Haven't ridden for 3 days because of a very scary man

[kenyonchris]

Bike AND shoot? You mean, like, shoot while you're on a bike?? heheheheheh now I see where the confusion came in. Nah - I certainly wasn't envisioning myself doing that, even in the worst type of emergency.

Well, no. What we do is a drill where we pedal at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, then full speed for one mile, ditch the bike, run about 50 feet, get on target, then shoot. Your muscles, legs arms and core, take a few seconds to adjust, you have adrenaline and lactic acid in your muscles. You would be amazed at how many of the guys fell the few steps after ditching the bike and became very inaccurate. We all shot a little group to begin with to compare. As expected, accuracy decreased (and we were shooting stationary targets at only about 15 yards) when speed increased, but *everyone* was more inaccurate (some more than others) at even 1/4 power for a mile on the bike.

[lph]

You would be amazed at how many of the guys fell the few steps after ditching the bike and became very inaccurate.

Yup. Everybody at my workplace got to try a biathlon course once (xc skiing followed by rifle shooting) and we had a short relay race. We were terrible. Even the avid hunters shot all over the place when out of breath and with a high HR.

[Biciclista]

I'm late to this discussion, but i want to thank kenyonchris for taking so much time to respond to this problem. IT seems that all I ever hear lately as a response to perceived bad guys is to "get a gun" which always seemed arrogant and naive to me.
Chris is the lone voice in the wilderness for me anyway; dispelling the notion that every Tom, **** or harry, or Sue, Ann and Stacey are protecting themselves by carrying a firearm.

Stacey, you assured us that you were the calmest person in a storm or stressful situation, but it was also you who was
1/ afraid to go riding (read the title of this thread)
2/unable to get your wheel off your bike.
3/afraid of a confrontation with the police because you feel you've called 911 too often.

It sounds to me that you are every bit as affected by stress as anyone else. And I have to agree with someone else here; what if you fell? ouch.

As I read to the end of the thread, it sounds like you have relaxed, good luck, keep riding, and enjoy your wilderness. (and your other neighbors don't sound so great either, topping trees?? no wonder he drives around waving a gun!)

[Pax]

... IT seems that all I ever hear lately as a response to perceived bad guys is to "get a gun" which always seemed arrogant and naive to me.

I'm curious about this statement, why arrogant and naive? Usually when I hear this type of name calling regarding guns it's because the person doing the name calling has a strong negative opinion of guns to begin with.

[Biciclista]

I think it is arrogant and naive to suggest that so many problems can be solved with a gun. I think it is arrogant and naive to suggest that if this person or that family had had a gun, their house wouldn't have been broken into, or they would not have been injured by a bad guy. The suggestion that being armed with a dangerous weapon will solve the problem of violence seems naive to me, and arrogant.
It's hard to not be prejudiced against guns when one of your loved ones is dead because he shot himself in the head when things weren't going good for him... but Pax, we're pushing this WAY off topic and i would be happy to discuss with you somewhere else.

[Pax]

I think it is arrogant and naive to suggest that so many problems can be solved with a gun. I think it is arrogant and naive to suggest that if this person or that family had had a gun, their house wouldn't have been broken into, or they would not have been injured by a bad guy. The suggestion that being armed with a dangerous weapon will solve the problem of violence seems naive to me, and arrogant.
It's hard to not be prejudiced against guns when one of your loved ones is dead because he shot himself in the head when things weren't going good for him... but Pax, we're pushing this WAY off topic and i would be happy to discuss with you somewhere else.

Your point is abundantly and tediously clear, I'll just drop it because there is absolutely no chance of reasonable discussion.

[silver]

I'm also late to this discussion and i only want to address your loading the bike issues.

"I thought about it - but I have to put my bike in the back of my car and I have a problem taking my wheel off and putting it back on. The brakes always get out of alignment. I know it's because I'm kind of new to riding and I'm doing something wrong."

Please consider going to your bike shop for a bit of maintenance and possibly ask them to help you practice. the fact that your brakes move so easily is cause for concern and needs to be corrected.

The quick release should not be so difficult for you to release. The bike shop should release it and properly tighten it for you. When the lever is pressed down to engage it, it should only leave a light impression on your hand. that way it should be fairly easy to undo. It could be that you need a different type (the bike shop should let you try several different types) or possibly the hinge needs to be lubricated (don't do this yourself unless you know exactly what to do).

Also, If you brakes are getting out of alignment when you pack your bike, then the brakes are not properly tightened onto the frame. The shop should tighten them and then show you how to check this and also how to straighten the brakes if they do get out of alignment.

Finally, you may already know this, but always remember to pack your bike with the crankset up, so as not to mess up the derailliers.