Ultimate Bike Thread....

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Baz

Enjoyed watching this one.......

I did the same thing to my 1974 Nishiki that I bought new. I probably posted that here on this thread way back.

I walked into a bike shop rolling the Nishiki absolutely bone stock the way it was sold 30 years before (circa 2004) and asked if it had any value. The answer was no so I changed the bars, brakes and shifters.

Probably should have looked into the crystal ball a little deeper. But it's not like it's worth $500 or anything along that line. Good flat land bike.

[Baz]

Pot smoking Subaru driver........

Unsettling past of driver accused of mowing down Milligan University cyclists revealed

The North Carolina senior accused of fatally striking two college cyclists with his car and injuring five others made no effort to avoid the deadly collision — and has an extensive criminal history, including a DUI, shocking arrest documents reveal.

John Benfield, 69, was arrested Wednesday after running his 2003 Subaru Baja Sport into a group of 11 Milligan University cyclists out for a training ride around 9 a.m. on Highway 19E in Hampton, Tenn., just 11 miles from the school.

[look 171]

A friend told me about that this morning. Sad.

Let the parents take turn with a bat on this low life. What the fook is the attraction about smoking pot or drinking then going out to drive. Now, these young people had their whole life ahead of them but cut short by someone careless a hole. Two are dead and no amount of money will do anything for their families. The others may have life long injuries. Makes me sick

[look 171]

A friend told me about that this morning. Sad.

Let the parents take turn with a bat on this low life. What the fook is the attraction about smoking pot or drinking then going out to drive. Now, these young people had their whole life ahead of them but cut short by someone careless a hole. Two are dead and no amount of money will do anything for their families. The others may have life long injuries. Makes me sick

[sc_rufctr]

[look 171]

Woohoo, Pete that looks like fun. Lots of suffering. Do you do that with them?

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by look 171

Woohoo, Pete that looks like fun. Lots of suffering. Do you do that with them?

Years ago I did but not anymore. I'm now 61 & my legs aren't what they used to be.

I'm still out there most days but I prefer to set my own pace.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Baz

The North Carolina senior accused of fatally striking two college cyclists with his car and injuring five others

Originally Posted by look 171

A friend told me about that this morning. Sad.

I was just scanning through some of the comments on another YT video on this event and someone mentioned the use of a "safety vehicle" that drives behind the group to act as a "block" against other vehicles.

I guess it depends on the roadway used - but in theory it sounds like a great idea to me.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Baz

I was just scanning through some of the comments on another YT video on this event and someone mentioned the use of a "safety vehicle" that drives behind the group to act as a "block" against other vehicles.

I guess it depends on the roadway used - but in theory it sounds like a great idea to me.

I think that is a very bad idea. Mainly because I have been a motorist stuck behind one on more than one occasion. And not just right behind one, but 20-30 cars back behind one that was not allowing any cars to pass, even in legal passing zones when it was perfectly safe to do so.

I'm a cyclist, and that sort of behavior enrages me, I cannot imagine what affect it has on non-cycling motorists. I think it's a great way to incite some really, really serious road rage, like run 'em over and kill 'em road rage.

No, I think the real key is for cyclists to follow the law and be polite. Virtually every incident I have ever heard of and discussed with my motorist, motorcycling, and cycling friends, many of whom have been unfortunate enough to at least witness if not be involved in, started with the cyclist(s) doing something asinine and/or illegal. Not every incident, but certainly the majority.

Let's face it, many motorists just plain hate us. Some for good reason, some not. I can't think of a better way to worsen that relationship even more than employing such a "safety car".

[greglepore]

This incident has me posting here rather than on the cycling forums I frequent because those folks simply can't see both sides of this tragic coin.
Let me say at the outset that the driver was a dirtbag. Long history of very bad driving behavior. Likely stoned. But, there may be some extenuating factors.
The collegiate team was taking up the right lane of a road with 2 lanes in each direction. The car in front of the offending driver had apparently been following for a bit and when the other lane cleared moved left to pass. Mr. Dirtbag floored it, apparently to go by the other car on the right, thinking he was a slowpoke, and plowed into the team, killing two and critically injuring 5.

But...I agree that if a team is going to ride like this taking a lane on a busy 4 lane they MUST have a follow car. This is not the Johnny Gaudreau scenario where the driver whipped over to the shoulder to pass and killed Johnny and his brother. No remotely extenuating circumstances there. And the extenuating circumstances here are minor, but still present.

If I'm out riding and I have someone behind who is either timid to pass or can't reasonably (ie trailering)I'll pull into a driveway. My strava stats don't matter. And I usually ride alone b/c others don't do this. Why do I? 1) I usually get a happy wave and a driver who maybe doesn't think we're all asshats 2) I avoid the danger from an impatient car 2 or 3 back and 3) I've been there pulling a trailer on a 2 lane where I might crawl at 15 mph for a couple miles due to sightlines and the inability for that rig to get quickly by. But many idiot cyclist will tell me that "I have a right to the road". Of course I do, but not exclusively.

Jeff, I disagree about the need for a "safety car" as in this scenario it would have avoided this entirely. On a two lane, I don't disagree with you. Cyclists should single up. Why this group needed a whole lane is beyond me too, but if they were out there due to a lack of shoulder etc by all means they should have had a follow car, just like a wide load truck is required to.

[look 171]

Cyclist always think this is Europe where a car blocking or driving behind a pro team is the norm. This aint Europe. It is not Ok IMO and I agree with Jeff on this. We don't need more people slowing down traffic pissing off everyone. I wasn't there at the accident but have been around long enough to know a lot of cyclist are entitled and only read that part of the traffic that benefits them. They forget the part where they MUST ride to the right only take the entire lane if necessary. I see it all the time with these guys, riding three across, talking, going 13 mph. WTF, talk later, why is there a need to talk? If going faster, double pace line and be discipline about it. Don't blow red lights and stop yelling at cars that go by fast on the number 1 lane. If hauling ass down a wide street, sure, I can see it riding three aside, but usually not because of the speed where riders are hiding behind in a single file or maybe double. That's not holding up too much traffic due to the speed, getting up near 30 mph. Its the slow riders taking the entire land for the entire block ready to make a left. I don't think this is the case with these college riders. If they race, they should be discipline with traffic. We least that how I was taught by the old timers.

[sc_rufctr]

I never went tubeless because they never made sense to me.

This video explains why (TPU tubes can be really reliable).

[look 171]

Pete, lot of guys are doing that on our club ride. That seems to be the hot ticket to keep tubless from leaking or sealing. I still ride traditional tubeless tires and have had great luck with them. I only wish my rim were hooked. Don't really trust hookless but the tires do seem super tight on the rim.

[sc_rufctr]

On longer rides I still run Vittoria singles or "Tubs" (with some Stan sealant).
I use double sided tape to secure them but not that long ago I was still using glue.
- Tape is less messy and easier than glue to change on the road side.

When preparing a "cyclocross" bike for a customer I still use glue to secure the singles.