GravelNerd
Gravel Nerd

Tech enthusiast with a passion for gravel cycling in and around urban areas . Sharing adventures, hacks, tech tips, and more

Public Key

npub1kl049l4xr4mslk7mh0u94zk3svws49lxc0lqcyuhrx7qjqhjgd8qkrlydr

NIP-05 Address

gravelnerd@nostrcheck.me

Profile Code

nprofile1qqst0h6jl6np6ac0m0dmh7z63tgcx8g2jlnv8lsvzwt3n0qfqteyxnspz3mhxue69uhkummnw3ezummcw3ezuer9wcq3gamnwvaz7tmjv4kxz7fwv3sk6atn9e5k74sr4jy

Publishing to

nostr.oxtr.dev

relay.damus.io

Author Public Key

npub1kl049l4xr4mslk7mh0u94zk3svws49lxc0lqcyuhrx7qjqhjgd8qkrlydr

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Last Notes

2024-09-15 18:09:39

Live from the Grand Pris du Montreal
#cycling
https://m.primal.net/Kqye.jpg
https://m.primal.net/Kqyh.mov

2024-09-08 19:35:22

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welcome aboard the nostr train James!

2024-09-08 19:30:36

for the Lycra haters
Lycra hides nothing so why would you try?
I don't ride to become skinny. I won't ever be.
I ride to be happy. It makes my mind slow down and it takes me to amazing places that I would normally take the time to stop and look around at.
So take your bike and ride wearing whatever makes you comfortable. Smiles guaranteed 😊
#nostrides #gravel
https://nostrcheck.me/media/b7df52fea61d770fdbdbbbf85a8ad1831d0a97e6c3fe0c139719bc0902f2434e/d556358e1169fb6a8786e97a985bbc59c71b166345d3dc83525500168113484a.webp
https://nostrcheck.me/media/b7df52fea61d770fdbdbbbf85a8ad1831d0a97e6c3fe0c139719bc0902f2434e/f94666bfa332fb7762b7278dc9e5d6b169ccf4a22c792b4d779cae36bfd48ee0.webp

2024-09-07 20:41:44

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Metric century is a solid accomplishment - Congrats! 🚴‍♂️
The route looks amazing too - never enough cows

2024-09-03 13:45:42

Does anybody have an invite code for http://getalby.com?

2024-09-01 17:25:57

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.... comfy on the HANDS (not heads) as on pavement.
proof that ai is not writing these posts - just a lazy Gravel nerd that can't proof read 🫤

2024-09-01 17:17:25

Shockstop Suspension Stem - one of the best upgrades I have ever made to a bike.
Made by Redshift Sports (not sponsored but open to offers 😊)
This stem contains rubber type blocks that you can pair up depending on your weight and riding style. It is like magic in that removes all the annoying vibrations without it flexing noticeably. I only notice it when climbing / sprinting out of the saddle and really pulling on the bars. Even then it is only barely noticeable movement.
it really works and does not waste any of your power. Long rides on old train beds feel just as comfy on the heads as pavement.
The company just launched a new series of 55 mm & 75mm that I would have gotten instead of the longer 100mm that I did get.
https://redshiftsports.com
https://nostrcheck.me/media/b7df52fea61d770fdbdbbbf85a8ad1831d0a97e6c3fe0c139719bc0902f2434e/64f4fe49a680636cbef618f14e698e06f01d1beb9a333fad8dfa9ee27a76f0b3.webp
https://nostrcheck.me/media/b7df52fea61d770fdbdbbbf85a8ad1831d0a97e6c3fe0c139719bc0902f2434e/c7c3cd5138b9dbb06c90df7ab2201eb6a901e9b607a3d21f140add728fedb8c9.webp

2024-09-01 16:55:24

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Maybe just maybe we are a bunch on contrarians here on nostr. Ahead of the curve on everything including pedals 😄

2024-09-01 16:51:58

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Stay tuned - I will be posting a lot of content for cycling home mechanics including hot waxing tutorials.

2024-09-01 16:49:30

Gravel cycling isn't just the new black; it's the whole darn color wheel, spinning through mud, dust, and the occasional existential crisis!
Seriously though - other than crits or really really knrly singletrack, gravel bikes do it all the best. Ride to the trail along paved roads and back again instead of loading up the car.
Just ride and explore 🚵‍🚴‍♂️ ♀️

2024-09-01 01:50:12

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on the ski hills we called them "posers"

2024-08-29 18:58:34

Flats vs clips post
I swore by clipless pedals for decades and close to 200,000km of riding. mostly between SPD and Crank Brothers Candy series, both which allowed lots of float and were low maintenance.
All that changed during the lockdowns when I was doing a lot of indoor riding and had time to experiment. At that time I was plagued by a persistent callus on the sole of one foot that was painful to walk on. After much trial and error it seemed like the culprit was my highend (Sidi) cycling shows. There was a very small raised gap where the insole met the side of the shoe near the ball of one foot. Over time this tiny iratant cause the callus to forms under the skin. I had switched to their wide shoes a few years ago so began a hunt of a even wider show to solve the issue.
This led to a rabbit hole of flat pedals and street shoes and sandals. Coming from a road cycling background this was completely new to me but old school for bmx and mountain bikers.
I decided to try and test it semj-scientifically using my indoor training bike that was connected to Zwift. I could see if power output at the pedals was being affected by the pedals and shoes. I did lots of structured interval training, long rides, long steep climbs and races.
Results: I could ride in open toe sandals (berkenstocks) very comfortably and with no noticible loss of power except in full out sprinting. There was a very large loss of 20%+ in sprints (20-30 second full gas efforts)
Out of the saddle climbing led to some slippage with the sandals too.
Based on this I decided to try some dedicated flat pedal shoes and settled on some 5-10 (now owned by Adidas) Trail shoes. The rubber on the sole is like glue to the pedals and the shoes are comfy for all day rides and walking like regular shoes. I did a weekend tour recently of 180km per day and had zero issues with comfort, power or control.
All this to say that I can never see myself going back to clips again. I would guess that over 90% over serious rec cyclists would also be better served by flat pedals but on the weekend tour with a couple thousand other riders, I did not notice anyone else riding on flats. Unless you are racing or doing narly downhill mountain biking give flats a go. the pedals are so much cheaper as are the shoes and no cleats are needed. Bonus is being able to walk like a normal person at the cafe stops or not slipping on tiles at the office building.
https://nostrcheck.me/media/b7df52fea61d770fdbdbbbf85a8ad1831d0a97e6c3fe0c139719bc0902f2434e/c31b74597691930ada2b105c60aa7135dd1316d66ffc49193a76c779ea14e7b5.webp

2024-08-29 18:03:25

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Thanks - if only I could stop tinkering with it 😄

2024-08-29 15:12:17

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Thank you - followed back

2024-08-29 14:26:00

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Congratulations - welcome to the rest of your life (the best part)!

2024-08-29 13:52:58

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Thanks for my first reply! 🙏

2024-08-29 13:48:06

Trying to avoid posting bitcoin related stuff but just showing that I do have more than a passing interest in it
https://nostrcheck.me/media/b7df52fea61d770fdbdbbbf85a8ad1831d0a97e6c3fe0c139719bc0902f2434e/5040a1d2ccf8393676a10f1099d52d63da79bf5a3e76728bd761dc13a0ce9dc2.webp

2024-08-29 13:44:36

Introduction - Hi everyone.
I recently joined nostr and am excited about the present and future potential of it.
Very much into bitcoin but trying to keep my posts mostly about one of my other passions - cycling: without preaching.
In any case, I would love some followers, as encouragement for me, but especially to help round out the content on nostr.
npub: npub1kl049l4xr4mslk7mh0u94zk3svws49lxc0lqcyuhrx7qjqhjgd8qkrlydr
gravelnerd@nostrcheck.me
#introductions

2024-08-27 20:44:05

Wow! I guess that my bike speed was too much for this bug 😭
Is there a Darwin award for bugs? This one couldn't avoid a bicycle so that would qualify, I think https://image.nostr.build/fb5f06328d3e869655090d1d41421a87dde23e55d842bdd01a5852c584d56b0e.jpg

2024-08-27 17:43:48

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Welcome fellow Nerd

2024-08-27 12:50:13

Another day exploring local River paths. The beautiful and might Ottawa River. https://image.nostr.build/6e7349106988e4c460af155d6f235455afbdf7d721e64eff695f15237740f4f4.jpg

2024-08-25 00:37:22

Exploring new routes in the area. Found so many places worth of pictures but this one was especially nice. Gatineau River. https://image.nostr.build/0fe10cf10bd664445ecdb5ec8cafe7095c3ed40d2e52f59d36b4450edb7e1e6e.jpg https://image.nostr.build/186a17e1b478a24a6a03915a2cc747c9d3efe6291bf4d8f3b9d9df0908f8f41c.jpg

2024-08-22 20:43:19

Hesitant to name the brand since the frame and the front derailleur are the only things that are original.
I love this beast
2017 Norco Search Carbon https://image.nostr.build/db20c98811a4cd1ecfb97a78b972d7a850c68f1f0f461e39ebfe78a0748cb954.jpg

2024-08-21 12:28:34

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Well since we are farming, I love Bitcoin topics but came to nostr to post about cycling topics that I am passionate about.
Give me a follow if this is of interest to you and lets grow this together.
"Tech enthusiast with a passion for gravel cycling in and around urban areas . Sharing adventures, hacks, tech tips, and more"

2024-08-21 12:21:19

Just had a wheelie close call with nature's own ninja, Mr. Squirrel, on my morning ride through the urban jungle.
Picture this: I'm pedaling when out of nowhere, this fluffy-tailed daredevil decides to play chicken with my bike.
I swerve, he jukes, back and forth and back again.
But somehow we both live to tell the tale.
Moral of the story? Always expect the unexpected when you're on two wheels, because squirrels apparently have a death wish and a need for speed.
Remember, cyclists: Brake for coffee, not for squirrels.

2024-08-20 18:57:15

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For anyone that is curious, once a chain has been hot-waxed properly with wax (and a bit of teflon) the cleaning is easy. Just remove big dirt and grime with a chain cleaner filled with water and a touch of soap.
Then remove the chain and immerse and swirl it in very hot (near boiling) water for a minute. Immediately wipe the chain down with a clean rag to remove any residual dirt and water.
Hang the chain to air dry and reattach to bike when ready.
I find it best to keep two chains in rotation so that i am not tempted to keep riding a dirty chain. Dirt in the bushings is the chain killer.
How often to clean? Depends on the conditions but I go by sound. The chain sounds louder when it needs to be cleaned. I never go more than 200km max (a week or so) without cleaning and usually much sooner than that.
Highly recommend Wipperman Chains for long life and amazing quick connects.

2024-08-20 18:36:18

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Wow!
I have always been a fan and updater of OpenStreetMaps. I did not know about Organic Maps but just tried it now on IOS. It looks great.
Google Maps has let me down too many times when cycling on trails and trying to find alternate routes in new areas.
Thanks!

2024-08-20 16:30:09

hot waxed chain #2 fresh out of hot water cleaning after dusty trail ride. quick wipe down and it is shiny and quiet again for the next 100 or so. https://image.nostr.build/d16dfe3ee6c5cc2c46f949f2872b1708b6bd629f3e1338e1af38971dcbaf3e2b.jpg