I STILL refuse to turn into a roadie - Thanks CTA {Video}

Not going to lie, it hasn't been easy (being a Mountain Biker). You grow up surrounded by mountains and learn to find refuge in them every day. Suddenly, when its time to move out and pursue more ambitious career goals, you land in Chicago. No mountains, no vertical, full of road riders and commuters. Thankfully, the CTA network (and PACE) spans wide enough for me get my fix. 

PD. Special thanks to all the relentless trail builders who manage to make it fun despite the flatness of Chicago. Always support the local trail builders.

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Permalink Reply by Pete P on July 3, 2017 at 6:14am

Awesome video dude! What trails did you shoot this at?

Permalink Reply by Marcelo Marcos on July 5, 2017 at 3:40am

Thanks buddy, its all stuff around Willow Springs and Palos Hills

Permalink Reply by V W on July 6, 2017 at 3:15pm
I too refuse to turn into a roadie. I didn't grow up around mountains. I grew up here. Been commuting every day for 5 and a half years now. I do see this notion that there's this natural evolution we are supposed to make to gravitate and graduate to road biking.

I'm happy with my mountain bikes and hybrids. If I get more bikes I might get a cruiser, or a tourer, or a tricycle or quadrabike, or an electric.
Permalink Reply by Marcelo Marcos on July 7, 2017 at 4:11am

I feel you, when thinking about getting a new bike, so many pop into mind, but not a road bike yet. Thinking about getting maybe a dirt jumper for short commutes around downtown to replace the Divvy. 

Permalink Reply by V W on July 7, 2017 at 4:50am
Tons of styles of bike interest me. Road bikes too, I don't hate them, but they're just not high on my list like they seem to be for many others. I also would be interested in a cargo bike someday. Or a recumbent trike. The list goes on. But I have 4 bikes as it is, and only so much room for more.
Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on July 6, 2017 at 4:11pm
Here, here! I also have to join forces here with my fellow MTB'ers! Even though I enjoy the easy ride of my road bike I find I choose my MTB as my city commuter ride most often. Especially with all the construction and my ride isn't terribly far and it usually is a better workout to burn off the belly/butt fat. I recently tolerated some big-mouth know-it-all MTB shamer at a recent ATA pit stop who was a hard core 'road preacher. Talk about respecting a fellow cyclist' choice of bike for their commute. Shut the 'F' up and go preach to someone who cares.
Permalink Reply by Marcelo Marcos on July 7, 2017 at 4:16am

Unfortunately there are MTBers like that too. No sense it putting someone down because of their bike, but people do seem to gravitate disproportionately towards the more efficient builds. Makes sense, but I like the more playful bikes, otherwise it feels too monotonous. Regardless, I've been pleseantly surprised to see bmx shops, MTB shops, MTB trails, and dirt Jump trails in and around town. Glad there is some diversity out there even in this big flat town.

Permalink Reply by V W on July 7, 2017 at 4:55am
I also feel like my heavier less efficient bikes give me a better workout. And it's nice to worry less about potholes or going over curbs. I also like being able to carry a lot of stuff, or accessorize my bikes with a lot of things, and not worry about the added weight, since the bikes are generally slow anyway. If I had some 5k Italian carbon fiber road bike, I'd be disinclined to add a kick stand, fenders, baskets, or even to use a heavy duty U lock. All of that weight undermines the whole purpose of the expense and appeal of the bike.
Permalink Reply by Jon M on July 7, 2017 at 2:38am

Graduate to 'Cross....  Retire to the road...

Permalink Reply by Marcelo Marcos on July 7, 2017 at 4:17am

I think I might try a bmx or dirt jumper first to commute around town and fine some sweet lines. This guy managed to make it work: 

Permalink Reply by V W on July 7, 2017 at 4:59am
I will also add that for me, slower/heavier and more upright bikes don't just feel more comfortable for me, they feel safer. One of my bikes has the more forward aggressive posture, and it's by far my fastest bike, and it's also the one that I have the most painful crashes on. The more leaned forward I am, the less likely I fall on my feet when I crash, the more likely I fall on my hands and elbows and head. Also the thinner tires give me less traction, and I've slipped on gravel and fell off of it as a result. I've also gotten doored on it (on a tight stretch of street where there wasn't really room to be out of the door zone), whereas with my slower bikes when someone opens a door I have had time to react and avoid it.
Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on July 7, 2017 at 9:38am
Brittney, It's not that anyone hates roadies or road bikes, it's just that I like to choose whatever style bike I'm comfortable for that days ride and I don't want anyone sayin', "oh man, you're still ridin' a mountain bike, dude, the 90's are over, no one rides those anymore, get your ass on road bike!"
Even still in my conversion with him that I did have a road bike to ride from my stable, he couldn't comprehend my reasoning and kept preaching to get rid of it and just ride the road bike. Yeah dude, whatever.
A strange problem for me when I'm on my road bike, is I'm usually riding too fast for conditions (just because I can) and I have to tell myself to slow down.

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