CBBaron

I just found Diamond Gusset Defender jeans. They are American made which is rare for clothing and have good reviews from webbikereviews. Probably give them a try for commuting. Craig Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

Shinko 705 appear to be good dual sport tires for the heavy adventure bikes that see some gravel but not real off-road. They handle well on the street and decent on the gravel and appear to hold up well and are much cheaper than premium brands for little loss. No experience with the sportbike tires so they may be completely different. Craig

I wouldn't say killer but definitely a good competitor. The new Ninja300 is $1200 cheaper and 45# lighter. Ofcourse it gives up 8 hp along with 200cc. Craig

Yea that's me on road rides with my recumbent. I pass skinny roadies like they are standing still going down And they easily make it up when the roads turn up Craig

Im not that fast uphill but I try my best to climb well. Mostly because I like to make the little guys with their light weight bikes feel bad when a fat guy on a fatter bike pass them. Used to ride single speed just to make more of a point but found 1x9 is much more fun. Ofcourse my skill level is pretty low and I ride a rigid bike so Im not very fast on the down hills Craig

Plan to hit Royalview this evening about 7. Hope to do a couple laps before dark. Craig Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

This makes sense, however a couple corrections. It is KLX250SF. As mentioned the CRF230M is more beginner moto than supermoto. Supermotos are tough on long high speed rides. However that DRZ400SM was the best bike for me at Deals Gap last year. I need to get myself one as one would also be a good commuter on the crappy Cleveland roads. It is amazing how different a bike feels when it is thin and light. And for me the ergonomics of the supermotos are much better than the heavier bikes. I hope new models show up from all the manufacturers again in future years, including the CRF250M which should be a nice machine. Craig

Don't release pests. They just come back or become someone elses problem. Drowning is probably not the most humane way of killing but I like the resetablity of the trap. However I suspect that a mouse flailing in the bottom of the bucket or floating there rotting warns off the next one any ways. Craig

Based on the photos I was going to guess something like that. The front suspension looked to have considerable compression. Glad you escaped mostly unscathed. Craig

What ever I found on clearance Usually something from Nashbar or Performancebike. Though I have learned to avoid their cheapest shorts as the spandex is very thin and the chamois has rough edges. Just picked up some Performancebike Nevado shorts with included liner that look good. I'll see how they work this week if the weather improves. Craig

Why not? Sure its not good for anything but getting attention. But someone showed it could be done. Thumbs up from me. Craig Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

I always thought that running hurt my knees, and that I needed a pair of shoes with lots of support and cushion in the heel. But instead I found if you use barefoot/zero drop shoes and dont land on my heels my knees are much happier. Now granted I dont run much and so don't put in big miles but I am about 220 and I run out my front door, so that means mostly asphalt with some grass, cinders and dirt for an occasional change. Im using these http://www.altrazerodrop.com/fitness/en/Altra/Men/instinct On the recommendation of Cleveland Running Co. an excellent store if you are in the area. I have wide feet and these fit much better than NB, Merrell and Five Fingers. Craig

lol, At this point in my MTB skill Im barely faster going down than going up. Atleast for hills that are not steep. My skill level is more limiting than my fittness But what you say is very true. And a crash or breaking something takes much more time than you can save Craig

Just saw an article that the Metroparks is hosting a race (time trial) series at Royalview trail in June. http://strongsville.patch.com/articles/mountain-bike-race-series-set-for-june I know the trail is beginner friendly so this might be a good chance to get my feet wet with a race. I know the fatbike and I will not be fast but should be fun Craig

Glad you found a comfortable solution. This weather has been so nice, and I have been having so much fun riding my fat bike with the new front tire I just had to work in a evening ride once I saw they were open (from Ohiosingletrack.com link to Cleveland Metroparks Craig

I ride in the rain all the time, but for some reason it always looks worse afterwards. But hopefully it's true that storms work better dirty because mine sure is. Craig

I see that Royalview is officially open. I think I will give it a try after work tomorrow. Probably be there around 6-6:30 if anyone else is thinking the same. Craig

Tour Master Transition 2 Caliber pants Fox Comp 5 boots Bell Vortex helmet Liking all 3 but found the shell on the L helmet is quite a bit bigger than the HJC I used to have. It doesnt fit in my top case. Craig Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

Your description above is why it is supposed to be closed. It takes alot of work to repair a trail that has been ridden wet. The Canalway center has gates/fence that is easily closed to indicate a trail closure, sound like such a thing does not exist at Royalview. Is there any signage near the trail head? You cant really blame riders for using the trail if there is no indication its closed. It wasn't even easy to find the status on the Metroparks website. Hope someone fixes that problem and the trail holds up OK despite the abuse. Craig

I thought those trails were still closed. http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/Royalview-Mountain-Bike-Trail.aspx Canalway Center is open so will be doing a couple loops today at lunch. Im going to need to figure out a better way to carry the bike on my Beetle. The trunk mount rack I have does not seem very secure. OK for a short run to work but I'm not sure I'd trust it to haul the bike to Mohican. Craig

Ended up using Aieesoft to generate ipod and android videos for my daughter. One step to generate the required format from DVD. Pretty easy to use. And have not had a problem reading any DVD. I dont have experience with any others but this seemed to cost less than most of the other similar programs. Craig

Well thats the easiest way to save fuel costs... Don't drive much My car (VW Beetle) only gets about 28 mpg but I drive it < 3k a year so I dont care. You would think a tiny econobox with an underpowered 4 could do better The good is that it takes up very little room in the garage leaving room for the bike Craig

The topcase would definitively come off Motoseries seem to have a little tighter requirements for rider gear as full zip is required on leather 2 piece or full textile suit. Nelson is pretty close so that is probably where I would go. The trunk would be good for getting my gear there but it is easily removed. Damn, I'm going to have to do this. 1) Need leather suit (wouldn't mind one any ways) 2) Free Saturday 3) Sign up Doubt I'd have nearly as much of a problem with too much speed on the straight. A DL650 is not exactly a power house Craig

Well crash bars dont affect clearance. Would definitely "novice" or "beginner" or whatever is first time on a track I would want a more appropriate bike if doing anything more serious. My suit does not qualify as is because the zip together is only about 8" in theH back. I guess I could consider a rental if I could find my size (6'2" 200). Hmm may have to think about this a little harder. I know I could always stand to improve my riding and practicing on a track is sure to be safer than hitting curvy roads in southern ohio. Craig

So how bad would it be for someone with modest experience to take a Vstrom 650 to a track day? Would I have to remove the crash bars? Would my adv tires be too limiting? Crazy idea any ways. I don't even have a track worthy suit. Craig