Mad Manatee Mentors CLOSED (Poptart/pet pic bribes?) (Page 58)

Yeah, it's freezing here too! Wind chill was down to zero!!!!!!!!

Sorry guys, didn't realize the consequences...

Oh snap!  Isn't it 1000000X more fun than running?!

It's pretty fun.

Although I like riding a bicycle in a casual manner. That IS really fun to me.

I could also see myself getting really into cyclocross or mountain biking.

Honestly the only thing I really don't like about cycling is that people can buy success. 

You can buy improvement to some degree, but that sure doesn't make you a success 

Haha ok sure. You know what I am saying though.

*Otherwise there wouldn't be multi-page threads on the rolling resistance of tires, aerodynamic qualities of waterbottles and debates on wheelsets that cost more than my cars' 

You are correct ma'am. I find it interesting when someone pops into those, drops a "ride more", and runs away. I also find all that sciencey stuff to be interesting as well, but I'm still in low $ improvement mode.

Speaking of running and weather...

Looking a few weeks ahead, it looks like a very real possibility that I will be in Great Lakes, Illinois (just north of Chi-town), in early April, the weekend of my 20 mile run

I guess when it gets closer I'll decide whether to look for a 20 mile route or switch sessions around.

Yes, certainly.

I totally get the people that really like that stuff. Just for me, there are way too many variables for me to keep track of. I mean, have you seen my life? I think that's why simplicity of running is so appealing to me. 

But if I wanted to be competitive that stuff would absolutely matter. It's not *just* ride more in that sport. It would be irresponsible to neglect all the other stuff. And being rich would help  

Chris, I think we swapped weather.  We'll be having 50's and 60's for the next week.  TJ, you can keep your weather, thankyouverymuch.

Welp, if you can rock out a 20 miler in the arctic, you can certainly run a marathon

Go down to the lakefront trail. Even if it's cold as sh*t at least you wont be alone, it's beautiful and flat. 

I saw Kara Goucher's IG picture in the snow. You were getting it too! We're supposed to warm up this weekend as well.

I was wondering about the lakefront. Monica's runs at the lake always sounded so appealing.

That is part of the joy of bikes for me. You can be as high or low tech as you like. There are a multitude of ways to approach things, and many of these approaches work. It's when you reach the point of tying all of the aspects together that it becomes a perfect storm. Rider/equipment/course. And even then, there are variables that have an affect.

I find it all very interesting, and I am merely scratching the surface at this point.

I don't want to jinx anything but our mountain summit this weekend is projected to be 50 degrees and clear! Like, woah! 

But I don't think I could finish in the FOP without investing some $$$

Having ridden a much more expensive bike than the one I own it is VERY clear how much harder I would have to work. 

So, that being said, if you take competition out of cycling, I totally agree. 

Maybe, but remeber, my viewpoint of "Cold" may be different than some other people.

I have been pleasantly surprised at how fun MTB can be.  I've done one cyclocross races, and it was a chaotic blast as well.  It's very laid back compared to road riding. 

I'm not sure if people can view this, but here's a video of me tackling a cyclocross obstacle:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153380979419554&pnref=story

Fun times for sure.

I can't disagree with the difference a good bike makes. However, I like TJ Tollakson's approach to the good bike question. He thought it could be better, so he built Dimond Bikes. That is the simple, short version of the story, but he saw an opportunity to improve the bike and he went after it. Heck, his early prototypes for arm rests on aero bars were cups from jock straps. If that isn't thinking differently, I'm not sure what is.

Point being, money will help. But so will a lot of other things. Training will help. Thought will help. Toughness will help. Combine them all and you're onto something!

BTW, if you went all in on triathlon, I think the FOP should be scared.

Rad!!!!

That looks like so much fun. I really want to tackle it sometime. So little time! I also want a crack and the velodrome!

Are any of you guys just overwhelmed with the possibilities...in life? In general?

A velodrome would be awesome.  I wish cycling was popular enough here to get one constructed.  I think you would enjoy mountain biking.

I remembered being amazed at the world that was opened when I started racing triathlon, and once again a few worlds opened with my transition into full cycling.  The world is way bigger than most people realize.

But see, of all those things,  the controllables anyhoo, money would be my limiter. That's hard to swallow! 

But triathlon can relax. I'm not coming back.  

I did get a 3rd, 7th, and 3rd overall bike split this year on a road bike. Tuck in low and power hard. The bike selection does matter, but not always as much as one thinks. There is a lot of value coming through in the lower levels and in used gear now. I do get not wanting to worry about it at all, but also wanted to note that it isn't necessarily as expensive as one might think get an ok setup. Paying attention to things like gear matter everywhere, the bike does have more parts to look at than some other things.

Here's ours

and to your point, seriously. Just wait until you go down all the wormholes of cycling. We've already mentioned MTB, cyclo, velodrome...sh*t you will be playing bike polo in no time!

I still wonder about a bike event where it's better to get off the bike by design.