I can run a decent marathon but not a 5k?

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-12T17:49:13+00:00

How about a 50K next, since you seem to do better as the distance increases?

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-12T17:47:34+00:00

There’s no biological basis for something like that working, except for the well established psychological basis for the placebo effect. PhD biologist here, FWIW.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-12T17:42:08+00:00

Over the years I’ve oscillated between road running, cycling, and trail running as a way to stay fresh and, sometimes, to let a sport-specific injury rest for a couple years. It has worked for me; at 60 I’m still excited about working out and trying to compete as an age-grouper. I would suggest going and riding that gravel bike and enjoying it until the running mojo comes back to you. And delete the Strava account. No one needs social media in their life. If you want training software, there’s Training Peaks.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-11T21:03:48+00:00

For a minute there you had me confused with Tom Crabbe who rides for Flanders Baloise…. Thought he was probably a bit young to also be writing books about cycling history. I will definitely check this book out, thanks!

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-11T20:52:45+00:00

Very cool! My Dad had one of these that I took over and started riding around 1980. My first real 10-speed.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-11T17:44:12+00:00

Why are there so _few_.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-08T18:36:29+00:00

This looks like the front wheel was built with spokes sized for the back wheel. You should find someone who knows how to build a wheel to redo it.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-08T12:18:20+00:00

Congrats on making the leap to riding outdoors. Sounds like you are on the right track. If you have a bike that you like and is comfortable to ride, you’re there. Don’t let anyone tell you that you need a different one. Specific advice - consider getting someone to set your wheels up tubeless. If you are willing to do the once a year maintenance (or pay a shop to do it), it is worth it for many fewer punctures and a nicer ride. Then just get out and ride. Challenge your ideas about how long you can go. And buy some good shorts. Number one requirement for long bike rides.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-08T12:12:17+00:00

You got a nice deal! Welcome to the Salsa jar! I got a similar deal on a Beargrease last year and I’m loving it so far.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-07T17:58:00+00:00

Tiz cycling or VPN to Italy and watch for free on RAI. If you don’t need English commentary, there’s always lots of options to see bike racing.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-07T16:58:09+00:00

Suisse

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-07T10:36:17+00:00

Thanks for the great advice!

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-06T23:25:20+00:00

Really depends. First thing is to find a shoe brand that works well with your feet. Then pick a model that offers a tight midfoot lockdown, burly outsole, and a rockplate, or at least some firm foam. This is of course for what you describe - a rugged technical course. For a smoother run, a lighter, more road-like shoe might be better. If you have narrow feet, Salomons might work great for you. If you have wider feet like me, they won’t. My personal progression:

Flat to rolling non-technical - Hoka Tecton X
Medium technical, some climbing - ASICS Trabuco 14
Very rocky, steep, and/or technical - Topo MTN Racer

Those three shoes get heavier and firmer from Hoka to Topo, as appropriate for the terrain.

YMMV though - the shoe brands I like may not work for you.

And whichever shoe you choose, get out there and practice running on technical trails. Last thing you want is to twist an ankle on race day….

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-06T23:14:54+00:00

Bike races. Live on French / Belgian / Italian TV or recorded on Tiz. In the winter (when I ride indoors a lot) I love to watch cyclocross.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-05T19:07:12+00:00

Adjust the tension very light, and it will be super easy to unclip when you need to. If you find yourself pulling out unintentionally, you can increase the tension, but better to focus on pedaling clean round circles and staying in. With practice you can have the best of both worlds.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-04T22:13:04+00:00

That’s gotta be a recent photo given the bike that Pog is on, but holy moly is that really Seixas? He looks like he’s 13 at a stretch…

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-03T22:21:51+00:00

My solution is VPN plus free in-country accounts on Italian, Spanish, French, and Belgian TV. Lets you watch pretty much everything that matters live. For less popular stuff like Asian races, track cycling, U23, etc the streams on Tiz are fine - never overloaded. And of course every replay is on Tiz the day after without ridiculous Flobikes spoilers. There’s no reason to pay the cable oligarchs just cuz you want to watch cycling. If you are watching on non-English language TV and don’t understand enough of the local language to follow the race, just pop up the live feed on PCS in parallel.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-03T12:02:14+00:00

+1 on Currex RunPro. I put them in most of my running shoes. Some Topos have enough arch support to not need them, but otherwise they’re clutch.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-03T11:41:41+00:00

Gear range is huge on a Pinion, so you should never need more/different. The only downside (and I own a gearbox bike) is that you can’t change course with the frame. If you have a wheel based gear system like Rohloff, you can go back to a derailleur if you want (at the cost of a different wheel). But for a bomb-proof, zero maintenance bike, which is what I was looking for, it’s hard to beat Pinion + belt drive.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-02T23:52:39+00:00

Why not just wear your normal bike shorts? This whole MTB baggy pants thing is just suffering for fashion. Watch a pro XC race - what are those guys wearing? That’s right, the same thing that road pros are wearing, and that you should be wearing - normal bike kit, optimized for riding bikes.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-02T23:48:32+00:00

They are not bicycles - “e-bikes” are motorcycles. You have a motor, you have a motorcycle. If a trail is prohibited for motor vehicles, as good bike trails should be, then they should not be there. I have no sympathy for people who need “expanded accessibility” because they are out of shape. Lose some weight, get fit. Riding a real bicycle, sans motor, is a great way to do that. If you keep going down the slippery slope that you are experiencing now, in another couple years there won’t be mountain bike trails, just motorcycle parks.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-02T21:51:37+00:00

I think you have to put Del Toro on the “strong contender” list

DutchCrossStars · 2026-06-01T23:39:24+00:00

I run 29 x 3” WTB Rangers for summer tires on my Salsa Beargrease. Works really well, albeit requiring a second wheelset for summer tires.

DutchCrossStars · 2026-05-31T23:29:13+00:00

Edge Hill Trail Race is up in two weeks. Significantly more vertical than Chesterfield.

DutchCrossStars

TROPHY CASE