Anita Handle

So there is "everyone that swaps genders does it to gain an advantage"

and there is "what if someone games the system and swaps genders to gain advantage?" and "what if the gender change is sincere but leaves that person with an inherent advantage?"

No one is claiming the former.

The latter are valid concerns and it has and will happen.

Also, we are not at extreme end of elite sports so comparing professional women to normal weekend warriors is not valid. Any and every top pro woman UCI racer would kick any and all of our asses on any day. But that's not what we're comparing here. There is a clear jump in watts/kg when  you go to the top pro men.

How to deal with potential ethics issues is going to be a huge challenge.

26 minutes ago, Moc 5 said:

In. With rice crispy treats.

HI FRAND.

So a fanny pack with straps that go OVER your shoulders? CRAZY!

$2500 frame, maybe. ha. Besides, you're asking the guy who will ride a Trek Y-bike for an average greenbelt ride for a nuanced take. You're not going to get nuance.

There's lots of genetics and hormone signaling involved. You're probably just a fanny pack non-responder.

1 hour ago, jcarneytx said:

Too fast down Hill of Life. Front tire washed out (TMFB). Bike went left-ish, right foot left pedal and was first to contact the ground. This was about mid-way down. May 2008. Had my foot stayed, probably would've torn up right side in some manner, maybe smacked head, broke collar bone, ripped shoulder apart. Who knows?

 

Even when I've used the Eggs on the SS, still seems feet are about to come off at times. 

pitch 'em in the bin. get some Times or Shimano SPD.

1 minute ago, spicewookie said:

My guess: he was using the egg beaters to make cookie batter in Ed's Bowl.  Ed got mad and ripped his legs apart.

I'm an angry vegan, bruh.
 

9 hours ago, jcarneytx said:

Is there a difference in cleats? They Time and Eggbeater pedals both LOOK like a bar in front, bar in back (though Times have always had the minimal platform between them.) A friend liked the  Eggs, so thought I would try them out. First ride down Hill of Life left my tibia in 3 pieces and ripped the fibula off. Only used them a few times on the single speed since, but are currently in tool box. They're built really nicely, but afraid to use them. 

Times and Egg beaters are totally different products with vastly different reliability and user reputations. But I'm curious how the egg beaters ripped your legs apart? Were you not able to unclip or did you unclip at an inopportune moment?

If conditions are good, as per the latest intel, assume that *someone* will be showing up. Now exactly WHEN someone will show up and take off, that is a roll of the dice.

3 hours ago, Tree Magnet said:

I wonder if this rain will give them to opportunity to clean up some of those loose corners and blown out berms?  Having 5 trails means they have less to focus on so they should make sure those 5 trails are perfect.  

I'll be giving them my $50 soon but I'd prefer to not donate any money to the Burnet emergency clinic.

Tree Kendall Magnet, It's never going to be "perfect". You've got to be prepare to ride the conditions as they are, just like any trail. That said, there are corners where the berm is packed tight and almost has that polished look and you can rail them. Pack some beer in a cooler, a folding chair, bring some buds, wear some pads and goggles and you'll have a good time.

We also hit Spider this weekend.

1) the novelty of riding up a lift, overlooking Lake Buchanan and being hit with a cool Texas spring breeze cannot be overstated.

2) I think you should have ample opportunity to mount your bike to the lift in order to minimize the chance of scratching your bike but...

3) I had trouble with the loose corners and went down at least 3 or 4 times. Might have been too much air in front tire, bad technique, or some combination thereof but some of us went down zero times so who knows. I had knee and elbow pads so I was able to keep riding.

4) You don't need a long travel bike for this. Just go.

5) If you are following 3 or 4 or 5 people, you will live in a dust cloud. Glasses are a minimum and goggles are completely reasonable even if you thing they sound goofy.

6) there are water jugs at the top and bottom of the lift so no need to carry water on the trails. Maybe a multitool if you crash and need to straighten bars, brakes, seatpost, lumbar discs, etc...

7) go once and see it for yourself then judge what you think they need in order to get your business again for yourself. I certainly found it worth $50 for an afternoon of fun with friends. 

1 hour ago, AustinBike said:

 Need to see if my torque wrench has an adapter to go that large, I have a smaller wrench.

Ok newb, come back when you've torqued it to 40Nm. It's more than you think.

I've always torqued to the specified level (40Nm iirc) and have never had one back off. You're using a torque wrench? I don't have King's so perhaps there's something with them. Can't trust that Chinese crap.

😜

On 3/7/2019 at 3:37 PM, WhoAmI said:

1. What local Austin trail feature intimidates you but you still attempt it/ride it?
2. What local Austin trail feature do you no longer ride and why?
3. What's your favorite local Austin trail feature?

Technically, 2. is actually two questions. What? and Why? So, four question in total.

Gonna give their wool socks a try, probably a pair of wool arm warmers, warm gloves and a base layer as well. Seeing the Carnac name reminds of of a nice pair of clipless shoes from Carnac that I had a while back. I seem to recall that they were made of kangaroo(!?).

Wool socks, er'ry day, all day, summer or winter.

Giving rappers a bad bike:

Good prices BUT:

1) not calibrated

2) not rattlesnake-proof

1 minute ago, June Bug said:

I'm deducting points for white socks.  I guess we know now that it's early march and the snakes are out in AZ. 

Technically, the snakes weren't "out" as much as the geezers were "in".

Quote

NoahColorado (1 days ago)

 Should’ve had Cushcore, no more snake bites.

😝😝😝

1 hour ago, spicewookie said:

I'll take "Least Attractive News Anchorette" for $5000, Alex!

Followed by:

I'll take "Most Pouty Lips on a Street Reporter" for $500.

 

Other things I learned: snake bite = bee sting, unclipping is for wusses, 75 years old and still hammering.

Jim Watkins  is a crusty, tough summamabitch and I feel a little bad for the snake that bit him because he's probably dead now.

I actually don't have a crazy expensive one and I do need to calibrate it. How do you do that?

Cheap torque wrenches and gas station sushi... things I don't trust.

I ride gears because I approve of CERTAIN mechanical advantages.

Luis is a fukin ripper!