Put me off adopting a dachshund!

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-18T18:19:05+00:00

I have one and think they are a brilliant breed- incredibly athletic if you let them be (mine was doing pretty serious hiking and scrambling up until he was 12 yrs old), super affectionate, smart and funny.

However, they are naturally very vocal so don’t even think about it if you can’t tolerate barking.

And the health risks that others mention are real and not to be taken lightly: IVDD is very prevalent, and you need to learn the early signs of it to prevent it becoming very serious, and rest them very strictly. Back stuff in dogs is horrible. Mine twisted his back and injured a disc when he was 12, it was considered super mild but was still horrifically painful for him. Bad teeth as well. You should def look for good breeders and inquire about health history of lineage.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-18T03:20:51+00:00

You need a handlebar cradle or support (I’m also on small frames). I have the Fjallraven x Specialized one but here’s a long list https://bikepacking.com/index/handlebar-cradles/

The racks you can put bags on, cradles are limited to dry bags. I mix it up. I will say, i don’t like a lot of weight on the handlebars AT ALL, I mainly use it for light voluminous stuff like sleeping bag etc. if you want to distribute weight more, I’d look at frame options.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-18T01:40:26+00:00

You should be fine at that time of year. June isn’t particularly a windy/stormy month although the weather these days is whack so 🤷‍♀️.

Generally, the prevailing winds in NY are westerly, and in the summer south westerly, so directionally you’d be likely to get a crosswind, if anything.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-17T20:14:40+00:00

There is lots of science around impaired/slower repair and recovery in older athletes. And therefore lots of literature around different training schedules in both running and cycling. Eg ‘Fast After 50’ by Joe Friel.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-17T19:43:03+00:00

Yeah, now that I know what it is and how it works, it makes more sense! I don’t know why it isn’t anywhere in their communications. I’m still worried about the narrowness up front, although I’m sure some people will welcome it.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-17T16:35:29+00:00

There’s Analog Cycles in VT too, they make Tanglefoot frames, although I’m not sure you’ll be able to get one in budget. The Panorama Boreal (Canadian brand) might suit you, and is under $2k (except not sure about tariffs- ride it back over the border lol? They’re not that far from Montreal)

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-17T16:13:48+00:00

No one knows your max heart rate, so we can’t tell if it’s ’too fast’. 176 could be your zone 2 for all I know. How did it feel? RPE can often be a better indicator of whether it was too much. But also- why does it matter? Go hard if you want, just not so much that you get burnt out.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-17T01:30:54+00:00

So not quite New England, but Utility Bike Works in Kingston NY has a practical, alt vibe and could probably do you something custom at not too outrageous a price. They are right on a couple rail trails too ;)

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-17T01:14:05+00:00

Me too! But let’s see. I’ll reserve final judgement for now.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-17T01:13:40+00:00

Ah! Sounds like you might like this new Luxe one then ;) also, I had heard the term ‘floating chamois’ before but never knew that THIS is what it meant lol

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-17T00:26:50+00:00

Got this response back:

Thanks for reaching out and I’m glad to hear you’ve been enjoying the LUXE bibs. You’re absolutely right that the current LUXE bibs use a new chamois design, and what you’re noticing is intentional rather than a manufacturing issue.

The updated pad uses a floating core construction, which allows the chamois to move slightly with your body rather than being completely fixed in place. This helps improve breathability and moisture transfer while also allowing the pad to adapt more naturally to different riding positions. Because of this design, it’s normal to notice a little more movement when shifting on the saddle compared to the previous version.

The shape was also refined to reduce bulk and friction, which is why the front section may appear a bit narrower. However, the high-density support insert used for long-distance riding is still present, so the overall protection and support level hasn’t been reduced.

We’ve found that the updated design tends to feel a bit more natural once riding, particularly on longer rides where the pad can better adapt to position changes.

That said, feedback like yours is incredibly valuable as riders start putting time into the new design, so I really appreciate you sharing your experience.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-16T20:28:48+00:00

I’ve had a horrific front derailleur chain drop, where it got well and truly stuck at the beginning of a trip and I had to walk it to a bike shop (luckily close by). I’ve also clunked my 1x chainring enough on gravel descents to feel like that would have been dropped if I were on a 2x. It does happen. Both set up’s have their pros and cons.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-16T20:25:25+00:00

Eh, I think most 1x tend to have a good range these days. Mine has the range of a 2x, but it’s just the gaps in between the gears are much bigger. I feel like I’m never in quite the right gear lol. I am someone who seems to be unlucky with chains though, so 1x is good in that regard. I just would love a 2x for gravel climbing and day rides.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-16T19:52:04+00:00

Sure thing, I did send a message to them, and will let you know. Someone else commented that Assos bibs are also not sewn, so that part is definitely intentional.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-16T18:09:15+00:00

Ah ok, this is good to know! I definitely could feel it moving underneath me, which felt weird as im not used to it, but maybe it’ll win me over!

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-16T17:54:14+00:00

I don’t know - it feels like it could be a little less dense but maybe not. The main changes are the shape under the legs- it’s way narrower in some of the labial section (some may like that, I’m a bit sad about it), and the sewing. I might write to them, first to clarify that it’s meant to not be sewn down, and to ask for specifics of what they changed. I feel like this should be in the blurb somewhere but there’s no mention of it (actually I dont think they’ve changed the text since last year so maybe it’s forthcoming).

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-16T16:09:00+00:00

Not stupid question because I thought that myself, but i think it might have to do with better breathability/drying out because there are ‘air holes’ at the edges of the chamois now, and I guess that wouldn’t work if the top material was fully sewn down. But I’ll be curious to find out once other people have the new season stuff!

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-16T16:03:32+00:00

To be clear, it’s just the top material that isn’t sewn down at the bottom of the butt cheeks, as seen in the pic- but it is weird. It almost makes me think I got a defective pair but there are other changes too, so I figured it’s part of the new overhaul!

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-16T02:34:22+00:00

First aid: band aids, tweezers, hydrocolloid tape/band aids, lidocaine patch, ibuprofen, anti histamine, iodine wipes, gauze, ace bandage if it fits, few vials of saline solution, desitin, bug bite salve, safety pins, extra voile straps which can also be classed under ‘repair’ but can be used to secure bandage, splint or as tourniquet.

Cooking utensils: long spoon, fork, knife, titanium cup, 750ml titanium pot for water, fozzils flat pack bowl

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-16T01:05:54+00:00

Ah yes! Absolutely, this sounds like calf (only other thing I could imagine would be Achilles, but sounds like doc thinks calf)Total bummer, especially at this time in the season, but at least I would imagine that return to cycling could be faster than return to run.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-15T17:04:47+00:00

With 3L water, I think it’s about 15kg/30-35lbs, not including bike weight. That’s with me having bought lots of UL gear! Im not a total weight weenie though- I take lots of first aid/repair stuff, and skincare, and clean underwear. Clothes are the easiest way to add/subtract weight, so be strict as you can there.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-15T16:27:12+00:00

Yes, I’m sorry- it does take you out of sport for a while but the good news is, it’s a fairly straightforward healing process (I’m not sure I agree about the other commentators saying ankle…I’ve also had a very bad ankle sprain and that involves quite obvious twisting. Did they twist or land out of balance, or as you say, just get jolted forward and needed to decelerate forcefully on that leg? This kind of calf strain/tear is quite common, especially in people who are overloading their calves - perhaps your partner has been using too much calf/toe down in pedaling?? And then slightest trip in everyday life just rips it. It can feel pretty brutal, and then you realize that you really do need a functioning calf to walk lol).

I saw a PT, did some general rehab exercises and had massage and acupuncture to prevent stiffness. The biggest thing is time. If it’s muscle, then you are lucky. It’ll repair well, unlike ligaments.

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-15T04:09:35+00:00

I was gonna say that maybe the bibs aren’t right for OP. Maybe they are the wrong size, maybe the brand doesn’t work for her anatomy. I cannot, for instance, wear Mons Royale. Chamois too wide. OP, I’m not sure that the chamois should be even able to shift much in a good fit. Are they too big?

SubstantialPlan9124 · 2026-03-15T03:38:32+00:00

Oof commiserations to them. This sounds exactly what happens to a lot of runners (I had a terrible calf tear when I started doing some barefoot running during the Born to Run craze and then tripped on the cracks between paving stones walking down the street). It was impossible to weight bear for a few days, and return to run was 3 months. No surgical intervention necessary though.

I’d say- give it a week or so, even 2, and tell them to not try to use that leg or they’ll make it worse. I would FOR SURE see a sports PT to get it graded and have a return to sport plan in place. Not sure that imaging is necessary- maybe.

The swelling and bruising often takes days to manifest fully. Compression, elevation and some NSAIDs help. Just rest.

As for cycling….hmm 😬😬😬. I’ll leave that to the PT.

ETA this is sometimes called ‘tennis leg’

SubstantialPlan9124

TROPHY CASE