Bike trail riding

[jgillott]

My teenager and I spent some time on the Great Allegheny Passage today. First time on a bicycle in at least 25 years for me. It was quite comical on my old Huffy that I probably bought when I was in high school.

https://gaptrail.org/

Anyone here in to riding? This was a blast today. I can't wait to go back out. I'm already trolling Craigslist for a "new" bike, maybe something made in the 2000's lol.

 

[sarj]

I never stopped. I looked at your link. You talkin about smooth dirt road type trails, or more of a mountain bike type trails?

Bikes have gotten pretty serious the past few years. I just recently upgraded from a 12 year old Santa Cruz that was still pretty capable. The biggest changes have been tires and rim sizes. I usually run intermediate type trails, down hills and such. 29 in rims was worth the change being 6’4” and 210. Lot more stable drawing longer speedier lines.

 

[jgillott]

These are just crushed limestone rail trails. Really smooth with very little mud here and there. Could almost ride a road bike if it was perfectly dry. I'm looking for a hybrid essentially.

Sizing for me is rather interesting. I'm only 5'8" but 235# (I've already lost about 15# this year riding a spin bike indoors in addition to my lifting schedule). By the size charts, I should be riding a medium frame from most manufacturers. But they seem very tight, especially length from the seat to the handlebars.

 

[TFucili]

We have two Cannondales in the garage. Can't begin to tell you the last time my creaky knees pedaled.

 

[jgillott]

It appears that the used market for these things is quite extensive. Craigslist is just filled with them around here.

 

[Wayne M.]

I’m no help with getting up on two since I was always the fat kid out back screaming “WAIT UP!!!!” Of course I had my regular suburban ride route as a teen, when BMX was king, when I got my license, it all stopped. Then in 2003 I went to work on the west side of Manhattan and discovered the west side bike path. Pool table flat and runs from the southern tip of Manhattan all the way to the George Washington Bridge. I would do 6 miles a day on average on a 90’s era DB mountain bike.
It’s too risky to ride where I live nowadays. Too difficult to get to any decent trails.
I’m happy for you Justin.

 

[jgillott]

We actually have a lot of really nice things to do here in this area if you just take the time to do it.

 

[JR]

I've still got my Cannondale F500 from the mid 90's. I brought it with me when I came back from Wyoming. It's had some serious miles on it in its day but mostly collects dust now. We rode quite a bit with the kids when they were younger but the older they get the busier life seems to get so we haven't been riding as much lately

 

[jgillott]

My old bike is from the same era. I think I got it in the very early '90's. Of course, mine was a used Huffy not a Cannondale.....LOL

 

[kthaxton]

I pretty much live for mtn biking. I work in Park City Utah, and have excellent trails across the street so I ride at lunch 2-3 times a week. We also hit Moab a few times a year (I've been down 4 times this year already!).

I just go into fat biking a year and half ago, and have been loving that too, being able to ride all year is awesome. Sun crusted snow riding is about as fun as it gets.

I'm currently extra giddy, because I just bought a new trail bike last week and just put custom wheels on it. Did my 4th ride today!.

I'm like a school girl at a boy band concert right now.

 

[AEdelheit]

Been riding bikes for a while, currently have a Specialized Enduro 29er for dirt season and a Trek Farley 5 for snow season, it beats going to the gym!

 

[jhenderson]

I just googled fat bikes. A little rich for my blood.

 

[kthaxton]

it beats going to the gym!

Everything else is just exercise!

My new bike is a Stumpjumper Alloy 29, absolutely loving it. The bike it just replaced was a 2013 Rocky Mountain Instinct.
My fatty is a 2018 Rocky Mountain Blizzard 30.

 

[jgillott]

I'm trying to avoid going to a bike shop to look for one (still holding out hope to score a used one). I can just feel my wallet getting lighter at the thought of it.

 

[fest3er]

I still have the Schwinn LeTour I bought in '74. I even ride it now and again; it's easier than the DR650 to toss in the back of the truck when the truck needs work done. It gets me around, but there are times I'd like to sit a little more upright.

 

[AEdelheit]

I just googled fat bikes. A little rich for my blood.

Like anything else you can spend a little or a lot, I bought mine used and have been using them for 4 years so not bad cost wise.

 

[kthaxton]

I just googled fat bikes. A little rich for my blood.

Typical fat bikes, are cheaper than typical mtn bikes. Plus, many people including myself, are content with a slightly lower end parts mix on their fat bikes if they are a secondary bike. Further, some components just aren't as critical if snow riding is your thing (i.e. brakes).

 

[kthaxton]

My fatty the day I brought it home (hence the reflectors) and my new Stumpjumper I just got last week.

 

[jgillott]

Alright, so against my better judgment, we stopped at the local dealer after we got off the trail today (my daughter had a tire issue so I had an excuse ).

2019 Trek Verve II. Black pearl metallic. They also had it in bright red, but I thought it would be too flashy for me.

I ended up with a medium frame. Test drove this one and a large back to back and the medium was just more comfortable overall.

I'm just not telling the wife what it cost.

 

[jgillott]

While we were on the trail today, we passed the Uniontown Holiday KOA. Literally right on the trail. RV and overnight trail camping available. Looks like a great place to stay. We met a lady there who visits with her family from Rochester NY every summer. We don't even think about it since it is on our back yard.