Cycling vs. motorcycling

Yes. A few races where my old MX and offroad moto skills absolutely made the difference, was like that. Like the Snake Creek Gap TT (time trial). Very rocky with still lots of climbing (5k over 34 miles)..but riding huge rock gardens quick and efficiently made the difference against guys that would beat me in an easier XC race or roadie group ride. You race it in the winter. Once in Jan, Feb, and Mar taking your fastest time.

This was 09 in the rain, in Jan at this TT. Rocks for miles and miles.. Ended up 1st in class (open 50+) and 2nd overall (200+ racers). Beating all those younger bastards at 51 yrs age.


I was the first rider in, that race. Promoter took a pic for their website.

 

As mentioned, pedal bikes are cheaper than motorcycles. Both take a lot of time to be good at. I had both a road and MTB FS bike for a couple years. Rarely used the road bike, as I found it boring. Much preferred the single trails for technical skill and speed. It's still not the same level of excitement as racing bikes, but it's not going to be.

I've got a 29er HT now that I rode quite a bit this past summer with a bunch of guys/roadracers. We all agree it's not the same, but it's cheaper and it's great exercise. Strava makes it fun - but I don't want to get too serious about it, where it's not fun. I'd like to try the Zwift setup this winter once I get my bike back from some warranty work. These short days are deplorable.

 

I only use my MTB on occasion when it's cold out as I enjoy the road stuff a lot more, but I pretty much agree. I started pedaling exclusively for the exercise and then as I did it more and some of my buddies got into it, I found I really enjoyed it. I don't necessarily want to race, because I don't have the time to dedicate to being able to do it like I'd like and I'm too competitive to do something "just for fun" (which is the same reason I stopped racing motorcycles), but I do like the data and things that help me get more out of the time I do spend on the bicycle, on the road and on the trainer.

 

Markham, Quiet Waters, & Dyer Park are pretty fun MTB trails. Markham might be my favorite in FL behind Graham.

 

I would guess you either don't have fast/fun trails near you, or you prefer the general road cycling bib/outfit.

There's some real technical single trail stuff out our way that's fun, but a really good 7 mile loop that is fast and flows really well. Our group is generally riding together, or hazing the others while checking Strava - when one of us can't make it out and the conditions are really good.

 

Markham is fun, I've been there a few times, I still have a lot to learn, but I find it's more of a project, I have to load up and drive 30 min. Whereas road cycling, I just have to gear up and pedal out the front door.

I could see getting hooked on Mountain biking, my brother in law goes a lot, makes it fun to have someone to go with. He's good at showing me stuff, too, because I've still got a lot to learn when MTB riding.

 

We've got a pretty good selection of trails out here as well as plenty of paved bike paths and, of course, the Velodrome and the road course about 15 minutes from my house, which is awesome.

https://thevelodrome.com

I just like the speed of the road stuff more and grinding miles and climbing instead of negotiating trails and obstacles.

However, any KOM dreams go out the window anywhere around here because of the Velodrome and the world caliber cyclists that train and ride there, on the road course, and on the surrounding roads. The times they put down are demoralizing.

 

Agreed. Most of the guys setting KOM's are older, so I figure there is hope there somewhere.

 

I'm actually headed there tomorrow for that same race. It will be my first time there and only my 3rd mtb race. I did the Swank 65 in Pisgah a few months ago and it was fun so I'm looking forward to the snake 50 on Saturday... although it looks like it may be a bit cold there this Saturday.

 

Yeah, it looks pretty damn cold on Sat. Seems its always cold, raining, snowing, etc for that race. Good luck. Enjoy that last 6 miles of rocks lol ..and climbing "the Wall" (everyone walks it) at the beginning of that last 6 miles..just to take away anything your legs still had left by then.

I did it every yr, until my injuries in 012 (tried again in 014) . This is from 08, doing the 34 miler (no 50 miler then)


Waiting on the clock to start the 17 mile version (by far the most rocks) , in 011. It was raining again lol


During a cold preride of the 34 mile course.This chic usually always wins the womenz pro class.


More Tenn Plateau-ish, in once you make the ridgeline, its more small up/downs. But many are loose, rocky, steep, etc...where you have to go aerobic. Ouch.


Even the little stuff is tough. After miles of it..




Even the smooth parts are rocky lol Solo riding the course back before they ever raced there, in 03. Was about 100 F'n degrees this day.


Last time I raced it in 2014. Got my arse handed to me. Was 50 minutes off my race winning pace. ..despite turning myself insideout.


Bike I won it on, the night before the 011 Mar race. 08 Titus Motolite. 5.5" travel at both ends. 22.7lbs.


On the podium. Hate those ackward chairs. Rather stand.

 

Thanks to this post i ordered a better trainer, getting on zwift and will be doing some enduro races next year, i really wanna try CX as its a mixed of road and mtn but i heard the competition is crazy at all levels.

 

Did I mention I got beaten buy a guy in a turkey costume?

Super fun though. And I was on an old bike and ran the entire race in 1 gear because my derailleur was all gunked up from the horrible conditions.

 

It snowed a couple inches today. Fat bike fun tomorrow!

Finally cold enough that my local trails are frozen.

 

Guess your there, this morning. Those rock gardens will not be fun. Good luck to you. Pic off FB just now.

 

Have you had the experience of someone faster coming up behind and yelling, "STRAVA?" I had some guy do that this fall on some local trails and I just tried to get in his way. It happened once when I lived in Boise as well. Maybe I'm just too slow.

 

Anyone else have technical issues trying to log in to a Zwift account or creating one on Mac or IOS?

 

Nope... but thanks for asking!

 

Yeah, I was there. It was a complete mess of a race since the shuttle service bailed out due to weather. That being said I was fine with them shortening it to 17 miles. 50 would've been tough today. I did have a really good time though and the technical stuff was slippery but still fun!

 

Dick!

 

I finally got my fat bike out on the trails today!

12 miles with the local club. That drastically helped my confidence versus a CX race with no training to speak of.

I'm sure a lot of these guys (and gals) were out to socialize more than push the pace, but I wasn't out-classed and completely out of place. That was a relief.

Next race is 1/28. I'll let you guys know how it goes ...unless I get beat by another turkey.