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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Jul 26, 2020 18:30:26 GMT
I have experienced four flats, in two weeks. Each tube had a small puncture hole; which is symptomatic of Goatheads. I have never seen them in this area; where could they be? Well I found them; right next door! My neighbor's driveway was lined with them. One vine was two meters in diameter. Dozens of its smaller off spring were scattered about. After several failed attempts to contact them, I simply left a note and cleaned them up. They nearly filled a garden size trash (rubbish?) bag. Hundreds of thorns lay about which stuck to my gloves and shoes. Thorns and all. the mess is cleaned up. I will patrol with Roundup; they must not become established. Rant over.
If you want some seeds I will mail some to you :-)
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Post by brianbutler on Jul 27, 2020 0:19:36 GMT
Jim, I followed the goathead link to the article that contained this fact:
"In traditional Indian and Chinese medicine it has been used as a sexual stimulant, but can be toxic when ingested by sheep."
Don't ask, don't tell.
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Jul 27, 2020 3:17:11 GMT
Jim, I followed the goathead link to the article that contained this fact: "In traditional Indian and Chinese medicine it has been used as a sexual stimulant, but can be toxic when ingested by sheep." Don't ask, don't tell. I suppose I should try them in my oatmeal. I bet they tickle as they go down :-) |
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Post by wheelson on Jul 27, 2020 3:39:59 GMT
They're not just a West Coast, USA problem: I encountered some or a similar species at the ferry stop on Ocracoke Island on North Carolina's Outer Banks. Nasty little critters. A lot of guys on some of the other bike forums are using sealant like Stan's or Orange Seal. Not great since it's not a permanent fix and has to be changed out every year or so I'm told.
This year on my Outer Banks trip I was doing a road test for the shop I contract with using Tannus airless tires we're selling. I didn't notice much difference in the ride (700x35's) and it's the first time in almost forty years of riding down there that I carried neither a pump nor a spare tube. Cost is about $90 per wheel installed. This will likely be the only set of wheels thus equipped in my fleet.
Best,
John "wheelson"
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390 
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Post by Jem on Jul 27, 2020 19:42:32 GMT
I'm glad you put the link in there Jim, I had no idea what the thread was going to be about.
I learn something everyday
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Sept 27, 2020 14:00:59 GMT
Another rant. I have eradicated goatheads from the routes I take on my daily rides; but, they got me again. Yesterday A friend and I rode along the many bike paths in the city of Tehachapi. Towards the end of the ride, I seemed to be working a bit harder than usual. After the ride, I put my bike in my truck and drove home (about 20 minutes). When I put the bike away, I discovered that BOTH tires were flat! A goathead was still stuck in one tire the other will require a close inspection for a bit of broken thorn. Dang, I now have two flats to fix. I must have ridden through a patch my friend managed to avoid. Thankfully I finished the ride before they were completely flat. For the record, that is seven flats in two months.
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Post by whippet on Sept 28, 2020 6:48:13 GMT
It’s as if nature is waging war on us at the moment.
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Post by dracco on Sept 30, 2020 17:26:01 GMT
Hmm. Latin name Tribulis terrestris. Sounds like it might translate as the "tribulation on the ground". Vey appropriate. Linnaeus must have been a cyclist.
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Oct 1, 2020 0:51:32 GMT
Hmm. Latin name Tribulis terrestris. Sounds like it might translate as the "tribulation on the ground". Vey appropriate. Linnaeus must have been a cyclist. They are a tribulation for sure! The unassuming scientific name seems much to mild, Tribulis (Thistle) terrestris (ground). Had Linnaeus (or whomever named it) stepped on it, they might have been more descriptive. Perhaps the common name in Latin would have been more accurate, Punctum (puncture) vinea (vine). Had it been left to a cyclist perhaps Transverberabitur diabolus or roughly stabbed by the devil would do. 
I can't help it, I taught biology to unwilling college kids.
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Post by franco on Oct 4, 2020 14:07:07 GMT
Everytime is see the title of this thread I think it’s going to be a discussion about a Heavy Metal band, then remember it’s about thorns  |
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Oct 4, 2020 17:14:26 GMT
Everytime is see the title of this thread I think it’s going to be a discussion about a Heavy Metal band, then remember it’s about thorns As an old fart I had never knew of a band named Goathead. I checked them out on Youtube; definitely not my style. Makes my ears hurt and gives me a headache. The Goathead name seems appropriate. I am stuck in the past; I like old bicycles and prefer music by Linda Ronstadt, Gordon Lightfoot, the Mamas and Papas and the like. |
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Post by franco on Oct 4, 2020 19:20:34 GMT
Everytime is see the title of this thread I think it’s going to be a discussion about a Heavy Metal band, then remember it’s about thorns As an old fart I had never knew of a band named Goathead. I checked them out on Youtube; definitely not my style. Makes my ears hurt and gives me a headache. The Goathead name seems appropriate. I am stuck in the past; I like old bicycles and prefer music by Linda Ronstadt, Gordon Lightfoot, the Mamas and Papas and the like. Haha, they aren’t my cup of tea either despite liking quite a lot of old Rock music. I like all sorts, been listening to a bit of old lounge/jazz music recently. |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Oct 5, 2020 16:24:23 GMT
As an old fart I had never knew of a band named Goathead. I checked them out on Youtube; definitely not my style. Makes my ears hurt and gives me a headache. The Goathead name seems appropriate. I am stuck in the past; I like old bicycles and prefer music by Linda Ronstadt, Gordon Lightfoot, the Mamas and Papas and the like. Haha, they aren’t my cup of tea either despite liking quite a lot of old Rock music. I like all sorts, been listening to a bit of old lounge/jazz music recently. Another Linda Ronstadt fan here too. |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Oct 5, 2020 16:29:47 GMT
As an old fart I had never knew of a band named Goathead. I checked them out on Youtube; definitely not my style. Makes my ears hurt and gives me a headache. The Goathead name seems appropriate. I am stuck in the past; I like old bicycles and prefer music by Linda Ronstadt, Gordon Lightfoot, the Mamas and Papas and the like. Haha, they aren’t my cup of tea either despite liking quite a lot of old Rock music. I like all sorts, been listening to a bit of old lounge/jazz music recently. And I've warmed to some Jazz as Ive gotten older. |
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Jul 15, 2021 5:17:52 GMT
I have continued my campaign to eradicate Goatheads (Puncture Vine) from my common cycling routes. This summer I have only removed 5 plants. Last year it was dozens. It seems my campaign is working!
Ride Happy
Jim
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Post by wheelson on Jul 15, 2021 10:47:00 GMT
I have continued my campaign to eradicate Goatheads (Puncture Vine) from my common cycling routes. This summer I have only removed 5 plants. Last year it was dozens. It seems my campaign is working! Ride Happy Jim Congratulations on your campaign! Unfortunately here in Western Pennsylvania USA we have an infestation of man made goatheads AKA road junk. I’ve spotted something similar to goatheads on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and in self defense I fitted one bike with Tannus airless tires and after two seasons, quite a feeling of freedom from flats and even carrying spare tubes and even a pump. Not cheap at 90$US per wheel but it sure beats roadside repairs in the heat with cars, trucks, and motor homes zooming by. Highly recommended for commuters, the owner of the shop I contract with used them for a two hour commute and delights in posting various junk he pulls from his tires, such as a blade from a box cutter knife. Best, John “wheelson” |
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Jul 16, 2021 4:31:11 GMT
On rides, I also stop and pick up nails, screws and pieces of wire. The stuff falls off pickup trucks driven by building contractors.
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Post by brianbutler on Jul 16, 2021 10:58:15 GMT
I have a vast collection of bungee cords picked up off the road.
Brian
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