Barbie Doesn't Have Bruises

[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 -- 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... 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 ).
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!

[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? 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!!

[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/insp...s/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

[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? 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 ).

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.
: )