://goeast.ems.com/three-types-of-fun/

Peace
Curtis

On Thu, Jun 2, 2022, 8:47 AM Toshi Takeuchi  wrote:

> Hi Leah,
>
> Congrats on your Clem ride (I would have been lying on the asphalt going
> over 180 bpm!).  Do you think it was more enjoyable now that it's been a
> few days?  In my randonneuring rides, there is a common phenomenon known as
> randonesia, where the farther away from the suffering you get, the more fun
> it was to have completed that ride. Day of ride: "This really sucks, why am
> I so stupid to do these rides."  After ride: "That hurt.  It was nice to
> finish, but I'm never doing that again."  A week later: "I can't believe I
> made it through that ride. It was "fun".  When is the next ride?"
>
> Have "fun"!
>
> Toshi
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
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> 
> .
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Toshi Takeuchi]

Hi Leah,

Congrats on your Clem ride (I would have been lying on the asphalt going
over 180 bpm!).  Do you think it was more enjoyable now that it's been a
few days?  In my randonneuring rides, there is a common phenomenon known as
randonesia, where the farther away from the suffering you get, the more fun
it was to have completed that ride. Day of ride: "This really sucks, why am
I so stupid to do these rides."  After ride: "That hurt.  It was nice to
finish, but I'm never doing that again."  A week later: "I can't believe I
made it through that ride. It was "fun".  When is the next ride?"

Have "fun"!

Toshi

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Doug H.]

This is such a fun thread. I appreciate you sharing and your writing is 
good enough for a blog...hint, hint, hint. I'm wondering if the others in 
the group ride bikes from the big brands like Specialized, Giant, and Trek? 
I rode a carbon Giant Defy in group rides and I can relate to the woman who 
said the best part of the ride is the end. I did feel a sense of 
accomplishment when I finished a long group ride but honestly didn't really 
enjoy the rides. Thinking back now, I don't even think I noticed the 
scenery around us as we rode as I was leaned forward and just pedaling 
hard. I miss the comradery of those rides and am glad you found a group.
Doug

On Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 12:14:28 AM UTC-4 Joe Bernard wrote:

> "... maybe Leah Peterson is a maniac who's just as fast on a Clem! Let's 
> find out!!!"
>
> We have our answer. 18-20mph. On a Clem!!!
>
> On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 8:15:46 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> 
>> Here’s my write-up from tonight’s Clubbing with the Clem. Attached in the 
>> next post (which makes this message too large) will also be a video (it’s 
>> funny) and a photo in case you can’t be bothered with goofball videos.
>>
>> Clubbing with the Clem:
>>
>> My Racing Platypus is in need of new shoes. Those shipped today, and I am 
>> not above praying that they arrive before Friday’s club ride. 
>>
>> I rode in the women’s group tonight, and they are the fastest group I 
>> ride with. People are getting used to the weird bikes I drag to club rides, 
>> but I thought this romantic step-through might be pushing it. “Isn’t that 
>> the bike you always ride?” one woman asked. 
>>
>> The choices: 8-12 mph, 15-16 mph or 17+. I fell in with the 15-16 group 
>> and the ride leader said, “My cyclometer isn’t working, so I might have 
>> trouble keeping the pace.” 
>>
>> Good, I thought. It is NINETY degrees, humid, and there is a 14 mph wind. 
>> And I’m on this here Clem, which is wider than the van I used to drive it 
>> here and probably as heavy.
>>
>> The leader peeled out of the parking lot and hit a nice cruising speed of 
>> 18-20 mph My heart rate was immediately in the 180s and I thought, Leah 
>> you fool. Turn this Clem around right now and go home. But I had run my big 
>> mouth saying I was taking my Clem to a club ride, and now I was committed. 
>> The written words of Grant Petersen flitted through my mind. He was 
>> extolling the virtues of the Clem and then added, “But don’t take it on 
>> club rides or anything.” 
>>
>> And here I was. Doing the very thing - the only thing - that the bike’s 
>> creator never intended.
>>
>> I panicked a little bit. My heart has this annoying thing it does where 
>> if I’m pushing too hard/stressed it will beat irregularly. I felt the 
>> little PACs start to flutter inside my chest. I drank more water and prayed 
>> not to die on my bike tonight since that would really mess up the pace for 
>> the group.
>>
>> The winds were brutal, loud enough that it was hard to have conversation 
>> with the woman next to me. Ride leaders often switch on windy nights, but 
>> not this little dynamo. She pulled us along anywhere from 17-20 mph for 
>> much of that ride. We got stuck at a stop which put a 0.2 mile gap between 
>> us and the riders in front of us - I hate when that happens and I always 
>> rush to catch back up. But today it took me miles to close that gap. 
>>
>> We got to our halfway point where we hydrate/eat/admire each other’s 
>> accessories. “The best part of the ride is when we discuss the colors of 
>> our accoutrements,” I said. 
>>
>> The roadie next to me disagreed. “The best part of the ride is when we 
>> pull into the parking lot at the end.” 
>>
>> That gave me pause. Is that how people feel about rides? Because I 
>> usually enjoy myself so much - weather can be a bummer, sure, but I’ve yet 
>> to have a bad ride on my Platypus. 
>>
>> I often learn something on a ride. At the start, I was short of breath 
>> from working so hard and worrying about failure. I was using a lot of upper 
>> body. By the end, I was still except for legs and core and that seemed to 
>> propel me along without zapping my energy and breath. I wonder if that is a 
>> real phenomenon or if I made that up. Someone will know. 
>>
>> The Clem saw me safely home but I’m going to feel it in the morning. 
>> Still, I’m glad we did it. This bike has seen me through 2020 and the grief 
>> I expunged on it when we lost Dad. It was my only bike for that year and we 
>> rode nearly 3,000 miles together. And now, it has taken me on a club ride; 
>> though it was never intended for one. I said let’s go and it took me. 
>> That’s love.
>>
>> On May 31, 2022, at 2:42 PM, Doug H.  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> Yes! Represent all the Clem's out there in the wild.
>> Doug
>>
>> On Tue, May 31, 2022 at 2:35 PM JohnS  wrote:
>>
>>> Good luck and hope it goes well. I'm planning on doing a group ride this 
>>> evening and it's supposed to be a 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Joe Bernard]

"... maybe Leah Peterson is a maniac who's just as fast on a Clem! Let's 
find out!!!"

We have our answer. 18-20mph. On a Clem!!!

On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 8:15:46 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

> 
> Here’s my write-up from tonight’s Clubbing with the Clem. Attached in the 
> next post (which makes this message too large) will also be a video (it’s 
> funny) and a photo in case you can’t be bothered with goofball videos.
>
> Clubbing with the Clem:
>
> My Racing Platypus is in need of new shoes. Those shipped today, and I am 
> not above praying that they arrive before Friday’s club ride. 
>
> I rode in the women’s group tonight, and they are the fastest group I ride 
> with. People are getting used to the weird bikes I drag to club rides, but 
> I thought this romantic step-through might be pushing it. “Isn’t that the 
> bike you always ride?” one woman asked. 
>
> The choices: 8-12 mph, 15-16 mph or 17+. I fell in with the 15-16 group 
> and the ride leader said, “My cyclometer isn’t working, so I might have 
> trouble keeping the pace.” 
>
> Good, I thought. It is NINETY degrees, humid, and there is a 14 mph wind. 
> And I’m on this here Clem, which is wider than the van I used to drive it 
> here and probably as heavy.
>
> The leader peeled out of the parking lot and hit a nice cruising speed of 
> 18-20 mph My heart rate was immediately in the 180s and I thought, Leah 
> you fool. Turn this Clem around right now and go home. But I had run my big 
> mouth saying I was taking my Clem to a club ride, and now I was committed. 
> The written words of Grant Petersen flitted through my mind. He was 
> extolling the virtues of the Clem and then added, “But don’t take it on 
> club rides or anything.” 
>
> And here I was. Doing the very thing - the only thing - that the bike’s 
> creator never intended.
>
> I panicked a little bit. My heart has this annoying thing it does where if 
> I’m pushing too hard/stressed it will beat irregularly. I felt the little 
> PACs start to flutter inside my chest. I drank more water and prayed not to 
> die on my bike tonight since that would really mess up the pace for the 
> group.
>
> The winds were brutal, loud enough that it was hard to have conversation 
> with the woman next to me. Ride leaders often switch on windy nights, but 
> not this little dynamo. She pulled us along anywhere from 17-20 mph for 
> much of that ride. We got stuck at a stop which put a 0.2 mile gap between 
> us and the riders in front of us - I hate when that happens and I always 
> rush to catch back up. But today it took me miles to close that gap. 
>
> We got to our halfway point where we hydrate/eat/admire each other’s 
> accessories. “The best part of the ride is when we discuss the colors of 
> our accoutrements,” I said. 
>
> The roadie next to me disagreed. “The best part of the ride is when we 
> pull into the parking lot at the end.” 
>
> That gave me pause. Is that how people feel about rides? Because I usually 
> enjoy myself so much - weather can be a bummer, sure, but I’ve yet to have 
> a bad ride on my Platypus. 
>
> I often learn something on a ride. At the start, I was short of breath 
> from working so hard and worrying about failure. I was using a lot of upper 
> body. By the end, I was still except for legs and core and that seemed to 
> propel me along without zapping my energy and breath. I wonder if that is a 
> real phenomenon or if I made that up. Someone will know. 
>
> The Clem saw me safely home but I’m going to feel it in the morning. 
> Still, I’m glad we did it. This bike has seen me through 2020 and the grief 
> I expunged on it when we lost Dad. It was my only bike for that year and we 
> rode nearly 3,000 miles together. And now, it has taken me on a club ride; 
> though it was never intended for one. I said let’s go and it took me. 
> That’s love.
>
> On May 31, 2022, at 2:42 PM, Doug H.  wrote:
>
> 
>
> Yes! Represent all the Clem's out there in the wild.
> Doug
>
> On Tue, May 31, 2022 at 2:35 PM JohnS  wrote:
>
>> Good luck and hope it goes well. I'm planning on doing a group ride this 
>> evening and it's supposed to be a hot one as well, plenty of fluids!
>>
>> JohnS
>>
>>
>> On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 2:23:41 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> All good options, everyone. Except the ones that suggested I skip this 
>>> week because I am definitely going. 
>>>
>>>  I’ll ride the women’s ride tonight (this group tends to be pretty fast, 
>>> maybe 16 mph but often up at 18 or 19 when they really get a flat stretch) 
>>> and I am taking….my Clem.  I miss it, and it deserves a good, hard ride 
>>> like we had in 2019-2020, when we tore through the desert, just the two of 
>>> us. Flashback to 2,000 miles with it in 2020:
>>> [image: image0.jpeg]
>>>
>>> This is maybe a huge mistake because it is a sweltering 88 degrees, 
>>> humid, and I have eaten a lot of crap over Memorial Day Weekend. I spent 
>>> the weekend at a  

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Leah Peterson]

Here’s my write-up from tonight’s Clubbing with the Clem. Attached in the next 
post (which makes this message too large) will also be a video (it’s funny) and 
a photo in case you can’t be bothered with goofball videos.

Clubbing with the Clem:

My Racing Platypus is in need of new shoes. Those shipped today, and I am not 
above praying that they arrive before Friday’s club ride. 

I rode in the women’s group tonight, and they are the fastest group I ride 
with. People are getting used to the weird bikes I drag to club rides, but I 
thought this romantic step-through might be pushing it. “Isn’t that the bike 
you always ride?” one woman asked. 

The choices: 8-12 mph, 15-16 mph or 17+. I fell in with the 15-16 group and the 
ride leader said, “My cyclometer isn’t working, so I might have trouble keeping 
the pace.” 

Good, I thought. It is NINETY degrees, humid, and there is a 14 mph wind. And 
I’m on this here Clem, which is wider than the van I used to drive it here and 
probably as heavy.

The leader peeled out of the parking lot and hit a nice cruising speed of 18-20 
mph My heart rate was immediately in the 180s and I thought, Leah you fool. 
Turn this Clem around right now and go home. But I had run my big mouth saying 
I was taking my Clem to a club ride, and now I was committed. The written words 
of Grant Petersen flitted through my mind. He was extolling the virtues of the 
Clem and then added, “But don’t take it on club rides or anything.” 

And here I was. Doing the very thing - the only thing - that the bike’s creator 
never intended.

I panicked a little bit. My heart has this annoying thing it does where if I’m 
pushing too hard/stressed it will beat irregularly. I felt the little PACs 
start to flutter inside my chest. I drank more water and prayed not to die on 
my bike tonight since that would really mess up the pace for the group.

The winds were brutal, loud enough that it was hard to have conversation with 
the woman next to me. Ride leaders often switch on windy nights, but not this 
little dynamo. She pulled us along anywhere from 17-20 mph for much of that 
ride. We got stuck at a stop which put a 0.2 mile gap between us and the riders 
in front of us - I hate when that happens and I always rush to catch back up. 
But today it took me miles to close that gap. 

We got to our halfway point where we hydrate/eat/admire each other’s 
accessories. “The best part of the ride is when we discuss the colors of our 
accoutrements,” I said. 

The roadie next to me disagreed. “The best part of the ride is when we pull 
into the parking lot at the end.” 

That gave me pause. Is that how people feel about rides? Because I usually 
enjoy myself so much - weather can be a bummer, sure, but I’ve yet to have a 
bad ride on my Platypus. 

I often learn something on a ride. At the start, I was short of breath from 
working so hard and worrying about failure. I was using a lot of upper body. By 
the end, I was still except for legs and core and that seemed to propel me 
along without zapping my energy and breath. I wonder if that is a real 
phenomenon or if I made that up. Someone will know. 

The Clem saw me safely home but I’m going to feel it in the morning. Still, I’m 
glad we did it. This bike has seen me through 2020 and the grief I expunged on 
it when we lost Dad. It was my only bike for that year and we rode nearly 3,000 
miles together. And now, it has taken me on a club ride; though it was never 
intended for one. I said let’s go and it took me. That’s love.

> On May 31, 2022, at 2:42 PM, Doug H.  wrote:
> 
> Yes! Represent all the Clem's out there in the wild.
> Doug
> 
> On Tue, May 31, 2022 at 2:35 PM JohnS  wrote:
>> Good luck and hope it goes well. I'm planning on doing a group ride this 
>> evening and it's supposed to be a hot one as well, plenty of fluids!
>> 
>> JohnS
>> 
>> 
>> On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 2:23:41 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
>>> All good options, everyone. Except the ones that suggested I skip this week 
>>> because I am definitely going. 
>>> 
>>>  I’ll ride the women’s ride tonight (this group tends to be pretty fast, 
>>> maybe 16 mph but often up at 18 or 19 when they really get a flat stretch) 
>>> and I am taking….my Clem.  I miss it, and it deserves a good, hard ride 
>>> like we had in 2019-2020, when we tore through the desert, just the two of 
>>> us. Flashback to 2,000 miles with it in 2020:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> This is maybe a huge mistake because it is a sweltering 88 degrees, humid, 
>>> and I have eaten a lot of crap over Memorial Day Weekend. I spent the 
>>> weekend at a  family fishing tournament and not in the saddle, so I’m not 
>>> in fighting form. But, I love a challenge. If I keel over on my bike 
>>> tonight and you read about it in the paper, just know that I went out 
>>> spectacularly. 
>>> 
>>> Leah
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
 On May 31, 2022, at 10:07 AM, Jingy  wrote:
 Another option is to skip the group ride 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Doug H.]

Yes! Represent all the Clem's out there in the wild.
Doug

On Tue, May 31, 2022 at 2:35 PM JohnS  wrote:

> Good luck and hope it goes well. I'm planning on doing a group ride this
> evening and it's supposed to be a hot one as well, plenty of fluids!
>
> JohnS
>
>
> On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 2:23:41 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!
> wrote:
>
>> All good options, everyone. Except the ones that suggested I skip this
>> week because I am definitely going.
>>
>>  I’ll ride the women’s ride tonight (this group tends to be pretty fast,
>> maybe 16 mph but often up at 18 or 19 when they really get a flat stretch)
>> and I am taking….my Clem.  I miss it, and it deserves a good, hard ride
>> like we had in 2019-2020, when we tore through the desert, just the two of
>> us. Flashback to 2,000 miles with it in 2020:
>> [image: image0.jpeg]
>>
>> This is maybe a huge mistake because it is a sweltering 88 degrees,
>> humid, and I have eaten a lot of crap over Memorial Day Weekend. I spent
>> the weekend at a  family fishing tournament and not in the saddle, so I’m
>> not in fighting form. But, I love a challenge. If I keel over on my bike
>> tonight and you read about it in the paper, just know that I went out
>> spectacularly.
>>
>> Leah
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On May 31, 2022, at 10:07 AM, Jingy  wrote:
>>
>> Another option is to skip the group ride this week and lone wolf it.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>> On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 9:01:10 AM UTC-5 jeffrey kane wrote:
>>
>>> Great stories, as usual - I'm pretty sure I remember suggesting that you
>>> should consider converting that ol' Betty Foy into your drop bar go-fast
>>> bike a long time back ...
>>>
>>> On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 10:10:18 AM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding
>>> Ding! wrote:
>>>
 [image: 6982042D-DB05-4044-8AC4-9076A708539B.jpeg][image:
 0221807D-FECC-440C-AE2E-AF03DDB70770.jpeg]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 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[JohnS]

Good luck and hope it goes well. I'm planning on doing a group ride this 
evening and it's supposed to be a hot one as well, plenty of fluids!

JohnS


On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 2:23:41 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

> All good options, everyone. Except the ones that suggested I skip this 
> week because I am definitely going. 
>
>  I’ll ride the women’s ride tonight (this group tends to be pretty fast, 
> maybe 16 mph but often up at 18 or 19 when they really get a flat stretch) 
> and I am taking….my Clem.  I miss it, and it deserves a good, hard ride 
> like we had in 2019-2020, when we tore through the desert, just the two of 
> us. Flashback to 2,000 miles with it in 2020:
> [image: image0.jpeg]
>
> This is maybe a huge mistake because it is a sweltering 88 degrees, humid, 
> and I have eaten a lot of crap over Memorial Day Weekend. I spent the 
> weekend at a  family fishing tournament and not in the saddle, so I’m not 
> in fighting form. But, I love a challenge. If I keel over on my bike 
> tonight and you read about it in the paper, just know that I went out 
> spectacularly. 
>
> Leah
>
>
>
>
>
> On May 31, 2022, at 10:07 AM, Jingy  wrote:
>
> Another option is to skip the group ride this week and lone wolf it.
>
> Jim
>
> On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 9:01:10 AM UTC-5 jeffrey kane wrote:
>
>> Great stories, as usual - I'm pretty sure I remember suggesting that you 
>> should consider converting that ol' Betty Foy into your drop bar go-fast 
>> bike a long time back ... 
>>
>> On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 10:10:18 AM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> [image: 6982042D-DB05-4044-8AC4-9076A708539B.jpeg][image: 
>>> 0221807D-FECC-440C-AE2E-AF03DDB70770.jpeg]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 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[lconley]

I would put a tube in the Racing Platypus tire, possibly from one of the 
other bikes if you don't have a spare.

Laing

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 6:02:02 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

> 
> This thread has been so fun for me to write, but I keep thinking, what 
> really else is there to say? We have covered the bases by now; we wondered 
> if a Raspberry Platypus could become a Racing Platypus, considered the 
> controversy, battled insecurities, confronted our (my) own preconceived 
> ideas, learned some new things from the racers. It’s been an adventure for 
> me, and thank you! But today, wouldn’t you know, I’ve got another bit of 
> conversation for your consideration.
>
> Last week I realized my rear tire was dripping sealant. A myriad of tiny 
> pin-prick holes that I have never noticed revealed themselves as my Racing 
> Platypus hung, inert on the wall. The only reason I caught it was that my 
> poor Shopping Platypus below it was catching the dripping sealant. Below: 
> left, front tire, with its tread still decent. Right, the rear tire, wet 
> and holey and with very worn tread.
>
> [image: image0.jpeg]
>
> Turns out, the tire is toast. The rubber is thin enough that it is not 
> holding the sealant, and it is leaking through in minuscule holes and 
> tears. I never thought it would be worn out already - I’d never have 
> checked. I can’t tell you how many miles it took to make this happen 
> because I don’t track miles per bike - I just have a running total of 
> ridden miles. And between 2021-present, that number is…well, never mind, 
> because the calculator app crashed and I’m not totaling them up again. BUT, 
> the tires are only a year and a few month old! I got 5 years out of the 
> Betty Foy tires before I sat next to it one day and noticed this:
>
>
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Bill Schairer]

Swap a tire from one of the other bikes?

Bill S
San Diego

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 10:28:39 PM UTC-7 Joe Bernard wrote:

> Update to my advice, I also send my regards! ‍♂️
>
> On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 5:58:38 PM UTC-7 Joe Bernard wrote:
>
>> I think the Clem is the way. Maybe you're a little slower this week and 
>> they can wait a minute, maybe Leah Peterson is a maniac who's just as fast 
>> on a Clem! Let's find out!!!
>>
>> On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 3:02:02 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> 
>>> This thread has been so fun for me to write, but I keep thinking, what 
>>> really else is there to say? We have covered the bases by now; we wondered 
>>> if a Raspberry Platypus could become a Racing Platypus, considered the 
>>> controversy, battled insecurities, confronted our (my) own preconceived 
>>> ideas, learned some new things from the racers. It’s been an adventure for 
>>> me, and thank you! But today, wouldn’t you know, I’ve got another bit of 
>>> conversation for your consideration.
>>>
>>> Last week I realized my rear tire was dripping sealant. A myriad of tiny 
>>> pin-prick holes that I have never noticed revealed themselves as my Racing 
>>> Platypus hung, inert on the wall. The only reason I caught it was that my 
>>> poor Shopping Platypus below it was catching the dripping sealant. Below: 
>>> left, front tire, with its tread still decent. Right, the rear tire, wet 
>>> and holey and with very worn tread.
>>>
>>> [image: image0.jpeg]
>>>
>>> Turns out, the tire is toast. The rubber is thin enough that it is not 
>>> holding the sealant, and it is leaking through in minuscule holes and 
>>> tears. I never thought it would be worn out already - I’d never have 
>>> checked. I can’t tell you how many miles it took to make this happen 
>>> because I don’t track miles per bike - I just have a running total of 
>>> ridden miles. And between 2021-present, that number is…well, never mind, 
>>> because the calculator app crashed and I’m not totaling them up again. BUT, 
>>> the tires are only a year and a few month old! I got 5 years out of the 
>>> Betty Foy tires before I sat next to it one day and noticed this:
>>> [image: image2.jpeg]
>>>
>>> The bike shop had nothing as wide or even close as the 44 mm tires on 
>>> the Racing Platypus, and the Ultradynamico tires I ultimately settled on 
>>> haven’t yet shipped. I hope they’re good! I got the gray 42 mm Cava Race. 
>>>
>>> But what am I going to take to club rides this week? I can’t see taking 
>>> the Racing Platypus without new tires. The other contenders: A 2019 
>>> Rivendell Clem L and the 2020 Shopping Platypus. Both are heavy. Neither is 
>>> set up for speed. Good grief, look at these two:
>>>
>>> [image: image0.jpeg]
>>>
>>> [image: image3.jpeg]
>>>
>>> You are thinking, just strip the Shopping Plat and ride that. Ah, but 
>>> the lights are attached to the racks, so those stay and they are HEAVY. 
>>> That Platypus is the heaviest of my trio! I can strip bags, but how much 
>>> does that really help? The gearing is different on it; it is a 1x and the 
>>> gearing is not as “right” as my Racing Plat. I don’t have technical terms 
>>> for this - I can only say that the Rivendell drive train always gives me 
>>> the “right” gear - the Shopping Plat often feels too hard or too easy. I 
>>> don’t want to be fiddling around with that while chasing club riders. But 
>>> that isn’t even the deal-killer for me…
>>>
>>> It’s that basket. 
>>>
>>> Listen, I have weathered the silent prejudice as I wheeled the Racing 
>>> Platypus to the huddle. The Saddlesack and Billie Bars always invoke 
>>> judgment in this scenario, but a BASKET. I don’t think I can do it.
>>>
>>> That leaves the Clem. A bike that Grant, while extolling its virtues and 
>>> its versatility, said, “Just don’t take it on your club rides or anything.” 
>>> The Clem, with its ultra-high and proud Bosco Bars and its step-through, 
>>> beefy frame. I shudder to think of what they will think. I don’t even know 
>>> how fast I can ride it. I think maybe fast because it was my only bike 
>>> during 2020 and I rode it hard. But, it is unproven at club rides and I’ve 
>>> got hesitation.
>>>
>>> I don’t know which bike to take for certain, but you are free to send 
>>> your advice and/or regards.
>>> Leah
>>>
>>> On May 27, 2022, at 10:56 AM, Joe T  wrote:
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>>
>>> Another great story by Leah! From Vegas to Michigan life. Beautiful 
>>> Michigan, enjoy!
>>> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 10:25:24 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 Kevin,

 Their slow group was slow. I was glad to be in the faster class on the 
 women’s ride. I kept pace, rode in 2nd and 3rd position, and it wasn’t 
 effortless. I don’t think I will fall victim to the Lycra; I’m perfectly 
 happy with the workout wear I find at Target - highly recommend their All 
 In Motion brand, for anyone looking. 

 As far as fitness, don’t 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Joe Bernard]

Update to my advice, I also send my regards! ‍♂️

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 5:58:38 PM UTC-7 Joe Bernard wrote:

> I think the Clem is the way. Maybe you're a little slower this week and 
> they can wait a minute, maybe Leah Peterson is a maniac who's just as fast 
> on a Clem! Let's find out!!!
>
> On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 3:02:02 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
>
>> 
>> This thread has been so fun for me to write, but I keep thinking, what 
>> really else is there to say? We have covered the bases by now; we wondered 
>> if a Raspberry Platypus could become a Racing Platypus, considered the 
>> controversy, battled insecurities, confronted our (my) own preconceived 
>> ideas, learned some new things from the racers. It’s been an adventure for 
>> me, and thank you! But today, wouldn’t you know, I’ve got another bit of 
>> conversation for your consideration.
>>
>> Last week I realized my rear tire was dripping sealant. A myriad of tiny 
>> pin-prick holes that I have never noticed revealed themselves as my Racing 
>> Platypus hung, inert on the wall. The only reason I caught it was that my 
>> poor Shopping Platypus below it was catching the dripping sealant. Below: 
>> left, front tire, with its tread still decent. Right, the rear tire, wet 
>> and holey and with very worn tread.
>>
>> [image: image0.jpeg]
>>
>> Turns out, the tire is toast. The rubber is thin enough that it is not 
>> holding the sealant, and it is leaking through in minuscule holes and 
>> tears. I never thought it would be worn out already - I’d never have 
>> checked. I can’t tell you how many miles it took to make this happen 
>> because I don’t track miles per bike - I just have a running total of 
>> ridden miles. And between 2021-present, that number is…well, never mind, 
>> because the calculator app crashed and I’m not totaling them up again. BUT, 
>> the tires are only a year and a few month old! I got 5 years out of the 
>> Betty Foy tires before I sat next to it one day and noticed this:
>> [image: image2.jpeg]
>>
>> The bike shop had nothing as wide or even close as the 44 mm tires on the 
>> Racing Platypus, and the Ultradynamico tires I ultimately settled on 
>> haven’t yet shipped. I hope they’re good! I got the gray 42 mm Cava Race. 
>>
>> But what am I going to take to club rides this week? I can’t see taking 
>> the Racing Platypus without new tires. The other contenders: A 2019 
>> Rivendell Clem L and the 2020 Shopping Platypus. Both are heavy. Neither is 
>> set up for speed. Good grief, look at these two:
>>
>> [image: image0.jpeg]
>>
>> [image: image3.jpeg]
>>
>> You are thinking, just strip the Shopping Plat and ride that. Ah, but the 
>> lights are attached to the racks, so those stay and they are HEAVY. That 
>> Platypus is the heaviest of my trio! I can strip bags, but how much does 
>> that really help? The gearing is different on it; it is a 1x and the 
>> gearing is not as “right” as my Racing Plat. I don’t have technical terms 
>> for this - I can only say that the Rivendell drive train always gives me 
>> the “right” gear - the Shopping Plat often feels too hard or too easy. I 
>> don’t want to be fiddling around with that while chasing club riders. But 
>> that isn’t even the deal-killer for me…
>>
>> It’s that basket. 
>>
>> Listen, I have weathered the silent prejudice as I wheeled the Racing 
>> Platypus to the huddle. The Saddlesack and Billie Bars always invoke 
>> judgment in this scenario, but a BASKET. I don’t think I can do it.
>>
>> That leaves the Clem. A bike that Grant, while extolling its virtues and 
>> its versatility, said, “Just don’t take it on your club rides or anything.” 
>> The Clem, with its ultra-high and proud Bosco Bars and its step-through, 
>> beefy frame. I shudder to think of what they will think. I don’t even know 
>> how fast I can ride it. I think maybe fast because it was my only bike 
>> during 2020 and I rode it hard. But, it is unproven at club rides and I’ve 
>> got hesitation.
>>
>> I don’t know which bike to take for certain, but you are free to send 
>> your advice and/or regards.
>> Leah
>>
>> On May 27, 2022, at 10:56 AM, Joe T  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>> Another great story by Leah! From Vegas to Michigan life. Beautiful 
>> Michigan, enjoy!
>> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 10:25:24 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Kevin,
>>>
>>> Their slow group was slow. I was glad to be in the faster class on the 
>>> women’s ride. I kept pace, rode in 2nd and 3rd position, and it wasn’t 
>>> effortless. I don’t think I will fall victim to the Lycra; I’m perfectly 
>>> happy with the workout wear I find at Target - highly recommend their All 
>>> In Motion brand, for anyone looking. 
>>>
>>> As far as fitness, don’t give up. You can still be fit on a clunker!
>>>
>>> I want to preserve my abilities and keep preventable disease at bay, so 
>>> I take fitness pretty seriously. Group rides will really challenge me and 
>>> probably increase my 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Ian A]

"I don’t know which bike to take for certain, but you are free to send your 
advice and/or regards"

Hi Leah

Always enjoyable to read of your adventures. You can ride your racing Platy 
if you borrow a tire from one of the other bikes.

IanA Alberta Canada

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 4:02:02 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

> 
> This thread has been so fun for me to write, but I keep thinking, what 
> really else is there to say? We have covered the bases by now; we wondered 
> if a Raspberry Platypus could become a Racing Platypus, considered the 
> controversy, battled insecurities, confronted our (my) own preconceived 
> ideas, learned some new things from the racers. It’s been an adventure for 
> me, and thank you! But today, wouldn’t you know, I’ve got another bit of 
> conversation for your consideration.
>
> Last week I realized my rear tire was dripping sealant. A myriad of tiny 
> pin-prick holes that I have never noticed revealed themselves as my Racing 
> Platypus hung, inert on the wall. The only reason I caught it was that my 
> poor Shopping Platypus below it was catching the dripping sealant. Below: 
> left, front tire, with its tread still decent. Right, the rear tire, wet 
> and holey and with very worn tread.
>
> [image: image0.jpeg]
>
> Turns out, the tire is toast. The rubber is thin enough that it is not 
> holding the sealant, and it is leaking through in minuscule holes and 
> tears. I never thought it would be worn out already - I’d never have 
> checked. I can’t tell you how many miles it took to make this happen 
> because I don’t track miles per bike - I just have a running total of 
> ridden miles. And between 2021-present, that number is…well, never mind, 
> because the calculator app crashed and I’m not totaling them up again. BUT, 
> the tires are only a year and a few month old! I got 5 years out of the 
> Betty Foy tires before I sat next to it one day and noticed this:
> [image: image2.jpeg]
>
> The bike shop had nothing as wide or even close as the 44 mm tires on the 
> Racing Platypus, and the Ultradynamico tires I ultimately settled on 
> haven’t yet shipped. I hope they’re good! I got the gray 42 mm Cava Race. 
>
> But what am I going to take to club rides this week? I can’t see taking 
> the Racing Platypus without new tires. The other contenders: A 2019 
> Rivendell Clem L and the 2020 Shopping Platypus. Both are heavy. Neither is 
> set up for speed. Good grief, look at these two:
>
> [image: image0.jpeg]
>
> [image: image3.jpeg]
>
> You are thinking, just strip the Shopping Plat and ride that. Ah, but the 
> lights are attached to the racks, so those stay and they are HEAVY. That 
> Platypus is the heaviest of my trio! I can strip bags, but how much does 
> that really help? The gearing is different on it; it is a 1x and the 
> gearing is not as “right” as my Racing Plat. I don’t have technical terms 
> for this - I can only say that the Rivendell drive train always gives me 
> the “right” gear - the Shopping Plat often feels too hard or too easy. I 
> don’t want to be fiddling around with that while chasing club riders. But 
> that isn’t even the deal-killer for me…
>
> It’s that basket. 
>
> Listen, I have weathered the silent prejudice as I wheeled the Racing 
> Platypus to the huddle. The Saddlesack and Billie Bars always invoke 
> judgment in this scenario, but a BASKET. I don’t think I can do it.
>
> That leaves the Clem. A bike that Grant, while extolling its virtues and 
> its versatility, said, “Just don’t take it on your club rides or anything.” 
> The Clem, with its ultra-high and proud Bosco Bars and its step-through, 
> beefy frame. I shudder to think of what they will think. I don’t even know 
> how fast I can ride it. I think maybe fast because it was my only bike 
> during 2020 and I rode it hard. But, it is unproven at club rides and I’ve 
> got hesitation.
>
> I don’t know which bike to take for certain, but you are free to send your 
> advice and/or regards.
> Leah
>
> On May 27, 2022, at 10:56 AM, Joe T  wrote:
>
> 
>
>
> Another great story by Leah! From Vegas to Michigan life. Beautiful 
> Michigan, enjoy!
> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 10:25:24 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Kevin,
>>
>> Their slow group was slow. I was glad to be in the faster class on the 
>> women’s ride. I kept pace, rode in 2nd and 3rd position, and it wasn’t 
>> effortless. I don’t think I will fall victim to the Lycra; I’m perfectly 
>> happy with the workout wear I find at Target - highly recommend their All 
>> In Motion brand, for anyone looking. 
>>
>> As far as fitness, don’t give up. You can still be fit on a clunker!
>>
>> I want to preserve my abilities and keep preventable disease at bay, so I 
>> take fitness pretty seriously. Group rides will really challenge me and 
>> probably increase my abilities. With my heavier bike and non-aero gear, I 
>> am probably gleaning better results than the rest of the group. I also lift 
>> 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Ray Varella]

Take your Clem, ride with the slower group if need be. 
I rode mine for about 3 hours today and enjoyed every minute of it.  

Ray

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 9:09:27 PM UTC-7 Mojo wrote:

> "A Clem" https://youtu.be/lmWFrMq3qNY?t=1194
> from the future past
>
> Joe
>
>
> On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 7:06:56 PM UTC-6 Doug H. wrote:
>
>> Another Clem vote here. They've seen a Platypus so show them another 
>> Rivendell beauty.
>> Doug
>>
>> On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 8:58:38 PM UTC-4 Joe Bernard wrote:
>>
>>> I think the Clem is the way. Maybe you're a little slower this week and 
>>> they can wait a minute, maybe Leah Peterson is a maniac who's just as fast 
>>> on a Clem! Let's find out!!!
>>>
>>> On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 3:02:02 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 
 This thread has been so fun for me to write, but I keep thinking, what 
 really else is there to say? We have covered the bases by now; we wondered 
 if a Raspberry Platypus could become a Racing Platypus, considered the 
 controversy, battled insecurities, confronted our (my) own preconceived 
 ideas, learned some new things from the racers. It’s been an adventure for 
 me, and thank you! But today, wouldn’t you know, I’ve got another bit of 
 conversation for your consideration.

 Last week I realized my rear tire was dripping sealant. A myriad of 
 tiny pin-prick holes that I have never noticed revealed themselves as my 
 Racing Platypus hung, inert on the wall. The only reason I caught it was 
 that my poor Shopping Platypus below it was catching the dripping sealant. 
 Below: left, front tire, with its tread still decent. Right, the rear 
 tire, 
 wet and holey and with very worn tread.

 [image: image0.jpeg]

 Turns out, the tire is toast. The rubber is thin enough that it is not 
 holding the sealant, and it is leaking through in minuscule holes and 
 tears. I never thought it would be worn out already - I’d never have 
 checked. I can’t tell you how many miles it took to make this happen 
 because I don’t track miles per bike - I just have a running total of 
 ridden miles. And between 2021-present, that number is…well, never mind, 
 because the calculator app crashed and I’m not totaling them up again. 
 BUT, 
 the tires are only a year and a few month old! I got 5 years out of the 
 Betty Foy tires before I sat next to it one day and noticed this:
 [image: image2.jpeg]

 The bike shop had nothing as wide or even close as the 44 mm tires on 
 the Racing Platypus, and the Ultradynamico tires I ultimately settled on 
 haven’t yet shipped. I hope they’re good! I got the gray 42 mm Cava Race. 

 But what am I going to take to club rides this week? I can’t see taking 
 the Racing Platypus without new tires. The other contenders: A 2019 
 Rivendell Clem L and the 2020 Shopping Platypus. Both are heavy. Neither 
 is 
 set up for speed. Good grief, look at these two:

 [image: image0.jpeg]

 [image: image3.jpeg]

 You are thinking, just strip the Shopping Plat and ride that. Ah, but 
 the lights are attached to the racks, so those stay and they are HEAVY. 
 That Platypus is the heaviest of my trio! I can strip bags, but how much 
 does that really help? The gearing is different on it; it is a 1x and the 
 gearing is not as “right” as my Racing Plat. I don’t have technical terms 
 for this - I can only say that the Rivendell drive train always gives me 
 the “right” gear - the Shopping Plat often feels too hard or too easy. I 
 don’t want to be fiddling around with that while chasing club riders. But 
 that isn’t even the deal-killer for me…

 It’s that basket. 

 Listen, I have weathered the silent prejudice as I wheeled the Racing 
 Platypus to the huddle. The Saddlesack and Billie Bars always invoke 
 judgment in this scenario, but a BASKET. I don’t think I can do it.

 That leaves the Clem. A bike that Grant, while extolling its virtues 
 and its versatility, said, “Just don’t take it on your club rides or 
 anything.” The Clem, with its ultra-high and proud Bosco Bars and its 
 step-through, beefy frame. I shudder to think of what they will think. I 
 don’t even know how fast I can ride it. I think maybe fast because it was 
 my only bike during 2020 and I rode it hard. But, it is unproven at club 
 rides and I’ve got hesitation.

 I don’t know which bike to take for certain, but you are free to send 
 your advice and/or regards.
 Leah

 On May 27, 2022, at 10:56 AM, Joe T  wrote:

 


 Another great story by Leah! From Vegas to Michigan life. Beautiful 
 Michigan, enjoy!
 On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 10:25:24 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding 
 Ding! wrote:

> Kevin,
>
> Their slow 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

['Mojo' via RBW Owners Bunch]

"A Clem" https://youtu.be/lmWFrMq3qNY?t=1194
from the future past

Joe


On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 7:06:56 PM UTC-6 Doug H. wrote:

> Another Clem vote here. They've seen a Platypus so show them another 
> Rivendell beauty.
> Doug
>
> On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 8:58:38 PM UTC-4 Joe Bernard wrote:
>
>> I think the Clem is the way. Maybe you're a little slower this week and 
>> they can wait a minute, maybe Leah Peterson is a maniac who's just as fast 
>> on a Clem! Let's find out!!!
>>
>> On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 3:02:02 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> 
>>> This thread has been so fun for me to write, but I keep thinking, what 
>>> really else is there to say? We have covered the bases by now; we wondered 
>>> if a Raspberry Platypus could become a Racing Platypus, considered the 
>>> controversy, battled insecurities, confronted our (my) own preconceived 
>>> ideas, learned some new things from the racers. It’s been an adventure for 
>>> me, and thank you! But today, wouldn’t you know, I’ve got another bit of 
>>> conversation for your consideration.
>>>
>>> Last week I realized my rear tire was dripping sealant. A myriad of tiny 
>>> pin-prick holes that I have never noticed revealed themselves as my Racing 
>>> Platypus hung, inert on the wall. The only reason I caught it was that my 
>>> poor Shopping Platypus below it was catching the dripping sealant. Below: 
>>> left, front tire, with its tread still decent. Right, the rear tire, wet 
>>> and holey and with very worn tread.
>>>
>>> [image: image0.jpeg]
>>>
>>> Turns out, the tire is toast. The rubber is thin enough that it is not 
>>> holding the sealant, and it is leaking through in minuscule holes and 
>>> tears. I never thought it would be worn out already - I’d never have 
>>> checked. I can’t tell you how many miles it took to make this happen 
>>> because I don’t track miles per bike - I just have a running total of 
>>> ridden miles. And between 2021-present, that number is…well, never mind, 
>>> because the calculator app crashed and I’m not totaling them up again. BUT, 
>>> the tires are only a year and a few month old! I got 5 years out of the 
>>> Betty Foy tires before I sat next to it one day and noticed this:
>>> [image: image2.jpeg]
>>>
>>> The bike shop had nothing as wide or even close as the 44 mm tires on 
>>> the Racing Platypus, and the Ultradynamico tires I ultimately settled on 
>>> haven’t yet shipped. I hope they’re good! I got the gray 42 mm Cava Race. 
>>>
>>> But what am I going to take to club rides this week? I can’t see taking 
>>> the Racing Platypus without new tires. The other contenders: A 2019 
>>> Rivendell Clem L and the 2020 Shopping Platypus. Both are heavy. Neither is 
>>> set up for speed. Good grief, look at these two:
>>>
>>> [image: image0.jpeg]
>>>
>>> [image: image3.jpeg]
>>>
>>> You are thinking, just strip the Shopping Plat and ride that. Ah, but 
>>> the lights are attached to the racks, so those stay and they are HEAVY. 
>>> That Platypus is the heaviest of my trio! I can strip bags, but how much 
>>> does that really help? The gearing is different on it; it is a 1x and the 
>>> gearing is not as “right” as my Racing Plat. I don’t have technical terms 
>>> for this - I can only say that the Rivendell drive train always gives me 
>>> the “right” gear - the Shopping Plat often feels too hard or too easy. I 
>>> don’t want to be fiddling around with that while chasing club riders. But 
>>> that isn’t even the deal-killer for me…
>>>
>>> It’s that basket. 
>>>
>>> Listen, I have weathered the silent prejudice as I wheeled the Racing 
>>> Platypus to the huddle. The Saddlesack and Billie Bars always invoke 
>>> judgment in this scenario, but a BASKET. I don’t think I can do it.
>>>
>>> That leaves the Clem. A bike that Grant, while extolling its virtues and 
>>> its versatility, said, “Just don’t take it on your club rides or anything.” 
>>> The Clem, with its ultra-high and proud Bosco Bars and its step-through, 
>>> beefy frame. I shudder to think of what they will think. I don’t even know 
>>> how fast I can ride it. I think maybe fast because it was my only bike 
>>> during 2020 and I rode it hard. But, it is unproven at club rides and I’ve 
>>> got hesitation.
>>>
>>> I don’t know which bike to take for certain, but you are free to send 
>>> your advice and/or regards.
>>> Leah
>>>
>>> On May 27, 2022, at 10:56 AM, Joe T  wrote:
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>>
>>> Another great story by Leah! From Vegas to Michigan life. Beautiful 
>>> Michigan, enjoy!
>>> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 10:25:24 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 Kevin,

 Their slow group was slow. I was glad to be in the faster class on the 
 women’s ride. I kept pace, rode in 2nd and 3rd position, and it wasn’t 
 effortless. I don’t think I will fall victim to the Lycra; I’m perfectly 
 happy with the workout wear I find at Target - highly recommend their All 
 In Motion brand, 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Doug H.]

Another Clem vote here. They've seen a Platypus so show them another 
Rivendell beauty.
Doug

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 8:58:38 PM UTC-4 Joe Bernard wrote:

> I think the Clem is the way. Maybe you're a little slower this week and 
> they can wait a minute, maybe Leah Peterson is a maniac who's just as fast 
> on a Clem! Let's find out!!!
>
> On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 3:02:02 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
>
>> 
>> This thread has been so fun for me to write, but I keep thinking, what 
>> really else is there to say? We have covered the bases by now; we wondered 
>> if a Raspberry Platypus could become a Racing Platypus, considered the 
>> controversy, battled insecurities, confronted our (my) own preconceived 
>> ideas, learned some new things from the racers. It’s been an adventure for 
>> me, and thank you! But today, wouldn’t you know, I’ve got another bit of 
>> conversation for your consideration.
>>
>> Last week I realized my rear tire was dripping sealant. A myriad of tiny 
>> pin-prick holes that I have never noticed revealed themselves as my Racing 
>> Platypus hung, inert on the wall. The only reason I caught it was that my 
>> poor Shopping Platypus below it was catching the dripping sealant. Below: 
>> left, front tire, with its tread still decent. Right, the rear tire, wet 
>> and holey and with very worn tread.
>>
>> [image: image0.jpeg]
>>
>> Turns out, the tire is toast. The rubber is thin enough that it is not 
>> holding the sealant, and it is leaking through in minuscule holes and 
>> tears. I never thought it would be worn out already - I’d never have 
>> checked. I can’t tell you how many miles it took to make this happen 
>> because I don’t track miles per bike - I just have a running total of 
>> ridden miles. And between 2021-present, that number is…well, never mind, 
>> because the calculator app crashed and I’m not totaling them up again. BUT, 
>> the tires are only a year and a few month old! I got 5 years out of the 
>> Betty Foy tires before I sat next to it one day and noticed this:
>> [image: image2.jpeg]
>>
>> The bike shop had nothing as wide or even close as the 44 mm tires on the 
>> Racing Platypus, and the Ultradynamico tires I ultimately settled on 
>> haven’t yet shipped. I hope they’re good! I got the gray 42 mm Cava Race. 
>>
>> But what am I going to take to club rides this week? I can’t see taking 
>> the Racing Platypus without new tires. The other contenders: A 2019 
>> Rivendell Clem L and the 2020 Shopping Platypus. Both are heavy. Neither is 
>> set up for speed. Good grief, look at these two:
>>
>> [image: image0.jpeg]
>>
>> [image: image3.jpeg]
>>
>> You are thinking, just strip the Shopping Plat and ride that. Ah, but the 
>> lights are attached to the racks, so those stay and they are HEAVY. That 
>> Platypus is the heaviest of my trio! I can strip bags, but how much does 
>> that really help? The gearing is different on it; it is a 1x and the 
>> gearing is not as “right” as my Racing Plat. I don’t have technical terms 
>> for this - I can only say that the Rivendell drive train always gives me 
>> the “right” gear - the Shopping Plat often feels too hard or too easy. I 
>> don’t want to be fiddling around with that while chasing club riders. But 
>> that isn’t even the deal-killer for me…
>>
>> It’s that basket. 
>>
>> Listen, I have weathered the silent prejudice as I wheeled the Racing 
>> Platypus to the huddle. The Saddlesack and Billie Bars always invoke 
>> judgment in this scenario, but a BASKET. I don’t think I can do it.
>>
>> That leaves the Clem. A bike that Grant, while extolling its virtues and 
>> its versatility, said, “Just don’t take it on your club rides or anything.” 
>> The Clem, with its ultra-high and proud Bosco Bars and its step-through, 
>> beefy frame. I shudder to think of what they will think. I don’t even know 
>> how fast I can ride it. I think maybe fast because it was my only bike 
>> during 2020 and I rode it hard. But, it is unproven at club rides and I’ve 
>> got hesitation.
>>
>> I don’t know which bike to take for certain, but you are free to send 
>> your advice and/or regards.
>> Leah
>>
>> On May 27, 2022, at 10:56 AM, Joe T  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>> Another great story by Leah! From Vegas to Michigan life. Beautiful 
>> Michigan, enjoy!
>> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 10:25:24 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Kevin,
>>>
>>> Their slow group was slow. I was glad to be in the faster class on the 
>>> women’s ride. I kept pace, rode in 2nd and 3rd position, and it wasn’t 
>>> effortless. I don’t think I will fall victim to the Lycra; I’m perfectly 
>>> happy with the workout wear I find at Target - highly recommend their All 
>>> In Motion brand, for anyone looking. 
>>>
>>> As far as fitness, don’t give up. You can still be fit on a clunker!
>>>
>>> I want to preserve my abilities and keep preventable disease at bay, so 
>>> I take fitness pretty seriously. Group rides will really 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Joe Bernard]

I think the Clem is the way. Maybe you're a little slower this week and 
they can wait a minute, maybe Leah Peterson is a maniac who's just as fast 
on a Clem! Let's find out!!!

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 3:02:02 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

> 
> This thread has been so fun for me to write, but I keep thinking, what 
> really else is there to say? We have covered the bases by now; we wondered 
> if a Raspberry Platypus could become a Racing Platypus, considered the 
> controversy, battled insecurities, confronted our (my) own preconceived 
> ideas, learned some new things from the racers. It’s been an adventure for 
> me, and thank you! But today, wouldn’t you know, I’ve got another bit of 
> conversation for your consideration.
>
> Last week I realized my rear tire was dripping sealant. A myriad of tiny 
> pin-prick holes that I have never noticed revealed themselves as my Racing 
> Platypus hung, inert on the wall. The only reason I caught it was that my 
> poor Shopping Platypus below it was catching the dripping sealant. Below: 
> left, front tire, with its tread still decent. Right, the rear tire, wet 
> and holey and with very worn tread.
>
> [image: image0.jpeg]
>
> Turns out, the tire is toast. The rubber is thin enough that it is not 
> holding the sealant, and it is leaking through in minuscule holes and 
> tears. I never thought it would be worn out already - I’d never have 
> checked. I can’t tell you how many miles it took to make this happen 
> because I don’t track miles per bike - I just have a running total of 
> ridden miles. And between 2021-present, that number is…well, never mind, 
> because the calculator app crashed and I’m not totaling them up again. BUT, 
> the tires are only a year and a few month old! I got 5 years out of the 
> Betty Foy tires before I sat next to it one day and noticed this:
> [image: image2.jpeg]
>
> The bike shop had nothing as wide or even close as the 44 mm tires on the 
> Racing Platypus, and the Ultradynamico tires I ultimately settled on 
> haven’t yet shipped. I hope they’re good! I got the gray 42 mm Cava Race. 
>
> But what am I going to take to club rides this week? I can’t see taking 
> the Racing Platypus without new tires. The other contenders: A 2019 
> Rivendell Clem L and the 2020 Shopping Platypus. Both are heavy. Neither is 
> set up for speed. Good grief, look at these two:
>
> [image: image0.jpeg]
>
> [image: image3.jpeg]
>
> You are thinking, just strip the Shopping Plat and ride that. Ah, but the 
> lights are attached to the racks, so those stay and they are HEAVY. That 
> Platypus is the heaviest of my trio! I can strip bags, but how much does 
> that really help? The gearing is different on it; it is a 1x and the 
> gearing is not as “right” as my Racing Plat. I don’t have technical terms 
> for this - I can only say that the Rivendell drive train always gives me 
> the “right” gear - the Shopping Plat often feels too hard or too easy. I 
> don’t want to be fiddling around with that while chasing club riders. But 
> that isn’t even the deal-killer for me…
>
> It’s that basket. 
>
> Listen, I have weathered the silent prejudice as I wheeled the Racing 
> Platypus to the huddle. The Saddlesack and Billie Bars always invoke 
> judgment in this scenario, but a BASKET. I don’t think I can do it.
>
> That leaves the Clem. A bike that Grant, while extolling its virtues and 
> its versatility, said, “Just don’t take it on your club rides or anything.” 
> The Clem, with its ultra-high and proud Bosco Bars and its step-through, 
> beefy frame. I shudder to think of what they will think. I don’t even know 
> how fast I can ride it. I think maybe fast because it was my only bike 
> during 2020 and I rode it hard. But, it is unproven at club rides and I’ve 
> got hesitation.
>
> I don’t know which bike to take for certain, but you are free to send your 
> advice and/or regards.
> Leah
>
> On May 27, 2022, at 10:56 AM, Joe T  wrote:
>
> 
>
>
> Another great story by Leah! From Vegas to Michigan life. Beautiful 
> Michigan, enjoy!
> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 10:25:24 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Kevin,
>>
>> Their slow group was slow. I was glad to be in the faster class on the 
>> women’s ride. I kept pace, rode in 2nd and 3rd position, and it wasn’t 
>> effortless. I don’t think I will fall victim to the Lycra; I’m perfectly 
>> happy with the workout wear I find at Target - highly recommend their All 
>> In Motion brand, for anyone looking. 
>>
>> As far as fitness, don’t give up. You can still be fit on a clunker!
>>
>> I want to preserve my abilities and keep preventable disease at bay, so I 
>> take fitness pretty seriously. Group rides will really challenge me and 
>> probably increase my abilities. With my heavier bike and non-aero gear, I 
>> am probably gleaning better results than the rest of the group. I also lift 
>> weights, run and do core, because cycling alone is not great exercise. It’s 
>> 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Wesley]

In my opinion, take the Clem. Just because it is the more beautiful bike 
(again, IMO.) However, you may consider taking a tire or the entire rear 
wheel off of either one, and swapping it onto the racing Platy for a little 
while.
-W

On Monday, May 30, 2022 at 3:02:02 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

> 
> This thread has been so fun for me to write, but I keep thinking, what 
> really else is there to say? We have covered the bases by now; we wondered 
> if a Raspberry Platypus could become a Racing Platypus, considered the 
> controversy, battled insecurities, confronted our (my) own preconceived 
> ideas, learned some new things from the racers. It’s been an adventure for 
> me, and thank you! But today, wouldn’t you know, I’ve got another bit of 
> conversation for your consideration.
>
> Last week I realized my rear tire was dripping sealant. A myriad of tiny 
> pin-prick holes that I have never noticed revealed themselves as my Racing 
> Platypus hung, inert on the wall. The only reason I caught it was that my 
> poor Shopping Platypus below it was catching the dripping sealant. Below: 
> left, front tire, with its tread still decent. Right, the rear tire, wet 
> and holey and with very worn tread.
>
> [image: image0.jpeg]
>
> Turns out, the tire is toast. The rubber is thin enough that it is not 
> holding the sealant, and it is leaking through in minuscule holes and 
> tears. I never thought it would be worn out already - I’d never have 
> checked. I can’t tell you how many miles it took to make this happen 
> because I don’t track miles per bike - I just have a running total of 
> ridden miles. And between 2021-present, that number is…well, never mind, 
> because the calculator app crashed and I’m not totaling them up again. BUT, 
> the tires are only a year and a few month old! I got 5 years out of the 
> Betty Foy tires before I sat next to it one day and noticed this:
> [image: image2.jpeg]
>
> The bike shop had nothing as wide or even close as the 44 mm tires on the 
> Racing Platypus, and the Ultradynamico tires I ultimately settled on 
> haven’t yet shipped. I hope they’re good! I got the gray 42 mm Cava Race. 
>
> But what am I going to take to club rides this week? I can’t see taking 
> the Racing Platypus without new tires. The other contenders: A 2019 
> Rivendell Clem L and the 2020 Shopping Platypus. Both are heavy. Neither is 
> set up for speed. Good grief, look at these two:
>
> [image: image0.jpeg]
>
> [image: image3.jpeg]
>
> You are thinking, just strip the Shopping Plat and ride that. Ah, but the 
> lights are attached to the racks, so those stay and they are HEAVY. That 
> Platypus is the heaviest of my trio! I can strip bags, but how much does 
> that really help? The gearing is different on it; it is a 1x and the 
> gearing is not as “right” as my Racing Plat. I don’t have technical terms 
> for this - I can only say that the Rivendell drive train always gives me 
> the “right” gear - the Shopping Plat often feels too hard or too easy. I 
> don’t want to be fiddling around with that while chasing club riders. But 
> that isn’t even the deal-killer for me…
>
> It’s that basket. 
>
> Listen, I have weathered the silent prejudice as I wheeled the Racing 
> Platypus to the huddle. The Saddlesack and Billie Bars always invoke 
> judgment in this scenario, but a BASKET. I don’t think I can do it.
>
> That leaves the Clem. A bike that Grant, while extolling its virtues and 
> its versatility, said, “Just don’t take it on your club rides or anything.” 
> The Clem, with its ultra-high and proud Bosco Bars and its step-through, 
> beefy frame. I shudder to think of what they will think. I don’t even know 
> how fast I can ride it. I think maybe fast because it was my only bike 
> during 2020 and I rode it hard. But, it is unproven at club rides and I’ve 
> got hesitation.
>
> I don’t know which bike to take for certain, but you are free to send your 
> advice and/or regards.
> Leah
>
> On May 27, 2022, at 10:56 AM, Joe T  wrote:
>
> 
>
>
> Another great story by Leah! From Vegas to Michigan life. Beautiful 
> Michigan, enjoy!
> On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 10:25:24 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Kevin,
>>
>> Their slow group was slow. I was glad to be in the faster class on the 
>> women’s ride. I kept pace, rode in 2nd and 3rd position, and it wasn’t 
>> effortless. I don’t think I will fall victim to the Lycra; I’m perfectly 
>> happy with the workout wear I find at Target - highly recommend their All 
>> In Motion brand, for anyone looking. 
>>
>> As far as fitness, don’t give up. You can still be fit on a clunker!
>>
>> I want to preserve my abilities and keep preventable disease at bay, so I 
>> take fitness pretty seriously. Group rides will really challenge me and 
>> probably increase my abilities. With my heavier bike and non-aero gear, I 
>> am probably gleaning better results than the rest of the group. I also lift 
>> weights, run and do 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Joe T]

Another great story by Leah! From Vegas to Michigan life. Beautiful 
Michigan, enjoy!
On Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 10:25:24 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Kevin,
>
> Their slow group was slow. I was glad to be in the faster class on the 
> women’s ride. I kept pace, rode in 2nd and 3rd position, and it wasn’t 
> effortless. I don’t think I will fall victim to the Lycra; I’m perfectly 
> happy with the workout wear I find at Target - highly recommend their All 
> In Motion brand, for anyone looking. 
>
> As far as fitness, don’t give up. You can still be fit on a clunker!
>
> I want to preserve my abilities and keep preventable disease at bay, so I 
> take fitness pretty seriously. Group rides will really challenge me and 
> probably increase my abilities. With my heavier bike and non-aero gear, I 
> am probably gleaning better results than the rest of the group. I also lift 
> weights, run and do core, because cycling alone is not great exercise. It’s 
> too efficient. 
>
> But no matter what, always enjoy your ride. 
>
> On Apr 6, 2022, at 3:37 PM, Kevin Reinking  wrote:
>
> Well, their Slow group was probably pretty fast for you on the "upright" 
> Platypus!!
>
> My first thought is you'll quickly be tempted down the stretchy clothes 
> path if you continue to "hang" with them. Nothing wrong with that really, 
> but it is a different mentality.
> More Workout and Goals oriented; I gave up on that once I stopped racing.
> In fact that's what drove me back to Cruisers, Klunkers, Clementine's, 
> etc. . . . 
> Swinging a leg over a bike that's gonna seriously handicap you from 
> keeping up, really discourages you from doing so.
> With my current limitations, I'm just happy to go my pace, for as long as 
> I feel like going; making sure to enjoy myself.
> When I stopped working I thought it would be sweet to be able to ride 
> whenever I want, but I quickly found I still can't ride whenever I want and 
> riding to work gave me an excuse to ride more!
> If there's no place you GOTTA be, there's no sense in riding in the rain 
> or when it's 90+ degrees outside!!
> Just remember to Have Fun!!
>
>
> On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 1:37:29 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Huh. I see the format on GG messed up the text on my last post. The 
>> missing text is:
>> 1. Exploring
>> 2. Shopping (A video.)
>> 3. Riding with your kid. Who has stolen your gloves.
>> 4. An old video from last year, when I still lived in the desert.
>>
>> On Apr 6, 2022, at 2:23 PM, Leah Peterson  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> 30 Days of Biking is a challenge done every April. You can ride as far or 
>> long as you like, but every ride counts, regardless. I’ve tried to be 
>> creative with the ways I’m using my bike and I post it on the FB page under 
>> a thread I made there. I’ll include some photos here of how I’m doing it.
>>
>> 1. Exploring.  
>>
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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Leah Peterson]

Turn off my dyno light? Gah, unthinkable! That’s one of the coolest things on 
my bike! I even have a nifty fender-mounted rear light.

When I arrived the roadies asked, Leah, uh, do you have some lights you can put 
on your bike? 

Oh, I have these! They light up as I pedal. 

They were incredulous.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 8, 2022, at 1:17 PM, Joe Bernard  wrote:
> 
> *Leah moves to the front of the pack*
> 
> "How did she do that??"
> 'She turned her headlight off.'
> 
> *Everyone gives up and goes home* 
> 
>> On Friday, April 8, 2022 at 10:09:43 AM UTC-7 John Hawrylak wrote:
>> Leah
>> 
>> Great story, really enjoyed it and wish you well in the group rides
>> 
>> 1 suggestion: If you turn the headlight OFF for the group ride, you may pick 
>> up about 1 mph.  The generator hub is not producing electricity from the 
>> wheel rotation to power a headlight of the light is off.  You can turn the 
>> light back on at the end of the group ride.
>> 
>> John Hawrylak
>> Woodstown NJ
>> 
>>> On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 10:10:18 AM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>>> 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 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Leah Peterson]

Thank you, All, you are SO NICE. I really appreciate the tips and 
encouragement. I’m so glad the club has been welcoming. One of the members (he 
rides a Riv!) sending me a woman to show me the ropes in her non-intimidating 
way has been so key. 

I love my Raspberry Platypus, genuinely love it, and that might be the only 
reason I am brave enough to bring it to a club ride. I couldn’t enjoy myself if 
I couldn’t ride that particular Platypus. By the time I took possession of it, 
I had been pining for my bike for over two years. It has been everything I 
hoped for and is part of my identity now. We go together; its inclusion into 
rides not suited to it is part of the deal. 

But it just so happens that this bike *can* keep up. I have a couple of 
advantages: 1. The club members I met say they don’t ride in the cold months, 
and I do (if there isn’t snow on the road). So, I’ve already had a lot of time 
on my bike when the season starts. 2. Pedaling a heavier bike will make you 
stronger. I really believe this - I think I just adapted. 

Now, as the road crew build their fitness during summer rides, they may leave 
my Racing Platypus in the dust. But I can’t worry about that right now. We’ll 
see what next week brings!
Leah

> On Apr 7, 2022, at 4:48 PM, 'Mojo' via RBW Owners Bunch 
>  wrote:
> 
> Leah, I am not surprised that a fit young woman, such as you, could keep up 
> with the more 'serious' riders on more 'serious' bikes. I have come to 
> understand, experientially and anecdotally, that once you are in an efficient 
> position on a well-functioning bike, the bike is just not that important for 
> non-sprinting speed.
> 
> What does surprise me is your willingness to be the outlier, the 
> non-conformist, to stretch yourself into an unfamiliar situation. That is 
> true strength and speaks to your depth of character. Excellent, most 
> excellent.
> 
> Joe 'be more like Leah' Ramey in GJT
> 
>> On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 8:10:18 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> 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 

Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Patrick Moore]

+1, tho' I'll add, decent tires.

Anecdote: when I lived in Gallup, NM there was a local athlete standout,
Bob Rosebrough, a local lawyer and later mayor, who, besides being 6'4",
was tremendously fit. I heard a story from friends about how he entered his
first regional road race, riding his only bike at the time, a huge mountain
bike with flat bar and those energy-sapping knobbies prevalent back in the
very, very late '80s or very, very  early '90s.

The pack leaders were humming along and, all of a sudden, they heard this
buzzing sound getting closer and closer. It was Bob on his Cannondale or
whatever, slowly overtaking them. One looked at another and said, "Oh, no!"
(This is what I was told.) He went on to win the race.

Corrollary: My almost only race experience was to be roped into a very,
very amateur team for the 1991 Mount Taylor Quad, a bike + run + ski +
snowshoe and return race up Mount Taylor in Grants, NM. I did the bike leg
to fill in for a fallout, and 3 others did the other legs.

We 4 as a team were trying to beat Rosebrough doing the whole thing solo. I
forget if he or we won, but the question is not at all absurd.

On Thu, Apr 7, 2022 at 2:48 PM 'Mojo' via RBW Owners Bunch <
rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com> wrote:

> ... I have come to understand, experientially and anecdotally, that once
> you are in an efficient position on a well-functioning bike, the bike is
> just not that important for non-sprinting speed.

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Leah Peterson]

Kevin,

Their slow group was slow. I was glad to be in the faster class on the women’s 
ride. I kept pace, rode in 2nd and 3rd position, and it wasn’t effortless. I 
don’t think I will fall victim to the Lycra; I’m perfectly happy with the 
workout wear I find at Target - highly recommend their All In Motion brand, for 
anyone looking. 

As far as fitness, don’t give up. You can still be fit on a clunker!

I want to preserve my abilities and keep preventable disease at bay, so I take 
fitness pretty seriously. Group rides will really challenge me and probably 
increase my abilities. With my heavier bike and non-aero gear, I am probably 
gleaning better results than the rest of the group. I also lift weights, run 
and do core, because cycling alone is not great exercise. It’s too efficient. 

But no matter what, always enjoy your ride. 

> On Apr 6, 2022, at 3:37 PM, Kevin Reinking  wrote:
> 
> Well, their Slow group was probably pretty fast for you on the "upright" 
> Platypus!!
> My first thought is you'll quickly be tempted down the stretchy clothes path 
> if you continue to "hang" with them. Nothing wrong with that really, but it 
> is a different mentality.
> More Workout and Goals oriented; I gave up on that once I stopped racing.
> In fact that's what drove me back to Cruisers, Klunkers, Clementine's, etc. . 
> . . 
> Swinging a leg over a bike that's gonna seriously handicap you from keeping 
> up, really discourages you from doing so.
> With my current limitations, I'm just happy to go my pace, for as long as I 
> feel like going; making sure to enjoy myself.
> When I stopped working I thought it would be sweet to be able to ride 
> whenever I want, but I quickly found I still can't ride whenever I want and 
> riding to work gave me an excuse to ride more!
> If there's no place you GOTTA be, there's no sense in riding in the rain or 
> when it's 90+ degrees outside!!
> Just remember to Have Fun!!
> 
> 
>> On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 1:37:29 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>> Huh. I see the format on GG messed up the text on my last post. The missing 
>> text is:
>> 1. Exploring
>> 2. Shopping (A video.)
>> 3. Riding with your kid. Who has stolen your gloves.
>> 4. An old video from last year, when I still lived in the desert.
>> 
 On Apr 6, 2022, at 2:23 PM, Leah Peterson  wrote:
 
>>> 
>> 
>>> 30 Days of Biking is a challenge done every April. You can ride as far or 
>>> long as you like, but every ride counts, regardless. I’ve tried to be 
>>> creative with the ways I’m using my bike and I post it on the FB page under 
>>> a thread I made there. I’ll include some photos here of how I’m doing it.
>>> 
>>> 1. Exploring.  
>>> 
> 
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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Joe Bernard]

I say go for it if that becomes part of what she (or anyone) enjoys about 
cycling. Lycra and dropbars and going fast and being crazy fit is fun, too! 

Joe Bernard

On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 12:37:17 PM UTC-7 mas...@sbcglobal.net wrote:

> Well, their Slow group was probably pretty fast for you on the "upright" 
> Platypus!!
> My first thought is you'll quickly be tempted down the stretchy clothes 
> path if you continue to "hang" with them. Nothing wrong with that really, 
> but it is a different mentality.
> More Workout and Goals oriented; I gave up on that once I stopped racing.
> In fact that's what drove me back to Cruisers, Klunkers, Clementine's, 
> etc. . . . 
> Swinging a leg over a bike that's gonna seriously handicap you from 
> keeping up, really discourages you from doing so.
> With my current limitations, I'm just happy to go my pace, for as long as 
> I feel like going; making sure to enjoy myself.
> When I stopped working I thought it would be sweet to be able to ride 
> whenever I want, but I quickly found I still can't ride whenever I want and 
> riding to work gave me an excuse to ride more!
> If there's no place you GOTTA be, there's no sense in riding in the rain 
> or when it's 90+ degrees outside!!
> Just remember to Have Fun!!
>
>
> On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 1:37:29 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Huh. I see the format on GG messed up the text on my last post. The 
>> missing text is:
>> 1. Exploring
>> 2. Shopping (A video.)
>> 3. Riding with your kid. Who has stolen your gloves.
>> 4. An old video from last year, when I still lived in the desert.
>>
>> On Apr 6, 2022, at 2:23 PM, Leah Peterson  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> 30 Days of Biking is a challenge done every April. You can ride as far or 
>> long as you like, but every ride counts, regardless. I’ve tried to be 
>> creative with the ways I’m using my bike and I post it on the FB page under 
>> a thread I made there. I’ll include some photos here of how I’m doing it.
>>
>> 1. Exploring.  
>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Kevin Reinking]

Well, their Slow group was probably pretty fast for you on the "upright" 
Platypus!!
My first thought is you'll quickly be tempted down the stretchy clothes 
path if you continue to "hang" with them. Nothing wrong with that really, 
but it is a different mentality.
More Workout and Goals oriented; I gave up on that once I stopped racing.
In fact that's what drove me back to Cruisers, Klunkers, Clementine's, etc. 
. . . 
Swinging a leg over a bike that's gonna seriously handicap you from keeping 
up, really discourages you from doing so.
With my current limitations, I'm just happy to go my pace, for as long as I 
feel like going; making sure to enjoy myself.
When I stopped working I thought it would be sweet to be able to ride 
whenever I want, but I quickly found I still can't ride whenever I want and 
riding to work gave me an excuse to ride more!
If there's no place you GOTTA be, there's no sense in riding in the rain or 
when it's 90+ degrees outside!!
Just remember to Have Fun!!


On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 1:37:29 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Huh. I see the format on GG messed up the text on my last post. The 
> missing text is:
> 1. Exploring
> 2. Shopping (A video.)
> 3. Riding with your kid. Who has stolen your gloves.
> 4. An old video from last year, when I still lived in the desert.
>
> On Apr 6, 2022, at 2:23 PM, Leah Peterson  wrote:
>
> 
>
> 30 Days of Biking is a challenge done every April. You can ride as far or 
> long as you like, but every ride counts, regardless. I’ve tried to be 
> creative with the ways I’m using my bike and I post it on the FB page under 
> a thread I made there. I’ll include some photos here of how I’m doing it.
>
> 1. Exploring.  
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Club Rides On A Racing Platypus

[Patrick Moore]

2 or 3 years ago I did a few group rides with an informal club of Sandia
Labs engineers. This was no CF racing club, of course, but most rode CF
road bikes, except one of the leaders who had a custom Ti road bike; there
were a couple of others on the first ride with upright bikes. I turned up
on my 1999 Joe Starck Riv gofast fixie and as the oldest rider there
acquitted myself well, especially on the hills, tho' there was one ride
where had to send a shepherd back to coax me up to the next stopping point,
as the last leg was a several-mile gradual climb against a headwind and I
was tired. I stopped after 2-3 rides with them because they left the
downtown starting point, 20 miles from me, at 6 am which meant I had to get
up much earlier, and frankly, I don't like riding at 6 am.

On Wed, Apr 6, 2022 at 10:08 AM Joe Bernard  wrote:

> What a journey you've been on! And a brave one, I don't think I'd have
> ever had the nerve to show up on my upright Rivendell in a sea of carbon
> roadies and say "Yeah. I can do this." There you were doing 15-16 mph on
> your Platypus. That's dang fast!
>
> Joe "not that fast" Bernard
>
> On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 7:10:18 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!
> wrote:
>
>> [image: 6982042D-DB05-4044-8AC4-9076A708539B.jpeg][image:
>> 0221807D-FECC-440C-AE2E-AF03DDB70770.jpeg]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.