Lee Likes Bikes

Ryan Leech and the cons of being pro

leelikesbikes — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:27:23 +0000

So much wisdom in this nsmb.com story by Ryan Leech. I swear an entire essay can be written about each paragraph. Brilliant illustrations too. Check out Ryan Leech and the Cons of Being Pro. Even if you’re not a pro rider, you might identify with some of the struggles Leech talks about. I sure do.

Breaking 200

leelikesbikes — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:18:38 +0000

Thank goodness I haven’t weighed 200 pounds since I started riding bikes two decades ago. We’re talking pedal cadence! Building speed A couple years ago I embraced pedaling as a skill. I quickly reached about 120 rpm with flat pedals. After some practice I could spin flats at 180. This is not world class, but [...]

Pedaling drill: Tens

leelikesbikes — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:26:17 +0000

I just stumbled upon a new pedaling drill. It helped me drag my sore carcass up the hill to my house, and it made me more aware of my standing-sitting-standing transitions. Fun! Setup Long, smooth climb with decent traction. This lets you focus on your pedaling fu. Steep paved road on an S-Works Tricross is [...]

Tackling long essays

leelikesbikes — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:27:56 +0000

A little change of pace, but a useful one. Clear writing is one of the most useful—and bankable—skills you can develop. Hi Lee, Bit of a personal one this. I’m having a very hard time with essay writing. Just started a Bachelor of Nursing and first semester is full of essays. Just little ones 2000 [...]

Sea Otter Speed and Style 2012

leelikesbikes — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:22:09 +0000

This year we ran the second-ever Sea Otter Classic Speed and Style event. It was speedy and stylish. History In the past, Sea Otter had Speed Trials, which was a semi-trialsy, semi-freestyley, head to head race. They still run Speed Trials at various mountain events. Then came pump tracks. In 2010 I built a sweet [...]

Three weeks on the road

leelikesbikes — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:35:26 +0000

Hi all, I just got back from Sea Otter and high school coach training in Utah. Lots of big adventures. I’ll post reports as soon as I can.

Race vs DJ BMX bike?

leelikesbikes — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:56:28 +0000

Hey Lee, I have your mountain biking book and it’s been really helpful. I plan on picking up a copy of the BMX skills book too. I’d like to start incorporating some BMX pump track riding and BMX jumping to gain some skills as you recommend. There are also some skate parks around where I [...]

Front suspension for a pump track bike?

leelikesbikes — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:57:54 +0000

Hi Lee, I bought the book and built one of your tracks. Then bought your MTB book and the bmx book. Now I want to buy a dedicated pumptrack bike but am trying to be cost effective. Two questions: Question 1: Do I want/need a front shock for pump track? Some things I read seem [...]

What happened to bar ends?

leelikesbikes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 21:14:29 +0000

Hello Lee, I just started reading your MTB skills book. Awesome read! Only a few chapters in and have learned many new techniques. One of my favorites is the brake lever position. I moved mine as you recommended and WOW what a differance. So much better leverage and control. Anyway, I do have one question [...]

Day one on the p.pump

leelikesbikes — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:30:36 +0000

It’s been a big year for sweet new bikes. First the Stumpjumper FSR 29 Carbon S-EVO and now a new p.bike, dubbed for now the p.pump. We rode today. Check it out: Mission Go back to a dedicated pump/jump bike. Captain America has been a great all-around bike, but, as much pump track as I [...]