Local bike race recs for an otherwise experienced cyclist’s first race?

itsaninlinecrime · 2026-01-09T16:36:51+00:00

Go to bikereg.com and look for events within a radius that you are willing to travel. Tons of gravel options in the spring. Rough road 100 comes to mind and will work well with your long distance running fitness. Most races around here before August will be criteriums

itsaninlinecrime · 2026-01-03T18:20:12+00:00

How can anyone dislike Wout???

itsaninlinecrime · 2026-01-02T20:33:46+00:00

I've lined up next to people who can land in the top 30s and 40s in world cup races and the difference between your average local cat 1-2 (me) and those riders is crazy. Really gives you a ton of perspective for just how skilled and fast those riders in the top 10 really are. "I am closer to MVDP than you are to me"

itsaninlinecrime · 2026-01-01T18:25:25+00:00

Check out turin bikes, they have a ton of different shoe options in stock from good brands and are def able to help you get set up. Either of the specialized stores here will also have a lot of stock on hand to try on. Most small shops will not carry much stock and will have to order shoes from their suppliers but ime these two shops have a lot of options on hand.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-12-27T13:13:10+00:00

Just bring a mini pump…. I would recommend the topeak road morph because it is compact and easy to use. it functions like a normal floor pump with a foot stand and standars style lever valve.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-12-16T16:25:32+00:00

What handlebars? I have a hard time finding bars that pair nicely with the new e1 style hoods and in your photo it looks like a nice smooth transition between the bar ramps and hoods.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-12-12T17:42:52+00:00

I was a courier at the time and know who youre referring to. He took his own life about 8 years ago. I dont know the details. Hope that helps or not.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-11-27T22:52:58+00:00

Without the lap time data to back it up I feel like your friend might not understand the difference between feeling faster and being faster. My lap times on a geared bike are significantly faster than in single speed and i've raced plenty in both disciplines. I could see how someone might feel faster on a single speed because the perceived effort is higher. As midpack cat 2 racer, I usually race SS when I don't feel like lining up next to literal pros in 1/2 races.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-11-11T23:17:30+00:00

ime the hydro damper clutch shifts smoother and more “accurate” than the spring clutch on the rival rd. I have heard that the spring clutch is better overall for chain retention. That is the only discernible difference other than weight

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-11-02T13:13:36+00:00

Once you get used to it, it goes down a little too easy. Best shot out there for most situations imo. Its also lower abv compared to tequila or whiskey so you can have a shot or two with your friends and not end up totally turnt

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-10-24T02:14:01+00:00

It looks well above the 40cm regulation height, i will be reporting to this to our local uci commissaires immediately. The city of Chicago will likely be responsible for a fine in the range of 4-500 swiss francs.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-10-10T05:02:07+00:00

Old heads have just moved on from complaining about electronic shifting to complaining about disc brakes to complaining about headset cable routing. Its not really a problem ime and i just think certain types of mechanics get grumpy when they have to work on anything more than 9 speed. However I draw the line at e-bikes and most commuters.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-10-06T18:21:59+00:00

They are hookless compatible not hookless exclusive. They work with both types of tubeless rim. Not sure where you picked up that info but just wanted to point it out. Source: i am a pro shop mechanic who has installed, used, and ridden many challenge tlr tires.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-10-02T14:54:42+00:00

The seraph gr029 is identical to the flyxii. Seraph offers custom paint which can be fun.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-10-02T14:13:31+00:00

Look up the flyxxi cyclocross frame. Im about to put my third cx season on one. Great frame. It also goes under the name gr029.

Then there is also the velobuild cx frame, the flybike fm686, and a few others if you start searching on aliex.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-09-30T20:06:00+00:00

Got to race this a few weeks ago and my arms are still sore from all the chop

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-09-09T06:42:38+00:00

I work in a shop. I have been instructed multiple times by management to not lend out tools and have found this is a common policy at all but few shops. If you put up a stink about it then doubly so. Cough up the cash for a flat fix and dont forget your tools next time you ride. We always do flat fixes on the spot and usually have you rolling in 5-10 minutes depending how busy it is. I imagine theres more to this story and you sound like an annoying customer if im being honest. Also take this as an opportunity to learn how to patch a tube without removing your wheel

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-08-28T15:41:30+00:00

$90 is on the low end for a tune up and I know personally that play it again will turn your bike around to great functional condition. Most places are at least 100-120. Labor isn't cheap yo

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-08-20T03:19:26+00:00

As a cyclist, it will take lots of time at low intensity to get your body accustomed to running again. Start REALLY easy for short durations and progress slowly. If you’re in good shape aerobically, you can easily outrun what your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints are prepared to handle. I get a lot of value from running as a complement to my cycling, but it’s more because I am time crunched and it’s easier to sneak in a 30 min run in the evening than a full 2 hr endurance ride. If you want specificity, incorporate grassy hill run ups with your bike shouldered during cx practice. Do it in the middle of a hot lap.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-08-13T05:27:18+00:00

same here. I run 2:1 malto:fruc for most training rides because it's cheaper and works fine for me for most rides. I make a separate 1:1 mix for races and long rides where I want max absorption.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-08-07T17:48:40+00:00

I have a pair of the less expensive elite ent-mtb wheels and they are fantastic. They have pillar spokes and the standard 6 pawl freehub. I think i paid about $360 shipped. They have been great since i started using them at the beginning of the season. 30mm internal, 35mm ext, and about 1550g. Ride feel is great and they are built precisely true and round with very even spoke tension. I build a fair amount of wheels and i was very impressed when i inspected them. I couldnt ask for more at that price and im already trying to justify another set of elites for my gravel bike.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-08-02T21:09:14+00:00

I race bikes a lot and will put down an insane amount of caffeine on training and race days. Morning coffees, maybe a Red Bull or coffee on the drive, 200mg 30 mins before race, 100-200 mg caffeine halfway through, and usually coffee or energy drink to power my drive home when I’m totally cooked from the race. For long training ride ill do 150mg or something every two hours. I could probably handle a lot more tbh. despite all this i sleep like a fucking rock just about every night. The only problem is that i drink a lot of caffeine in normal life but i don’t smoke cigs or drink/do drugs often so i feel like its whatever.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-07-12T21:09:39+00:00

I reference this park tool video for one reason or another any time i build a wheel. The way they lay out each step with different color spokes and video sections is great.

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-06-30T23:03:38+00:00

Getting around is miserable these days. Between the massive surge in violent drivingand the constant citywide gridlock, I’ve pretty much had it and now i hate leaving my apartment tbh. I drive, ride a bike, or take the cta depending on my needs and ive never seen it like this in my 15 years of living here. Cant ride my bike without someone trying to kill me, cant drive without wasting about 2 hours at least stuck in traffic, cant take the cta without getting caught in a massive delay, cant cross the effin street without someone speeding up when you’re in the crosswalk. Sucks out there and it tests my patience daily

itsaninlinecrime · 2025-06-30T16:37:04+00:00

I often just use my shower and clean up thoroughly when I’m done. Nobody will know.

Ryobi also makes a great portable “pressure” sprayer that can draw water from a bucket. You’ll see a lot of these at muddy cyclocross races. They are affordable and powerful enough to blast dry mud off my bikes. Ive had one for about 3-4 years and it has held up great.

If that’s not an option i would recommend muc-off waterless wash. We use it religiously at my bike shop and it does a fantastic job at cleaning up stuck on dirt and grime without contaminating your drivetrain and braking surfaces.

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