[golgiaparatus]

I start my daily ride about 7 miles down the river from the trailhead. Thus I ride about 15 min of pavement before I see any dirt... anyway I have been noticing a huge amount of pink cruiser bikes on the paved riverside trail, with guys and girls alike riding them.

Yesterday I investigated and this is what I found... huge racks of identical pink bikes for rent. I had no idea we had a borrow a bike program. Awesome. But why pink?!

 

[mattmatt86]

Less likely to be stolen, easier to spot if stolen. That'd be my guess.

 

[Jimmysal]

Hmm... I wonder how you handle liability and theft risks with a business like this.

 

[golgiaparatus]

Less likely to be stolen, easier to spot if stolen. That'd be my guess.

Good point, hadn't though of that angle. Somewhere in the country there was probably a meeting of "experts" that sat around a table and debated what the least likely color of bike would be stolen.

 

[CastleMaster]

You average 28 MPH for 7 miles?

 

[golgiaparatus]

Hmm... I wonder how you handle liability and theft risks with a business like this.

It's the city's program so probably the throw money at it and then tell city works that they need to fire 1 employee for every 20 bikes that get stolen.

 

[golgiaparatus]

You average 28 MPH for 7 miles?

I just threw 15 min out there... I averaged 23+ yesterday (you do the math). Faster if I find some roadies to draft.

Pretty good for a 24lb bike with fat tires running 35psi.

 

[RUFUS]

I just threw 15 min out there... I averaged 23+ yesterday (you do the math). Faster if I find some roadies to draft.

Pretty good for a 24lb bike with fat tires running 35psi.

Average of 23mph??? Prove it.

 

[TheTruth]

Average of 23mph??? Prove it.

No video, no care. Has to be 1080p.

 

[Banshee Rider]

Average of 23mph??? Prove it.

23mph is not hard to achieve or maintain on a proper xc bike piloted by a fit cyclist on flat pavement. I finish out the last 10 minute stretch of pavement on the local weekly mtb ride at 22.6-23mph. Sustaining that pace for 15 minutes is totally concievable in my mind. If his diet were bacon and beer though (which I don't know), then I'd lean more towards his computer needing calibration.

Hmm... I wonder how you handle liability and theft risks with a business like this.

I heard they run a similar deal in Montreal. You pay with a credit/debit card and recieve a ticket. You scan the bike in/out with a ticket associated with your card number. Bike never checks back in, credit card charged. I'd hate to be the guy who maintained the fleets though.

 

[golgiaparatus]

That's my average speed... don't be mad

It is flat pavement by the way, the trail runs along the river, hence no hills.

Beyond that after I maintain that pace I then do a 1.5 hour XC ride. Before returning home at a slightly easier pace. Including on some days, climbing intervals on this fireroad... I use the same road so I can track my progress. I can do this about 6 times before I get near my max HR.

You are looking at the first half of the climb, there is an identical climb just about 100 yards past the top of this to the left. Looks and feels steeper in person. Funny how photos always make climbs look easier.

 

[golgiaparatus]

23mph is not hard to achieve or maintain on a proper xc bike piloted by a fit cyclist on flat pavement. I finish out the last 10 minute stretch of pavement on the local weekly mtb ride at 22.6-23mph. Sustaining that pace for 15 minutes is totally concievable in my mind. If his diet were bacon and beer though (which I don't know), then I'd lean more towards his computer needing calibration.

I heard they run a similar deal in Montreal. You pay with a credit/debit card and recieve a ticket. You scan the bike in/out with a ticket associated with your card number. Bike never checks back in, credit card charged. I'd hate to be the guy who maintained the fleets though.

My thoughts exactly... it's not like I'm killing myself maintaining that pace. It's quite fun when I tag onto a bunch of roadie wannabes and they are huffing and puffing trying to drop me though... always a good time

I do love both beer and bacon though... but I'm pretty tall so I need to watch it. If I get over 170 I start to really feel the difference. Therefore I stick to bourbon, low calorie

 

[jimmydean]

...by a fit cyclist on flat pavement.

Sorry golgi.

 

[golgiaparatus]

Sorry golgi.

LOL! Shutup. I consider myself semi-fit. The guys that are leading the race series... now those Mofos are fit. They drop me like a bad habit after about 40 min of me trying to hang with them... I bet they could average well over 23mph on flat pavement without even really hurting too bad.

 

[jimmydean]

I'm not one to talk, but I have been amazed at how much faster I am since losing 75 pounds this year. Shocker, I know.

<edit>
There was a borrow bike program here and all the bikes were painted yellow with a rattle can including wheels and tires, yet they still managed to disapear. Some people will steal anything.

 

[bizutch]

I did a points race of 20 laps at the "Mellowdrome" in Asheville. Converted stock car oval. I hid in the back in C class and averaged 32mph. That was scary and I can't imagine the wattage the monsters on the front were pulling.

I used to commute on pavement on my XC with a pair of semi-slicks and averaged around 24. Never could crack 25. I'm about 5 years removed from that fitness..and I was still a chump compared to the lycra legion.

 

[CastleMaster]

Can somebody add a "claimer thread" tag?

 

[cracked]

Look at SHeriff Joe Arpaio of Pima County AZ.

The prisoners were stealing towels, sheets, and boxers.......so he had ALL of it dyed PINK. /problem!!!

That seems like the solution in this matter also!!