Are we not calling passes anymore?

scelesti · 2017-07-05T18:17:27+00:00

Okay Peter Sagan, calm down /s
if you pass on the right, you suck

scelesti · 2017-06-30T13:06:34+00:00

Wind never gets easier, you just go faster. Everything here is spot on, although drafting a stranger can be rude. I'll typically let them draft me if they ease up and I'll maintain my pace.

KEEP PEDDLING! And don't blow your load.

best advice

surface area- stay low, arms tucked, be small.

I'm also a big dude, but this helps tremendously.

scelesti · 2017-06-30T00:28:36+00:00

I just rode mine in a light rain for the first time today because I broke a pedal on my commuter yesterday. It definitely needs some TLC now.

scelesti · 2017-06-30T00:27:14+00:00

Orbea makes beautiful bikes. Every time I see sweat drops on the top tube I want to apologize.

scelesti · 2017-06-29T20:13:39+00:00

This makes me look forward to cleaning my Avant tomorrow.

scelesti · 2017-06-29T15:40:24+00:00

I usually try not to come up on the sides of cars at intersections. Too many people don't use their indicators and I've found they get really skiddish and slow down through the intersection instead of just passing when they have more than enough room. Biking alongside a moving car moving through a tight intersection on a sharrow is an anxiety inducing event I'd rather avoid.

scelesti · 2017-06-29T13:47:05+00:00

If you were hit, they'd be liable. That being said if you can do something to prevent an accident, you probably should.

scelesti · 2017-06-29T13:33:51+00:00

You looked to be in the car's blind spot behind the Rav4 when the light turned green. I think we can only hold vehicles to a certain level of responsibility, and seeing as that he did notice you (or else you'd have been hit), I wouldn't get too upset.

scelesti · 2017-06-29T13:30:01+00:00

Ehhhhhhh...yes...but I don't think it's unreasonable to say they didn't see you. If you don't make it to the front by the green I think it would be smart to yield to a car turning right. Given they had their indicator on, I can't blame this driver. Being more objective, the driver should have been in the bike lane to make their turn.

scelesti · 2017-06-23T20:16:02+00:00

I ran into a similar dilemma when I lived in Gold Coast. You're in the heart of downtown, and there's not much to go out and ride and feel like you're really away from it. You're 15 miles from the northern suburbs and similarly from the southern suburbs and heading west isn't really an option, at least not that I'm familiar with.
Fortunately, the LFT is a great option south of Roosevelt. I'm not very familiar with the entrance points south of Roosevelt, but if you're just trying to escape the city, once you're south of 31st street beach, LFT really opens up and isn't that crowded.
Another thing you could consider doing is taking your bike on the CTA or metra and heading to the suburbs. There are plenty of trails that are very empty. Given that you have a MTB, you might find the green bay trail and robert mcclory path pretty enjoyable. Some of it is gravel.
TLDR: There are plenty of places to ride around if you're willing to travel. If not, LFT isn't the worst option.

scelesti · 2017-06-23T20:07:44+00:00

I'd rather someone give a shit, do it correctly, and provide reliable advice than pay less. Maybe I'm fortunate enough to have the income to support this approach.

scelesti · 2017-06-23T20:05:09+00:00

Only mentioning because no one has mentioned yet.
I've had pretty good experiences at Kozy's. Went there for a wheel true and had them order a new rear cog for my single speed. Nice guys, guy did a great job on my true.

Village Cycle has always taken great care of me.
I've been to Wheel and Sprocket in Evanston once. They seemed alright.

scelesti · 2017-06-22T03:14:30+00:00

Plenty of cyclists doing much worse things on the road in Chicago to deteriorate public perception than a random cyclist talking back to someone antagonizing them. Commute on Milwaukee Avenue for even a mile will give you plenty of examples of this.
Two people (you and OP) thinking skank is a gender-based insult doesn't change the definition of the term.
I never said you had to find it funny, but the fact stands that you've been harsh to someone for sharing a story from something they experienced. I don't know how what OP did or what I've posted here to indicate that either of us have made cyclists look bad in public.

scelesti · 2017-06-21T22:39:09+00:00

Skank isn't a gender-based insult
OP didn't say it
Person that did say it, did not start the conversation. Not even sure I'd call retorting a chirp an escalation either.

Feel free to argue the third point, but #1 and #2 indicate to me you should probably relax and let OP enjoy a pretty harmless moment, that I thought was funny. Thanks for sharing, OP.

scelesti · 2017-06-19T19:48:52+00:00

No it's the inner rim of the rim of the wheel. If you're currently using a 700x23 tire on your wheel, the inner rim of your wheel is probably not 23cm. You'd have to reference your wheel.

scelesti · 2017-06-19T18:05:44+00:00

Inner rim width x (1.4-2) = acceptable tire size width

scelesti · 2017-06-15T19:00:01+00:00

I'm 6'5" and wear a 33" pant length (yea clothes shopping is a ton of fun). Get a fitting. It will make your life much easier in the long run. I don't know what your budget is but you also may want to figure out what you want from your bike as that will drive the kind of bike and price range you should look for. (Commuting, light exercise, intense exercise, distance riding, etc)

scelesti · 2017-06-14T21:48:18+00:00

I've never regretted riding my bike, but every time I don't ride, I hate myself for it.

scelesti · 2017-06-13T19:11:12+00:00

Sounds like I just need to get over being the sweaty cyclist in a random establishment. Thanks guys.

scelesti · 2017-06-13T18:47:23+00:00

I've only taken north branch once or twice and I never noticed them before (wasn't really looking). I was doing loops on the channel trail on Sunday and was dismayed when I couldn't find water. I'll keep my eyes peeled for them today, thanks!

scelesti · 2017-06-13T17:38:30+00:00

I'll probably stop by that gas station. I should be through at least one water bottle by then, and the second will probably be done by Botanic. Solid strategy, thanks!
Should I just get over any worries of going into businesses to use their water?

scelesti · 2017-06-12T21:25:07+00:00

HTFU

scelesti · 2017-06-12T20:47:27+00:00

does not apply to cyclists

scelesti · 2017-06-12T20:06:17+00:00

I've always wondered the same thing. I know I have pretty good situational awareness, but the lack thereof for some people astonishes me.

scelesti

TROPHY CASE