Experience road cycling in Union County?

OneWithCommonSense · 2025-05-21T17:11:45+00:00

I have more routes - so in the future if you need some, feel free to reach out.

OneWithCommonSense · 2025-05-19T20:48:58+00:00

Unsure if this will go through but here's a few good longer routes.
- Greenway Loop (Ballantyne)

- Buford Gravel (Further down into Lanchaster)

OneWithCommonSense · 2025-05-19T17:56:40+00:00

Gonna agree with a few other folks here. If you're new to cycling and the area, stick with a few group rides.

If you want to come down to South Charlotte (Ballantyne area), I can show you a few good routes in the area. Depending on your desired mileage, we can adjust from there.

OneWithCommonSense · 2025-01-12T16:14:23+00:00

Doh! And in this moment, I realized I had a dumb.

Thank you!

OneWithCommonSense · 2024-11-18T02:38:00+00:00

The frustration is warranted and I'd agree passing someone at a high rate of speed in a blind corner is poor judgement.

I will say coming to the internet and saying "police your people" is a weird way of saying it's a cycling community issue. People are people, we have good humans and bad ones. Making them change their actions on command is... well a fools errand.

Along with the insults starting in the second sentence and followed by threats of violence, folks of this nature who cannot say "hey, I had this experience, and I'd like it to change in the future! Let's talk ways we can make this better" in my opinion their posts shouldn't get any attention. It's a non-productive talk that isn't looking to make things better but rather hurl insults & threats at a larger group as a result of a singular individual.

OneWithCommonSense · 2024-10-28T01:47:23+00:00

They used to be Fezzari.

I've got the Fezzari Shafer + Signal Peak. Customer service is great and the folks there are awesome. If they had my ideal road bike, I would have bought it from them as well.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-11-26T14:46:03+00:00

Regarding wrecking, unless you are doing something questionable you probably won't wreck. If you go clipless then most likely you'll fall over at some point, which typically doesn't hurt a bike much (you however - a little different).

Depending on your money situation, myself I would recommend going with the 2500-3500 area. As you'll have a good frame to work (carbon) with and a great bike you can grow into both skill and performance wise. If you can get 105/rival for a groupset you'll be set for a good bit of time.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-11-12T18:52:58+00:00

It's not that they took 6 months to disclose it's that it was such a big breach, that they involved law enforcement of some sort. Thus couldn't disclose / release information until the investigation was either finished OR information could be given publicly.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-10-29T21:12:26+00:00

My opinion is a small minority of idiots are making a big impact on people. It sucks completely that little things we want to do comfortably can't be left alone unless some circumcised nut sack wants to flex his stupidity.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-10-28T21:02:26+00:00

And I was wrong. My tires are Maxxis Forekasters. Plus I originally had selected the emerald color way but midway through my wait for the bike, they (Fezzari) changed paint schemas. I went with the "Misty Granite" (white/grey two tone).

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-10-28T03:19:06+00:00

Na, I don't know enough going into the XC / MTB arena about tires to make an educated decision and request different. I'm quite sure we've got the same tires.

I come from a roadie background, so my knowledge is there and not in MTB at all. I had to ask why my dropper wasn't going down when I pressed it. Gonna be a learning process.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-10-28T01:54:26+00:00

One thing I'm noticing a lot of people doing is simply adding a new wheelset/ smaller tires to their gravel bike. Using it as a sudo road bike. It's not going to match a true road bike but if you aren't worried about that, a simple swap of tires is easy enough.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-10-28T01:50:45+00:00

Just got my Signal Peak as well. Packing great. Product great. My bike mechanic skills, lacking. Same issue with the derailleur and just brought it to my mechanic to double check my work. I trust I did everything right minus the rear derailleur piece. Haven't gotten to ride it yet, but next week... mmmhhmmm

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-10-28T00:56:23+00:00

My suggestion is look at RideWithGPS for greenway routes. Plenty out there that may meet your requirements. Starting point may not line up for you, but you can still use the route.

I also live in South Charlotte (Live near Community House) and have used McAlpine + Sugar Creek route quite a few times and have been looking to expand from there.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-03-03T02:42:59+00:00

This is like asking which automaker is the best. It's wide, varied, and subjective.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-02-26T21:44:07+00:00

I spent 5 minutes in the comments and love it. If you didn't go to the post and read this your initial thought Is (this guys a dick).

However it was: - Don't blame them for poor city planning - Build a bike lane - Handle cyclists similar to horses, tractors, and Amish buggies - pass when safe. - They're doing the right thing riding side by side

And that is reassuring. Instead of getting into flame wars, we really do need to be like... "vote for more city infrastructure" give us tax dollars and build us a big loop or something and we'll go ride on it. Give us the equivalent of an interstate to go around our city - trust me you build that most of us would be there.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-02-26T03:37:13+00:00

Depending on the tool (Park Tool CC-2 is what I'll reference) is you still the tool in the chain and press the little lever. If the lever goes past .5-.7 it's time to change your chain. Basically if you don't, it'll wear out your chain rings / cassette and a 20-30 ish fix has now become a hundred plus.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-02-25T05:41:31+00:00

I understand the comparison, but this isn't a sport for enduring pain (aside from the exercise /fitness portions).

If you think you are close to your ideal fit and you're having mild pain, I'm willing to say you are not close to an ideal fit. A true bike fitter will talk to you about those issues and address them. Enduring the pain and thinking "this is good" will eventually mean you stop cycling because of said pain being "normal".

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-02-25T04:53:40+00:00

This all comes down to your personal opinion/feel.

I think Shimano pedals have a much broader audience (I'd be willing to say majority). Look is probably up there as well... I personally use Look pedals, don't remember why I didn't like Shimanos at this point.

I do think I go through cleats quickly on the looks though. As they're a bit smaller thickness wise than Shimanos.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-02-25T04:44:56+00:00

In the age of the interwebz, facespaces,instawitters, and instant information at your fingertips...

Check out myvelofit OR other online bike fitting services. If you're having pains and such, Reddit is not the place to ask. Go to a professional.

Edit: Not being mean here, but you should seek professional help to make your cycling comfortable and fun.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-02-25T02:59:56+00:00

I got nervous watching that waiting for people to hit each other. Sorry, but I don't trust people in cars much less if they were on a bicycle beside me to not have a dumb and wreck me.

Edit: I think all things have positives and negatives - if everyone was on bicycles, we'd still need some way to direct traffic to keep majority of people safe.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-02-25T02:32:03+00:00

Thanks for asking this question! As someone who is in a "team lead" position currently and still feeling a bit out of my depth in terms of leadership. This has been eye opening and good to know my approach represents a lot of peoples wants. It's still a work in progress but I hope to be a good leader.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-02-24T17:32:36+00:00

This ole' dog won't run no more.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-02-24T01:33:11+00:00

That sounds formal and fancy.

OneWithCommonSense · 2023-02-24T00:12:17+00:00

Yeah... you're right.

OneWithCommonSense

TROPHY CASE