Last year was so exciting - here is a video from the end of the season.

posting to compare progression later in 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAe_4uPFc9Y

Walmart Bike Vs Bike Shop Bike: Why Pay More Part 2

In My Article: 

Walmart Bicycle Vs Bike Shop Bicycle: Why Pay More?

I addressed some of the short comings of department store bikes.

Please enjoy the following video.

Now of course I do not expect all of you to be trying downhill runs 
on Walmart bikes. For some, a Walmart bike is adequate (as many have colorfully illustrated in the first articles comments) for riding on the board walk or to go to the 7/11.

The following items to note in this video( and those below), however, are true for all riders:

1) He had to adjust the bike for it to function properly.

2) He had to tighten bolts to make it safe.

3) Under the stress of riding the bike designed to look like a 
real mountain bike, it broke.

Other fine videos of a similar nature:

Thanks For Reading,
Ray

41yrs old, 10yrs later.

Feeling the flow and so grateful for this new life. 13 months after shoulder reconstruction......this is the 7th time here at the SGBP since starting rehab. 

I am not good yet, but I am getting comfortable in the air. Stay tuned for the progression videos.

Thanks for reading


Ray

Bike Lane Public Meeting, Silver Spring, MD;

Spring Street - Cedar Street Bike Lane - Public Meeting - 
Silver Spring - February 2 - show your support.
Silver Spring Civic Building from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte/Resources/Files/SpringStreet.pdf

My Favorite Bike

This bike has been with me through everything and she doesn't have a name. In 1998 the frame was a warranty replacement....I transferred the parts and got to racing her at the Wednesday night series at Holiday Valley, Raccoon Rally, Six Hours of Power and others. I had so much fun, I upgraded to a GT LTS in 1999; but kept breaking parts. Thus I ended up racing and riding this bike most of the next three years. Then I converted her into this outstanding urban assault cycle. She has carried everything from 6: 6' ft sections of copper pipe to 24 packs of beers. There is an adapter for running the dog. This bike commuted everyday in Buffalo winters for 5 years....and every day in the traffic of Washington DC for 5 years. She has towed multiple trailers hauling groceries, kids and camping gear. Her parts have changed over the years, but we never lost that connection. I have depended on this bike for almost 18 years. After multiple shoulder dislocations, this was the bike I rode for re-hab. This year, I had that shoulder repaired surgically....and one more time, I call upon this trusty steed. Thank you bike for all your years of service.

Parts Spec

Raleigh 18" M400 Aluminum frame: 1997

Kinesis Fork: 2000

Ringle Headset: 1995

Azonic Shorty 50mm stem

Shimano Deore XT V-Brakes: 1995

Truvativ Stylo Crank: 2010

Deore XT Cassette, Hubs, Shifters, Deurraleur: 2008

Race Face Carbon Bars and Seatpost: 2008

DT Swiss Double Butted Spokes with Alum Nipples

Rhino Lyte Rims

Cheap Plastic Fenders and Alum Rack

Bontrager Seat

Ergon GP1 Grips

Xpedo MX Force Platform pedals

Jag Wire Sealed Cables

Do you wear a helmet because of Fear?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07o-TASvIxY

This video talks about helmets in terms of our current "culture of fear"
I had to share. While I do wear one while mountain biking, I usually do not wear one when riding around town....getting groceries.....yada....

Now I wear a helmet, and make my son wear a helmet in the bike trailer for the sole purpose of not having to have a conversation about it with other parents at his day school. While it makes little sense to me to wear one riding a bike on the sidewalk, I know that judgement nowadays can come with a report to Child Protective Services....so I admit freely that I am wearing a helmet for fear.

Ray

Cycled

Ray's Life Cycle........Cycled

Before - Girlfriend

After - Wife

Before - Renter

After - Home Owner

Before: bike trailer carried booze and food





















After: bike trailer carries son















Before - Employed in Cubicle

After - Owner of Build It LLC with Employee

Before - Riding A Hardtail

After - riding Full Suspension

Cycled.

Heritage, History, Pride: Sounds like a great bike tour.

Article: Muscogee (Creek) Nation bike tour to retrace Trail of Tears

It is so exciting to see rides like this. Its cycling at its best. 

John Beaver has been training for the Trail of Tears Bicycle Tour that starts in Georgia and ends in Oklahoma. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World

Bike DC - WABA

Bike DC is an event hosted in the DC metro/Arlingtonarea. This is a video of the first 3 minutes (sorry a little shaky at the very beginning) of riders leaving for this glamorous bicycle ride through the heart of our nations capital.  The duration and density of riders moving along these first three minutes is staggering, but at the end I back up and look into the humungous crowd of cyclists still to go. This was an incredible cycling event to participate in.

How A Bicycle is Made