Manatee Mentors 2015.2 CLOSED (Poptarts? Pet pics?) (Page 64)

Did you sand it down first? Did you have trouble painting it evenly?

Honestly, it's a mountain bike. I am not really looking for perfection because it will inevitably get scratched up. But I don't want it to look terrible either, especially if I have to pay someone to disassemble/re-assemble.

Even though I have a general understanding, and could take my bike apart myself, I don't have the tools or a bike stand. And, while we do have a place we can rent time/tools...I have to weight out how much my time is actually worth too. 

I'm only kidding, I wouldn't do it for you. I'd hate to end a friendship that way 

But to answer the questions, when I did the fixie, which was my first attempt, I not only sanded the crud out of it, I actually had to do some body filler, as the bottle holder screws were a mess coming out.  Also, there were some pin holes left where the original downtube shifters were attached. It looks OK from an even painted perspective, but I do admit, if you look closely, there are issues.  When I did the hardtail, I went the same route with sanding. I learned a few more painting lessons on that one, primarily that the environment one paints in is VERY important.  I think I would want to do 3 or 4 more before I am fairly comfortable.  Also, I would love to try powder coating or painting in the booth at my friend's place. 

I did a bit of work on some car bodies in my youth, thus the comfort with Bondo and such. I wasn't sure how it would hold up on a bike, but it seems to be pretty good. I am finding my way around bike mechanic work, and really do enjoy it though.

LOL of course not. I was more wondering about your experience. Could you imagine if I shipped it off to you. I'd be like 500 bucks in the hole with a krylon job.

But you solidified that I should have this done by a pro. I'm a city gal...we don't have these "environments" to paint in. And I hate painting.

If I had more reason to do more of them, I'd retro fit my garage with tarps and fans. As it stands, I hang the frame from an oak tree in my front yard. I keep going back and forth on a Tri bike build, but I have zero experience with carbon fiber. Although, the look of carbon is pretty cool...

ETA: Yes, your investment vs return for me to do it is minimal. At best. 

Ahhh yeah. I wouldn't be scared of carbon fiber...just don't over-torque anything, right? 

I just did a quick check of Pikes grade vs the race I just did and they aren't dissimilar...minus the fact that Pikes is 6 times longer LOL

I hope yall realize the magnitude of the suck we will be embracing. 

Been there.  Done that.  Learned my lesson the way I learn most stuff. 

Embrace the...

Nevermind. My 13 year old mentality took over.

WARNING - POOL RANT:

Now, normally the pool I swim at is great.  I swim during lunch and they have six lanes open and about 80% of the time you split a lane and occasionally get a lane to yourself.  Pretty darn fortunate.

Today was a little unusual.  I was doing 200's which I think are the hardest sets at about three minutes each of pretty high output.  I have a lane to myself and am hammering hard.  Guy sticks his feet in the lane at the "wrong" side of the pool and asks to share the lane.  I sputter, "sure, just split it" and turn.  Coming back he is headed right at me breaststroking.  I meet him mid-pool, stop, and tell him that when we split a lane he has to swim on the side that I am not.  He nods.

Next 200, mid way through, lady and him are talking on the side.  They want to circle swim.  The other five lanes have one person each.  Start on next 200.  Halfway through he gets out.  Next lap she gets out.  All that for a couple of laps.  Don't get me wrong, I usually go out of my way to offer to share a lane or chat with someone who looks a little lost but what was that guy thinking or not ..... I have collided in a similar situation in the past and it can hurt.  I now always keep more aware and occasionally sight (it's good OWS practice) to avoid such.

Elsewise, it is a beautiful Spring day here and I can't wait to get off work and go run my favorite trail.

Don't forget to factor the ending altitude into the suckitude.  It's going to be a major suck-fest, including sucking for oxygen, and you're going to love every minute.  Or at least enjoy the bragging rights afterwards!

Oh wait, maybe you meant the sucking up of suds you'll be doing after the race.  I'm sure that'll be brutal. 

How completely annoying!!  Hopefully your run this evening will be much less frustrating. 

I've had days when it seems like I'm having to prove to the universe how strongly I'm committed to doing a workout.  Like the time that it took me over 2 hours and a trip to the LBS to get out the door on my bike.  I got so irritated that I was darned if I was going to skip my ride after all the effort I put into it!!  (I also learned how to--and how NOT to--fix a flat.  I think I made every mistake in the book and there was quite a bit of swearing.  The dogs were worried and the cat was not impressed.)

My first thought was "COOOL!!! She's doing experiments with the kids!" Then...."hmmmmm, don't think she teaches science."

Hope it warms up inside and out.

Good job!

Bet you think about it next time

That's great.  Though at 51 degrees I'd still be inside.  I might get out tonight as we are finally getting into the low 60's and might hit 70 early next week.

Found some Pikes info this morning...

http://community.runnersworld.com/topic/pikes-peak-ascent-training-tips-and-shoes-1

The treadmill incline chart one of the guys put together for the ascent:

(eta: oooops, kinda long )

Pikes Peak Chart

Yeah. This is great. I was going to mention, 11% average. Those 13,15,15s are going to be energy sappers fo sho.

Have you all run up a mountain? I don't mean a 14er but any mountain? I think you should before you do Pikes (those of you competing) so that you know what it's like. 

My ski team and then ski house (what a ski team turns into when you all graduate and get jobs!) used to routinely run the Presidentials and a few in VT (Camelback, etc.).  Brutal, but NOTHING like that crazy shyte! 

I still remember the first time we went out for a "hike" and my buds all grabbed sneakers and wouldn't let me wear my boots.  Thank gawd they didn't just punk me (which is more what I would've expected from that crew)!

Matt

Awesome!  Nothing like getting back out on the road to recharge the batteries, for sure.  51 is brisk but comfortable if it's sunny and you dress for it (IMO - not that I see many days like that nowadays).

And BONUS - you got to practice with wind.    I bet that first leg was a total blast, though.

Matt

Blasting down the street, blasted by the wind.

Sounds like a great time.  Even when it's chilly, it feels so wonderful to get back outside after a long winter of drainer riding!

Thanks to Steve's awesome suggestion I've got some good info on proceeding with the painting of my bike!

Whatcha going to put on it?