<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Bike Noob</title>
	<atom:link href="http://bikenoob.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://bikenoob.com</link>
	<description>Because I&#039;m Always Learning Something New</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 01:49:01 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.com/</generator>
<cloud domain='bikenoob.com' port='80' path='/?rsscloud=notify' registerProcedure='' protocol='http-post' />
<image>
		<url>http://0.gravatar.com/blavatar/69c6100133f0b9b6c1e418773801b25d?s=96&#038;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.png</url>
		<title>Bike Noob</title>
		<link>http://bikenoob.com</link>
	</image>
	<atom:link rel="search" type="application/opensearchdescription+xml" href="http://bikenoob.com/osd.xml" title="Bike Noob" />
	<atom:link rel='hub' href='http://bikenoob.com/?pushpress=hub'/>
		<item>
		<title>Some New B&#8217;s</title>
		<link>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/19/some-new-bs/</link>
		<comments>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/19/some-new-bs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 00:43:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bike Noob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Rides]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[B ride]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bikenoob.com/?p=6405</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As in newbies? Well, okay. Some people who had been lurking on our club&#8217;s Yahoo group turned out for a neighborhood ride last week, and I invited them to ride the roads as part of the B ride Sunday. It &#8230; <a href="http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/19/some-new-bs/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6405&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As in newbies? Well, okay. Some people who had been lurking on our club&#8217;s Yahoo group turned out for a neighborhood ride last week, and I invited them to ride the roads as part of the B ride Sunday.</p>
<p>It was a good B ride turnout, augmented by some A riders who needed a recovery from grueling efforts the previous day. Yasmin and Frank joined us for the first time,Victoria for the second or third, and Penny came out for the first time in about a year.</p>
<p>I chose a route to Buda, about a 30-mile round trip.</p>
<p>Any concerns I had about the new riders&#8217; ability were dashed when we reached Davis Hill, about three miles into the ride. I couldn&#8217;t catch the newcomers going up. Thank goodness for stoplights, so I could work my way to the front of the pack again.</p>
<p>The ride south was made difficult by the brisk headwind we faced, but it was far from the worst I&#8217;ve seen. Just a couple of miles north of Buda, here comes George from the A ride. He had won the sprint into the Walgreens store in Buda, and while the rest of the A&#8217;s continued south, George decided to ride the rest of the way with us.</p>
<p>The Walgreens, at 15 miles into the ride, is a traditional rest stop. We swapped stories about club members who had broken bones while riding, which I&#8217;m sure didn&#8217;t ease any concerns the New B&#8217;s had. But instead of turning around at that point, we decided to keep going, at least for a few more miles.</p>
<p>Victoria peeled off to head home for a family obligation, and the rest of us headed back to Buda. Here&#8217;s where we hit our first glitch.</p>
<p>Buddy was looking back to make sure everyone had made the turn onto Main Street, when his front wheel went into a curb. He did a nice shoulder roll and landed mostly on grass, but complained of a wrenched back. However, he decided to keep going all the way back and deal with the soreness when he got home.</p>
<div id="attachment_6408" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/buddy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-6408" alt="Buddy (second from left) is  rolling again after his mishap." src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/buddy.jpg?w=450&#038;h=335" width="450" height="335" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Buddy (second from left) is rolling again after his mishap.</p></div>
<p>The group strung out on the way back, and we made several stops to regroup. Our highlight was when we reached Slaughter Lane. That&#8217;s a four-lane divided road with no shoulder. We opted to form a &#8220;bus&#8221; and occupy the right lane for the two miles back to Starbucks. It was a good move. For the first time ever, not one car honked at us while going past.</p>
<p>The get together at Starbucks is often as much fun as the ride itself. Janice, who is killer good with the A&#8217;s, couldn&#8217;t wait to see if she had regained Queen of the Mountain status for a Strava segment on the A ride. She had, and spent some time extolling the virtues of Strava to Yasmin, who appeared anxious to join the Strava herd.</p>
<div id="attachment_6411" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/group.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-6411" alt="Judy, George, Laura, and Penny unwind after the ride." src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/group.jpg?w=450&#038;h=200" width="450" height="200" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Judy, George, Laura, and Penny unwind after the ride.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_6409" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/pippa.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-6409" alt="Pippa (l.) learns from Janice that Pippa's Queen of the Mountain is no more." src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/pippa.jpg?w=450&#038;h=255" width="450" height="255" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Pippa (l.) learns from Janice (r.) that Pippa&#8217;s Queen of the Mountain is no more.</p></div>
<p>Mike, an emergency room physician, performed a field amputation of some excess chin strap on Penny&#8217;s helmet. &#8220;This will keep you from looking like a newbie,&#8221; he told her. She wasn&#8217;t convinced, and was concerned that she would have too little strap to work with when adjusting her helmet. The jury is still out on that one.</p>
<div id="attachment_6410" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/surgery.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-6410" alt="&quot;No!&quot; says Laura, Mike's wife. &quot;You're cutting it too short!&quot;" src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/surgery.jpg?w=450&#038;h=437" width="450" height="437" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">&#8220;No!&#8221; says Laura, Mike&#8217;s wife. &#8220;You&#8217;re cutting it too short!&#8221;</p></div>
<p>All in all, it was a good ride. We did 34 miles at a reasonable &#8212; and sometimes quick &#8212; pace. The new B&#8217;s held their own with the pack, and it looks like they&#8217;ll be back for more. Frank has already checked into buying some club kit.</p>
<br />Filed under: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/rides/'>Rides</a> Tagged: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/b-ride/'>B ride</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6405/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6405/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6405&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/19/some-new-bs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/44ef06fa6953d6f4f8cb638d60eb5c1c?s=96&#38;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs0.wp.com%2Fi%2Fmu.gif" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">rainycamp</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/buddy.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Buddy (second from left) is  rolling again after his mishap.</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/group.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Judy, George, Laura, and Penny unwind after the ride.</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/pippa.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Pippa (l.) learns from Janice that Pippa&#039;s Queen of the Mountain is no more.</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/surgery.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">&#34;No!&#34; says Laura, Mike&#039;s wife. &#34;You&#039;re cutting it too short!&#34;</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mid-Week Stutters</title>
		<link>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/15/mid-week-stutters/</link>
		<comments>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/15/mid-week-stutters/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 01:14:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bike Noob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Odds 'n ends]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bikenoob.com/?p=6400</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was looking forward to my time off from school, so I could finally start building up some decent mileage and get myself in shape for the rest of the summer&#8217;s riding. But the best laid plans, as they say&#8230; &#8230; <a href="http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/15/mid-week-stutters/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6400&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I was looking forward to my time off from school, so I could finally start building up some decent mileage and get myself in shape for the rest of the summer&#8217;s riding. But the best laid plans, as they say&#8230;</p>
<p>I spent most of Tuesday in Houston on business with my wife. Got back too late to ride.</p>
<p>Then, rain popped up this morning. After my last fall, I must admit, I&#8217;ve wimped out. I will no longer ride in the rain.</p>
<p>So, my big ride plans have stumbled somewhat. In the meantime, I can find some amusement in the plans of other members of my club.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s a good organized ride coming up Saturday &#8212; the Real Ale Ride. I&#8217;ve ridden it once, and volunteered for it once. It&#8217;s a great ride, but in my opinion, has gotten overpriced. However, a contingent from the club are heading out there.</p>
<p>One of the ladies, in particular, was making big plans. She wanted to do the 100-mile version, but learned that the longest route is 85 miles. Not to be stymied in reaching her mileage goal, she immediate upped it &#8212; to 150 miles.</p>
<p>Her plan is to ride the 85 miles. Then, she&#8217;ll start the course again &#8212; this time taking the 65-mile route. Or, maybe turn around at the finish, ride back for 32.5 miles, then turn around and ride to the finish again. What?</p>
<p>&#8220;150 miles on a road bike is not really that long,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I&#8217;ve done longer on a mountain bike.&#8221; She&#8217;s looking for others to join her in her quest.</p>
<p>So far, no takers.</p>
<div id="paneshell">
<div id="shellcontent">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368665494071_3011">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368665494071_3238">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368665494071_3085">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368665494071_3517">
<div id="yiv2717269184">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368665494071_3516">
<div id="yiv2717269184ygrp-mlmsg">
<div id="yiv2717269184ygrp-msg">
<div id="yiv2717269184ygrp-text">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368665494071_3528">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368665494071_3527">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368665494071_3526">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1368665494071_3534"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Filed under: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/odds-n-ends/'>Odds 'n ends</a>  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6400/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6400/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6400&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/15/mid-week-stutters/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/44ef06fa6953d6f4f8cb638d60eb5c1c?s=96&#38;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs0.wp.com%2Fi%2Fmu.gif" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">rainycamp</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Only B</title>
		<link>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/12/the-only-b/</link>
		<comments>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/12/the-only-b/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 00:48:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bike Noob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Rides]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bikenoob.com/?p=6397</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It was Mother&#8217;s Day, and I anticipated a small turnout for the Sunday club ride. But riders kept pulling into the parking lot in front of Starbucks. As we sat around the outdoor tables before the ride, there was a &#8230; <a href="http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/12/the-only-b/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6397&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It was Mother&#8217;s Day, and I anticipated a small turnout for the Sunday club ride. But riders kept pulling into the parking lot in front of Starbucks. As we sat around the outdoor tables before the ride, there was a lot of good-natured banter. But once the women riders started to come in, New York John said it was time to stop.</p>
<p>&#8220;We sound like a buncha construction workers from the &#8217;50s,&#8221; he said. He was right.</p>
<p>I was starting to get concerned. The women &#8212; Janice, Pippa, and Judy &#8212; are all pretty fast. All the guys were fast. When the club president said we should get going, it was apparent that I was the only B-level rider out today.</p>
<p>We always start out easy. I rode at the front with Joe, the president, and we talked about my rear wheel. Our club mechanic had it all day Saturday, and told me it was on its last legs.</p>
<p>&#8220;If you replace the rim, the hub is still shot,&#8221; he said. &#8220;If you replace the hub, the rim is in bad shape.&#8221; He said I should start shopping for a new rear wheel.</p>
<p>Joe offered to lend me a set of American Classics he has in his garage.</p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s nothing imminent,&#8221; I said.</p>
<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s not the point,&#8221; he answered. &#8220;Use this time to try out some different wheels. You&#8217;ll find out what you don&#8217;t like, as well as what might work for you.&#8221;</p>
<p>I think I might take him up on that offer.</p>
<p>The riders separated at the first big hill, about three miles into the ride. By now, I was in my accustomed place &#8212; at the rear. But Joe&#8217;s wife, Judy, wasn&#8217;t much ahead of me. She had ridden a killer club ride yesterday, which saw lots of hills out in the country. After that 66-mile jaunt, she was spinning easily today. Joe, as he often does on these rides, held back to ride with her. I caught up, and we were the gang of three, as the peloton quickly disappeared ahead.</p>
<p>Jordan, a club member who lives closer to downtown, met us about 15 miles into the ride. He had tried to time his start to meet up with the main group. &#8220;But they were having a criterium!&#8221; he exclaimed. Joe and he talked about how the Sunday ride does tend to become a race among the faster A&#8217;s.</p>
<p>We rode along Shoal Creek Drive, which is a popular in-town biking route. It is a two-lane arterial through a nice residential part of the city, and has generous bike lanes in each direction. By this time, I wondered where we would meet the A&#8217;s on their return leg. I guessed that they would be at a convenience store where we make a rest stop on this route. But they weren&#8217;t there.</p>
<p>However, it was only another mile or so before we encountered them, blasting down Shoal Creek in our direction. We turned around to ride with them, and all pulled into that convenience store for a break.</p>
<p>Joe had proposed a departure from the usual return route, to tackle more hills on the west side of town. New York John had other ideas. He had also been on the previous day&#8217;s long ride, but he rode an extra 20 miles, because instead of driving to the ride start, he rode from Starbucks. That effort was catching up to him.</p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m goin&#8217; back the way we came,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And head home on Mopac (an expressway) instead of the long way.&#8221; I agreed.</p>
<p>I thought we had more takers, but it was just John, me, and one other guy. We hit some big hills just past downtown.</p>
<p>&#8220;My legs are like jelly!&#8221; John complained. He still managed to stay ahead of me. John is 65, but rides a carbon Specialized Roubaix, and is probably 60 pound lighter than yours truly. Over the last two miles, he steadily pulled farther ahead of me. By the time I got to Starbucks, his bike was already on his car&#8217;s rack.</p>
<p>It was a good ride for me, but if two tired A riders hadn&#8217;t hung back from their usual Sunday pace, I would have been completely on my own. I&#8217;ve got some time off work until the summer session begins, and I&#8217;ll be spending a lot more time on the bike than I have been. I&#8217;ll never become an A, but at least I can build up the stamina to stay closer to them.</p>
<br />Filed under: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/rides/'>Rides</a> Tagged: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/rides/'>Rides</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6397/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6397/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6397&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/12/the-only-b/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/44ef06fa6953d6f4f8cb638d60eb5c1c?s=96&#38;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs0.wp.com%2Fi%2Fmu.gif" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">rainycamp</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Noob Mistake: Helmet on Backwards</title>
		<link>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/07/noob-mistake-helmet-on-backwards/</link>
		<comments>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/07/noob-mistake-helmet-on-backwards/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 01:03:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bike Noob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accessories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Equipment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[helmets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[noob mistake]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bikenoob.com/?p=6013</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s spring. In most parts of the country anyway. And that means organized rides are springing up all over. Lots of noobs turn out for their first organized rides ever, and they make their share of mistakes. Here&#8217;s one that &#8230; <a href="http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/07/noob-mistake-helmet-on-backwards/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6013&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s spring. In most parts of the country anyway. And that means organized rides are springing up all over. Lots of noobs turn out for their first organized rides ever, and they make their share of mistakes. Here&#8217;s one that I noticed a few years ago.</p>
<p>I was walking across a parking lot toward the ride start, when I passed a couple also headed in that direction. They were obvious first-timers. As I looked at the woman, something struck me as odd. She had the weirdest looking helmet I&#8217;ve ever seen.</p>
<p>Except on closer inspection, it wasn&#8217;t the helmet at all &#8212; that turned out to be a fairly common variety. It was the way she wore it. The black scalloped rear was facing forward.</p>
<p>&#8220;Your helmet is on backward,&#8221; I said quietly, as I walked past them.</p>
<p>She stopped, pulled off her helmet, and stared at it.</p>
<p>&#8220;It is? On backward? How can you tell?&#8221; she asked.</p>
<p>&#8220;The smooth part goes in the front,&#8221; I replied. &#8220;It&#8217;s more aerodynamic that way.&#8221;</p>
<p>She looked at her husband. He looked back and shrugged. She turned the helmet around and put it back on, the right way.</p>
<p>She&#8217;s not the first I&#8217;ve seen making that mistake. Lots of people figure that since the helmet slopes down in the rear, and had lots of openings that must suck in air, that&#8217;s the front.</p>
<div id="attachment_6393" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/gi-kaya-wg-back.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-6393" alt="This is not the front." src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/gi-kaya-wg-back.jpg?w=450&#038;h=450" width="450" height="450" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">This is not the front.</p></div>
<div id="attachment_6394" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/gi-kaya-lw-front.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-6394" alt="This is the front." src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/gi-kaya-lw-front.jpg?w=450&#038;h=450" width="450" height="450" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">This is the front.</p></div>
<p>But as we all know from basic physics, the airfoil shape of an aircraft wing is rounded in front, and tapers toward the rear.</p>
<div id="attachment_6395" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/gi-kaya-wg-side.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-6395" alt="I can understand why a noob might be confused." src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/gi-kaya-wg-side.jpg?w=450&#038;h=450" width="450" height="450" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">I can understand why a noob might be confused.</p></div>
<p>If you see a newbie looking extra dorky on a ride this spring, come to their rescue. Show them the proper way to wear a helmet.</p>
<br />Filed under: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/accessories/'>Accessories</a>, <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/equipment/'>Equipment</a>, <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/safety/'>Safety</a> Tagged: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/helmets/'>helmets</a>, <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/noob-mistake/'>noob mistake</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6013/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6013/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6013&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/07/noob-mistake-helmet-on-backwards/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/44ef06fa6953d6f4f8cb638d60eb5c1c?s=96&#38;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs0.wp.com%2Fi%2Fmu.gif" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">rainycamp</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/gi-kaya-wg-back.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">This is not the front.</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/gi-kaya-lw-front.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">This is the front.</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/gi-kaya-wg-side.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">I can understand why a noob might be confused.</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Different Rides, Same Result</title>
		<link>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/05/different-rides-same-result/</link>
		<comments>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/05/different-rides-same-result/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 05 May 2013 20:11:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bike Noob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Rides]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bikenoob.com/?p=6390</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Because of the odd schedule we&#8217;re on at the university during final exam time, I didn&#8217;t get home in time for my usual Friday evening ride. So on Saturday, I decided to combine that ride with one I normally reserve &#8230; <a href="http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/05/different-rides-same-result/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6390&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Because of the odd schedule we&#8217;re on at the university during final exam time, I didn&#8217;t get home in time for my usual Friday evening ride. So on Saturday, I decided to combine that ride with one I normally reserve for Saturday morning.</p>
<p>I headed for Convict Hill, a neighborhood nearby. As its name implies, there are some hills there and I try to do this every week. It builds leg strength, but it&#8217;s not all that tough. One of the nice parts about it is the end. I get to ride a bike lane down the hill, and it&#8217;s fun to exceed the posted speed limit for vehicles. In fact, I could sense someone beside me during the descent, and when I looked, it was a guy in a pickup truck, keeping pace with me but not trying to pass. I think he was trying to get a read on just how fast this crazy cyclist was going (33.7 mph).</p>
<p>After Convict Hill, I headed back to my neighborhood. The route stays in the bike lane of a nice wide residential arterial out to Farm to Market 1826. I turn around there, and wind my way through Circle C Ranch, on a route I&#8217;ve talked about before. Then it&#8217;s a run over to the nearby Veloway, where I did one lap and headed home. A nice way to spend two hours.</p>
<p>This morning, the club ride was doing one of their hills excursions. I&#8217;m still not in the ballpark with them when it comes to climbing, so I decided I&#8217;d ride on my own. &#8220;Oh,&#8221; said my wife, as she saw me drinking coffee at 8 a.m. &#8220;You&#8217;re not riding this morning?&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I am,&#8221; I said. &#8220;In fact, I&#8217;m leaving right after I get dressed.&#8221;</p>
<p>The morning was bright and cool. The wind was light. I decided to do the &#8220;Zoo Route,&#8221; which a lot of the club members have taken to lately. I rode the first six miles on the same streets we take when we do Fitzhugh, but as soon as I crossed U.S. 290 I turned onto a different road. This one could be considered semi-rural, with houses on large lots hidden behind old stands of live oak. After looping through that area for awhile, I was back on Circle Drive, but soon turned onto Rawhide Trail for the next two miles to the Austin Zoo.</p>
<p>They&#8217;ve done a good job of screening the zoo from the road. Some of my friends tell me they&#8217;ve seen critters through the trees in the past, but none were in evidence today. At the end of the road is the old Paisano Ranch, formerly owned by renowned Texas author J. Frank Dobie. The road ends at the gate, and I turned around .</p>
<p>I had come just a tad over nine miles, so I was looking for more mileage. I knew that some riders will head back, but divert onto a road that intersects Texas 71, several miles west of our neighborhood. I got through the stoplight at that intersection along with a large furniture delivery truck that had no use for me, and eventually made it to Southwest Parkway.</p>
<p>I used to like riding on Southwest Parkway. The shoulder is wide, and the road is hilly. But a few years ago, the county chip sealed it, and for much of its length, it&#8217;s jouncy.</p>
<p>At the high point, where AMD has its new semiconductor plant, the parkway dips in a longish downhill where you can achieve a decently-high speed. Farther on is a neighborhood called Travis Country, and I turned onto the road that loops around the periphery. Lots of cyclists like to ride this area, and there were a number out this morning. I didn&#8217;t make contact with any of them however, and continued my solo ride.</p>
<p>After Travis Country, it was time to head home. I pulled into the driveway, stopped, and glanced at my bike computer.</p>
<p>27.7 miles. One hour, 59 minutes, 33 seconds. Avg. speed: 13.9 mph.</p>
<p>Remarkable.</p>
<p>Not because I broke any speed records or anything, but because the numbers were so similar to Saturday&#8217;s: 27.5 miles, one hour, 59 minutes, 5 seconds, 13.9 mph average speed.</p>
<p>Except for the first three blocks, I did not ride any of the same roads on Saturday and Sunday. Since I had never ridden the Zoo Ride before, I had no idea what to expect in distance or time. But they came out to almost the same distance and same riding time.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ll have to figure out a route next week on still different roads, and try to approximate the same distance and time again. I think I know where I can do it.</p>
<br />Filed under: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/rides/'>Rides</a> Tagged: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/rides/'>Rides</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6390/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6390/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6390&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/05/different-rides-same-result/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/44ef06fa6953d6f4f8cb638d60eb5c1c?s=96&#38;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs0.wp.com%2Fi%2Fmu.gif" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">rainycamp</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>A Dialogue Over Cycling</title>
		<link>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/02/a-dialogue-over-cycling/</link>
		<comments>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/02/a-dialogue-over-cycling/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 01:23:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bike Noob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[cycling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[car vs. bike]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bikenoob.com/?p=6378</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Two of my biking friends recently had unpleasant encounters with drivers. In one case, a car passed unnecessarily close to a cyclist, and he was concerned about being hit. That didn&#8217;t happen, but it upset my friend enough that he &#8230; <a href="http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/02/a-dialogue-over-cycling/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6378&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Two of my biking friends recently had unpleasant encounters with drivers. In one case, a car passed unnecessarily close to a cyclist, and he was concerned about being hit. That didn&#8217;t happen, but it upset my friend enough that he followed the car to the next stop sign, and started a dialogue about car-bike safety.</p>
<p>The driver didn&#8217;t take to it well, and my friend &#8212; one of the most mild-mannered folks you&#8217;d want to meet &#8212; thought it could have escalated to blows. He pulled away and continued his ride.</p>
<p>My other friend is naturally cautious while riding the roads, and most often stays on the suburban-style residential streets in our immediate area. But even there, problems can arise. At a stoplighted intersection, he had the green light and started across the intersection. An oncoming truck started to turn left across his path without signaling. My friend yelled and waved, and the truck stopped just five feet from him.</p>
<p>&#8220;I would have let it go at that,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But then he starts yelling at me like it was my fault. I had the right-of-way!&#8221;</p>
<p>He threw down his bike and started toward the truck with clenched fists. Believe me, you don&#8217;t want to tangle with him one-on-one. The truck driver figured that out, and drove on.</p>
<p>&#8220;What gets me is that some people figure if they&#8217;re in a motor vehicle, they&#8217;ve got the right of way,&#8221; my friend said. &#8220;They need to be better educated about the rules of the road regarding bikes.&#8221;</p>
<p>The guy in the first incident had another point of view. &#8220;We really need to start showing our neighbors who we are,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We&#8217;re just like them. We live in the same kind of houses, we work jobs &#8212; the only difference is, we choose cycling as a form of exercise or recreation.&#8221;</p>
<p>He suggested making an affirmative effort to talk to our neighbors about our biking, why we do it, how we hope cars behave around bikes, how they should expect bikers to behave around them.</p>
<p>People for Bikes, an organization that aims to promote cycling to more prominence in public discourse, offers the same idea in this video.</p>
<span class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='640' height='360' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/P0Ev2MWRUT4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe></span>
<p><a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/946996_10151547308880256_668404945_n.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6386" alt="946996_10151547308880256_668404945_n" src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/946996_10151547308880256_668404945_n.png?w=450"   /></a></p>
<p>Others suggest that as more people ride, biking will become more a part of our culture. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-americans-dont-get-about-cycling-2013-4">This article</a> on Business Insider urges more commuting by bike.</p>
<p>I agree with all of the above. I&#8217;m just not optimistic that things will change much. Recently, the city laid chipped stone over a lane of one of the main streets in our area. As my wife was riding along that section, a pickup truck passed her, and spun his wheels to throw the stone-gravel mix at her. &#8220;Some people,&#8221; she said, &#8220;are just asshats.&#8221;</p>
<br />Filed under: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/cycling/'>cycling</a> Tagged: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/advocacy/'>advocacy</a>, <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/car-vs-bike/'>car vs. bike</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6378/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6378/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6378&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bikenoob.com/2013/05/02/a-dialogue-over-cycling/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/44ef06fa6953d6f4f8cb638d60eb5c1c?s=96&#38;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs0.wp.com%2Fi%2Fmu.gif" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">rainycamp</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/946996_10151547308880256_668404945_n.png" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">946996_10151547308880256_668404945_n</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Hey! It&#8217;s Bike Month!</title>
		<link>http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/30/hey-its-bike-month/</link>
		<comments>http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/30/hey-its-bike-month/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2013 04:17:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bike Noob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[cycling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bike Month]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bikenoob.com/?p=6382</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[May 1st&#8230;a big day for bikers everywhere. According to the League of American Bicyclists, whose bash this is, we can celebrate the reasons we ride. Let&#8217;s see&#8230;riding to work or school&#8230;nah, I live 30 miles from work, which happens to &#8230; <a href="http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/30/hey-its-bike-month/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6382&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>May 1st&#8230;a big day for bikers everywhere. According to the League of American Bicyclists, whose bash this is, we can celebrate the reasons we ride.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s see&#8230;riding to work or school&#8230;nah, I live 30 miles from work, which happens to be at a school. Saving money or time&#8230;hm, I&#8217;ll be hitting the bike store in the next day or two to get some much-needed accessories. Hardly a money-saving visit. Preserving health or the environment&#8230;well, biking has been good for my health. My blood pressure is down, my resting heart rate too, my legs are awesome, if I do say so myself.</p>
<p>But my health has never been the main reason I ride. I ride for the fun of it. And you know what? I don&#8217;t need a special month for that. I ride year around, so Bike Month is every month for me.</p>
<p>Are you planning anything special for Bike Month?</p>
<br />Filed under: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/cycling/'>cycling</a> Tagged: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/bike-month/'>Bike Month</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6382/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6382/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6382&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/30/hey-its-bike-month/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/44ef06fa6953d6f4f8cb638d60eb5c1c?s=96&#38;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs0.wp.com%2Fi%2Fmu.gif" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">rainycamp</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sketchy Shorts</title>
		<link>http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/28/sketchy-shorts/</link>
		<comments>http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/28/sketchy-shorts/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:59:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bike Noob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accessories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clothing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bikenoob.com/?p=6336</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was doing some laps on the nearby Veloway recently, when I ran into the president of our neighborhood cycling club. We rode together for a bit, and then he said, &#8220;You know, when I got my white bike shorts, &#8230; <a href="http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/28/sketchy-shorts/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6336&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I was doing some laps on the nearby Veloway recently, when I ran into the president of our neighborhood cycling club. We rode together for a bit, and then he said, &#8220;You know, when I got my white bike shorts, everybody was quick to tell me how bad they looked. I&#8217;m going to do you the same favor. You need new shorts.&#8221;</p>
<p>But my shorts aren&#8217;t white. Turns out, that&#8217;s not what concerned him.</p>
<p>The shorts I was wearing that day are a black pair of Pearl Izumis that I&#8217;ve had for probably four years or so. They&#8217;re pretty good shorts. What he was pointing out (that I already knew) was some discoloration on one of the legs. It shows up as a whiteish blotch, and resembles salt stains more than anything else. The discoloration doesn&#8217;t affect the performance of the shorts, which are still in fine condition, even after all these years and miles.</p>
<div id="attachment_6375" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/mine2.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-6375" alt="It might be a bit tough to see the stain-like marks, but they're there." src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/mine2.jpg?w=450&#038;h=375" width="450" height="375" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">It might be a bit tough to see the stain-like marks, but they&#8217;re there. I find that moving around, changing your viewing angle, will help see them.</p></div>
<p>But it does make the shorts look ugly. I know that. That&#8217;s why I ride them only on my neighborhood rides, when I intend to ride by myself. Meeting him this day was a fluke.</p>
<p>Frankly, I have wondered what causes that? My wife has a pair of PI shorts, and it&#8217;s really bad on hers.</p>
<div id="attachment_6376" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/pats2.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-6376" alt="The problem is a lot more obvious on my wife's shorts, because it's a lot worse. (Click to embiggen.)" src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/pats2.jpg?w=450&#038;h=340" width="450" height="340" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The problem is a lot more obvious on my wife&#8217;s shorts, because it&#8217;s a lot worse. I think I&#8217;ll be getting her a new pair soon. (Click to embiggen.)</p></div>
<p>I have a hunch that it goes back to when we were new bikers. When we washed the shorts, we would also toss them in the dryer to dry. Of course, we had the dryer on the lowest setting. Later, when we read that bike shorts should be air dried, we started doing that, and they haven&#8217;t been in the dryer since.</p>
<p>By the way, the problem seems to be confined to Pearl Izumi products. I also own shorts by Sugoi, Nashbar, and Castelli, and none of them have had this problem. The Nashbar shorts have been around even longer than the PIs, and are still the same shiny black color they were when they arrived in the mail years ago.</p>
<p>Can any wiser, more experienced riders suggest what causes this problem?</p>
<br />Filed under: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/accessories/'>Accessories</a> Tagged: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/clothing/'>clothing</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6336/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6336/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6336&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/28/sketchy-shorts/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/44ef06fa6953d6f4f8cb638d60eb5c1c?s=96&#38;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs0.wp.com%2Fi%2Fmu.gif" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">rainycamp</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/mine2.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">It might be a bit tough to see the stain-like marks, but they&#039;re there.</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/pats2.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">The problem is a lot more obvious on my wife&#039;s shorts, because it&#039;s a lot worse. (Click to embiggen.)</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Dem Bones &#8212; Saris Bones, That Is</title>
		<link>http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/25/bones-saris-bones-that-is/</link>
		<comments>http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/25/bones-saris-bones-that-is/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:31:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bike Noob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accessories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[guest post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bike rack]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blount]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bikenoob.com/?p=6350</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Guest poster Don Blount reviews a popular bike rack. I recently traded in a 1988 Toyota Camry for a 2010 Mini Cooper. The Camry had seen better days as it had more than 239,000 miles on it. When I am &#8230; <a href="http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/25/bones-saris-bones-that-is/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6350&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Guest poster Don Blount reviews a popular bike rack.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/blountonbiking4.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-5791" alt="BlountOnBiking" src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/blountonbiking4.jpg?w=450"   /></a>I recently traded in a 1988 Toyota Camry for a 2010 Mini Cooper.</p>
<p>The Camry had seen better days as it had more than 239,000 miles on it.</p>
<p>When I am asked why I selected this new car I respond one of two ways: 1) It is my mid-life crisis car or 2) It fits my bike rack. <a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/bike_on_car2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6356" alt="Bike_On_Car2" src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/bike_on_car2.jpg?w=450&#038;h=268" width="450" height="268" /></a><em>  Click images to embiggen.</em></p>
<p>And in truth when I looked at the vehicle I took along a tape measure to check whether the width of the bumper would accommodate my <em>Saris Bones 2</em> trunk mount bike rack.</p>
<p>I purchased this bike rack three years ago, after I joined a bike club. A number of the club rides began in the foothills, a good 40-minute drive from my home.</p>
<p>Quite frankly, I tired of taking both wheels off of my bike and then loading both the frame and the bike into the car.</p>
<p>I did not want to deal with a trunk hitch nor did I want to spend a ton of money on a rack. And when I began looking for a bike rack I discovered the Saris. <a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/saris2-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6359" alt="Saris2-2" src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/saris2-2.jpg?w=450&#038;h=268" width="450" height="268" /></a></p>
<p>It was the look that initially caught my attention. I liked the arc shape of the injected molded, arms and how the bike is carried away from the car where it won’t scratch the paint. It also holds the bikes on two different levels so they do not bump into each other, damaging their finish.       <a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/bike_away_from_car2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6362" alt="Bike_Away_From_Car2" src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/bike_away_from_car2.jpg?w=450&#038;h=268" width="450" height="268" /></a></p>
<p>Although it is categorized as a trunk-mounted bike rack, the rack actually rests on the vehicle’s bumper. <a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/bumper2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6364" alt="Bumper2" src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/bumper2.jpg?w=450&#038;h=268" width="450" height="268" /></a></p>
<p>It took me some effort to set the rack up the first few times but I eventually was able to get it ready to go in about 10-15 minutes.</p>
<p>The rack has a 70-pound limit – 35 pounds per bike. I found that it holds my bike securely and the anti-sway bar prevents it from swinging while the car is in motion.</p>
<p>The rack’s rubberized feet and coated hooks are gentle enough to not mar the car’s paint.</p>
<p>I added to the rack a Yakima trunk mount security strap. The strap has some sort of cable in it for reinforcement. One end of the strap loops around the bike rack while the other end goes in the trunk.</p>
<p>The space between at the top of the hatch of the new vehicle was too narrow to secure the rack’s original hook; I had to replace those with hatch hugger straps. These go inside of the hatch instead of hook onto the edge of the hatch. <a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/hatch_huggers2-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6367" alt="Hatch_Huggers2-2" src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/hatch_huggers2-2.jpg?w=450&#038;h=268" width="450" height="268" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/folds_for_storage2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-6370" alt="Folds_For_Storage2" src="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/folds_for_storage2.jpg?w=450"   /></a>The Saris Bones 2 retails for about $140 but it can be purchased on sale for about $125, maybe even less at a good bargain. I paid $117 for mine and $17 for the strap in 2010. Prices have not moved a whole lot since then. The company also says the rack carries a lifetime warranty. It also folds for easy storage.</p>
<br />Filed under: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/accessories/'>Accessories</a>, <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/guest-post/'>guest post</a> Tagged: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/bike-rack/'>bike rack</a>, <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/blount/'>Blount</a>, <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/guest-post/'>guest post</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6350/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6350/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6350&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/25/bones-saris-bones-that-is/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/44ef06fa6953d6f4f8cb638d60eb5c1c?s=96&#38;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs0.wp.com%2Fi%2Fmu.gif" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">rainycamp</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/blountonbiking4.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">BlountOnBiking</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/bike_on_car2.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Bike_On_Car2</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/saris2-2.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Saris2-2</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/bike_away_from_car2.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Bike_Away_From_Car2</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/bumper2.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Bumper2</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/hatch_huggers2-2.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Hatch_Huggers2-2</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://bikenoob.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/folds_for_storage2.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Folds_For_Storage2</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Tire Talk</title>
		<link>http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/23/tire-talk-2/</link>
		<comments>http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/23/tire-talk-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:51:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bike Noob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gatorskins]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bikenoob.com/?p=6348</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m enjoying riding on a new purchase. I finally had to give in and buy a new rear tire. And in doing so, I decided to change my tire arrangement. For a long time, I&#8217;ve been running a Continental Gatorskin &#8230; <a href="http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/23/tire-talk-2/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6348&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;m enjoying riding on a new purchase. I finally had to give in and buy a new rear tire. And in doing so, I decided to change my tire arrangement.</p>
<p>For a long time, I&#8217;ve been running a Continental Gatorskin 25mm on the rear, and a Vredestein Fortezza SE 23 mm on the front. The reason for this mismatched pair is my basic cheapness. That, and the fact that the Vredestein refused to wear out. It was only after I hit some bad debris that left a noticeable gouge in the front tire that I decided it was finally time to retire it.</p>
<p>That Vredestein &#8212; well, I&#8217;ve talked about them <a href="http://bikenoob.com/2011/07/19/vredestein-fortezza-se-update/">before</a>. I really liked its unexpected ability to resist flats. That wasn&#8217;t one of its selling points when I bought it, but it turned out to be the best thing the tire had going for it. Problem was, it took fairly high air pressure. I ran 120 lbs. in the front tire, and the sidewall said it could take pressure up to 160 psi. But even at 120, the tire rode harshly on the  chip seal roads we have around here. It was not pleasant.</p>
<p>So I decided to replace the Vredestein with another Gatorskin. I run those at 100 PSI, and the ride is better cushioned that way. As you&#8217;re already aware, I&#8217;m a comfort-seeking rider. Cushioning is important to me.</p>
<p>Now, in keeping with my tight-fistedness when it comes to buying most anything, I shopped around for the best price I could find on a Gatorskin. It&#8217;s a fairly pricey tire, but a place I&#8217;d bought them before at a good price came through again. Pro Bike Kit of England was carrying Gatorskins at $32, and free shipping to the United States. That&#8217;s even less than I paid for Gatorskins at Pro Bike Kit a few years ago, ,when I was pleased at the low price they offered then.</p>
<p>One difference I&#8217;m really liking with the 25s on both front and rear is better handling. The wider front just seems to be more stable to me, and I&#8217;m attacking curves with more verve than I have done in some time. Maybe it&#8217;s just the newness effect &#8212; similar to the feeling you get when you finally wash your car. We all know a clear car performs better, right? Hey, I&#8217;ve experienced that first hand.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ll be watching the Gatorskins to see how well they hold up. While I like their flat resistance, they have tended to wear out sooner than other tires. Will they be able to match the Vredesteins for long life? The front tire that I finally replaced last week was first mounted on my bike in August of 2011. When I retired it, it had 6,748 miles on it. I doubt the Gatorskins will last that long, but you never know.</p>
<br />Filed under: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/category/tires/'>tires</a> Tagged: <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/gatorskins/'>Gatorskins</a>, <a href='http://bikenoob.com/tag/tires/'>tires</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6348/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/bikenoob.wordpress.com/6348/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=bikenoob.com&#038;blog=2901163&#038;post=6348&#038;subd=bikenoob&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bikenoob.com/2013/04/23/tire-talk-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/44ef06fa6953d6f4f8cb638d60eb5c1c?s=96&#38;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs0.wp.com%2Fi%2Fmu.gif" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">rainycamp</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
