I ride because my bike cure depression, i ride comfortable. I have an old Bridgestone RB-T and i have put a higher steam and wider tires. I ride to the forest to seat and relax alone in Bosque Cambalache in Arecibo. I use to bring my old Lumix GF3. To me that's life. Here they all care about their carbon bikes, me about my sanity and my steel bike. I hope someday visit Ohio and ride a little with you guys. Keep riding my friend 👍
You, Russ @ PathlessPedled, Jethro Jessop, Old Shovel … some of the best bike content; good thoughts and practical, more like the typical everyday cyclist! And yes I enjoyed this thought stream, I got something from it; thank you!
@@TimFitzwater Speaking of Jethro Jessop, rewatching his series and I'll be doing the Badger Divide again this year...it's blissful. If you ever get over here to Scotland...
I also love Jethro Jessop. He's awesome, ruggedly handsome, witty, intellectual... Dammit, I didn't log in with my self promotion account! Glad you like the channel ;)
Another brilliant video - you echo my own view exactly. “Gear freaks “ are everywhere and especially in leisure activities . It’s about enjoying the activity - not about just wanting the next or the most expensive gizmo . I think the truth is that many of these people just want to look cool in the eyes of others rather than doing it for themselves. I live in England , I’m sixty nine and have recently returned to cycle touring after a long break . In years gone by, whenever you encountered another cyclist coming toward you , there was always an acknowledgement , a wave or a “Hi” . I’ve noticed since returning, that many of the Lycra brigade , on racing bikes , just ignore you completely ,probably because they see a steel frame and panniers. I’m not saying all do this , but many have this bike snobbery . Such a shame,but that’s the world we live in !! Many thanks for your words Tim . ✌️
For sure. We joke on the channel that "roadies don't wave". Of course nothing is true across the board and I know beautiful people that are all about the expensive MTB or wear all the skin tight clothing - but in general....
@@TimFitzwaterwhenever I'm riding motorcycle, I always wave at roadies. I've only ever had one dude wave back at me, and it was in Oberlin. It made me smile for hours.
A myth that was busted for me last week is that road cyclists want nothing to do with a 67 yo riding a rail trail. Met 2 guys at a coffee stop and we exchanged hellos and they started asking me about my bike, my day, how far, how often etc. They were both genuinely interested in what I was doing that day. I'm keeping an open mind from here on out.
Great video. I consider myself a roadie/tourist. I buy used bikes, usually from a bike co op, but I ride at my own pace, sometimes with a group, sometimes, solo, but with the goal of fun and fresh air, and yes,I do use a handlebar bag.
I'm an about to be 38 yo man. I rode when I was a kid. Then I lost my license. And the m got a mountain bike 5 years ago to get to work, and to exercise some. Now 3 years into street BMX lol I know that's crazy at my age. But I'm so glad I found your channel and videos. The BMX community doesn't talk so much about the time and just the ride. Your content makes my day when you post!
You should be the one to talk to them then . I've started doing it my niche of motorized bicycles none of them talk ether. So i started a live show on Tuesdays and only over here to see how it's done . First of his edited videos I've watched.
I took my old bike into a bike shop a few months back to get a tune up and a new chain, and I noticed that they still had this really nice single speed/fixed gear bike that I'd been eyeing for the past several months. It was still there because no one in that part of town is interested in a bike without gears. So I offered them my old bike plus the amount I was already going to spend on the tune up and chain, and they said sure. After cleaning it up and replacing a few parts with really nice parts that I got dirt cheap at the local bike collective, I now have, hands down, the best bike I've ever owned, and I spent very little on it.
Hell yeah! Sounds like how I used to buy records at record shows - I’d go to the guys who had mostly stuff I didn’t like - so when I found a record I did like it usually be cheaper.
Excellent video. I agree with almost all your points except the last one about people in the center of the United States. I grew up in Iowa, lived in Raleigh and Seattle, then settled in Kansas. I haven't noticed any difference by region regarding what people perceive as "the only type of cycling". My cycling Venn diagram overlaps with many different types of cycling, including year-round commuting by bike. To me it seems like the lack of translation between different cycling genres applies all over the country.
Interesting. I have a friend who just moved to Cleveland(we are about 45 minutes south) and she says the vibe feels more siloed there then it is here…. I guess the region thing doesn’t matter - can be more local than that.
Love your channel and this vid in particular. I'm 64 and started seriously riding in my late 20's which was the late 1980's. Most of my riding years were spent only trying to go faster on both mtb and road. It's such a brain suck and NEVER gave me much joy riding. I ride alone almost always. Lived in NYC for a long time and NOBODY was riding at the time. I got used to it. Very solitary. What I like about what you guys are doing is communal, fun, and exploratory. I never rode with any of those thoughts in mind. The bike industry presses everyone to be a racer in one form or another. Most bike shops are the same: always pressing the customer to purchase the most expensive everything - bikes, clothes, shoes, accessories. I got sick of it all and stopped riding for a few years. That was definitely NOT the solution. After watching your channel I was inspired to 'rebuild' 2 of my earlier bikes: a cro-mo Specialized Sirrus road bike, and a Fuji Mt. Fuji LTD mtb. Both have been rebuilt in the past year with some new parts, but mostly just brought back to life. The Sirrus is still just a road bike as the fork and frame are too tight to put anything but 25mm wide road tires on. The Fuji has been turned into an 'adventure' bike with drop bars, but at a higher angle, and brifters. The original drive train was swapped to a 1995 Dean Ti mtb back in the 90's. The 'new' drivetrain is a mix of mtb cranks and Shimano 105 9 speed brifters. Only a double up front, but an 11-42 out back. It's a heavy bike, but I LOVE the way it rides. Thanks for what you are doing. Little did you know that you are really helping a lot of us old timers get past thinking cycling is ONLY about speed. Cycling has always been about freedom. The industry just made us all feel guilty for wanting to have fun.
Wow - this is pretty much the best comment ever. I truly appreciate it. I guess I was lucky that my Dad was just a guy who had a bike and when I was younger I was just a guy with a bike. I never thought about being a cyclist, buying certain clothes, or trying to win or race anything. When I got back into it I met some like-minded people. It seems that this whole idea, call it alt-cycling or whatever is catching on and I'm super glad to see people just out there having fun! Cheers!!
RWGPS shows my 4,200 miles last year averaged 10.41 mph. Commuting, phat biking, gravel and club rides. Even pinned a number on a couple of times. I'm never going to be considered fast.
I love my bar bag. Not going to use it during a time trial, but on a long ride, why not? Only have so much jersey pocket space. I absolutely agree that people are awful at understanding that people have different values and needs. Like the comment recently who told me pogies aren’t necessary unless it’s below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Who are you to tell me what is or isn’t necessary.
I got to this late and don't know if it will get seen, but I needed to hear this. As much as I loved some of the GCN challenge videos, it's started to come off like a rich boys' pose platform. I've come to your channel and Path Less Pedaled lately, but in time to not lose faith in cyclists as a community. I'm 62. Until my late 30s I raced road and MTB, but now I ride my gravel because I can. I had friends who are no longer with us - I'm grateful for being able to go out and rack up 80 miles. Love your videos, Must've binge watched most of them by now
Thanks so much - I love to hear it. I used to watch a ton of GCN too - now I mostly like it for the racing news stuff(super bummed they lost their coverage rights). I would rather see people just out enjoying bikes and community. My whole attitude is ride whatever makes you happy - but don't hate on others for doing it different. ....and be willing to change your views - its funny that people still comment that high pressure, skinny tires are the way to go.....
I'd like to see a slice of the bicycling community adopt riding classic steel frames... maybe not for racing, but for all the other forms of bicycling fun and exercise. I just think that riding something from the 1980's/90's (or whatever you have), while somewhat limiting if you want the latest mega range of gearing, is enough bike for most people. They are affordable, easy to work on (relative to new bicycles), can be looked upon as recycling (if that's your thing), and probably wouldn't limit the fun you can have on a bicycle. Any words of discussion or effort you can share on this subject would greatly appreciated.
That already exists. Look up the L'Eroica rides- They are super serious about vintage steel bikes. Also tons of groups on Facebook for various different eras of bikes(I've bought two frames from Steel is Real Vintage Road Bikes). I'm glad I learned how to work on bikes when I was into only simple downtube, friction shifting 70/80's bikes - it definitely gave me a lot of confidence to work on bikes. I'd disagree on the gearing - I don't know how I was climbing the hills around here on my old 6 speed Peugeots - I'm very glad for wider range gearing and have added a few cogs to all of my vintage bikes as well. Spin to win baby! You know - as a photographer who learned in a darkroom I think that knowledge definitely lended something to my commercial, digital style - but I don't think it is a prerequisite to being a modern photographer. I'm not going to be a "you kids have it so easy" curmudgeon in bikes or cameras.
@@TimFitzwater I'd say the biggest obstacle to get new riders onto vintage bicycles is the "manual" shifting, and the fact that vintage bicycles often have the shifters on the downtube or stem. I know you can upgrade to brifters, and I'm fine with whomever wants to do this, if it adds to their confidence of enjoyment.... but there's a cost penalty. Maybe an idea for your channel... find someone who hasn't used down tube shifters, and get their reaction of their challenges or ease of using them.
It is an interesting idea. I don’t think most of my friends have tried them. I know there are times when I’m about to hit a hill and you don’t get the shift done in time and you stand up, power through and deal with it! But in general the muscle memory is there and it isn’t even an issue. Would be fun to get my friends on them. It’s like when I try to ride a fixie - I just can’t get over not freewheeling!
“I learn what I care about in a bike.” So true! I love reminiscing about the days when I started to get really into bikes in the early 2000’s and seeing how I evolved as a cyclist since then. Back in my day we rode 23c and we didn’t know better lol
+1M I don't necessarily care about riding fast. Also agreed, thinking of it only as exercise really ruins the joy of riding. Honestly, it was only this last year that I truly fell back in love with the joy of riding again. Just the feeling of riding on two wheels. The way it steers. Theres sonething special about it, akin tp how dogs and humans get along. Its as if there's some sort of genetic connection between humans and that feeling of balance :-) As an aside, I fell back in love after I started riding BMX again. It reminded me of that feeling as a kid, and I truly fell in love again. Now, I'm jumping Dirt Jumpers, riding trials on a BMX, still riding the MTB on trails, and even riding trials and trails on a KTM 690 Enduro R motorcycle. If it has two wheels, I love it!!!
My views of e-bikes were changed last summer while riding in the Dolomites. I’m a cycling coach and former racer, I’m still a good climber so I enjoy challenging climbs - being good at something is it’s own reward. In the past there were two types of people on bikes on the mountain, the ones who could climb, and everybody else. It was easy to tell who was who, the climbers wore smiles, everybody else looked like they were being tortured. Now there are non-climbers enjoying the mountains.
I’ve come full circle; I started riding my neighborhood as a kid having fun. My brother just built a vintage MTB for me to ride the greenway for fun with my grandniece, Delta. In the 1990’s I had a stump jumper and rode gravel roads, berry farms, and trails near my home in the Ozarks. It has always been for fun! However, if I lived in a city, I’d park my vehicle and use my bike a lot. At 62, I might look into an eBike to pickup groceries…it would be fun! 😂
Awesome! And there is nothing wrong with e-bikes - when I can’t ride the way I want I will definitely buy one. (About to make another vid with my ‘89 Stumpjumper)
I am sitting here binge watching some of your older videos and this one hits home. I use to worry about averages, max speeds, longest distances etc. When a hereditary heart issue reared its ugly head 9 yrs ago, it made me literally reconsider why I was riding. I found that the top average I had didn't satisfy me. I was happy I reached my goal, but ultimately I kept thinking I should be or could be faster. The heart issue (A-Fib) reigned me in and I realized that I needed to get back to riding for myself, my mental and physical health, and the comradirie. I am just as happy riding with my friends that go "fast" as I am riding with my friend who might have an overall average of 10 mph. I hate that elitist attitude of that bike isn't light, new, techy etc enough. If the bike you're riding makes you want to ride, it's perfect.....even if it's a garage sale find or a $10k wonder bike. To each their own, just ride.
100% I feel when I first got the Strava app a ride felt worthless if I didn't PR or KOM. I started to realize I'm not really that fast anyway and I ride bikes because I love them. Glad I found a crew that is tolerant of different speeds and out for fun. Cheers man!
I turned a £10 Tip bike into my commuter for half the price of a Walmart bike. ( It was an Argos bike in the Uk but similar vibe) It’s all documented on my channel. I prefer my Ramones T shirt over Lycra any day…
I really like your attitude Tim, I have an old 531 touring bike I've just done up I've been riding it for 20 years, it could be ridden for another 20. As regards the ebike commentators, it's worth noting that some people have injuries or health problems through no fault of their own but still want to enjoy getting out on a bike, it is fun, sociable and makes you feel good on whatever level we can experience cycling and that as you say is the point.
Yeah - the anti e-bike crowd is so weird. And anyways - study show most e-bikers aren’t riding e-bikes instead of normal bikes - they are riding them instead of driving. Cheers!
The group rides I was on already with my steel road bike with 650b wheels and 47 mm slicks where people where like your going to be slow yada yada yada. And then I could easily hold up with all the plastic bikes 😂
Fat slicks are fast AF. ITs funny because there are roadie memes going around right now about "try and keep up on the gravel bike on the club ride". One- I'm not interested in pace line club rides but if I was my bike would not be my limiting factor. Cheers!
When I started cycling I always had the idea that I want a speedy bike but over the years perhaps its the age but somehow I wanted my bike to be as comfortable as possible. That's when I truly appreciate cycling. Just my two cents
I have two bikes. One is a light conventional gravel bike that I use for daily exercise and to make a short commute to the bus-stop. The other is a low-power class 1 e-bike that I use for day rides and adventuring. The nice thing about the ebike is that you can control the intensity of the ride. There is a bit of power management, so you’re peddling without assistance most of the time. But, when the buy-in to a particular network of carriage roads is a 1,400 foot elevation gain, it’s nice to get up there without being completely knackered. However, I’m thinking, once you reach a certain level of fitness, the extra weight and limited power of an ebike will hold you back from longer rides.
Thinking of doing the trail system across MI soon. Kal-Haven Trail and then several other connecting rail trails that go all the way to Port Huron . I think 250 miles. Have you done this trip?
I have not. I’ve only ridden a bit in MI. We are looking into doing a multi-day bike packing trip this summer though. Half trail and half gravel. Still in the planning stage.
I bike because my bad feet won't allow me to backpack anymore. Biking doesn't bother the feet much. It does help depression a lot. I'm like a big tortoise out there just slow and steady. No interest in speed.
I miss my running but my back and sciatic nerve won’t allow for it so I know the feeling. I know it sound contradictory but I don’t care about speed even though I ride really fast sometimes. It’s more that I don’t care that skin tight clothing and super expensive carbon bikes would make it so I am going a tiny bit faster. 🤓
I agree...I really do not care what other people think...I do my own thing...I tried bike clubs and finally decided to go lone wolf....I am done with the group dynamic and all the senseless drama that brings....I cycle for fitness and I cycle for fun...I like to cycle tour as I am also a Photographer....
Bravo Tim! Well said. There are as many different type of riders as there are different brands or models of bikes. Each serves it's purpose and everything depends on what we expect to do with it. It's that simple. Cycling is a wonderful sport or a means of transportation and a definite plus on a health check. Love your philosophy.
Hi Tim, Freddie Mercury was once asked how he felt about an album review done by a music critic. In true Mercurian style he answered "what do I care about what some arseh#le music critic thinks?" The point being that when you put yourself out there, the armchair enthusiasts want a little piece of the individual. Be free to do whatever you want, experiment, be a bit unique and discover new stuff. Keep it going Tim and don't be concerned about flippant comments from the gallery. Mick.
Thanks for this video - well said and great perspective. I commute and ride for fun in the not-very-bike-friendly suburbs of Cleveland (Lake County, Ohio), and I have to make it work however I can... bike, gear, clothing, speed, attitude, weather adjustments... sometimes solo and sometimes with friends, and your mastery of cycling in Akron has given me a lot of great ideas and. Everything is imperfect and cycling where, how, and when you can makes life a lot more fun!
Amen Brother! It's not about what you ride, it's about That you are riding. We all have our own reasons for why we are on our bikes. My father has been riding his whole life, mostly a roadie, matching kit and all, he's 78. Currently he likes riding on rail trails but wants to get back in the mountains and is considering an e-mtb, which will be the bike to get him back to riding in the hills/church of the open road. Just think how much faster we could be if we didn't waste so much energy criticizing and critiquing each other. Really enjoy all your video's Tim! P.S. My first road bike was a Peugeot, which I raced between the ages of 14-18. I loved it and won a lot of races, even though kids were on "better bikes".
New & expensive bikes: the funny thing is that they all get old, technology moves on. There’s no future-proof bike. A good friend of mine came into the shop to look at bikes because his son had outgrown what we built for him. This was just after Covid, most of the bikes were over $5k. I still had one of my racing bikes from the 80’s. When I got it I was a sponsored racer, it was a custom Peter Mooney (hand made lugged steel frame) with Dura-Ace. It was truly top of the line equipment back then. Now it’s what you give your friends son to ride when he outgrows what you put him on two years ago. That $18,000 Pinarello F that people swoon over is a future hand-me-down.
@@TimFitzwater Bikes should be ridden, it’s as simple as that. His dad rides an Independent Fabrications from the early 90’s. When they go places together the Peter Mooney gets more comments…
Hello Tim...I will not ever pull any punches so here goes... 1) It's MY Bike,MY money,MY time,MY intent,and it's all subject to change when I say so,and I am sure others agree. Unless I ASK you to give me your OPINIONS, you can mind your damn business and do what you want to do, and leave me alone..If Tim wants 3 handlebar bags and an animal hanging off the front, how does that bother you,MR fake bike gatekeepers? Mountain
My interest in bike riding as an adult started in the 80s with mountain bikes via hardcore punk zines like skate muties in the 5th dimension and I was never interested in sports cycling , over to 00s and 10s I got interested in single speed bikes and restomods. I like riding in rough industrial places and always have . Ride a £2000 carbon road bike and you will get taxed (robbed ) where I live . Never really linked the idea of riding my bike as a workout , it’s just for fun and practical a to b as I don’t drive . Your channel speaks to me as a bike rider .
Unfortunately we live in an extremily polarizing time. You’re either a “Red” or “Blue” and very little people expreience life in the gray. I think people lose out when they live in the extremes. Its perfectly fine to spend $12K on a bike or find one in the trash. Its what make you happy.
Yes, as you bring up there is a whole spectrum of types of riding. And there is a whole pallet of colors and all kinds of brushes to use. Paint your own ride picture. Everyone has their own version of the best picture. What is the best bike to ride? The one between your legs. Where is the best place to ride? Wherever you want to go. The last brand new bike I bought was a Schwinn Super Sport around 1970. Have 7 now including a belt drive internal rear hub, from MTN to Gravel to Commuter.
Just joined your channel. I live in northern IN and this cold spring has been killing me. I need to get out there ! I used rather fat 650 X 2.3 tires on the C&O trail last fall and there were a lot of people who said they wished they had them. These are just what came with my Specialized Roll bike so I use them everywhere. I'm a novice.I do run 70 pounds in them even though the tire says on it to use 40. Haven't blown one up yet!😊
Thanks for the support! I’m heading to Indianapolis for work next week but won’t have time to ride. Heard good thing about the riding around there though. I’d definitely lower that pressure - high pressure feels faster but it slowing you down and most likely wearing on the tires. That 40 number isn’t even what you are supposed to use - it’s the max! I only put 35 psi in my 42mm tires.
What do you men by start? Purchasing a FGFS? The Mercier Kilo TT found on the Bikesdirect website is considered a good value. Lots of reviews for the bicycle on YT.
Glad you brought this subject up. It needed to be addressed. Acknowledging the various reasons for riding bicycles is important for all of us -- especially those in lycra. I'm grateful you don't turned off comments due to rudeness. Thanks Tim; you are appreciated.
I rode a Takara Prestige for years. It was about a step better than a department store bike. I replaced/upgraded parts. I even did some short tours on it. This year I took all the parts and upgraded the frame to an old Trek400.
I have side bags on my cheap MTB just because I want them. I paid for and didn't ask for anyone's opinion. Just ride and have fun. Although some people can't just have fun, they're on a mission.
Ain't that the truth? Fact: I get way more waves from "real cyclists" if I'm on my touring bike vs. my commuting e-bike. For some reason there's always some judging going on. I try to be an equal-opportunity waver - cyclists of all stripes need to be united in the face of all the cagers out there.
I couldn't agree with you more on this. My bike is a '99 Miyata 621-ST that I am slowly updating as I go. My daily driver truck is a 2002. My "toy" is a 1976 custom van. Im luckily in a financial position that i can go and buy a brand spanking new bike and truck, but why? The only thing buying a new bike or truck would actually do is cost me more to "look" good to others. That is an expense I can do without.
Heck yeah! If it works and you like it then there is no problem. I feel the same - I don’t need a new frame - slowly upgrading components seems like the better investment. Plus those things do wear out.
I bought a silver Panasonic Sport-500 heavy Tin-Steel but my cousin who isnt into cycling picked it out because it reminded him of the Kevin Bacon "Quick Silver" movie. But after few upgrades turned it into a commuter/capable gravel bike. Got some weight down with inexpensive upgrades and literally loved it. #1 the bike was in amazing condition for an old bike and #2 it has custom touches to it with character. I quickly learned to appreciate old heavy undesirable frames. Easily one of the coolest projects to have worked on and for a family member which makes it that much more personal. He will enjoy this bike once he gets a chance to pick it up lol. But learned alot about parts and doing research.
Same. I learned so much by fixing up and riding the cheaper frames people seem to turn their noises up at. So many great cheap bikes to fix up out there!
Totally agree. We group ride in Iowa a lot. None is for speed. Plenty of safety stops and mostly loaded touring bikes. I don’t own a bike older than 2020, but I’ve never cared about my speed ever. And I have an e assist commuter for the haters 😁
I like the ability to really craft your own unique style and look whether its from your bike or gear there's just so much out there. But so true on many levels most people think there style is the best style 😂😂 I'm very much a bike enthusiast I like them all !!
I really appreciate this video. I'm constantly falling victim to insecurities about needed to ride and look the way other riders look that I think are cool. I ride because I like it period. When I was in my early 20s I use to bully non hipsters that didn't ride fixed. Years later I'm on the other end of that and it sucks. We all need to realize we don't have any authority over anyone but ourselves. I've learned and hope others can. These are incredibly petty issues to be so absolute about. Nobody knows it all. Except me........ 😆 Thanks
Saw the ebike vid u talk about... I ride to exercise & listen music. That gatekeeping happens in every sport I feel like. I ride solo mostly because I do not see that community you enjoy
I definitely enjoy my solo rides. I feel like there can be a community in most places - have to find it or create it. Can take work and is only worth it if it’s what you value.
An interesting topic! I think GCN is "athletic, speed, performance" based. I squinted and wondered about that front bag comment. I don't see people trying to go fast enough in the streets for it to matter! The magic of cycling is different for everyone but we should all be thrilled that someone has found it in whichever way it may look like to them.
Hi Tim, great vid as ever and oh so true. I live in the UK and in Surrey, a hotbed of cycling. The whole area is full of 'Pro Clones', I find it amusing to say the least. But as you say each to his own...
I actually feel bad for people who have only ever been exposed to GCN, spandex, and the club mentality. There is nothing wrong with any of that - but I think there are a lot of those people who would truly enjoy cycling more in the less serious(and less expensive) side of things. I do hear from a lot of British friends on this channel that bring that up.
I have become more race and speed oriented over the years, but I didn't initially get into bikes for that reason. I wanted to try get less fat, and from there it kind of snowballed, lol. Coming into cycling as a slow, fat guy, I saw and experienced the elitism and gatekeeping, and I try very hard not to be that guy. I like to train and race and that's fun for me. But not every thing is for every one. So, if someone is having fun on a bike, they're doing it right. I'm sorry that elitist douche canoes try to make you feel bad. I like seeing your vintage restorations and the adventures you get up to.
To be clear it doesn’t get under my skin - part of what I’m doing is trying to keep it from getting under other people’s skin. It’s cool to see that training and racing makes you happy - and that is great. When I talk to you and EJ after a “race” I ask you how you did and we can have that conversation about performance- I also know I have other friends who were out there just to finish or be involved in an event. Takes all kinds and I love that.
My biggest struggle is with ebikes. They are exploding in popularity here in Nebrahoma. I like your comment from an earlier video "If you don't like ebikes then don't ride ebikes. I just struggle as I see many of these types as either lazy or quitters or both.
Why though? Do you think that about everyone who doesn’t ride a bike at all? What if someone is injured? What if they are riding an e-bike instead of driving a car? As mentioned - is everyone on a train lazy? You gotta stop judging people - you don’t know their situation.
Good video Tim. I thoroughly enjoy cycling with my cycling club but sometimes they are ‘pushing on’ a little too much for me. Out on my own I take a bit longer and stop off for a breather or a coffee and sometimes just to sit and enjoy. I sometimes wear Lycra but you won’t see it. Cycling is good for a bit of exercise and to sort my head out. I do some shopping on my bike and collect a take away now and then.
I think that is important. It’s fine to get suited up and enjoy the workout and club dynamics but awesome to understand the “commuting” or other side of cycling too.
Great vid Tim, I’ve 2 high end gravel bikes & ended up selling both of them because of severe toe overlap which is dangerous & caused a couple low speed spills, ergos, comfort issues… so I put gravel tires on a 2016 Trek Stache 9, put a bigger ring on the front & have an amazing gravel/road/urban assault bike which proves you don’t need a gravel bike to ride gravel, stay safe!
Tim one of the best videos you made (and you've made many good ones). I was sorta a snob against E bikes but seeing your video I've changed my mind. I'm like you. I love old bikes. I've owned the latest and the greatest but always come back to old steel. I agree ride what like the way you like. In the end we're all bike riders.
A big dose of reality here and a great antidote to a lot of the aero- full kit-carbon wheelset-electronic shifting content on RU-vid. When I got back into bicycling after 20 years away from it, I bought an old hardtail mountain bike from a thrift store for $75. It was a tank, and weighed about 32 pounds. I put road tires on it, installed a pannier rack, and then rode that bike 5000 miles/year for 5 years. I enjoyed it so much I sold my car and have used bikes for most of my transportation ever since. Best $75 I ever spent.
Well said Tim. I know what I like and what i need to take with me. And I don't care about saving seconds on a climb. A lighter or more aero bike won't make me any fitter. Just a bit lighter in the wallet. Cheers
This. I think about these themes/myths often...because, yes. Thank you for posting this video! 👍🏾🤙🏾 Honestly, I feel that even within the so called world of big box bikes there is a difference in what qualifies. For some, if it wasn't purchased from local area bike shop, or direct from a high end bike company...it's big box (not just Walmart. Scheels and Dicks are included also). There is such a range today that one can't define ALL big box bikes as crappy anymore, because pressure has been placed on companies to step it up in terms of components and upgradability. One does need to understand which company made the bike, have at least a basic understanding of "crappy components" vs. "budget but solid" vs. how much $$$ is necessary for what you want/need. I think it is also important to be realistic about WHO puts the bike together...especially if it was shipped in a box. If you don't understand these things but want something solid. Well, don't start the search at the department store.
When we did the C&O it rained the entire day through the Little Orleans area. The one person in our group who had like 38c tires had an absolute miserable time while the rest of us riding +40c tires had one of the funnest days of the whole trip.
Everyone I talk to thinks I'm super slow or my bike is super hard to pedal strictly based on it being a fat bike. My answer never changes. Try it for yourself. Once you go fat you never go back LOL!
So many things to comment on. But I agree with you on all accounts. As a former road racer ( not good but I did it) speed was all. But we knew that was us, not everyone. Speed is more relative now and I love my 2.1 tires wherever I’m at. I also love carbon and expensive bikes but if you’re sporting the Huffy and happy rock on. By the way I rode with people on way nice bikes but never heard anyone dis another rider because of their bike. And I’ve always ridden bikes for exercise, sanity, utility and just fun. In the end I guess I just like bikes.
Awesome. And I think that is rad you didn’t have to deal with the “bike-shamming”. It is definitely out there. (Worse on the ‘net of course). Same - I ride bikes for every reason.
@@TimFitzwater Yes funny that ‘net effect. Despite the kit, speed and bling we still just liked bikes and the people on them. We also were well aware that we could get our ass kicked by someone better on a “lesser” bike! Heck I even love the Walmart bikes, but don’t recommend them either. Wish I had a garage and space to mess with extra and old bikes like you. One thing I love about your channel is that it is centered around a totally different type of riding that I’ve always done. But I’m branching out!
I guess I’m not really sure what you are saying. But this video is about riding your ride and doing your own thing. If you are saying you think I’m being intolerant and have to strongly disagree and I’m not making any apologies for it.
No man, you have a pleasant vibe. Some of the points in the video about speed a little heavy. At the extremes, you are most correct. It's much like some who use the term "alt cycling" as though they are a small group of outsiders. In reality, they are a large group of people who seemingly only ride with people who look and think like them while calling out the intolerance of lycra clad riders who want to go little faster. Some of it starts to remind me too much of politics. This comes after working in a bike shop for two years and hearing the cool vibers bash riders of other styles after they collected the money for repairs. @@TimFitzwater
I guess I've just always ridden with all kinds of people. I agree that if you commit to some kind of style and then bash others that is lame. I will say that historically it has been the "roadies" that bash everyone else - there are still all kindsa meme accounts for it. But is is wrong no matter which way it goes.
Perhaps Strava can add a KOJ & QOJ; King and Queen of the Journey. Any way you ride is good if it is good for you. Thanks for including us on your journey.
I love it when a guy that's a little chubby starts bragging about all the light stuff he has on his bike. And I look at them and think to myself and laugh.... why don't you diet some if your that worried about riding weight.😂
Yeah - I’d never body shame anyone but definitely a big eye roll when I have to hear about titanium chain ring bolts. For sure - most of us could lose way more weight off ourselves then the thousands of dollars to take a few grams off the bike(if that’s your thing anyways).
@@sagehiker nothing needs to be earned for sure. It is weird to me though that people who focus so much on speed seem to focus so much on just the bike. The rider is obviously part of the system. Buuuut….that is the mainstream branding - easier to sell some some carbon bit and promise it will make you faster than doing anything else.
