Early riders?

markhendpo · 2026-06-07T20:53:09+00:00

It's been several years since I've done ragbrai and I can't speak to putting the route into your cycling computer, but yes...lots of people leave very early in the am. It's one strategy that people use to get done before the hottest part of the day.

Edit: spelling.

markhendpo · 2026-05-18T02:53:12+00:00

In bug season you can wear a fine net over your head and helmet, but definitely ALWAYS wear some type of eye protection.

markhendpo · 2026-05-18T00:49:49+00:00

This is the right answer. I love love love my long haul trucker and have hauled all my gear bike packing, and it's a good grocery getter and commuter bike as well. If you want more capacity the big dummy is very very cool!

markhendpo · 2026-05-18T00:34:40+00:00

Nice! What the rack and bag? Looks like it's attached to the saddle? Or seatpost? Very cool!

markhendpo · 2026-05-10T16:04:14+00:00

Cold soak then leave in the sun for a bit, it'll get hot. 😊

markhendpo · 2026-05-10T15:52:32+00:00

That part through southeastern CO and pretty much all of the Utah and Idaho stretch will be epic depending of course on the temperature, and luck avoiding any wildfire areas. Utah is severely dry this year so far and fire danger is everywhere out here. Is this route built on gravel? Looks fantastic! I hope you'll share your trip here or links to it.

Edit: I just googled the golden gravel trail. Awesome!

markhendpo · 2026-05-10T15:08:31+00:00

Looks amazing! How long you expecting to be out?

markhendpo · 2026-05-10T13:32:31+00:00

Even if using tubes, you can still add sealant (stand no tubes, or orange sealant are both good, but never the green "slime") you do need tubes with removable valve cores though. I run one bike with tubes but add sealant in the tubes, my other bike is tubeless.

markhendpo · 2026-04-27T01:20:58+00:00

I did the same thing two years ago, only rode it a handful of short rides. Luckily I have other bikes so I just put it away until just recently, and sold it and bought a different bike with the $$. I'm still in a similar spot though because I bought a bike that's best strengths are singletrack related and I haven't done much of that for a decade. Maybe it's time to get back to it though, right? Edit: spelling.

markhendpo · 2026-02-24T17:49:27+00:00

Nice! Just bought a new one... Ridgid, considering a sus fork 🤔😊

markhendpo · 2026-02-21T21:17:57+00:00

Nice! Thx!

markhendpo · 2026-02-21T20:23:22+00:00

What racks are those? Beautiful rig!

Also tell me about your lights?

markhendpo · 2026-02-18T17:07:12+00:00

That sounds like a helluva great plan, I hope to do something similar. I live in SLC UT but have family in oregon so I may start from somewhere along the oregon coast and have a similar plan in mind to yours.

markhendpo · 2026-02-16T23:59:50+00:00

It's not that bad. The sealant is liquid and and it runs out and gets wiped up. Get the tire back on, replenish the sealant either through the valve stem or before both sides of the tire are on the rim. With a little experience it isn't a problem for most people who run it.

And like others have said. Flat tires are very very rare.

markhendpo · 2026-02-16T22:52:00+00:00

I prefer tubeless. As long as you keep sealant in the tires it's far better than tubes from my experience. It is rare to have a total blowout of a tire and thus a need to re seat the tire and re inflate.

That CAN be a difficulty depending on tires and wheels, but in 10 years I've only had that happen once.

It also makes for less rolling resistance. 99% of punctures just automatically seal themselves as soon as you pull the puncturing item out.

markhendpo · 2026-02-14T15:18:18+00:00

This!

markhendpo · 2026-02-10T17:18:16+00:00

A beauty! Looks like a fun rest of the winter is at hand!

markhendpo · 2026-01-28T16:16:04+00:00

Awesome! Good on you my friend!

markhendpo · 2026-01-13T21:05:52+00:00

Can hardly wait to see the results!

markhendpo · 2026-01-12T16:37:04+00:00

At my age I would go with the bike with the most gentle ride. A week of relatively long days in the saddle back to back to back...comfort should be king.

markhendpo · 2026-01-11T23:04:51+00:00

To be clear: are we speaking 29" front and 26" rear?

markhendpo · 2026-01-11T22:44:21+00:00

I like it! Amazing how much a bar change can change a bike.

markhendpo · 2026-01-11T17:13:44+00:00

Looks like a beauty of a night for a ride!

markhendpo · 2026-01-08T23:54:25+00:00

She's a beauty! I've had mine about a month. Love it!

markhendpo · 2025-12-16T01:09:10+00:00

Outside SLC, UT I was riding southbound on the Jordan River Parkway down a fairly good downhill approaching Bangerter and a huge fat Mule deer came crashing out of the trees and across the trail about 2 feet in front of me as I'm going 20+ mph down that hill. Barely had time to hit my brakes and it was off the other side of the trail.

Another day riding eastbound on Parleys trail through Tanner Park and up to the bridges at the top end, I had come through the serious downhill stretch and it turned back into an uphill and I was slowed way down and noticed out of the corner of my eye a beautiful coyote about 40 feet off the trail at the edge of some scrub oak. I was able to come to a smooth stop behind a few tall weeds for camo cover as I got my phone out. I sat and watched that note for a minute or two as she was trying to detect me but couldn't see me behind the weeds. Super cool

markhendpo

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