HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: ilana@kiowa.scd.ucar.edu (Ilana Stern)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.soc
Subject: Re: DO YOU shower after a commute?
Date: 28 Sep 92 17:56:21 GMT
Organization: NCAR/UCAR

In article <1992Sep28.143414.15731@cbnewse.cb.att.com>, pwyc@cbnewse.cb.att.com (peter.w.chen) writes:
 
> So, my question to those who live in other parts of the world: do you find
> showering facilities a big issue in bike commuting?  Is that more important
> than, say, better parking facilities and safer routes?

Well, I suppose I'm an anomalous datapoint, but I absolutely have to
shower after my commute.  The reason for this can be inferred from the ascii
drawing in my .signature:  the last 2 miles of my ride are at an average
of almost 6% uphill grade.  

I think showers are an important incentive that companies can give
to encourage riding.  In general, they don't have any control over route
safety, unless the access road is private.  (The NCAR road could be
improved by adding a shoulder, but I'd rather have showers.)  Parking
facilities are not that important to me as long as there is a safe rack
or bikes are allowed in offices.  
-- 
/\                
  \_][ <--NCAR Ilana Stern dod#009 r.b. cliff swallow ilana@ncar.ucar.edu    
      \______________________________________________________________________
From: amiller@almaden.ibm.com (Alex Miller)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: Demise of the touring bike? (was re: Comments
Date: 28 Sep 1992 02:39:39 -0500
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

In <1992Sep27.075433.15883@husc3.harvard.edu>
  ndrose@husc8.harvard.edu (Nathan Rose) writes:

> I recently did a tour of Great Britain, covering up to 80 mi. a day, pretty
> heavily loaded (weighty recording equipment) on a Schwinn Crisscross. I
> thought about getting a touring bike instead, but to me it's a significant
> advantage to have an upright position--you can see more, which is the point
> of touring, and also safer.

You could get a mild rise stem (like a 5-degree Salsa cro-mo stem),
use road handlebars, and be able to choose an upright position or a
dropped position.  You can say that an upright position is safer, I'll
say that a dropped (or low) position allows you brake more
effectively, which is also safer.  A touring bike would have a lower
bottom bracket which would make the bike more stable, especially
loaded with weights - again the touring bike would be safer in my
opinion.

>                             i didn't find it uncomfortable. Also, there
> are many bike trails that are not fully paved, and a little extra tread
> goes a long way--I amy have been a little slower on-road, but when you're
> touring, how much of a hurry are you in?

My touring bike has Avocet 700x35 Duro-Plus tires, which seem to be
almost indestructible on anything I've had the desire to ride over.  I
have no problems riding (quickly or slowly) on many fire-roads and
nasty gravel roads.  My touring frame even has room for Michelin
Hi-Lite tour tires, which although more fragile than the Avocets,
offer even more loft and comfort.  In fact, none of my cross bikes
(Bianchi Axis, Alan, and Bontragger CX) are as comfortable as my
McLean touring bike.  The McLean has an extra low bottom bracket
(10.5" with 700x35 tires), a 42" long stable wheelbase with 18" long
chainstays that keep my rear panniers away from my size 46 shoes.  The
cantilevers on my touring bike are just as good as the cantilevers on
the cross bikes.  I've ridden cross bikes and touring bikes on 100mi
club century rides and I'll take a touring bike every time.

Nathan, I will admit that the Schwinn Crisscross is an excellent
value.  My custom McLean frame cost almost $700, and that was
back in 1983.  But I'd still rather go touring on a Schwinn Voyager,
Miyata LT-1000, Trek 750, or Bridgestone RB-T, than any hybrid
I know of (including the Bruce Gordon Rock-n-Road.)

Alex Miller
amiller@almaden.ibm.com
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,rec.bicycles.misc
From: flip@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Phillip Russell)
Subject: More bad press for cyclists
Organization: Purdue University
Distribution: na
Date: Sun, 4 Oct 1992 10:32:20 GMT

Noticed some more bad press that cyclists are getting. This time it's
in the November issue of Spider-Man comics.

The scene starts with Spidey landing in front of a cyclist in the street.

The text reads:


	WOULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE EFFORT IF IT WAN'T FOR ONE OF THE MOST
	DANGEROUS DRIVERS ON NEW YORK CITY STREETS--
	THE WEAVING IN-AND-OUT--
	HITCH-A-RIDE-BUMPER-STYLE-TO-GET-THROUGH-TRAFFICJAMS--
	NO LAWS COUNT--
	BICYCLE COMMANDO--

cyclist avoids spidey and hits curb flying over handlebars and landing
on little girl.

CYCLIST: I ought to bust you right in the face! What gives with you, wearing
	a bumb clown costume and doning acrobatics?!

SPIDEY (TO GIRL): You okay?

GIRL: Yes, it hurt my knees.

CYCLIST: You nearly break my bike and my neck and then you think you're going
	to ignore me? You hear me speaking to you, jerk?

SPIDEY (THINKING): Don't let him get to you. Let it slide. You've got more 
	important things to concentrate on.

CYCLIST: You want a piece of me? I'll give you shot for shot.

SPIDEY: You sure you would't rather apologize for riding that bike like a
	ghoulish manaiac and hurting this girl because you couldn't keep your
	bike under control?

CYCLIST: Where do you get off giving lectures? I'll give you something to
	remember.

Cyclist swings at spidey a couple of times and then the cyclist is webbed
with his bike hanging from a lamp post.

Who's the good guy here anyway?


-- 
    __@  __@        Phillip "Flip" Russell  | Purdue University
  _-\<, -\<,_       flip@sage.cc.purdue.edu | West Lafayette, IN
 (_)/---|/-(_)      "We don't have enough power captain!!!"
From: x90watz@gw.wmich.edu
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: SUNTOUR vs. SHIMANO + OTHER QUESTIONS
Date: 1 Oct 92 20:31:51 EST
Organization: Western Michigan University

Hey there netters,

I was just wondering a few things about mountain bikes........ What is the
general concensus (or isn't there one?) on Shimano vs. Suntour components. 
Salesman told me that Shimano is better (common, easy to service if need be,
easily obtained parts, etc.), but the explaination he gave wasn't very
convincing.

Another thing -- what kind of tires should I get?  I will be mostly riding to
and from school ('til I move to Colorado next summer), so I don't think I need
the usual tires that come on the bike.  What should I look for in a tire?  Does
it really make that much difference what kind of tires I use?

And lastly, I am probably going to buy a used bike, and I was considering
looking for one with a broken fork and then putting shox on it....how much do
those things cost?  Is this a wise decision, or should I not worry about it at
this point?  I figure that if I buy a used bike (especailly one that's got
broken forks), I should be able to save about 50%........or am I being
over-optimistic?  Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

-Mike-
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From:  (jmhodapp@aplcomm.jhuapl.edu)
Subject: Re: DO YOU shower after a commute?
Organization: master/peon
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 92 19:54:56 GMT

I have three things to say:

Baby Powder
Baby Powder
Baby Powder

You smell great, it dries and softens, the list goes on (of course, the men's
room is a little too good smelling after a few days of you throwing the stuff
around, but...)

Jon jmhodapp@aplcomm.jhuapl.edu
===============================
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,rec.bicycles.rides
From: jcliu@four-lab4.Berkeley.EDU (James C. Liu)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: Price Club Bikes?
Date: 2 Oct 1992 17:05:42 GMT
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Distribution: ca
NNTP-Posting-Host: four-lab4.berkeley.edu

Price Club as well as Costco both carry entry level ATBs.  I assembled
several for friends who were on a tight budget, and my conclusion is
that on the bikes that are $250 and up, you're getting a great deal on
the bike (relative to a shop) as long as you can assemble the bike
properly.  The bikes that are less than that, tend to have cheap caliper
breaks, cable housing all over the place, cheap saddles, seatposts,
handlebars and stems.

Costco actually even carries a full Deore XT bike that weighs in under
26 lbs and costs only $499.

Unlike some persons on the net, I wouldn't classify the $250+ bikes as
"department store" bikes.  No way.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if
the bikes came out of the same factory in Taiwan that manufactures
Specialized, Mongoose, Diamond Back, Giant, etc.  IMHO, they carry the
same Shimano 3,4,500-LX or Suntour XCT,M,E, etc groups, Ritchey or
Araya rims, and other stuff as bikes costing a hundred bucks more (on
sale) at a bike shop.  The only thing is that you have to do the
assembly yourself (or get someone to do it) and warrantee claims are
going to be a pain.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ James C. Liu - "Sorry, I didn't get that...I was a busy listening   +
+                 to my new Kome Kome Club and Princess Princess CDs. +
+                 By the way, karaoke anyone???"                      +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: andre@avalanche.Canada.Sun.Com (Andre Giroux # let me outta here)
Subject: Re: roads & inconsiderate motorists
Reply-To: andre@avalanche.Canada.Sun.Com
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 13:07:58 GMT

OK I made sentencing mistakes. (writing in english is not obvious for me sometimes)

I understand there are morons on cars and bikes. I just thought that
roads (like downtown) roads just can't accomodate two means of
transport in a safe manner so everybody is happy. Believe me when I
said -bicycles are a moving target to me-, I did not mean I am making a
challenge out of hitting bicycles. far from it. I've seen so many bike
accidents in town that this is the thought that jumps to my mind.  I've
been moutain biking for 6 years.Cross-country, downhill and some
trial.  It's just that have see so much harmony in the mountains that
it is obvious to me that things like that cannot happen on roads.
Mountain bikers, pedestrians, people on horses, everybody seems to be kind and
understanding. Everybody has fun it's way...
Roads are usually filled with busy working people, that have tendancy
not to worry about people not using cars.

Sorry If I offended so many people..., but still give mountain biking a shot...

ag

---
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I know a lot of people who used to ski, I don't know anyone who used to
 snowboard"

 - from K2 Gyrator add

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: sml@yarra-glen.aaii.oz.au (Steven Law)
Subject: Re: Air Transport
Organization: Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 08:26:46 GMT

AGECON23@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU (Hugo@vtvm1.cc.vt.edu  <AGECON23@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU>) writes:

>Wouldn't it be nice to be able to ride your bike to the airport,
>check-in, then ride right up to the plane, with racks in the cargo,
>then hop on the plane, and you're flying.

>Arrival would be even better: you get off the plane, get your bike,
>and ride right out to the road!  No terminal, taxis, luggage claim, etc.
>What a great idea, somebody tell the airlines.

>  - Tony Dziepak  <Hugo@vtvm1.cc.vt.edu>

I've dual-moded with plane a few times. That is, ride from home to airport,
catch plane, ride to workplace at other end. It did involve the usual bike
prep - pedals off, bars turned - and checking in of other luggage.

I guess it's about the least convenient other half of a dual-mode system.
In order of decreasing convenience:
    Boat
    Train
    Car
    Bus
    Plane
Depending on how close the terminals/stations are to your start and end points,
and how bicycle friendly the system is, cost, timing etc.

Steve Law.
From: tomk@netcom.com (Thomas H. Kunich)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: roads & inconsiderate motorists
Date: 30 Sep 92 21:21:01 GMT
Article-I.D.: netcom.1992Sep30.212101.13871
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)

In article <2926879540.1.p00004@psilink.com> "Michael Smith" <p00004@psilink.com> writes:
>
>1) The activity of driving *in itself* tends to disturb people's mental
>equilibrium. Some combination of isolation effect, physical immobility 
>combined with high anxiety, and perhaps neurological damage due to lead 
>poisoning. 
>
>2) The automobile has become so hegemonic in our economy, culture, and 
>collective imagination, that any interference with it is seen as a kind 
>of atrocity or sacrilege. The analogy would be with the abject, 
>flea-bitten peasantry of mediaeval Europe, with their deep love and 
>veneration for the lords and clerics that ground their faces in the mud. 
>The car bestrides our physical and emotional lives like a two-ton, 
>poison-spewing incubus, and yet we love it, with the deep, tremulous 
>love that only profound masochists know.

I think that what has to be done is to develop a set of driving laws
that recognizes that people tend to be assholes when they drive. Right
now the driving laws seem to be designed around the premise that 
drivers are all nice polite people that are never in a hurry, never
out of sorts, never had a bad day, or would ever think of using a
position of power (3,500 lb.s of steel and 175 hp) to harass someone
in a lesser position of power (25 lb.s of mechanism and 1/4 hp).

It's very simple, really, just have manditory jail sentences for
such harassment and it will _completely_ disappear.
Xref: sparky rec.bicycles:22817 rec.bicycles.misc:674 rec.bicycles.soc:374
From: harold@cs.uq.oz.au (Andrew Wood)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.soc
Subject: Re: DO YOU shower after a commute?
Date: 29 Sep 92 00:52:12 GMT
Reply-To: harold@cs.uq.oz.au
Followup-To: rec.bicycles

In <1992Sep28.143414.15731@cbnewse.cb.att.com> pwyc@cbnewse.cb.att.com (peter.w.chen) writes:

>So, my question to those who live in other parts of the world: do you find
>showering facilities a big issue in bike commuting?  Is that more important
>than, say, better parking facilities and safer routes?

Here in Brisbane, things get pretty sticky in the summer time. It used to be
(until only a year or so ago) that every state public servant was issued with
a towel (changed twice weekly) so that they could wipe down when they got
to work! It was an anachronism dating back to pre- air-con days, but you
get the idea.

I really like a shower when I get to work. I could live without, especially in
winter and spring when it is nice and dry, but I'd rather not.

I think that nothing will stop the hard core cyclists from commuting. 
However, I can think of a fair number of people that I know 
who "...would commute by bike except..." 
These people are good at using excuses. Anything that reduces the number
of excuses will increase the number of people commuting. 

Fundamentally, safe routes must be the most important. If you aren't going
to make it to work in one piece, then showers are a bit irrelevant. Likewise,
if your bike is stolen, then showers won't be all that useful.

Incidentally, in an unusually cycle friendly mood, the city council passed 
an ordinance that all new city offices must have adequate shower facilities.

Andrew
--
  __0    _-_|\      harold@cs.uq.oz.au is: Andrew Wood
 -\<,   /     * <-- Comp Sci Dept, U. of QLD, Brisbane 
0/  0   \_.-._/     
             v      "This is a job for 'The Australian'"    Delicatessen.
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,rec.bicycles.tech
From: aberigan@nde.unl.edu (A. Berigan)
Subject: Re: Glasses and goggles
Followup-To: rec.bicycles.tech
Organization: Ord High School, Ord, NE
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 19:31:23 GMT

bgeer@javelin.sim.es.com (Bob Geer) writes:
>brockr@muvaxa.rferl.org (Train, Learn, Climb, Ride) writes:

>>  Quick question:  as a rider who wears glasses (unfortunately I can't wear
>>contacts) I was wondering if anyone has heard of a company which sells goggles
>>which can fit over glasses?  Do such goggles even exist?  Thanks in advance.

>Here's a cheap over-spectacles solution:
>
>The League of American Wheelmen's Bicycling USA magazine has a
>recurring ad for Kroops Goggles, an inexpensive (~$6) flexible plastic
>goggle with vent holes in various tints & transparent that should fit
>over most spectacles.  

I use a mirror which clips on to my glasses frame and can be adjusted
for view -- called a "Third Eye (R)".  Would one of these be compatible
with the Kroops Goggles, or do I have to stick with things like
"SolarShades" (from Walgreens)?

><> Bob `Bear' Geer | bgeer@beorn.sim.es.com                        |_______| <>

--     o
      /\_         (10/3)  1/      (11/3)
  ---P\--~\_    WF      + /(10-WF)
__P")=/-'_(`)__
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~aberigan@nde.unl.edu (Greg Berigan)
Xref: sparky rec.bicycles:23009 rec.bicycles.rides:237
From: rod@array.com (Rod Hofer)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,rec.bicycles.rides
Subject: Cross-Australia Tour
Keywords: Australia, International, Tour
Date: 7 Oct 92 00:28:05 GMT
Followup-To: poster
Organization: Array Microsystems, Colorado Springs, CO. USA



Hey cyclists!

I'm not a regular to this group so please respond by E-mail at

	    rod@array.com

I'm starting to look into a cross continental bicycle trip from
Perth to Sidney.  I'm not sure of the best direction so I'd like some
input on this.  Currently I'm planning for August or so of 1993.
Again, since I'm not familiar with the weather patterns in Australia,
I could use some pointers on the time of year (e.g. would late Summer
pushing into Autumn be a better time).

I understand that there are two different roads that you can take between
the two cities.  The Southern route looks to be more scenic.  How is traffic
on either of these roads?  Do I need to worry about angry drivers that have
a terrible dislike for cyclists?

Right now I'm trying to find a good riding partner.  It could be either
female or male.  We don't necessarily need to live close together.  I
would be willing to travel occassionally to ride together.  The pace
that I would like to keep is an average of about 100-120 miles per day 
(which makes the trip about 25-30 days).  

I then plan to travel up to Cairnes to do some diving on the Barrier reef.
The plan isn't to ride there but some other mode of transportation.

Let me know if you're interested in joining me or if you have information
that I should know before embarking on this expedition.

Thanks for the input.

Rod
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: k3amichi@student.business.uwo.ca (Kentaro Nakamichi)
Subject: Re: Using Cannondales as Track Bikes
Organization: University of Western Ontario
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 04:24:35 GMT

Somebody mentioned they wanted to use their Cannondale as a fixed gear 
and got the reply that chain length would be a problem.  There are ways 
around this.  If you use a proper track chain, which is quite a bit 
thicker and stronger than the road variety, you can put in a special link 
which is basically a half link, so that chain length can be adjusted a 
lot better.  Track bikes are usually ridden with a bit of slack in the 
chain anyway so being off by maybe one link won't be catastrophic.  

k3amichi@student.business.uwo.ca (Kentaro Nakamichi)
Western Business School  --  London, Ontario
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,rec.bicycles.misc
From: "Michael Smith" <p00004@psilink.com>
Subject: Re: damage to trails - cause found!
Organization: Performance Systems Int'l
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 16:38:41 GMT
X-Mailer: PSILink (3.2)

>dinsmm@marcus.its.rpi.edu (Michael Dinsmore) writes:
>
>>While riding my brand new mtn bike, i found out
>>what causes damage to the trails.  No, it isn't
>>mountain bikes...

>>After I came around a bend I saw a guy and a gal
>>going at it like bunnies!  Right on the trail!
>>Hmmm.....What does IMBA say about yielding to 
>>that???

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but kneeprints.
From: HUGO@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU (Tony Dziepak)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Bike/running conversion factors
Date: 5 Oct 1992 20:49:27 -0500
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

Allow me to propose the following conversion factors,
as a matter of clarification:

Distance traveled per time unit, holding effort constant, = 2.5;

Overall effort per given distance, independent of time, = 10; and

a new one:

Miles per calorie = 5 to 6.

Comments welcome, especially on the last one.

  - Tony Dziepak <Hugo@vtvm1.cc.vt.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: sml@yarra-glen.aaii.oz.au (Steven Law)
Subject: Re: Do Kevlar tires work?
Organization: Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 01:53:19 GMT

thomas@bitrot.in-berlin.de (Thomas Driemeyer) writes:

>In article <9210020537.AA07573@mcs.drexel.edu> upsiu@mcs.drexel.edu (Paul Siu) writes:
>>Do Kevlar tires really prevent flats?  My cat recently used my tire as a
>>scratching post, so I need new tires.  Previously, my tire would go flat about
>>once a week due to glass, staples, and thorns.  If I switch to Kevlar tires,
>>would the number of flats be reduced?

>No, not really. The Kevlar strip is too thin and too narrow in the tires
>I tried, and I've had the tread come off on one. Apparently it's difficult
>to bond rubber to Kevlar.

>If you don't mind the extra weight, use Mr. Tuffy's, and use a size or
>two above the recommended width. Thorns never seem to enter exactly in
>the center of the tire. Don't worry about the Kevlar edges chafing on the
>tube.

I have had great mileage from Kevlar belted tyres. Two of us rode across
North America in 9 months with 1 flat between us (from a nail).
They might not stop your cat but they will help stop glass and small thorns.
On the other hand, I only tried Mr Tuffy's for a very short time before
getting cuts from the edges. Kevlar tyres - don't leave home without them :-)

Steve Law
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: marcs@slc.com (Marc San Soucie)
Subject: Re: roads & inconsiderate motorists
Organization: Servio Corp, Beaverton Oregon, US
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 01:59:28 GMT

"Michael Smith" <p00004@psilink.com> writes:

> >FROM:   Robert Lewis <rlewis@muskwa.ucs.ualberta.ca>

> > [....]  I can assure you that I would get off of the road and then
> >write down his license number, in his clear view, and then contact the
> >police and demand that he be charged with uttering threats.

> As a matter of curiosity, have you actually done this -- called the 
> police, that is, and demand that a driver be charged with something? If 
> so, what happened? 

> My experience in NYC is that the police are sublimely indifferent to 
> this kind of thing. I was once knocked off my bike by a motorist...

While out for a ride recently, my wife and I were passed a little closely
by a large pickup. We yelled and waved with the expected lack of response. 
Three hours later on our return trip we were again passed too closely by 
the same fellow in the same truck. We got the plate number and a 
description of him and the truck. 

Since the road we were on is our most frequently traveled, and because
there is a lot of this kind of thing on that road, and because the guy had
the phlegm to do the same thing twice to the same people, we called the
Sherriff and reported him. A bit to my surprise, in 20 minutes a deputy
drove up and took all the details. He advised us that there was little
chance of any charges being filed, but that he would go talk to the fellow
(who turns out to live not far away) about the situation.

That was the last we heard from him, but we had already had more
satisfaction than we expected. We did follow up with a thank-you to the
Sherriff's department, which they acknowledged, apparently gratefully.

But hey, this is suburban Portland. NYC operates by other rules. I'm with 
Tom Kunich on this one - if you have the stomach for it, go higher up.
At least write your state rep, police chief, mayor, and governor.

    Marc San Soucie
    Portland, Oregon
    marcs@slc.com
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,rec.bicycles.soc