Dear So and So

[withm]

I think I will. I found out last night they sold me mtb shoes, when I asked for road. Too late, they do not except returns or exchanges. They did not show me how to put the shoes together and told me nothing about cleats. Everything I know I learned here and from hours on MSN with Cari. I am heading out to where I bought my bike and they are going to set everything right.

Jennifer - don't discount those MTB shoes too quickly. Lots of us use them with MTB pedals on our very expensive road bikes. Think about the kind of riding you are going to do - are you EVER going to walk in them? I was constantly fighting wearing my road shoes/cleats and having to walk in dirt to get from my street to my shed to put the bike away, or walk around at a rest stop, or want to walk on the boardwalk, or just walk into a restaurant for a coffee or snack - road shoes will make you miserable (unless you get "coffee shop covers" - IF they are available for your shoes). Plus they are very hard to walk in more than 50' or so. And if you should by chance walk in grass or dirt, they will pick up gobs of the stuff, then when you try to clip in (or worse, out) of your pedals you may have extreme difficulty. Been there done that.

I made the switch to MTB shoes (Sidi) and Speedplay Frog pedals. They are WAY EASIER to clip in/out, more comfortable for walking, and infinitely better riding. Don't let any stuffy shop try to intimidate you from putting MTB pedals on your road bike. It's ok, and I doubt that anyone will give you a hard time about it.

On the other hand if you really want road pedals, I have some practically new (400 miles) Speedplay Xs, cleats, AND coffee shop covers, that I will happily sell. And a pair of Specialized Road shoes size 43. (Shoes were great, but I eventually decided they were actually too big for me - part of my problems with the whole set up....)

Martha

[Nanci]

Dear Sidi Road Shoes,

I can't help it, but I hate you. I hate how you slip off the pedal and make me rack myself. I hate how I am afraid to cross in front of cars which would be far enough away if I was sure my foot was going to stick. I hate how I can't unclip and just ride unclipped in uncertain situations, momentarily, because my feet will slide off. Why did you have to look so pretty on the website? Some day when I am not lazy, I will try to find a new home for you. I love your MTB sisters, though...

Nanci

[oxysback]

To Whom it May Concern,

The weather here in the Willamette Valley area has been beautiful. Please, if you could just keep it this way for the rest of the summer I'd be very happy.

Yours truley,
A Biker That Hates the Heat


~~~~~~~~~

Dear Road Pavers,

The road that you recently repaved near Champoeg Park is WONDERFUL! So nice and smooth. I got up to 29 mph last night at one point! Now, if I could direct your attention to French Prarie Road...

Keeping My Fingers Crossed,
Ellen

~~~~~~~~~

Dear DH,

Thank you so much for riding with me. By "with me" I mean close enough so we can talk, not 1/4 mile ahead of me. I know I'm slower than molasses flowing up a tree in winter compared to you, but it means so much that you are willing to ride at my pace. Thank you for being a supportive husband!

Your Loving Wife,
Ellen





That is all.

[KSH]

Dear Sidi Road Shoes,

I can't help it, but I hate you. I hate how you slip off the pedal and make me rack myself. I hate how I am afraid to cross in front of cars which would be far enough away if I was sure my foot was going to stick. I hate how I can't unclip and just ride unclipped in uncertain situations, momentarily, because my feet will slide off. Why did you have to look so pretty on the website? Some day when I am not lazy, I will try to find a new home for you. I love your MTB sisters, though...

Nanci

Dear Sidi Road Shoes- Part II,

I hate you too. When I first bought you, it took me like 2 months to break you in. Unfortunately, I had to suffer through 2 days of pain at the MS150, where the tounge dug into the front of my foot. Yes, it HURT to put you back on, for the second day.

I also hate the way you are made for REALLY SKINNY FEET. Sure, I have narrow feet. But dang, if I get the least bit hot, or if I need to put on thicks socks... you don't fit me anymore... and your to too tight.

Finally... why don't you have comfy padding in the bottom of the shoe? Yes, I put new padding in, but that sucks too.

And, my toes go numb when I wear you, but I won't blame you for the numb toes... although maybe I should.

One of these days, IF I have enough money, I am sure as hell going to replace you with shoes that I like.

Sincerely,
Karen

[Bikingmomof3]

Dear Women's Clothing Manufacturers,

Is there a logical reason behind every brand being sized differently? I mean, would it be so difficult to have a uniform sizing? I know that with men's clothing the sizes are uniform. Men do not have to ponder whether a small in one size is really a medium in another and my all time favorite, one brand is a small and the next is a large? What is up with that?? I cannot speak for all women, maybe some like to try on a bazillion sizes until they find what fits. Me, I prefer to know my size and go from there. I hate trying on clothing, but would be willing to if the LBS stocked womens cothing-that is another letter. Please, please try to make sense of womens clothing.

[chickwhorips]

dear annoying people i work with,

please be quiet and let me work. you stay on your side of the building, not mine.

thank you,
your admin person

ps - friday... come soon! i can't take it anymore.

[Nanci]

Dear Chris- stay away from me!!! I had enough with Charlie, Francis and Jeanne. I am not kidding!!!

Nanci

[SadieKate]

Dear Handsome Hubby,

I just want to say thank you because you're the one who popped up with "I know you need to train for such and such ride so what do you want to do this weekend? We should be out the door really, really early."

You're a gem.

SK