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MassSkinsFan

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Posts posted by MassSkinsFan

  1. It's the NFL's risk aversion to concussion litigation.  If for some reason down the road, it is discovered that using one helmet during a season, versus multiple helmets, reduces concussion chances, then the NFL will reduce it's odds of litigation.  Totally a CYA move.

     

    Is the rule just one helmet, or just one style of helmet?

     

    I ask because when I played in college we had just one style, but our practice helmets weren't the game helmets. Also, helmets got broken quite often which meant you'd have more than one helmet per season, typically. So, I'm not sure this would really be about continuity in wearing the same exact helmet.

     

    Does anyone know for sure?

  2. Where I live they have a Velodrome. I went last night to watch bike races for the first time. A guy sitting near me said the track is regulation and on of the nicest on the east coast and they are having nationals there. I live near Rock Hill, SC. It was pretty cool entertainment for free.

    Get a fixed gear track bike and join them!

  3. What's the benefit of the fat tire bikes?

     

    I want one because they look cool, but I don't know if they will work with my 300+ big bubba-ness.

     

    I miss my Kona Cinder Cone - someone stole it.  :angry:

     

    I'm not quite up to your size, but I'm not that far off either...

     

    My take on the fat bike I have is this:

     

    • It gets a lot of attention, which means you've got to secure it well
    • It's a mountain bike, and I loved my old Peugeot Pipeline 6 mountain bike (6-speed, really sturdy frame).
    • It floats over the ground - it makes riding through gravel and other bumpy/lumpy surfaces easy
    • It climbs well
    • It sounds cool - those tires are really nubby and they whirr when you get going!
    • If you get the right one (like mine) it's light; the frame is light weight and the wheel design reduces weight too (see the cutouts on the rims)
    • They are more expensive than comparably equipped mountain bikes (paying for the fad)
    • It grips well with the right tires
    • It goes almost anywhere - the woods, trails, the beach, snow; I got mine because I want to ride in the heavy snow and my road bike can't do that
    • It looks cool
    • It's sturdy
    • It's fun to ride - this is my #1 positive: I love the bike!

    Basically it's a mountain bike on steroids that affect its tires.

    • Like 1
  4. After I've moved, it would be between 11-13 miles one way, almost all of it on paved trails.  I have no idea as to your second question, as I said, it's been 15-20 years.

     

     

     

    Figured I'd quote this along with the second part of SilverMac's post.  The bike I had growing up was a Diamondback, and I rode that thing into the ground.  Streets, sidewalks, through the woods, over roots, etc.  By the time it was over, I could pedal and not move, I had worn out the mechanism that much, the pedals wouldn't turn the tires anymore.  The bike I attempted to inherit from my father was a Giant brand.

     

    In the brief time I rode it and survived, I learned that I need a wide seat, the seat on that bike was narrow and got uncomfortable quickly.  It was also a very tall bike, which was odd since he and I are the same height.  I hated shifting gears, I never did on my Diamondback (I think it only had three anyway) and on my father's old bike, shifting gears sounded like the bike was falling apart, though I could clearly tell the difference when I did so.  Another fun fact, I don't think the brakes were aligned properly, when I would brake, it would make this high pitched squeal which got all the neighborhood dogs barking.

     

    I think I've always ridden upright, straight handlebars, etc.  If by road bike (guessing here) you mean hunched over and going 20 MPH, no that isn't something I've ever done.

     

    If those trails aren't too hilly you might want to check out a single-speed commuter hybrid. I have one and it's great except for the giant hill I live on. Luckily I have ways to "wind" up the hill without having to do one major power climb. That bike's in the basement for now though. I'm getting used to the gears on my fat bike, but it's OK since the rest of it is so much fun.

     

    If you hate gears the options are the single-speed (it coasts, and has hand brakes), a single-speed coaster brake (uses your feet to brake) or a fixed-gear. All three are fun, but be careful with the fixed gear. They do not have a freewheel mechanism in the drive train, which means your feet are always moving since you can't coast. This has pros and cons. On the one hand it takes a lot of getting used to, but it also lets you get a quick push easily since your legs are always spinning. Braking is a whole different issue, since these typically have one set of brakes on the front tire only. Most people eventually learn how to either lock up and skid the rear tire, or use the front brake while leaning back. There aren't a lot of gears and there's no freewheel, so maintenance is much simpler. These bikes are basically sports cars - responsive, quick, sleek and fun. But, they can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.

     

    Bottom line is to have fun right? I hope you find a bike soon and get one of these:

     

    fun_legs.jpg

  5. MassSkinsFan, sweet ride. I'm looking at pulling the trigger on one of those...if the wife approves...

     

    Good luck Yohan - they are worth the cost. This one is the "cheap" model, at $1500. I'm lucky in that my wife and I set up our finances so we each have our own checking in addition to joint checking and savings, so if you can afford it, it's yours! It didn't hurt that I took her with me to the bike shop when I was looking, and she saw how much fun I had on my test ride. ;-)

  6. Okay, looking for opinions.  For quick background, I attempted to ride a bike again (and damn near killed myself) for the first time in 15-20 years a few months ago.  My father gave me his old beater from god knows when.  It didn't last long, and it's so old that getting it fixed would probably cost more than it is worth.

     

    Craigslist search gave me the following:  http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/search/sss?excats=5-64-4-20-1-1-12-15-19-1-18-3-8-5-1-2-7-11-1&sort=priceasc&query=bicycle+woodbridge

     

    I don't know a think about bikes, don't know brands, styles, or features.  I just want to know if any of these jump out as a particularly good bargain to any of you who know more than I do.  Spare me the recommendations on the kids bikes, I sorted low-high.  For the time being, I'd just be riding around neighborhoods, trying to re-learn to ride without causing myself physical harm, though eventually, I'd like to try commuting to work.

     

    Thanks

     

    Without reading through the full list, I'd say you should just go to a bike store and talk to a salesperson. Ask to try a few different types of bikes: commuter, hybrid, mountain bike, three-speed/upright/coaster brake, etc. Then don't buy a new one. Find a used one that's in the style of what you found most comfortable or fun to ride. Make it cheap - this isn't going to be your forever bike!

     

    Ride it into the ground. If you ride it long enough to wear it down, you're ready for a new bike. If not, you didn't waste a lot of money.

     

    On another note, I got this bike about 2 months ago and can't recommend it enough:

     

    IMG_7311.jpg

     

    I use it as a street bike, but it's still an amazing ride, and great fun. I get a lot of comments too, and it makes people smile.

     

    Biking is fun, and it's a great way to commute - no parking hassles, easy to run errands, and some exercise.

    • Like 1
  7. Fat-bike sightings??

     

    i assumed THIS is where you were going..... 

     

    and my junk DID freeze this morning.   no fun :(

     

    I was actually thinking this, though you're entitled to your own preference... LOL

     

    girl-on-a-fat-bike.jpg

  8.  

     
     

     

     

    Yeah.... every time i read that i see it as:

     

    "....I do have trouble with my junk freezing. Does anyone have a recommendation for that?"   

     

     

    i got no advice.

     

     

    Ouch! My junk is just fine thank you. I have a great pair of biking pants (same material as compression shorts/shirts, but looser) from Sugoi that keep me toasty and don't offend anyone else. No issues there. Lock, though, is a problem.

     

    During the worst of the winter weather we had a spate of fat bike sightings here in the Boston area. Have you guys seen many/tried one/have one?

     

    I think I want to get this one:

    http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/fatboy/fatboy

     

    I could have started back biking a while ago, but my lock-up point at home was buried under 6+ feet of snow, plus I developed trochanteric bursitis/IT band syndrome. Not fun. I did manage to bike last Thursday but my leg just doesn't work right yet (no power when standing to accelerate). Ugh.

    For runners in cold climates there are special briefs.you can buy, or it you or a family member are good at knitting you can go the home-made route:

     

    <snuggly wool briefs>

     

    Did you knit those yourself? Nice work! ;-)

  9. Yikes Kilmer17. That's not a good feeling at all I'd guess. I'm glad to hear you're OK though. Last time I had a spill like that I broke my wrist.

     

    Yohan - thanks for sharing that light info. I might have a look at that. I also have those NiteIze spoke lights and they're good, but I'm also interested in the EL light rigs that go onto your spokes and generate patterns. Does anyone have experience with those?

     

    It's a steady rain here right now. Does anyone have a good rain jacket they'd recommend that doesn't overheat you? I don't give a rat's Hazlett about fashion so whatever works best interests me most. Any suggestions?

  10. I live 3.5 miles from work. That commute takes approximately 45 minutes by bus/subway, 30-45 minutes by car and 15 minutes by bike. I try to bike as often as possible.

     

    I live and work in cities that border Boston (north of the Charles) and the traffic is classic Boston: one-ways that make no sense, rotaries, "squares" (confluences of 3-8 different streets) and drivers who are either clueless or sadistic. I've been doing this type of commute for 25 years and have had only a few major accidents, two of which were broken bones (left elbow, left wrist). Otherwise, you bike quickly, keep moving, and control the lane when you reach a crazy intersection.

     

    I love biking to/from work. I add on distance on the way home, so I tend to do about 10 miles a day, which is enough for my old man body.

     

    If there is limited snow and ice I will bike during the winter. Here are the things I'd recommend:

     

    Heavy duty gloves or mittens. I used to have the lobster claw down gloves and they were great.

    A skull cap for days above freezing

    A balaclava for days below freezing

    Compression shirt under a t-shirt

    Light waterproof biking pants (kind of like tracksuit pants but a bit more snug)

    A light outer shell or jacket

    Waterproof shoes/boots that are warm

    Lights: I have a cheap Cat's Eye on the front, a cheap red flasher (maybe Planet Bike) on the back, two flashing skull lights on the front, and EL wire (purple) wrapped around the frame. The EL wire is cool because it has three settings: constant, slow flash and fast flash.

     

    My next purchase will be a six-color bundle of EL wires so I can be much more visible at night.

     

    I do have trouble with my lock freezing. Does anyone have a recommendation for that?

  11. I know I'm the only one, but I like the classic Browns uniforms. The combination of orange and brown is pretty unique and I love that the uniform is so incredibly simple.

    I full understand that everyone else hates these uniforms.

    I like them too. Regardless of what anyone else might think, that color combination is classic, like B&G, or green/yellow or red, white and blue. Football color combos, not some futuristic rollerball nonsense with silvers, metallic golds, pewters (pewter!!!), or black as a main color. Nope, just a good old traditional uni with none of the flashy garbage you see on other ones. Now if only the Browns didn't suck so much

  12. I was in Utah for work this week. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights I was able to experience some great Utah beer.

    My favorites:

    Provo Girl Pilsner

    20070206-provo.jpg

    Captain ****'s Oatmeal Stout

    34418.jpg

    The Devastator Double Bock

    Devestator_WasatchBottles.jpg

    Polygamy Porter

    PolygamyPorter_WasatchBottles.jpg

    Probably the most impressive thing for me (someone who can't stand the "lookitme lookitme lookitme" over-hopping of otherwise good beer by many brew pubs and small brewers) was the restraint shown by the makers. This stuff was mighty tasty but not because it had such strong hoppiness that my face was left with a perma-pucker. Nope. Just plain yummy and good.

    Thanks Utah for a great experience. Now I just want to see if any of these are available for Mass consumption.

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