Howdy!

I've got those cage things on my pedals and I noticed at the races where I've volunteered that most of the winners have clips. I'd like to join their ranks, but I don't want to do it the wrong way.

The River City Bikes (Portland, Ore.) webpage suggests I see them for a "fitting" if I want to go into clips. Is that really necessary? Is it OK to just buy the cheapest clip in pedals and the cheapest bike shoes and go for it?

So, anyone seen some map cases/platforms you can mount to
your handlebars during biking sessions? I made one from plexiglass and zip-tied it to my handle bars, it worked pretty good. I've also seen some at a web site:
http://www.adventureracingconcepts.com/prod/nav/mapcase.html

that look pretty cool, especially if if would fold down into a smaller size when not needed, but expand into a usable size when you want to look at your map. My plexiglass one was almost to big for my handlebars, but almost to small for the map, you sure have to fold the map up alot.

well, I'd like to get a discussion regarding this issue. I know it's been brought up before but I'm seriously looking for a new bike that weighs less than my current 35lb downhiller

what do you think is best for adventure races, long races, where you spend more than a couple hours on your bike, a f/s or h/t?? There are sure alot of really nice so-called cross-country f/s bikes out there, new shock technology and so forth. You can get a 25lbs or less f/s bike that would sure be alot easier on the body for endurance type rides?

There are several methods for creating tow systems on the bike. Here are a select few found from other websites in the AR circles.

System 1: Wire Hanger/Fishing Rod Tow

Take some wire (use a coat hanger this works great) and wrap it around your seat rails then twist the two ends together and cut excess. You should have about 3-4 inches. Use a fishing rod and stick one end into the wire end and then tape this up. The wire and rod are just there to provide a place for the sugical tubing when not in use so it does not get jammed in your wheel. The surgical tubing then attaches to your seat rails as well then goes through the line loops on the fishing rod. At the end tie on a small carabiner. Then when your teammate wants to be towed they just grab a hold of the biner and hook it in. Another option is to use a strap then they don't feel like they could get dragged if they wipe out. Again towing works well on fire roads or other open areas. In single track I think it would be a bad idea. Make sure you train with this because it is wierd at first, especially if the person being towed doesn't trust that you won't run into anything.

Make sure you practice pushing your bike up steep slippery nasty slopes. You will inevitably be pushing your bike in a race. You must know how your bike shoes are going to hold up to hike-a-bike sessions!

Also practice pushing your bike through thick brush and muddy pits.

Q-Tips make great cleaning utensils for those hard to reach places (eg your brakes, shifters, brake levers, derailures, etc...). Plus you can clean your ears at the same time!