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FTN Spray Washer

3/16/2015

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Riding Fat Tire Bikes and not getting them dirty would be silly. Sure, some days conditions are perfect, but if you get back to the car after a sloppy ride and your bike has gained some additional pounds of mud, you need to clean it off as soon as possible. If it’s raining, cool, rack it and drive home, the mud won’t set up and you can clean it there, maybe the rain does the heavy lifting for you. But don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ll get to it soon enough and suddenly there is a ¼” concrete like crust all over your bike that you must now deal with or risk all kinds of destruction to the finish, the drive train, seals, bearings…

Some wouldn't think twice about blasting it off at the local car wash.  But we all know it’s a bad idea to turn high pressure on the bike. You risk blowing grit into the seals ruining the bearings as well as blowing the much needed lube out of everything else. Even if you are skilled at not applying high pressure to the critical areas, you always risk an accidental blast and you are wasting water.

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FTN prefers to use a garden sprayer back at the car, immediately after the ride finishes. The thickest of the mud will be washed away and because the sprayers are low pressure, no seals are harmed. After a recent pre-ride of the Barry- Roubaix course, we cleaned 5 bikes with a little less than 3 gallons of water. They weren't showroom perfect but when I rolled mine into the house later that day to finish the detailing, I wasn't dropping chunks of mud, sand or grease curds from the tires, frame or drive train.

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The model pictured was purchased at Lowes and was a little expensive ($75) but it is a “professional 
contractor” series and I liked the backpack feature and opposite hand pump lever. The sprayer can generate 25 psi for several seconds, more than enough to get crud off the frame but I tend to use less pressure with a wider broadcast to be kind to the drive train.  If time permits, a dish scrub brush and a spray bottle of diluted grease cutting dish detergent will really make a difference.

Fat tires and a clean bike makes everyone look better while riding.

FTN

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How to go on a first Fat Tire Bike date

3/4/2015

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First, if you don’t already own multiple Fat Tire Bikes (you will eventually), find one to borrow (see if the LBS has a demo).  Next, be sure the novice gets the better bike.  This will allow them to ride easier with you.  Also be sure that their clothing is appropriate for the weather.  We assume that people know what layers to bring but that is just not the case.  Feet and hands are the most critical.  It’s relatively easy to layer up or down while riding but if the hands or feet get too hot or cold it’s much harder to get them back under control and regulated.  Winter would seem to be the most difficult weather to manage but summer brings humidity and insects that can really kill a fun ride.  So, consider all environmental factors before inviting someone for the first time.  Finally, put the bikes on a rack outside of the vehicle.  Your date may appreciate some space inside the car to change and layer up or down before and after the ride.

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As in real estate, location is the key.  Do not attempt the most difficult terrain or trail in the area for a first ride.  Instead, pick out a nice dirt road route and if possible a parking spot where your date can get situated on the bike without feeling conspicuously inexperienced.  After a couple successful Fat Tire Bike dates, you can bring them to the local trail.  Stack the odds in your favor.  Avoid ice, mud and rain at all costs.

Fat Tire Bikes seem to accommodate riders of different sizes fairly easily with simple seat height adjustments.  Remember, this is a first ride, an initiation into the Fat Tire Nation culture, so be nice for the entire ride, especially if you want to make good use of the private parking spot you secured earlier.  Some riders have told me stories about how they still managed to get their workout in by hitting every hill hard and doubling back while their date slogged along… that’s not nice.  They didn’t get any points for the workout or the parking spot.  Just enjoy the date.  Talk to your companion to help distract them from being tired.  Help make the time fly.  Dates that end with the couple trying to think of where the time went are the best.  Then show them the GPS data (don’t show them that you never got your heartrate above 115 but let them see the map and the elevation gain) There’s a few phone based options that allow you to do this at the parking spot… don’t kill the moment by speeding home to upload from your Garmin, they need immediate gratification.
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While riding be careful not to put your date in a position where they need to answer to many questions with long answers.  Don’t ask them about their job or politics.  Ask several questions where they can answer with “yes or no”, some fascial expressions and hand signals.  If riding for more than one hour and weather permitting, bring a back pack with a little snack (bagel, muffin or a couple of beers works well).  Be positive, tell them how good they look on the bike, even if the fit isn’t optimal.  Tell them how much you enjoy riding with them and riding in general but don’t paint yourself into a corner where you can no longer ride with your normal group.  Keep the date (present and future) special.  As soon as they invade the regular group or prevent you from enjoying your regular group, it’s over.

Only you can judge how far or fast to ride on the first date.  It’s a big responsibility and you need to have some contingency plans in case the ride goes poorly.  Design a route with some bail out roads.  Return to the parking spot with energy left to burn, the day (or evening) could still be young.  Always leave them feeling like they had some more to give and you may get some more in return.

FTN
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