http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/fashion/19fitness.html?ex=121462560...

Barry

Good article Barry.  Thanks for passing it on.  I was interested by the
comments about the difference between a $1500 bike and an $8000 bike.  There
is an article in this week's Roadbikerider newsletter that talks about the
same thing ie no need to overbuy.  In fact that article suggests that what
they called mid-range bikes may be more durable and obviously more practical
for the average rider since we (usually) don't have bikes given to us by
sponsors nor do we (usually) have a team car behind us with ten more bikes
ready to replace the one we're riding.  I was watching a race a couple of
weeks ago and was amused when one rider, disgusted by some mechanical
failure of his time trial bike (I think the chain came off), picked it up
banged it on the ground a couple of times and then threw it as far as he
could.  Now there's one difference between a pro and me.  When I ran over
the dog a couple of years ago I flew over the handlebars and hit shoulder
first then head on the pavement.  I was laying in the middle of a curve
somewhat dazed and literally the first thought that came to my mind was "my
bike! "  There are lots of unknowns in bike riding but one thing I'm pretty
well certain of everytime I ride  -  I ain't throwing my bike (if I can help
it).

On Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 7:03 AM, barrywa...@gmail.com <barrywa...@gmail.com>
wrote:

The average rider can throw an 8K bike much farther than a 1.5K bike.
-------------- Original message from "Neil Murphy" <pastorneilmur...@gmail.com>: --------------

Good article Barry.  Thanks for passing it on.  I was interested by the comments about the difference between a $1500 bike and an $8000 bike.  There is an article in this week's Roadbikerider newsletter that talks about the same thing ie no need to overbuy.  In fact that article suggests that what they called mid-range bikes may be more durable and obviously more practical for the average rider since we (usually) don't have bikes given to us by sponsors nor do we (usually) have a team car behind us with ten more bikes ready to replace the one we're riding.  I was watching a race a couple of weeks ago and was amused when one rider, disgusted by some mechanical failure of his time trial bike (I think the chain came off), picked it up  banged it on the ground a couple of times and then threw it as far as he could.  Now there's one difference between a pro and me.  When I ran over the dog a couple of years ago I flew over the handlebars and hit shoulder first then head on the pavement.  I was laying in the middle of a curve somewhat dazed and literally the first thought that came to my mind was "my bike! "  There are lots of unknowns in bike riding but one thing I'm pretty well certain of everytime I ride  -  I ain't throwing my bike (if I can help it).

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/fashion/19fitness.html?ex=121462560...

Barry

Very good point.  Come to think of it the whole weight issue probably has
less to do with speed and more to do with how far you can sling the thing if
necessary.

The average rider should not throw someone else's 8k bike given the average rider usually owns a 1.5k bike, regardless of increased distance, possible pending olympic eligibility and bragging rights.

 The average rider can throw an 8K bike much farther than a 1.5K bike.
 -------------- Original message from "Neil Murphy" <pastorneilmur...@gmail.com>: --------------

Good article Barry.  Thanks for passing it on.  I was interested by the comments about the difference between a $1500 bike and an $8000 bike.  There is an article in this week's Roadbikerider newsletter that talks about the same thing ie no need to overbuy.  In fact that article suggests that what they called mid-range bikes may be more durable and obviously more practical for the average rider since we (usually) don't have bikes given to us by sponsors nor do we (usually) have a team car behind us with ten more bikes ready to replace the one we're riding.  I was watching a race a couple of weeks ago and was amused when one rider, disgusted by some mechanical failure of his time trial bike (I think the chain came off), picked it up  banged it on the ground a couple of times and then threw it as far as he could.  Now there's one difference between a pro and me.  When I ran over the dog a couple of years ago I flew over the handlebars and hit shoulder first then head on the
 pavement.  I was laying in the middle of a curve somewhat dazed and literally the first thought that came to my mind was "my bike! "  There are lots of unknowns in bike riding but one thing I'm pretty well certain of everytime I ride  -  I ain't throwing my bike (if I can help it).

 On Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 7:03 AM, barrywa...@gmail.com <barrywa...@gmail.com> wrote:

This is a good article with an interview of Christian Vande Velde and
his coach.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/fashion/19fitness.html?ex=121462560...

Barry