It’s a sad fact that many mountain bikes never see dirt, but there are plenty, like mine, that never see pavement. So if you’re a woosy poser who likes to be seen round town but can’t cut it in the dirt, then get off this newsgroup and go insult someone else. Have you ever thought that no-one here talks about riding on the road ‘cos no-one wants to?

And then there are some of us who would love to be able to ride the trails all the time but have a fulltime job, family responsibilites, etc. and we have to ride on the road sometimes. I do ride on the trails at least 1-2 days a week but some days it is impossible. It’s a sad fact that many mountain bikes never see dirt, but there are plenty, like mine, that never see pavement.So if you’re a woosy poser who likes to be seen round town but can’t cut it in the dirt, then get off this newsgroup and go insult someone else. Have you ever thought that no-one here talks about riding on the road ‘cos no-one wants to.

Then again there are some of us who ride the asphalt and have to dodge cars which cross the center lane purposely trying to hit you, or those who would love to BUMP you off the road. I’ll bet riding on the streets of Guam would be a lot more challenging than some of those trails. (not to say that there are no other place with STUPID drivers.) I’m just peeved that my bike and I became hood ornaments because some idiot decided he could drive on the wrong side of the street, then I get home and read that I am named a woosy poser. When I get my bike fixed and my digital camera, I’ll show y’all (on my web page) the awesome but somewhat dangerous trails available on guam. By the way, I am looking for a marin rift zone or a cannondale v500 (I think) the 96 model, I believe it runs around $500 – $600? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I am looking into getting into biking. My wife and I plan to ride on paved and crushed rock bike paths. I have been told that hybrids would be perfect. I’ve also been told that hybrids are good for nothing and we’d be much better off putting road tires on a mountaiGet a bike that feels comfortable to each of you. If a hybrid feels best, go for it. If you find a mountain bike that really seems confortable, get that. It doesn’t sound like you will need a bike that is unusually tough or has superior clearance or shock absorbtion, so you aren’t really locked into anything.

Even standard road bikes should work quite well for you if you don’t go with especially narrow rims and tires. First, I’ve never driven a hybrid so I don’t really have the feel of one because 2 years ago, I decided to buy the Bridgestone’s BR-2 road bike over their OX-2 hyrid even though I could of had a deal on the Hybrid. Last winter, I bought an entry level MTB at a 30% off sale and then got out the earliest in the spring I ever had, riding through muck, corruption, snow, and I had a great time. Bar ends make them good eneough for road work, as well as being the best for off road and spring conditions.

I bought a good mid-range MTB last summer and built 2 new wheels (more for the experience than the necessity) to use road tires on. They only time, I’ll use my road bike now is for riding in a group, or trying more than a 100 miler or something. If you stay on paved and dirt/crushed rock trails a hybrid should do you fine but: 1. you will be much slower than a roade bike and 2. you would be ill advised to try any “real” off road stuff. The Kid and I have road bikes for road work and mountains for off road. The kid is 8 and has smoked hybrids on the road and last fall we rescued a hybrid biker in the woods who had tried trails that neither the bike or he was ready for. (He had seriously smashed goodies.) n bike

I am in the 9th grade and im doing a report on mountain bikes or just bikes in general….this report is about geometry in bikes……it is supposed to be 2-3 pages and i dont know if there is enough information to do a report like this. I know alot about mountain bikes as i ride alot (i have a Mongoose Team SX) but i dont know alot about bike geometry. Could you please tell me where (books, web sites, etc.)

I could get some info about this topi am in the 9th grade and im doing a report on mountain bikes or just bikes in general….this report is about geometry in bikes……it is supposed to be 2-3 pages and i dont know if there is enough information to do a report like this. I know alot about mountain bikes as i ride alot (i have a Mongoose Team SX) but i dont know alot about bike geometry. Could you please tell me where (books, web sites, etc.) i could get some info about this topic. thanks in advance. I don’t know any electronic sites but a good start is Chapter 2 (Frames) in _Bicycling Magazine’s Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair_. Most bookstores seem to have it in stock and it wouldn’t surprise me to find it in libraries either. c. thanks in advance.

My Panamint style Rattler (Braised Rattle Snake with Green Chile Sauce) was created one night while listening to the Coyotes howling on a blistering cold, dark, and moonless desert autumn night. The sky was alive with more stars than the eye can possibly behold. It was early in the evening, comet Hale-Bopp was filling a quarter of the sky (the desert sky is awesome!). The fire was warm, the wine cool, and the company (my MTB’ing family–the whole “famn damily”) simply splendid! After a long, hard, dusty day of mountain biking; the crispy cool desert winter nights call for robust (yet low fat and easy to make) dinner dishes like this one: Rattle Snake steaks simmered with bell and mild chili peppers in an herb-onion base. We enjoy them in warm flour tortillas. But you can also serve them over either steamed rice or hot buttered noodles. Top off each serving with my cilantro-yogurt mix, tomatoes, lime wedges, and finely chopped green onions (or scallions).

Although the robust flavors overpower most white wines, a good well chilled Chardonnay (Obester, 94) will hold it’s self well. Since we usually drink reds, we split 8 bottles (well, there were 6 of us…that’s why the cooking part always takes us so long…) of excellent Pinot Noir from Rick Motion vineyards (Russian River appellation). For dessert, let me recommend the baked brandied apples flambé. 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed 1 8-10 inch twig of fresh rosemary (or 1 heaping teaspoon dry) 1 teaspoon mustard seeds (I prefer yellow, but any kind will do) 2 tablespoons of olive oil 1 cup chicken broth (low fat and salt if available) 1 8-12 inch twig of oregano (or 1 heaping teaspoon dry) 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1 tablespoon (or a bit more) Balsamic vinegar 2.5 – 3 pounds of skinned fresh rattlesnake (about 40in. “in the round”) , cross-sliced into 1in.

thick pieces. 2 large green (or red or yellow) bell peppers, seeded and chopped 1/2 cup coarsely chopped Cilantro sprigs. 1 or 2 mild green chilies (or 1 – 7oz. can if fresh is not available) In a 5 or 6 quart camp pot, combine onion, garlic, rosemary, mustard seeds, and olive oil. On high heat; sauté, stirring constantly until the onions begin to turn translucent. Add the broth, oregano, and cumin. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil, stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates and onion begins to brown (7 – 12 min. or so). When it begins to brown, add a couple of tablespoons of water and stir to loosen the browned bits (this is called deglazing). Cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates and onion begins to brown again. Repeat the deglazing step, until the onion is richly browned.