Comments for Monkeymartian http://monkeymartian.com Two wheeled in York Region, Ontario Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:55:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on It’s rolling! by Andrew http://monkeymartian.com/2012/01/its-rolling/#comment-112 Andrew Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:55:35 +0000 http://monkeymartian.com/?p=102#comment-112 The frame is an "all rounder" that is going to be set up "rando" style for unsupported long distance rides, and the occasional overnight. The lowrider rack frames can be removed if all one needs is a handlebar. The bike is low trail geometry, so it handles best with a front load. I may add a small rear rack, but for the time being it will be front only. It's bit of an experiment for me to try out a bunch of new stuff (for me) including wheel size (650B), fat & plush tires (42mm), low-trail geometry and "brifters." See http://www.rawlandcycles.com/ for some more info. One of the cool things about the bike is that it has massive tire clearance. It has room for big 2.3" knobbies to use the frame for off-road or monstercross adventures. The frame is an “all rounder” that is going to be set up “rando” style for unsupported long distance rides, and the occasional overnight. The lowrider rack frames can be removed if all one needs is a handlebar. The bike is low trail geometry, so it handles best with a front load. I may add a small rear rack, but for the time being it will be front only.

It’s bit of an experiment for me to try out a bunch of new stuff (for me) including wheel size (650B), fat & plush tires (42mm), low-trail geometry and “brifters.”

See http://www.rawlandcycles.com/ for some more info. One of the cool things about the bike is that it has massive tire clearance. It has room for big 2.3″ knobbies to use the frame for off-road or monstercross adventures.

]]> Comment on It’s rolling! by Ben http://monkeymartian.com/2012/01/its-rolling/#comment-111 Ben Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:18:52 +0000 http://monkeymartian.com/?p=102#comment-111 Is it for touring? Are you going to install racks on the back too? It looks heavy duty. Is it for touring? Are you going to install racks on the back too? It looks heavy duty.

]]> Comment on A New Chapter by Ἀντισθένης http://monkeymartian.com/2011/09/a-new-chapter/#comment-100 Ἀντισθένης Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:32:12 +0000 http://monkeymartian.com/?p=57#comment-100 Just noticed Richmond Hill in another post, so that answers something. No off-peak Go service. However, you can use parts of the Don Valley trails. Just noticed Richmond Hill in another post, so that answers something. No off-peak Go service. However, you can use parts of the Don Valley trails.

]]> Comment on A New Chapter by Ἀντισθένης http://monkeymartian.com/2011/09/a-new-chapter/#comment-99 Ἀντισθένης Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:25:43 +0000 http://monkeymartian.com/?p=57#comment-99 To give you proper advice on a bike commute from York Region downtown I'd have to know where in the huge area you are, or at least the closest Go station. Instead I will tell you what I did for a year. I had a friend with the same commute, to whom I happily paid money to car-pool. Several times a week, when she had other evening commitments, I would load my bike in the back of her car for the morning ride, and ride it 45km home, from the north end of Brampton to Toronto's 'Little Italy'. I was lucky to have a good bike, an understanding friend, and some good lights. With the GO train so convenient to you, you could make it work if you can take the train outside of rush-hour (which is hard), or have a gym to shower at if you ride there in the mornings. Guessing your ride at 30-50km, in your shoes I might get a good folding bike: take it on the train during rush hour, ride home. Failing that, ride in/ride home on alternate days, or do both directions in one day, with rest days between. All I know is that I need my commute ride for exercise, as it's hard to get time and motivation for it at other times. Good luck! To give you proper advice on a bike commute from York Region downtown I’d have to know where in the huge area you are, or at least the closest Go station. Instead I will tell you what I did for a year. I had a friend with the same commute, to whom I happily paid money to car-pool. Several times a week, when she had other evening commitments, I would load my bike in the back of her car for the morning ride, and ride it 45km home, from the north end of Brampton to Toronto’s ‘Little Italy’. I was lucky to have a good bike, an understanding friend, and some good lights.

With the GO train so convenient to you, you could make it work if you can take the train outside of rush-hour (which is hard), or have a gym to shower at if you ride there in the mornings. Guessing your ride at 30-50km, in your shoes I might get a good folding bike: take it on the train during rush hour, ride home. Failing that, ride in/ride home on alternate days, or do both directions in one day, with rest days between. All I know is that I need my commute ride for exercise, as it’s hard to get time and motivation for it at other times.

Good luck!

]]> Comment on Quick thoughts on Venezuela by Dave http://monkeymartian.com/2011/10/quick-thoughts-on-venezuela/#comment-73 Dave Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:28:18 +0000 http://monkeymartian.com/?p=62#comment-73 The good news is, if you ever locked your keys in the car it would be easier to kick a hole in the rusted door than the window. The good news is, if you ever locked your keys in the car it would be easier to kick a hole in the rusted door than the window.

]]> Comment on A Taste of Cycling Vancouver by Dave http://monkeymartian.com/2011/10/a-taste-of-cycling-vancouver/#comment-57 Dave Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:49:21 +0000 http://monkeymartian.com/?p=59#comment-57 With the height difference between you guys I'm surprised your knees weren't up by your ears :) With the height difference between you guys I’m surprised your knees weren’t up by your ears :)

]]> Comment on Richmond Hill Shifts Gears by Andrew http://monkeymartian.com/2011/07/richmond-hill-shifts-gears/#comment-30 Andrew Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:48:39 +0000 http://monkeymartian.com/2011/07/richmond-hill-shifts-gears/#comment-30 I have to admit that I haven't used one of these boxes yet. They are not in places that I usually park a bike at unfortunately. I had a close look, and you'll need a standard padlock to use on the locker. I think that a locking mech that could accomodate a U-lock would be better, as most riders are likely to carry one. I have to admit that I haven’t used one of these boxes yet. They are not in places that I usually park a bike at unfortunately.

I had a close look, and you’ll need a standard padlock to use on the locker. I think that a locking mech that could accomodate a U-lock would be better, as most riders are likely to carry one.

]]> Comment on Richmond Hill Shifts Gears by Andrew http://monkeymartian.com/2011/07/richmond-hill-shifts-gears/#comment-29 Andrew Mon, 18 Jul 2011 23:56:01 +0000 http://monkeymartian.com/2011/07/richmond-hill-shifts-gears/#comment-29 Wish we had some of those up here in Newmarket Wish we had some of those up here in Newmarket

]]> Comment on CityChase Toronto #1 by Andrew http://monkeymartian.com/2011/07/citychase-toronto-1/#comment-17 Andrew Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:05:13 +0000 http://monkeymartian.com/?p=17#comment-17 The Indy thing was something totally separate. Liquor box was the name of our Chase team. The Indy thing was something totally separate.

Liquor box was the name of our Chase team.

]]> Comment on CityChase Toronto #1 by Dave http://monkeymartian.com/2011/07/citychase-toronto-1/#comment-16 Dave Sun, 10 Jul 2011 17:43:06 +0000 http://monkeymartian.com/?p=17#comment-16 Cool! Was this how Phil won the Indy thing? Also I have to ask, taking a closer look at the photo - what's a 'liquor box'? Cool!
Was this how Phil won the Indy thing?

Also I have to ask, taking a closer look at the photo – what’s a ‘liquor box’?

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