Quote Originally Posted by CA_in_NC
Has Barry been riding at all (mtn biking?) or will this be his first time on the bike for a while?
He has been riding the trainer, jogging, a couple mountain bike rides, and he went on his first road ride (also since Oct.) a couple of weeks ago, then hurt his back (completely unrelated to cycling) so has only ridden on the trainer since. He is so active, though, he's in incredible shape, but this will be a very leisurely ride, with panniers to boot!

Quote Originally Posted by CA_in_NC
Still haven't decided on the Friday - Crusoe or Tourist (3 lb weight difference, right on either side of my current road bike) or barcons (though I really don't like rollamagigs and there's no other way to get the brakes I need) - I'm driving Walter crazy, I'm sure
So did I! I had to decide between an Air Friday, Pocket Crusoe, and one other - maybe a Pocket Rocket Pro?? I finally settled on the Pocket Crusoe, as you know, and never regretted it. If you can swing the financial difference, I'd highly recommend the lighter bike. You will appreciate it on every hill! As I mentioned, Walter suggested the barcons, and I was very leary, but he highly recommended them because of the better shifting, and he's right. Barry has had some issues with the STI on his Crusoe (I was in a rush and forgot to mention this in my post on your Bike Friday thread). He has the rollamajig so he could also use the mountain brakes. His shifting is more finicky and requires more adjustment than mine. Mine is click-click-click, never a problem. The front shifter is friction so is infinitely trimmable, which I love (no chain rub!!) The only thing I wouldn't like it for is if I were really hammering out of the saddle and needed to shift fast while standing, but I so rarely stand on my Friday as it's just not an aggressive-riding bike for me, that that has never been an issue. And I adapted to the barcons almost immediately. Not everyone likes them, but I was sure a convert. I had begged Walter for a Campy-Shimano mix (Shimano on the back but with Campy in the front as I love my Campy shifters on my Aegis), but he said it just couldn't be done on Fridays; that's why he suggested the barcons.

Not sure when we'll arrive at the farmer's market, but we're not really early morning people, and do not want to get caught in the start of Bikefest madness, so it will probably be more like 9 or 9:30 when we get there, so you'll already have left, in all likelihood. I'm not sure which way the 31 mile route goes, but If you happen to see us coming or going on our Fridays, do give us a shout! We'll definitely be distinctive with red panniers (I'll probably just have a Tailrider on my rack and Barry will have one or two rear panniers) and our Fridays (Barry's is blue, mine white).

I guess I better get some sleep....gotta work tomorrow.

Emily