BS: Bike Week 2002

Subject: Bike Week 2002
From: 53
Date: 15 May 02 - 07:18 PM

Its bike week in Myrtle Beach S.C. All Two hundred thousand bikers will be in town this week. Any comments.

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 02 - 07:20 PM

No

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: artbrooks
Date: 15 May 02 - 08:49 PM

Well, I hope they all have fun, and there's no more "evolution in action" like they had in Nevada two weeks ago. Sure wish I could afford one of those big bikes...I can think of all kinds of things I'd do before I bought one, however.

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 15 May 02 - 09:15 PM

Are we talking pushbikes or motorbikes? There's a case for giving them a week each each.

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 May 02 - 10:23 PM

Actually Fionn, I'd be for giving them a week together!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: GUEST,ozmacca
Date: 16 May 02 - 12:00 AM

What is it with two wheels anyway? And why should they have a week to themselves? Neither type seems to bring out the best in those affected by their particular syndrome.

The motorised versions seem to develop a kind of alter ego in the meekest individual. Kind of like a really serious skin complaint with symptoms of helmets and black visors, gauntlets, and black leather and denim. I used to have similar problems in my younger day, but managed to take the cure... which came in the form of a car and several months in hospital...

The un-motorised variety of homo bi-radicus might even be worse. Together with the designer water bottle (and designer water) it seems to be the latest in the yuppie accessories game. From the streamlined helmet, mitts... and all that lycra... down to the funny shoes, which in extreme cases are actually bolted to the pedals! I just love to see them in their Look-at-me gear on the thirty-nine speed dayglo yellow mountain bike trying to dismount.

I think I'll stick to four wheels, like the good Lord intended.

Subject: Images of Bikers
From: saulgoldie
Date: 16 May 02 - 12:55 PM

oz, Some 2-bys--moto and non-moto--are no doubtedly like those you describe. But lots of us are nothing like your image. I have often cursed under my breath some fire-breathing crotch-rocketeer as s/he blew by me at twice the speed limit, whilst I maintained my "speed limit" pace even though my bike could easily have led the way. And on my bicycle, I have been yelled at by drivers who slept through the part in driver's ed where they tell you what roads bicycles are allowed on and ever required to ride on as opposed to the sidewalks. About all I can say is: broad, sweeping genaralizations here as in other areas of life are not an effective approach. They do a disservice to the utterer as well as the victims. Gitcher motor running...but you'd look sweet.

And another thing--you thought I'd finished, didintcha?--if more of us rode two-wheelers, the air would be less messed up and the oil companies would have far less power over us. But now *I'M* trolling! (Shame on me!) ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 16 May 02 - 01:09 PM

Hmmmmm - I ride a large motorcycle, so does my pretty partner Ms. J, I have since 1967. I wear leathers (had enough of nurses in ERs scrubbing gravel out of my arms and legs with hook-nosed nylon brushes), probably look like a biker when all dressed up (so what?), but have enjoyed my two wheeled relationship immensely over the past 30+ years.

We love the back roads, small cafes, and the intimate time we get when the two of us are off on some adventure. As far as I am concerned cars cut me off from what the Good Lord intended - on a bike I am part of it - the smells, the animals, the sheer exhilaration of being exposed. God probably didn't have squat to do with either of them but it certainly makes for interesting postulating *BG*. And the 50+ miles per gallon is a definite benefit!

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 16 May 02 - 02:05 PM

Well said Norton-in yer tin can you are just a thing moving through the scenary, causing the problem. On a bike motorised or pedal power your part of the scenary and arn't part of the probelm, but the solution. You live and breathe in the wind, feel the sunshine and the cool evening air, or smell the fresh morning. you cost less on two wheels, these can be recycled easily, use less petrol,use less resources, save more road surface, make (mostly) less noise-hardly any on a push bike, and rarely do you see a pedal or motor cycle traffic jam.

Me I'd make everyone learn to ride 2 wheels, and encourage anyone to travel that way. Though I drive a tin can, I and all my family holiday for a month-push cycles only-not using a car at all, we ride ride at weekends, evenings, down to shops and local trips.We have a trailer for heavy shopping.

As for the designer gear-look at the pratts in cars, with their mobiles up their ears, the hifi distorting the body work as the bass goes boom boom boom, the dice, knodding dogs, ferrrrrrarrrri's and lamborgreenies etc-they are real posers. At least cycle designer wear, leather or other wise is effective insulation or wicking material.

By the way our house is called Norton-of course you can guess why! And I have a 750 Yam outfit.

Ride free and proud

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 May 02 - 02:10 PM

Hey boys, when you comin' down to London with the bikes then? I know some great roads...... 2 wheels is bestest ever (unless you have a purple/blue TVR, in which case, I'm free tonight...)

Even got to ride mine yesterday!!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Les from Hull
Date: 16 May 02 - 02:12 PM

How many of us push-bikers run people over and kill them?

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: little john cameron
Date: 16 May 02 - 09:03 PM

Liz, if ah mind richt ye got a bike last year.Correct me if ah'm wrang.Ah wis oot a couple o' days ago oan the Harley.Looked like a grand day for a hurl.Whit a mistake,ah nearly froze!Made it tae the pub!A few whiskies an' the scuttled back tae the shed.Mibbe next week. ljc

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: GUEST,ozmacca
Date: 16 May 02 - 09:27 PM

Just knew I'd get a bite.... I'm waving my white flag fellers, honest... I couldn't resist drawing the caricatures, but I can at least plead some experience - as well as the headaches.

I've done my share of pedal pushing in my mis-spent youth, and also had my time on motor-bikes. Liked it fine when it was a damn sight safer on the roads than it is now, with a lot less of the hell-for-leather-damn-you-get-out-the-way motoring (and motor-bike) brigade around... In fact, if I had my way I'd make it compulsory for everyone who wants a car licence to have at least one year's motor-cycling experience. That should teach at least some road sense. And pedal power is fine in its' place, but that place is NOT on multi-lane highways with a traffic flow that would terrify anyone not inside a steel shell. There was a case recently here where a cyclist who was hit by a truck sued for damages, despite being on a highway which is clearly signposted "No Bicycles" at every entry. We do need more cycle-ways around the place.

I shall now dismount from my hobby horse... or bike. I reckon around here the safest way to travel is by tank.

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 May 02 - 02:25 AM

Ozmacca - hit it on the head! I used to pedal a pushbike (or push a pedalbike) and was appalled at how drivers treated me. When I learned to drive, I took (and still take) great care around cyclists, even the ones who hang onto my rear bumper, scrape their handlebars down my car cutting in, suddenly veer out in front of me because there's a 4" gap there and scream abuse at me for turning left, despite me signalling for the last 30 yards and checking every 2 seconds for anyone coming up behind. Whilst learning to ride the motorbike, I had a trucker in my 'class'. We were having a natter over tea one day and he admitted that he'd been driving for 20 years and never noticed motorbikes or cyclists. Being up in a cab, he just hadn't seen them as potential accidents. Now that he was down on the bike, he realised just how vulnerable they are. Consequently, when he went back to his truck or car, he was a more observant and careful driver. I've always thought that all learner drivers should spend at least a week on 2 wheels (motorised or not), just so they realise how invisible they are to what seems to be 75% of the vehicle driving population.

And you know what pisses me off most? I'm still not that confident in my own abilities, so I don't filter through traffic, I sit in it like I was a car. I get other bikers cutting in front of me! I had a scooter rider actually kick my leg out from under me (thank heaven I had the other down too or I'd've dropped the bike into the traffic!) because he was cutting in front of me at lights and scooting along with his feet. There's a scrape on my topbox that isn't from the garden wall, but the BMW Cissymobile (a motorbike with a roof!) who cut in too close whilst he was filtering.

Make everyone who uses the road ride a bike!!! Shall we make it our new Mudcat campaign?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: GUEST,ozmacca
Date: 17 May 02 - 02:39 AM

Nah Liz. Nice idea but... That means that I'd have to learn all over again.... At my age!!! You know how they say, "Easy as falling off a log"? Well, make that a bike.

Mind you, if you do get the scheme off the ground, do you think you'll need somebody in a car to keep the cyclist's road sense keen? Given a free rein and freedom from silly constraints like the law etc etc etc, I think I could qualify. However, try as I might, I don't think I could be as bad a driver as some of the ones I have to share the road with. Shudder......

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 20 May 02 - 09:37 PM

Liz, I started riding bikes in the days when you didn't have to learn, and I'm afraid that sometimes it shows.

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 21 May 02 - 05:01 AM

I'll admit to being a born again biker, but not the motorised version yet! My job has moved part-time to Hull, so I pedal over the Humber Bridge three days a week, 12.5 miles each way, and toll free (£fiver a day). I feel really fit now, or to paraphrase (and Anglicise) Gene Hackman, I could rip the arse out of an elephant.

I've got a serious lycra thang, though; really embraced the image, and can't pass an accessory shop without diving in for some dayglo gear!

EtV is my consultant, whose constant mantra is 'service yer bike, ye bugger!'

Skipjack

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Trevor
Date: 21 May 02 - 05:18 AM

Having been born, bred and brought up around bikes, (Mom & Dad still involved with racing at 72!) I agree with EtV that if everybody had to have a spell on two (or three) wheels then we might all be a bit safer from tin can drivers who have no sense of connection with what's going on around them.

Just for the record, my first bike was a BSA A7 and subsequently went through the lot - Nortons, Velocette, Bonneville, Vincent etc etc. We'll have to chew the fat over this sometime Eric.

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: artbrooks
Date: 21 May 02 - 08:29 AM

I'm still riding the Mercian bicycle (you Brits call them pushbikes?) that I bought in 1980. It has gone through at least two complete rebuilds, in which I replaced everything from the frame outwards, and I think the pedals are next. I don't go in for lycra, however...visualize a 240 pound whale in spandex...or you're probably better off not visualizing it!

Subject: Trailer Week 2002
From: GUEST,truckerdave
Date: 21 May 02 - 09:17 AM

hey guys, ya'll ain't quite up on the US biking community. To begin with the rally must have covered 10 sqare miles in order for everyone to have room to park the trailers they hauled thier bikes on. Have visions of large numbers of leather clad bikers roaring by returning from the rally? Get that vision out of your head. Right now!! Instead think of large SUV's and full size pickups pulling an endless line of spotless, gleaming bikes on trailers down the interstate on a beautiful sunny day. No one actually rides thier $20,000 bikes anymore. The chrome will get dirty and the wind in your face is such a bother.

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: little john cameron
Date: 21 May 02 - 09:28 AM

Noo here's a man that knows his priorities.A construction worker in Quebec shared the winnings on the Super 7 lottery jackpot of nearly $38.000.000.What did he do with the winnings?Right away,even before cashing the cheque it was down to the Harley Shop for a new Harley.He said"The wife can have the rest" ljc

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 May 02 - 02:09 PM

Skipjack in lycra...... oooooooooh, nurse, the screens!!!

And yes, there are bikers like that over here too, still, £15000 and 15 miles doesn't make a biker.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 21 May 02 - 02:24 PM

Completely agree-wind, rain or snow(With an outfit it's easier, and can be done on a push bike as well-often have winter rides-Should see me and dawn in a blizzard!)) but ride to live , live to ride. That's why MAG)M (motorcycle) A (action) G (group) have arrive on bike only rallies. Much better than bike on trailer-polish it, start it up, pose then put it under plastic again.BMF you can arrive with your bike tucked behind.

We also do CTC-cycle touring club rallies, turn up on a bike and camp. We have a 4 man Outwell cassaa grande' plus,(7Kg) Dawn and I split the load between us, as well as front and rear panniers. Last year at the York rally, some itinerant bikers (cyclists) were walking past and said "they never got that here on a bike" to which I replied, bollocks can't ye peddle with anything more than a little bag strapped to yer cycle.When we tour for the summer, you need to take everything your gonna need for a month. Including fishing gear for me, books, cooking gear-clean clothes, eating, swimming, washing,gear etc. Dawn and I cycle with up to 75-90 pounds each on our bikes. Matt has about 10 Kg, Freja about 2-3Kg (She's only 9) it's a question of how you want to do it, and how much you are prepared to carry. We stopped some guy in Holland a couple of years ago, his gear must have weighed only a few Kg, but he was dirty and smelly.- no it wasn't skipjack in his lycra-Hey man, you should have told me before we went to Belgium!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: 53
Date: 21 May 02 - 02:27 PM

I saw a Victory Bike yesterday and man was it nice. I sure would like some info on these. Does anybody know where to look?

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: little john cameron
Date: 21 May 02 - 02:52 PM

Here ye go 53Victory

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: little john cameron
Date: 21 May 02 - 02:57 PM

Check the mountain bike page.Ah see they also sell cigars and booze. Strange?? ljc

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: little john cameron
Date: 21 May 02 - 03:43 PM

Yoho,ye've got me rememberin again.When I was in my teens I was a fanatic for cycles.At that time I was the proud owner of a "Flying Scot".Not having money to buy a new one,they were about 25pounds at the time,too much for an apprentice.I had a bike at the time but it embarassed me to ride it as it had Sturmey-Archer gears and made this awful clicking when in top gear.Actually it was a good bike but not snazzy enough for ljc
A guy at work said he had a Scot frame in his shed that I could have.I still remember riding home on the old bike with the Scot frame over my shoulder.Eventually I aquired the rest of the bike,one piece at a time.
First thing to be done was a paint job.So,off to Rattreys and order Dark Metallic Blue.The same color as the hot steel chips that came off my lathe at work.Then put it together.Sprints and tubs.Campagnolo gear cluster and double chainwheel and a wee seat the vanished up your arse whe you sat on it
Many years of riding in all kinds of weather to the SYHA all over Scotland.I remember getting caught in a vicious rainstorm going through Glencoe.Talk about bleak! I thought I would never make it.

Here is a few of the bikes that were on the go at this time for all you Brits that were around then.Enjoy the trip.

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: little john cameron
Date: 21 May 02 - 03:46 PM

oops,CLASSIC CYCLES

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: weepiper
Date: 21 May 02 - 05:28 PM

Wow, ljc, you would like to meet some of the old boys that come into my bike shop in Edinburgh (I'm a mechanic). We service a few vintage bikes - there's a chap with an old Hetchins Curly who comes in quite often.

Just for something different, here's a picture of my bike, or at least an idea of it... the frame's the same but since I built it up out of the remains of the previous bike with assorted new bits, it's not like the stock bikes any more.

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: weepiper
Date: 21 May 02 - 05:30 PM

Oops forgot to say it's the picture at the top of the page. And whoever put the chain in that position really should know better

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: little john cameron
Date: 21 May 02 - 07:08 PM

Amazin,ah wis jist thinkin aboot the Curly Hetchins bikes wi' curly back end.Fae whit a can mind is that these were track bikes an' the reason for the funny chainstays wis so ye could get a bit o' whip effect.
Ah had a wee bike shop here in Newfoundland for a while daein repairs an' buildin bikes oot o' whit a could scrounge up.It is terrible the wie youngsters treat their bikes these days.For a stert they never clean them an' afore ye know it they are rustit oot.
Eventually ah gave it up as the cost o' these fancy new mountain bikes yer micht as weel get anither ane.
Dae ye mind the "Dawes Clansman"?Yon wis a bonnie bike bit wis maistly for show.It wis covered wi' tartan decals an' thistles an' stuff.Anither builder wis Ernie Worrall in Hamilton.Ane o' the cheapest lightweight frames wis a FREJUS",ah built a few usin them.
Noo that ah've gied it up ah hae a shed fu' o' bike pairts,ye can hae them for naethin if ye jist cairt them awa.ljcBTW,yer pic widnae come up.

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: little john cameron
Date: 21 May 02 - 07:52 PM

Ah got the pic efter.Jings,it's a dandy.When ah wis talkin aboot cheap anes ah meant the Canadian tyre lookalikes.Then sell them wi' hydraulics an split frames an' stuff for$169.oo.Whit's the price on yours,no'that a want ane.The Harley is mair mah style nooadays.ljc

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Gervase
Date: 22 May 02 - 06:56 AM

I've just got back into cycling after some evil b*****d stole my Mercian tourer a few years back. I didn't learn to drive until I was 25, and used to cycle some 20 miles a day, and the Mercian was bespoke built and rode like a dream. Used to be fit as a butcher's dog as a result, with legs like condoms full of walnuts.
Now I'm back int he saddle again maybe I can get my arse to stop looking like a bin-bag full of cottage cheese. I still can't quite get used to the chunky tyres and multiplicity of gears on modern bikes, though. The brakes, however, are infinitely better these days!

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: weepiper
Date: 22 May 02 - 02:39 PM

ljc, it's a bit hard to put a price on my bike because it's all cobbled together out of odd bits, but the frame cost £400 and I guess the whole bike would be about £900-1000 to replace new. You're right about the cheap 'Mountain Bikes' though, they're the bane o' ma life... we call 'em 'trade waste bikes' at the shop because what we really want to do is slap a trade waste sticker on and leave them out for the scaffies! :-)

Gervase is right about brakes too, some of the brakes on older bikes are plain dangerous. I keep meaning to get a disc brake for the front (yes, like a motorbike) but I don't really ride enough to justify spending the money. Hmmm, disc brakes or money towards new bagpipes? No contest really.

Anyway, here's some more shiny new bikes to look at - these are what we sell most of at my shop. That's a new website by the way, so don't expect too much yet...

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 May 02 - 05:03 PM

There is a slight problem with having brakes on the front that are too good.... that's how I left a large chunk of face and half a tooth on the tarmac....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: GUEST,ozmacca
Date: 22 May 02 - 08:02 PM

Hey, Weepiper and ljc. I've just read your posts about the Hetchins... excuse me while I slip into the vernacular as well.... Goad, bit that takes me back. Ma faither hud yin o' thae frae his racing days, an' it wis the furst full-size bike ah iver rode. A bonnie machine tae. He hud the Magnum Opus model and the frame hud been chrome plaitit when he bocht it new weel afore the war. he wis intae road racing and track events an' ah've still goat his racing medals an' cups an' that.

Thoan Hetchins wi the curved rear sprocket tubes used tae go like a burd. When ah chinged ower tae motor-bikes he hung oan tae the Hetchins and eventually when ah emigrated, he gave it tae a fella that hud been an apprentice o' his and wis intae bike racing.

Ah mind his twa brithers were intae bikes tae, and they had a' sorts o' frames and bits and pieces in their sheds. Ah'd huv gi'en mah eye-teeth fur some o' that stuff. Thur wis a Banes frame (ah think) wi' nae main tube frae the saddle down tae the chain-wheel bracket. Instead o' that yin big tube there wis twa pair o' thin tubes gaun frae a shortened saddle tube tae the back sprocket. Aye, an' a tandem tae, wi' the same kind o' arrangement. Nae idea whit happened tae a' that though...

Subject: RE: BS: Bike Week 2002
From: little john cameron
Date: 23 May 02 - 09:25 AM

Braw story Ozzie.Guid joab oan the scrievin anaw.ljc