BABBLE Gathering Idea

[Pondero]

I was reading the iBOB list and saw a post (see copy below) by Alex
Wetmore up in Seattle. It was about a group of bicyclists gathering
for the purpose of trying out one another's bikes/components/
accessories, etc. This allows for some low-cost experimentation.

I thought it was a pretty good idea and am hoping to inspire someone
in Fort Worth to organize a gathering. I'd be willing to bring 2-3 of
my bikes for folks to inspect or try, and assist the host as best I
can.

You can't get much more bike-geekiness than something like this, can
you? Any interest out there?

>> With all this talk of bikes, handling, preference and experience it seems
>> like it'd be interesting to take the time to get together and ride
>> (others)
>> bikes. Obviously this would have to be a local event, but I'll volunteer
>> to
>> organize the Seattle version if there's real interest.
>>
>> Here's what I'd propose: meet-ups organized on several days across the
>> 'winter break', 2+ hrs each. Pick an interesting course, bring a bike
>> who's
>> handling you like, wouldn't be afraid to loan out, and an open mind. Swap
>> bikes with somebody else, ride the course, take mental notes. Measure,
>> discuss, write up.
>
> The point83 club in Seattle did something sort of like this a few months
> ago. There wasn't as much riding, we just met at a parking lot with some
> varied terrain around it and brought a bunch of bikes and some load to put
> on the front of them and did some test rides. I brought my homemade bicycle
> Gifford and borrowed a cycle truck that was my friend Rory built in my
> basement as two pretty unique examples.
>
> Riding other people's bikes is useful for all sorts of reasons. At that
> test event FredB discovered that my Rohloff wasn't really too his liking.
> We had some interesting discussions about canti brake setup, and it turned
> out that among those of us there that we had different ideas of what felt
> right. It is a good time to experiment with different fit, sometimes riding
> a bike that is a bit more stretched out or upright or lower than your day to
> day bike can click in a way that says "this feels good" and gets you to try
> it again. And of course it is a good time to try low trail vs high trail,
> heavy loads vs light loads, etc.
>
> If you organize the Seattle event I'll try to make it. A test loop that we
> use a lot for BQ is starting from the coffee shop at the top of Golden
> Gardens, descending via Golden Garden's road, then looping back up near
> Paseo's through the residential streets. It is a long enough loop to try a
> bike in a variety of conditions (descending, shallow middle ring climbing,
> steep granny gear climbing, flats), but short enough to make trying 3 or 4
> bikes in one go a pleasure instead of a chore. I'm happy to lead or to draw
> it on a map if I can't make the actual ride.
>
> The parking lot version was nice because we could bring more bikes than
> attendees (some of us drove to make that possible).
>
> alex

[Chandra]

The idea of getting together sounds fun, especially in FW.
I would definitely enjoy look at others' bikes, especially if they are out of the ordinary.
In fact, that's how I got hooked on the SON dynamo, thanks to Chris!

In any case, I don't let anyone test/ride my bike, unless I am wanting to sell it.

Happy New Year, y'all!

Peace :)

--
"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."
-Mother Teresa

[Christopher Johnson]

Thanks for the reply, Chandra.  I was beginning to think that there really was not much interest in this idea.  Maybe the lack of response also has something to do with the time of year...

[m T]

I like the idea although I don't have a stable of bikes to bring to such a gathering.

[Christopher Johnson]

I don't think a stable of bikes is required.  I'd enjoy trying your bars, brake levers, and basket, and looking at your pannier...for example.

[Chandra Eswaran]

For lookin' and such and for gettin' together w/ my cyclin' biuddies, I am game :)

[Steve A]

Let me know if my latest post is a problem. I stole a photo of the Takara.

            -Steve A

[m T]

Steve, no problem, you are welcome to use any of my photos anytime you want.