ChrisCowan.us
I'm just your average 30 something white geeky male who want's to be cool... but it's hard when you drive a minivan!
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Lately I've been having some pretty crappy rides, even since I got the Mojo (and the Baby was born actually). I've been climbing like shit... riding like shit... taking horrible lines... generally riding like crap. At first I thought it was just baby fatigue but then after some thinking I never really rode the Mojo with clipless pedals.
Yesterday I decided to put my clipless pedals on the Mojo and see how my ride went. Apparently I don't know how to ride a bike unless my feet are attached to the bike. I was climbing like a goat, descending better and holding my lines.
I've been riding with clipless pedals since I was 16 (that's 20 years for those who are counting). I noticed that I pull up a lot on the technical climbs. Also being attached to the drive train I can feel the traction on the back tire and adjust body position to compensate. I also use less energy over all because I'm not constantly thinking about keeping my feet on the pedals.
I guess I'm an old dog.
Buy Local, Pay Double?
For some reason I find it admirable to buy locally from bike shops for things like tubes and miscellaneous parts. Today I stopped by the local bike shop to get a Slime Tube for my rear wheel (pinch flat took it out on Javelina at the bottom on my last ride) and paid $16 for the tube. When I got home I looked on Amazon and Cambria Bicycle Outfitters and found the same exact tube for half the cost. HALF!!!! I bought 4 new tubes and got free shipping.
Now I know the online retailers are not selling their tubes at a loss (or even at cost). What's the justification for selling the same tube at double what I can get online? I want to support the local businessman but I have my limits.
