Ive played golf a few times this spring and am ready to get something going consistently. Im trying to go to the driving range atleast once a week if you are interested in joining one evening after work. I play golf, tennis, soccer, softball, or pretty much anything outside. How many here actually play golf and maybe try and get some interest in some sort of THX golf tournament later on this summer?

I'm all for a golf outing, perhaps a best-ball with balanced teams. That's always fun, and takes any pressure off of those who aren't that good at golf (i.e. myself). We could do this, or something like it on a Saturday morning, and pair it with a LAN later that afternoon/evening.

Golf is a sport saturated with assholes that requires you to dress up to play. I'll have no part of it.

On a serious note, I will play golf with friends, as long as they're not overly good, because I become a burden very quickly. I like to forego the effort of carrying a bag of clubs and just carry three clubs. I usually carry a driver, 6-iron, and putter. At my level of proficiency it really doesn't matter what blunt object I strike the ball with.

All of you guys talking about mountain biking has got me curious about it. Christina has a cheap Wal-Mart mountain bike. Perhaps I should give it a shot on that and see if I like it.

I tried golf. All I got out of it was a hurt back and a feeling of being a peon amongst pros. We spent most of the time laughing at how bad we were.

I used to do a lot of rock-climbing, still have most of the equipment. You being in Alabama (I assume) have you ever tried Sandrock, Alabama? They've got a lot of good climbing of all skill levels over there.

There are a couple of us that ride most Tuesday and Thursday afternoons after work up on Monte Sano. There are lots of trails up there that vary in difficulty from beginner to insane. I personally avoid the insane trails, I'd like to die of old age with the full use of all my limbs. Lately it's just been me and one other guy from work riding since Speck is on the way and KillerD disappeared from the face of the earth.

I've been riding for about a year and really enjoy it, I get to exercise without the hassle of the gym, while getting to be outside. It can be expensive to really get into it, some folks spend many thousands of dollars. You can of course get into it for a lot less than that, but in general you want to avoid the Wal-Mart bikes beyond the first few trial rides.

Brick knows way more about all of it than I do, maybe he'll comment. He tends to analyze it all to death while I tend to just show up and ride.

You can look here for maps of trail in the area: http://www.briartech.com/msmap.htm
Here is a direct link to the Monte Sano map: http://www.briartech.com/msonesht.pdf

I'm up for golf, I really need to start playing again. Wanna play sometime JDOGG?

Midnight, you obviously played with the wrong people and went to the wrong course. You should go to a cheap course with easy going guys. If you play with the right people, it doesn't matter how bad you are, you will have a blast. I like going to Muni cause it isn't that expensive, especially with a youth summer pass, and most of the people that play there are cool. Plus, you can go in casual clothes... I play in shorts and a T-shirt all the time.

Slayer, you may be right. However, there seems to be something a little bit different about people that are good at golf. After a few minutes of conversation and observation I can't spot a good football player, or a good chess player, or a good mountain biker. However, I can spot someone that's a good golfer.

Just go to the pro shop and hang out for a little while. You'll find one before too long. He'll be wearing khaki pants, a faggoty sweater vest with some prestigous emblem on the chest, and either a baseball cap or if he's the most experienced of golf assholes he'll be wearing a hat like Brian Johnson of AC/DC, except Brian Johnson can pull that type of thing off. The cap is equally likely to have either an Auburn or an Alabama logo on it. The Auburn logo appeals to the golf asshole's desire for prestige. The Alabama logo appeals to the golf asshole's desire to be part of a winning tradition. These symbols help him cope with the lack of prestige and winning tradition in his own life, much like his involvement with golf.

He'll probably be running his mouth to someone about how to play a hole, swing a club, or spreading some type of incorrect information on sports cars, flat-panel TVs, or college football. He probably sits next to a window in the pro shop to laugh and gust about what terrible shots the normal people on the course are making. He'll be doing this while drinking a significant amount of beer which is evidenced by his noticeable beer gut.

On the rare occassion he makes a poor shot he'll blame it on any number of things from the club, the fairway that someone like me has damaged, or maybe the position of Vega relative to Canis Major. He may even stomp his little foot and throw his club angrily into the bag to show just how upset he is at that mean old club that missed the shot for him. At all costs he will refuse to accept personal responsibility, because that would upset the image that he has worked so hard to create with his faggoty sweater vest, his AU/UA hat, and his crisp set of Taylor Made clubs with matching bag and towel that he meticulously washes after every outing to make it look fresh.

The key distinguishing factor of the golf asshole is that he has a strong sense of entitlement for being good at golf. This sense of entitlement isn't present in conniseurs of any other sport. You won't find football players, basketball players, fishermen, weight lifters, or afficionados of any variety that act as if their proficiency at their chosen game is as important as the golf asshole's ability to compromise 100 acres of the best land a municipality has to offer in order to put a 1.5" plastic sphere inside a cup.

The game of golf is a perfect draw to the golf asshole--like moth to flame. Everything about the game is pompous: The exclusive image. The way you are expected to dress up to go physically exert yourself in the conduct of a sport. The price of playing. The use of natural resources for entertainment. The perceived and totally illegitimate value of proficiency.

I've played about two rounds of golf in the past 4 years and both times I was able to spot numerous golf assholes at every turn. Previous to that I used to play with Charlie Hunt on occassion at Huntsville's course on South Parkway. I always had fun spending time with a friend, but there were golf assholes all around me. I will play golf as an exception to the rule when the situation arises that friends wish to undertake the activity, but I want to keep my association with the game as loose as possible.

Judging by your comments, you'd love disc golf. It's free and people play in sandals and dirty blue jeans.

But, I think Slayer has a good idea. We should take Midnight golfing. I'd go just to watch Midnight get pissed off at someone for swinging a Big Burtha.

I'd love to try disc golfing.

This asshole-filled environment you speak of reminds me of the current state of Halo 2's matchmaking.

I've been to a golf driving range once, and I didn't have much luck hitting the ball. Maybe things have changed in the past seven years. How is the course on Redstone? Expensive/cheap? Dress code?

I went disc golfing with Eric once on Redstone. I really liked it, and if anyone goes playing, just give me call. The course is really nice, and DI5AV0W3D is right about the nice entrance fee.

There's a biking/running trail on Redstone, but Brick only gives it a difficulty rating of 1 (out of ten, ten being the hardest), so you might want to hit up Monte Sano. Speaking of which, I've been going to the gym lately to get in shape, and the main part of my workout is the bike. I'd like to join Rev and Brick on a Tuesday trip to Monte Sano sometime.

Once I start getting more time off, i.e. once eSTV starts paying me to be lazy, I'd love to hit up a golf or disc golf course. I'm horrible at both games, but my competitive streak will more than make up for it. Plus, I have no problems taking someone down a few notches for wearing a faggoty ass sweater and a au/ua hat. (GO GATORS <3)

DJ

HAHA... I love it. The images that you draw are so hilarious and very true. The course you refer to on South Parkway is the Municipal or "Muni", it is where I was talking about. But if you think that is filled with jerks, you should go to Hampton Cove... it's ten times worse. I feel uncomfortable playing there, even though I like the course, because my skill level doesn't really belong there. I've never played at the Ledges, for obvious reasons, but I can only imagine the people up there.

But I do love golf, even with the pompous people. It is a game I really couldn't get tired of, even if I played almost everyday. It is kinda fun being a rebel at a golf course too. There is nothing quite as fun as spinning out your golf cart on wet, freshly mowed, meticulously kept up grass and leaving a muddy trail behind. :) Now I, of course, have never behaved in this way, but a friend of mine, on two separate occasions, decided he would do that... one of which he almost ran over me on. He also almost flipped the cart over on me once while I was hanging on the side... it was kinda scary really, the cart came up on two wheels.

All this talk makes me want to go play! We really should when Midnight gets in back.

Play golf or go-carts?

Holy Schnikes, that is too funny! The "pompous golf asshole" with his "faggoty sweater vest". That had me rolling...

You described golf snobs to the tee (no pun intended). I suppose I have the uncanny ability to ignore the assholes. And aside from that, I'm just there to hang out with the friends that go with me.

The following is said with the disclaimer that I'm not actually riding yet this year. I've been obsessed with re-arranging my house, and have been involved in labor and delivery/parenting/breastfeeding classes over the course of the last two months or so. All that is starting to wind down a bit for me. I hope to get out in week or two if Speck doesn't put in an early arrival.

Like the Rev said, he, I, and another guy from work usually hit the trails on Monte Sano on Tues and Thurs. I'm open to scheduling rides on the weekends too.

Mintz: I have only been on one or two rides since last fall. I'm not in the shape that you saw me in last year, and it will take awhile to build it back up. Don't work out too hard or you'll leave me sucking wind.

Midnight: The walmart bikes can make for a less than enjoyable experience. In general, they are heavy, poorly fit the rider, have suspensions that absorb the energy you are trying to put into the pedals, and exhibit structural, shifting and braking issues. Also, a lot of times they are geared higher for urban use.

That said, if it's all you've got, go for it. I've seen a few walmart bikes out there. The top of the mountain is relatively flat and smooth, and would be where we would go for the first couple of rides anyways. It probably wouldn't be too bad there. Off the top of the mountain you start bouncing off of rocks and having to do a lot of climbing. The shortcomings of your transportation will become readily appearant.

Another solution might be to see if my bike will fit you, and then let you chase The Rev around for awhile. I know that The_Rev's bike is too big, and Monica and Casey's bikes are too small. There might be a guy from work with one that will fit you that I can borrow, I dunno if he's riding this year. The Rev might know (DaveF?).

He has not ridden so far this year and I think his bike is the same size as yours (around 19") and would probably fit MN well.

I'll give my two cents on bike purchasing.

Don't buy a Walmart bike. Don't buy a bike with a comfortable looking seat. Don't buy a full suspension bike. Once you purchase the bike, replace the pedals immediately with either Time Atac or Crank Brother pedals. Buy some biking clothes, especially padded shorts, and shoes for the pedals. Don't stand up when your climbing off-road. Frame size is important but so is the top stem length, know the difference or ask at the local LBS(local bike shop) when fitting a bike.

I'll go destroy Christina's $79 Wal-Mart bike and consider it a worthwhile investment to see if I like biking and what I don't like about the bike. If someone will let me borrow a bike, that is great, but I have a knack for destroying things that get involved in physical activity.

When you mix it with some beers...so much fun. Golfing aint about winning to me, I dont set out with the mindset I am going to make par on every hole if any at all. It's just nice to get outside and ride around in a cart with friends just shooting the shizz. I would be up for some tennis, golf, disk golf, soccer whenever this summer. Everyone who would need my number should have it and if you dont just send me a PM and you shall receive it.

here's my question about mtn biking: What size should I get (and what sizes are normally available)? And what factor does size play? I would assume it mostly has to do with how long your legs are, compared to the distance between the seat and the pedals. Does wheel size come into play here? When you say a 19" bike, what is being measured there? I got my bike off of a guy who rides all the time, and I think it's a good bike, but he's shorter than I am, so perhaps the bike is too small for me....

The guys (Hubcap, Shyzza, Phoenix and others) and I have been playing tennis some lately. We could do that sometime.

For some odd reason, alcomohol seems to make me BETTER at golf! It's strange....

Or perhaps once I get a few beers in me, I really don't care if I hit a bad shot. Yes, that's most likely the case.

Seriously, though. I don't have to drink to have fun, but I do agree with JDogg-- a couple of beers while you're outside on a nice day with some friends makes for a good time. Golf is sort of the distraction on the side. And those few swings during a round that turn out to be nice shots are fun! For me it's nearly always luck more than anything else, but I still enjoy it.

There's nothing like golf to get you started drinking at 10 AM :) Although, you have to be careful, as I'm sure you're all aware. We had a neighborhood yardsale a few weeks ago that started at 6:30-7:00 AM. By 10:30-11:00 we were all pretty tired and decided to have a few beers. The sun warms your beer while you're outside and actually encourages you to drink it faster because you want to have it cold. That coupled with the dehydration aspect of drinking in the daytime was a real asskicker. I had to go home at 1:00 and take a nap.

Disclaimer: I'm not an expert, and I'm typing this during lunch. There is no fact checking, and no spell checking. WYSIWYG

19" usually refers to the length of the seat tube. The geometry of the frame can effect the stand-over clearance, so that alone isn't a guarantee of a fit.

As far as sizing goes, I typically have 2 concerns which are kind of inter-related. You want to have a frame which is long enough to create a "cockpit" large enough to accomodate your torso. You can extend this "cockpit" by purchasing a longer stem (thingy your handlebars bolt onto), but the further forward you shift your weight over the front wheel, the more likely you are to go flying over handlebars when you hit an obstacle on a downhill section. You can also get seat posts that extend backwards, but if you shift your weight too far backwards you'll start having problems keeping the front wheel on the ground when you climb. Also, if you let your center of mass shift too far back you can start losing pedaling efficiency.

So...a frame that is long enough to accomodate your torso and keep your weight from being a bigger issue than it has to be when you are on significantly off-level rocky terrain.

Buuuuttt. Usually the longer the frame, the taller the frame. You don't want to be wracking you nads on the top-tube when your feet are off of the pedals. A lot of frames now adays are manufactured without a straight top tube, so this could be a non issue. Depends on the bike.

You also need to be able to raise the seat high enough. A lot of noobs seriously underestimate how tall that is. Try this. Squat 1/3 of the way to the floor and walk around...now stand up. Which is easier on your muscles?

The local bike shops should all be able to help with sizing.

I agree with most of JayWHY's advise. I will say that my pedals are SPD's and I like them alot. I don't ride in the mud much though, so YMMV. I will disagree with him a bit on the full suspension issue, primarily because of the local geography. Once you get off of the top of mountain the bike trails are very rocky. You may spend a significant portion of a ride on trails composed of fist sized rocks. There are lots of rock-gardens. We don't have much smooth single-track. Most of the serious riders (even the XC guys) eventually end up with full suspension frames and save their hardtails for fireroads and trips.

However, you get what you pay for, so if your budget is less than around $1200, don't bother looking for a full suspension bike. Cheaper full suspension bikes often feature designs that add a lot of weight and absorb your pedalling energy. Get a hard tail instead. My bike is a hardtail, but when it comes time to replace it, I'll be coughing up the extra dough for a nice FS.

gtg

- Brick