Barbie Doesn't Have Bruises

[Lv4Tunes]

...but I do...

Rode all weekend - 3 out of the 4 days in 2004 so far! And my legs look like they have been through a war zone. I have to admit - I am determined not to let the trail (or the roots or the coral rock) beat me - but I feel a bit frustrated.

Please tell me these are just the knocks that you experience when you are just starting out? Is there anyone out there that can sympathize? Advice anyone can offer? Is this normal?

[Irulan]

wear them with pride. As you get better you'll get less little ones, and big ones less frequently. They are great conversation starters. :D

If you are using flat pedals with toe clips for moutnain biking, those are a real culprit. And if you are really crashing a lot conisider some leg armor like the 661 pads

Irualn

[jobob]

Oh, I can most definitely sympathize - I bruise incredibly easily, always have. Doesn't help matters that I'm a klutz. My newest collection of bruises are right smack dab in the front of my thighs, where once in a while I make contact with the levers of the bar-end shifters on my road bike. Don't ask me how I manage that, told you I'm a klutz.

I can only imagine the magnifient collection of bruises I would develop if I took up mountain biking :D

I wish I could give you some advice on how to prevent your bruises, but perhaps time & experience will help.

All the best, - Jo.

[annie]

You bet, I can sympathize! When I first started mountain biking, I had bruises, cuts, scrapes, on my legs, on my arms. I remember the first time I drew blood. I was proud! Still....... I could have lived with fewer bruises. As your skills improve, you will see less injuries. Remember to look where you want to go, not at the obstacle. Point your chin ahead down the trail. Follow someone that knows what they are doing and try take their line. Try do what they do. It really helps. Have fun and don't give up!

[TwoTiredGal]

I probably got less bruises when I first started mountain biking because I was so careful. As I got more confident, I became more aggressive and started to get scratches, bumps, and bruises up a lot more. Like Irulan said, wear them with pride!! :D In fact, take pictures...

[Lv4Tunes]

Thanks for all of the encouragement.

Purchased shin/knee coverings - and I must say - although they are awkward, they protected my already cut and bruised legs.

Strange thing - I am not afriad at all. It is just that recovering from the bumps and bruises takes a bit longer...

I have been riding intermediate/advanced trails with friends that have been riding much longer than I have and have kept up for the most part.

Next adventure: a beginner race on 1/18

There I will be - pads and all.

Thanks again for all of the encouragement....

[Adventure Girl]

I agree! You should wear those bruises like badges! Be proud of them. You earned them. Last summer I fell down a canyon and got REALLY bruised up. Big bruises, little bruises, dark purple, black, everything in between.

The only problem is when going out "in public" (non bike-related places) wearing a sun dress and sandles, I got some pretty strange looks. I think people thought my husband beat me up!

Cycling does some really great things for the looks of your legs, but those bruises (and those tanned legs with white feet) are really only attractive when you're on your bike!:D

[Lv4Tunes]

Living in South Florida it is hard NOT to wear shorts - and I agree, you feel like one of those people that people are looking at and whispering about in the grocery store...

Not too concerned - I know they came from the challenge of trying something new.

[missliz]

Any sport you take up seriously will bruise you up pretty badly for a while. As you get better and get technique down, there will be fewer of them. Just think of them as a mark of commitment. Or a badge of courage. And take tylenol, not aspirin- aspirin is blood thinning and will aggravate it all.
Get some bike porn, like Mountain Biker or Bicycling and read the articles on technique, or check a good bookstore for info. There are right and wrong ways to do things, and knowing them will save you some trail battering. Like"Where you look is where you go". Look at the way around the root and the bike will follow that line.
Acertain amount of getting smacked up is normal, but it gets old. Most us us learned things from magazines- don't underestimate it. And there's the cool stuff to buy ;D....

Lizzy

[missliz]

Oh, and I'm totally serious- If people try to give you cards for the battered womens shelter, you might want to say thank you and take them. They never beleive you if you try to explain it's from mountain biking :p I wasted a lot of breath on that over the years.
And besides, we want them to keep that up. It is the right thing for them to do, just really funny if the big shiner has a great story only a rider could love.

It's Carnival time!

Lizzy

[kpc]

I just got an ad/offer for Bicycling mag. It looked kind of hokey. Things like how many candy bars you can eat if you ride 20 miles and how to look hot. Is this magazine any good? I need something to read to keep me alive until this cold ends and i can just go pedal around.

[Irulan]

I got that junk mail too. I find I can read the whole thing in ten minutes of less, I used to subscribe.

Irulan

[missliz]

Actually, for us, those rags totally bite. But for newbies they have new and exciting info and they are useful for the first year. I learned an awesome lot from mags at first and they were really helpful. Thats why I recommended them- we know how to pick a line and repack a bearing and use a heart rate monitor. Lv4tunes is in a strange new world and needs a primer.
I like Mountain Bike Action- or at least I did, haven't seen it in a while. "How to win at Dual Slalom" is an article worth reading. BIKE was amazing- (anybody read the Burning Man issue? :D :D) but Peterson Press keeps buying up all the good bike magazines and ruining them. Since Mountain Biking and Bicycling keep reprinting EXACTLY the same 12 issues every year they aren't at all interesting after that, but yeah, they have a place in the world.
I'm sure there are good mags, it's just hell to find them in New Orleans so maybe we need a bike porn thread?

Lizzy


We don't even have a single news stand left in this pathetic town; can't even get regular porn, much less foot fetish or surf magazines. BORING.

[Irulan]

For mtn, I think Dirt Rag is the best. But I agree, most of them seem to regurgitate the same things over and over again, in the same way that Shape does.

Maybe we should look at best bike reads... as in books?

Irulan

[kpc]

"A Woman's Guide to Cycling" by Susan Weaver is the only book I have. It's good. And of course, It's not About The bike" by Lance A. What else is good?

[jobob]

I like the Rivendell Reader - it's a sort-of-quarterly newsletter put out by Rivendell.

[VenusdeVelo]

Unfortunately Bicycling Mag is one of the only mags that have some focus on road riding, so yes :( I do subscribe. I agree, it's a fast read, but their "main" articles are usually quite good. The "strips" like what's in and what's out are really gimmicky. And "Style Guy" is an idiot :p -- it is so obviously tongue and cheek corny, it loses any humor it may have hoped to have. But if you want to follow the pro circuit -- road and mountain and cyclocross, get VeloNews.

I also like Outsider Mag if you are interestested in other sports also, and I also subscribe to Dandelion (various sports/adventure for women).

I always watch the Tour de France with amazing fascination and awe every summer so I read "French Revolutions" by Tim Moore which was a pretty good book. About a guy who rode the tour and his experiences...told in a light hearted way.

Happy reading!!

[Irulan]

what is Outsider? I know of Outside, but never heard of Outsider.

Irulan

[VenusdeVelo]

Outside...my keyboard added an extra "r"....

[kpc]

Thanks for all of the great ideas for reading material. Have ordered Rivendell reader. After going to the website i now understand why you all talk about bike porn. Those bikes are sooo pretty. I can't beleive that people own 4 or 5 tho'! That's about $10,000! And am considering dirt rag and dandelion.

[missliz]

Well, there's bike porn and then there's bike erotica...:D :p LOL. Really though, you'll get a stable eventually, beater bike, city bike, road bike, BMX beast, hardtail cross country bike, all sprung downhill monster, cyclocross bike, recumbent, beam recumbent (sled o' death :D :D ).
Actually, all these bikes have very different uses and depending on your terrain you may not need a whole stable of mountain bikes; Here you just need one really good hardtail. The beater (junk) bike is for running errands 'cause nobody will steal it. A road bike to go on those training rides and check out guys in spa- no, no, road work is good aerobic training to support the dirt adventures! That's right. Recumbents are just plain fun and take the strain off the back, that BMX cruiser (child of the Schwinn Krate) is for wreaking havoc while scooting around university campuses. Frat boys dig 40 year old women who can ride the stairs, did you all know that? And the Cyclocross bike is monster fun in a mud pit, and I bet they rock for winter commuting!
Then these all come in tandems. No boredom here!

Lizzy

[Adventure Girl]

I can remember when I only had one bike. I read an article in a magazine talking about your "quiver" (collection) of bikes and I thought.... that'll never happen to me... Well, now I have five and I'm looking for a few more.

In no particular order....

City bike: Old mountain bike turned commuter. So ugly it would never be stolen. Used mostly to ride to and from the gym for spin classes.

Schwinn Stingray Fair Lady (girl's model): Just plain fun, and I get lots of comments on it. 1971 3-speed with streamers from the handlebars and everything! Sometimes used as a "pit bike" at races.

Hard tail mountain bike: Nice to have, but not used too much anymore. I'm thinking about making it into a single speed. It's good to take when riding with beginners. They don't seem so intimidated by it.

Road bike: 'nuff said. Sleek and beautiful. Has its very specific place in my life. This one gets to stay in the living room. The others all live in the garage.

Dual suspension mountain bike: This is the reason that I have the other four bikes. This one gets the most use (BY FAR!!). Biking has become such a big part of my life, and this bike is partly responsible for all of that!

Other bikes I'm considering in the near future... Cyclecross bike and maybe a cruiser just for fun! But the garage is pretty crowded!:D

[missliz]

Hey- I remember that article about "the quiver"! It was the most testosterone charged fashion victim peice of BS I have yet to come across, a new low in absurdity even for Pedersen Press. It wasn't just a multi bike setup but a $2500 a pop deal. Oh the pressures of fickle fashion. But the stable is a reality, not all bikes do all things. Besides, wouldn't life be boring without toys?
Crazy Dave says it best- A good bike is somebody's Art. Now buying paintings is fun, too, but do you get to take them outside and play with them? :D I am a painter by the way girls, support the studio arts. So I can buy a cyclocross bike too.

Actually, I'm starting the hunt for a better apartment soon, with space to turn around in. I guess a 2 bdrm would be best, I could hang the bikes in the second one and keep all the other equipment and tools in it too? Any bike left in a garage here is history. And one has stuff for other sports...

Lizzy

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by missliz
Actually, I'm starting the hunt for a better apartment soon, with space to turn around in. I guess a 2 bdrm would be best, I could hang the bikes in the second one and keep all the other equipment and tools in it too? Any bike left in a garage here is history. And one has stuff for other sports...

My garage is safe, warm and dry, but ooooooh wouldn't it be nice to have a ROOM for my bikes inside the house!! Not a bedroom, but a bikeroom. Like a little shrine!!:D

[aussievic]

I'm currently re-jigging my trip website, but I've done a page on some of the cycling books I've read and some that I'd like to read. Its mainly Touring books, but there are some other choices there so have a look.

Its at -
http://www.bigtrip.blogspot.com/inspirations/ctbooks.html

If anyone has any other suggestions, please mail me - vicedmonds@yahoo.com.

[kpc]

Whoa, you guys make me feel much better about having two bikes! And of course my husband's bike sometimes counts as mine too, as he hardly uses it and I can just move the handlebars and seat to fit me. We're getting ready to buy my son a new bike, maybe I can take that one over too!

[missliz]

Nah, a kid'll fight you for the bike much harder than a husband.


Lizzy :p

[pedalfaster]

Originally posted by missliz
Crazy Dave says it best- A good bike is somebody's Art. Now buying paintings is fun, too, but do you get to take them outside and play with them? :D I am a painter by the way girls, support the studio arts. So I can buy a cyclocross bike too.

Hip hip hooray for more art! And yes please buy art! I work at local non-profit arts center teaching and doing arts admin (fancy way of saying I'm the office-serf :p ).

My ex is a frame builder, and yes it IS an art. If you've never watched a pile of metal tubes welded into a functional, rideable, beautiful piece of sculpture...well it's pretty amazing.

I'm still kicking myself for not taking the time for "metal arts" so I'd have the fundamentals of welding down. Perhaps a goal after my daughter leaves for college?

[missliz]

I can weld- passed my tests in torch and stick. It just totally rocks- especially O-A torch work, the steel will sing to you and tell you what it wants.
Make sure safety is emphasized in any program you enter. At mine I'm surprised we didn't die in an explosion.

Lizzy

[ChainsOflove]

Thank God with you guys its "okay" to have lots 'o bikes.
I am having total guilt fit that I now have an old Cannondale, a fairly new Lemond and a screamin' new Colnago!!


BTW the two road bikes are in my apartment, regardless of crowding. The cannondale is down in the scary dark basement but she likes it there cuz there's other old bikes to hang around with.
: )

[ChainsOflove]

Miss Liz
Is there anything you CAN'T do?

[kpc]

Do you share your living space? I hear a little static about bringing the bikes on the porch for the winter. It would be controversial to have them in the house.

[trekchic]

Can't bring the bikes on the porch or in the house? I don't think so!

I paid waaaaaaaaaaaay too much money for the bike and all the gear to have it outside where it can be stolen! Believe it or not... my bike lives in our bedroom! My husband's not nuts about that, but his golf clubs don't stay outside! So..............

[missliz]

Oh, every body in the life keeps the bikes inside- then you can put the repair stand in front of the TV. :D Actually, a wall mounted rack over the sofa is nice, you hang the bootiful bike like a peice of sculpture and it's up out of the way. This works better in a Modernist or Bauhaus setting than with all Granny's Victorian treasures... But just "juege it"

And Chains- I went to Art school. We make things. I can't balance my checkbook, do my own taxes, write a decent term paper, figure out most of the stuff my computer can do, or keep my house clean. At present I can't ride worth a hoot either. I haven't had a date in forever, and I can't swim.
Strangely- I could never whistle. Then when they did all this knee work, suddenly I could. Go figure!
Everybody should take welding though. It's terrifying and exhilerating and empowering.

Lizzy

[annie]

My kids have their computers (their main interrest), I have my bikes - only 2 of them for now (my passion).......... they all share one room in the house. I could never leave a bike outside or in a cold garage, just couldn't do it. RARELY, I will take them to the basement if we are having a party and need more room. (Actually, I just don't want to risk people bumping into them.) But then I go for a ride, the bike comes up, and it stays there. Then I go out on the other bike, it comes up, and stays here, too. I prefer my bikes to a perfect-looking house. I live in a house full of males (1 husband and 3 sons), none of whom are too terribly concerned (understatement of the year) with the neatness or order in the house. That's left up to me, so it bothers no one that my bikes reside right in the living quarters with the rest of us. I like them there and there they will stay!

[snapdragen]

"Everybody should take welding though. It's terrifying and exhilerating and empowering"

Does jewelry soldering count? I have a torch an' everything.....:D

[missliz]

Oooohhh- pretty close, but oxy acetaline is like downhilling in the Rockies, or holding a Polaris missile in your hand and using the tail to melt steel. Jewelry soldering on mega steroids- you need try it! It's sort of like driving a muscle car, loud and powerful and sometimes kinda scary but you do it anyway. Fast.
I was never too great at jewelry soldering, and wish I was. It requires a softer more elegant touch. Welding needs great presicion as well but I always felt it demanded a very strong firm hand. Does this make sense? And with steel, if you blow a hole in it you can just melt the edges and fix it, fill it in with a rod- none of that starting over stuff. TOTALLY plastic material!
What you would do to build a first class frame though is brazing; slight variation on jewelry soldering. You use steel, but flux it and use a brazing rod, usually brass but efectively a solder. This is for a lugged frame- production frames now are usually welded on a production line and have the "stack of dimes" bead at the joins. So you'd probably build lugged frames and I'd build welded ones.

Lizzy


Oh Annie- you're so lucky. Men think a messy house full of sports equipment is a totally sensible way to live. I had to throw out my last roommate because she wouldn't stop bit***ng about the bikes, the weights, the skates... Drank all my liquor, too. What a sissy.

[Dogmama]

My road bike is on a wall hanger over a couch in my bedroom. Never thought of it as art, but I guess it is! Also, it's a great way to inspect that bottom bracket...

I will say that my MTB is outside, but hey, it's made for thrashing through mud. It IS nicely covered up with a tarp, however. Funny how keeping the dust off of my MTB is important, but the dust in the house is invisible. "You can write your name, but not the date..."