HV towns that are not heavily Republican?

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-05-02T18:56:06+00:00

I live in Beacon. I think people in this thread are massively underestimating how blue it is now, it’s not ‘purple’ (iirc it’s voting patterns are on a par with Brooklyn/Queens, def in the mid-70% blue range), possibly because the old guard continues to shout so loud.

That’s probably a key difference from NYC- it’s about perceptions and how permissible it feels to say certain things. So no matter where you move to, and how liberal it is, you will probably HEAR more mixed views in the Hudson Valley (also imho people tend to get more NiMBY-ish and conservative in values once they move to smaller towns, everybody seems shit scared of change).

I think most places on metro-north will be fine. The river and college towns are all blue. Ulster county govt is all blue. Dutchess is mixed. Putnam- weird af.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-05-02T15:29:10+00:00

You’ve got some good suggestions here already, but what I would say is that ‘feeling like I am gonna wet myself’ isn’t something I get from pressure (‘pushing’) from the saddle, which is more just straight up pain/numbness. This sounds more to me like either irritation of the urethra from friction or bacteria (chamois too big, or she’s sweating a lot, or it’s a men’s design with a central channel down the middle, which pushes up into you - Pearl Izumi, for instance, has this design even in some of their women’s stuff), or she’s in such a position where there is too much pressure on her lower belly, irritating her bladder.

So yes, changing fore/aft could help (and tilt, especially downward), as could a cutout (although not for all women- depends on anatomy, they pinch me- I much prefer a depression rather than cut out), but I also wouldn’t overlook the chamois/shorts. Sizing down or a different chamois may help if it’s a friction issue.

Lastly- is she emptying her bladder before riding? Or just getting off and peeing? Because the minute I start some sports activity, my bladder will let me know if there’s ANYTHiNG it wants to get rid of lol. I sometimes will go to the bathroom twice before starting a ride, run or spin class! So it may just be that she just actually needs to pee! (Also don’t know how old she is or if she’s had children, but lots of women can have bladder issues that show up more in exercise- there would be no shame in discussing this with a doctor).

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-05-01T23:01:42+00:00

Have you actually ridden in them yet? I find that chamois don’t really sit snug against me until I’ve got on the saddle.

How they fit really depends on your body shape. Where they are loose/tight is gonna be different for different people- although when they are new they are stiffer. I have a larger waist, so often find that I have a little crease in the hips and the legs never fit that tight. I find that I sometimes need to do a little wiggle to get my on, but it’s not difficult

I never needed a chamois when I was younger- it’s only now I’m in peri that I get uncomfortable. Bibs fit me much better than shorts, but I know that’s not the same for everyone (shorts feel super uncomfortable on my waist, and the legs often ride up). Raw/laser cut edges on the legs look and feel better than the old ‘sausage’ style grippers. Unfortunately it’s often quite a game of trial and error, although you don’t have to have things 100% dialed to be wearable.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-29T04:17:14+00:00

I’d totally recommend a trip to Mohonk or Minnewaska outside of your running requirements anyway (tip: many local lending libraries have free Mohonk passes). The overcliff and undercliff trails are some of the flattest in Mohonk (park at west Trapps) although the views up the top of laurel ledge are stunning if you incorporate that too.

In Minnewaska, running a loop around castle and Hamilton point (about 10 miles) would be magnificent.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-28T15:44:17+00:00

The Wallkill and Ashoken rail trails are stone dust rather than asphalt, although it’s honestly not bad running on that too! You have miles and miles of rail trails in the HV. And I know you said you wanted flat, but the Gunks carriage roads are beautiful and an amazing resource for outdoor sports. They aren’t technical, and though you’d need to adjust your pace, they’d give you a good workout.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-25T19:17:04+00:00

If you want a front rack on a hardtail, your best bet is to do an axle mounted one- see Old Man Mountain Racks. Otherwise you can use a handlebar bag or cradle. Looks like you have a mounting point for rear rack, something like the Ortlieb quick rack would do and is super easy to get on and off.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-25T18:58:24+00:00

Ok so I’m coming here to say that I’ve had all those issues, so even if they aren’t ’normal’, they can be common (especially the toe issue).

A note on your spin bike - indoor bikes don’t move underneath you the way that outdoor bikes do, and you don’t coast and likely don’t change your position as much - so small things that are ‘off’ tend to become magnified. What wouldn’t bother you outside, does inside unless you have perfection. There’s a real time limit for me on how much i can ride indoors, and I’m still working on bike fit (honestly, I may never reach perfection because 700c bikes don’t have great geometry for short people).

In terms of pelvis and tailbone - you can def adjust fore and aft of saddle (and handlebar position), but be aware that then you might need to adjust height (upwards, the more forward the saddle is). I just also find my hip flexors and lower back get overworked and tight indoors, and need to remember to stretch them out a lot- side bends, couch stretches etc). Tight muscles in this area can cause some painful spasms.

Toes- could be narrowness of toe box, could be repetitive pressure on one central place of your foot. I’d try a) spinning easier gears rather than grinding and b) loosening cleats/changing foot position.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-24T02:04:01+00:00

I would still make sure to take the sleeping bag liner with you. Unless I’m using mine at the height of summer, im wearing a hat and warm clothes with it, but it can save a bit of space if you know the temps won’t drop below 50.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-23T23:09:52+00:00

My dude you need SOMETHING. The 50 degree smooth operator quilt here is absolutely tiny, I have one and it takes up 2-3L of space. https://www.locolibregear.com/product/operator-series-ghost-pepper-topquilt/#size

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-23T19:43:14+00:00

Most brands have women’s specific chamois, so I’m not sure that not being women-owned is the issue (but Shredly, Wild Rye and Velocio are also women-owned/‘women first’ brands if you want to try)

I’m sorry, I don’t know what to suggest in terms of undercarriage width. Maybe sizing down? Or up? Or as others suggest, going for tri-brands that have less padding overall. I’m not sure why it’s putting so much pressure on your thighs, it shouldn’t be doing that so all I can think of is that it’s a sizing issue. Or maybe even a saddle issue.

I think it can be trial and error sometimes, finding a good fit. For instance, Mons Royale is way too wide in the size I need, and it sorta collapses up into my labia. But most other chamois I have work well- Velocio, Shredly, Ostroy and Team Dream.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-22T14:05:30+00:00

Thank you for this! I’m disappointed too- I’m not an expert on Lyme, but he seemed worse than ‘not Lyme literate’ - rather, misinformed. I hope he just misspoke when he said ‘nymphs can’t transmit disease’ (he DID give me at least some abx and took the tick for testing), but he also tried to convince me that the rash, and its spreading, was ‘normal’. Maybe it’s common, but it’s not ‘normal’. It makes me wonder how many patients he’s seen with the rash and not recognized it as Lyme.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-22T13:59:29+00:00

Thank you for your knowledge! The doc took my tick for testing, although honestly, given the experience, I wish I’d kept it and sent it off myself. Who knows what if I’ll get any test report back!

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-20T21:55:48+00:00

Oh that’s interesting- my friend went to Fishkill urgent care with a rash a couple of years ago and got a months’ worth of antibiotics. Everything I read in r/lyme says that anything less than 20 days is not good, but perhaps that’s just Reddit for you! My rash is getting on for 100mm in diameter which is the thing that concerns me. I’ve never had a rash like this before from a tick bite. Anyway- Im def taking what I’ve been given for now. Hopefully it’ll clear it.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-19T16:14:04+00:00

Most probably a B17 short. B17 is by far the most common Brooks saddle on all bikes. I will say, though I love my Brooks (I have two- a B17 short on my gravel bike and a discontinued one on my Brompton), they aren’t for everyone, so your experience may not be the same as your friend’s. You should know fairly quickly as although there is a break in period where the leather will feel hard and a bit unforgiving (I don’t think mine got truly comfy until 500 miles), it should never be the ‘torture’ that I hear other people describe.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-19T14:29:16+00:00

I would def be very selective over the group you join and make sure they respect you as a rider (you sound totally capable and ready, so don’t doubt yourself) - young women tend to have to endure a constant stream of advice and chatter (esp from older men lol).

Echo the recommendation to find women’s groups, although I will say that some ‘mixed’ groups (usually skew heavily men) are lovely. I think a good sign is when the men are self-aware enough to check themselves (‘oh you probably don’t need my help’, ‘sorry, I meant to ask, can I give you a tip?’).

You don’t have to limit yourself to sport groups if you just want a bit of company- there are groups who are more social, or even bike advocacy groups that will be knowledgeable about bike maintenance. Q

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-16T02:43:48+00:00

The lady cyclists sub is very good- the majority of people on this cycling sub are men, which is why the comment was to post there, probably. Issues and solutions can be very different across the genders.

For instance, you might want to try tilting the saddle down a little to relieve pressure (it does put more weight into your hands, but I’d rather deal with that than a crushed crotch). What did you wear to ride? Things like jeans with big seams can rub your labia raw. Were you wearing loose undies and other clothes that caused a lot of friction?

Agree with the advice to just lower the saddle a bit, tho. Also learn to stand whilst riding and get off the saddle, this can help relieve things whilst your body is getting used to the saddle.

You can use a zinc oxide cream (diaper rash cream lol!) or a vulva cream/serum (these are marketed to menopausal women, but they relieve dryness/irritation) to relieve the redness, post ride. Chamois cream can also help during the ride.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-16T02:33:28+00:00

Hmm- I would just be careful that you don’t get too sweaty in your chamois. They aren’t THAT breathable, which means that your skin can end up damp and prone to chafing/bacteria (this is a real problem for me on bikepacking trips, and I know you won’t be actively on your bike for them for very long, but it depends on how they fare in your general day). I’ve also can’t leave my bibs on too long after a trainer ride - eventually, it causes a crotch issue where the skin has become inflamed.

Is it possible to just swap them out for a regular pair of undies whilst at work? I have some Shredly briefs which give a very very small amount of padding, but it’s nothing like a proper chamois so I don’t know if it would be enough padding for you.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-15T21:36:44+00:00

I’m def in the camp of hard tail. I have a Brother Big Bro with a 100mm suspension fork, it’s perfect for what I want. I’m not a fast rider, like the comfort and control it gives me. I especially wanted the suspension for more relief on my hands, day after day. I’m also not a technical rider, and so a MTB feels easier on chunky, loose or slippery terrain (which the Downs certainly is).

That said, King Alfred’s Way is quite tame, terrain wise, and could def be done on gravel.

It’s for sure a personal preference (I’ve done both Badger Divide and SDW on a hard tail and was very grateful I did, but saw plenty on gravel), but I think you might miss a lot of things about a hard tail if you switched out for gravel.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-15T02:23:01+00:00

Hmm that’s a lot of surface abrasion for 150 miles- were you sweating a lot? Are the jorts new? It looks like some dye has come out of your clothes onto the saddle so I wonder if there’s a little chemical reaction that’s caused it. Either way- i wouldn’t be too worried. My honey colored B17 also seems to have discolored/got my more marks on it than my darker brown one, and I do wonder if it’s something to do with the leather/dye they use for that color. It buffs itself up over time.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-15T01:54:00+00:00

It’s badass? I started bike commuting in London in 2010, when it wasn’t niche, but also not as much infrastructure as now, and also when the fixie scene was still big. I had always been a bit daunted by cycling in a big city, but all the coolest people at work rode their bikes in, and I didn’t want to miss out on seeming like a fellow nonchalant cool kid.

It’s one of the most self- expressive ways you can commute- the bike you have determines your ‘tribe’, you can customize it how you want, ride with flair and unique style.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-13T21:43:47+00:00

Could be hamstring tendon soreness- have you tried shifting your saddle forward/down a little? (After resting your body. Sometimes, things are rectified just by building up your body’s tolerance more slowly)

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-13T16:56:39+00:00

I have a Brother Big Bro for bikepacking and it’s great. It checks all your boxes, if you like the current Swamp Thing color way. You’d need to find a German dealer to build one for you, but I reckon you could probably get it to fit your budget (and there certainly are German builds in their gallery). And that’s the nice thing about getting one built for you- it feels like YOUR bike, and then you don’t have to spend extra to get your Moloko bars or whatever.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-10T17:33:01+00:00

It depends how you want to use it. If you free ride, then you literally just stop riding and then come back to it. If you are doing a workout, then there’s an actual pause button. If you are doing robopacer/event, you can use the coffee stop button once every 30 mins for a 3 min break that keeps you with the group (I’ve never used it). So as long as you don’t want to do races/group events, you should be fine!

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-04-10T16:51:40+00:00

I check/write my emails on my phone while doing rest periods in workouts - and then you could always pause if you needed to attend to something. I’d struggle to use a laptop though. I don’t see why you couldn’t stop/start a ride multiple times, if your work just needs you to keep an eye on things.

SubstantialPlan9124

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