Road Cycling Essentials

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That's a good loss fella, particularly since you'll have gained a bit of muscle on the legs too :)
 
Robbie G said:
Really?! I'm actually amazed that someone an amateur would pay a coach to give them cycling routines. Can you not figure it out a routine yourself?
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It's the same as paying for an electrician/plumber/builder/mechanic/etc. You could research it and do the work yourself, but most of the time it's more cost effective to just pay a professional to do it.

Robbie G said:
What value does it provide...mainly motivational?
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An awful lot more than that!
There's a lot more to improving your cycling than just going out and mindlessly turning the pedals. Training zones, nutrition, riding technique, bike fit + setup, group riding hints, race tactics, and most likely a lot more than i cant think of.
 
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Robbie G said:
Really?! I'm actually amazed that an amateur would pay a coach to give them cycling routines. Can you not figure it out a routine yourself? What value does it provide...mainly motivational?
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You know all the Pros have a coach right? Lance Armstrong had one - Chris Carmichael. If it's good enough for him, then it's good enough for me ;)

It isn't just routines, that's an extra. Besides, I'm a firm believer in getting the best advice I can. It's important to understand the logic of what you're doing. I really wouldn't be able to devise anything like as effective on my own.

I've not used a coach before, so I have no point of reference, but he is brilliant - best money I've spent yet!

He doesn't motivate me, I motivate myself. I'm scared of the KK parcours, and want to complete it in a decent time. Fear is the motivation in this case.

He's helped with my position, my pedalling technique, diet, he will be helping with my climbing technique, but also he's helping me with focus and mental strength. The sessions are stupidly intense (to the point that I am on the verge of vomitting at the end) - he demands 100% effort and commitment. He's standing right next to me when we're training on the Watt bike, so there's nowhere to hide, no way to slack off when the going gets tough.

I've never been pushed as hard as he pushes me. I'm dead at the end, but I like it :)
 
George Hincapie said:
He doesn't motivate me, I motivate myself. I'm scared of the KK parcours, and want to complete it in a decent time. Fear is the motivation in this case.
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But you do realise with events like the KK it's not about the time you put in or the fact that you 'beat' other people, it's about the fact that you did it and completed it that makes it fun. It's the fact that you can actually physically do it :)

It's why I prefer gruelling events like this that challenge what you can actually humanly physically do. I've got a list of things like that: run a sub-20 minute 5k, run a marathon, do a triathlon, maybe one day an iron man...
 
Jonny69 said:
But you do realise with events like the KK it's not about the time you put in or the fact that you 'beat' other people, it's about the fact that you did it and completed it that makes it fun. It's the fact that you can actually physically do it :)
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For some people, it's all about beating other people. That's what makes people go pro, after all :)
 
I think something seriously wrong could be potentially emerging.

I'm not an expert by any stretch, but i think the headset is the core of the issue. Basically when i go for a ride now, i'll come back (even after my 4 mile commute to work) to find the fork and handlebars have come slightly loose and now are able to tilt independently of the frame if you see what i mean.

As a solution i loosened the stem bolts and tightened the bolt on top of the headset, this stops the movement. I then tighten down the stem.

Unfortunately after i go out riding again it works itself loose. It's not a huge amount of play, but its enough to make me worry.

Any suggestions what the cause/solution could be?

[EDIT] Loosened the stem bolts all of the way, tightened down the top bolt and tightened the stem screws down again. Haven't got a torque wrench so kinda winged it, hopefully i haven't done any damage. Seems to be nice and snug now, i guess we'll see what happens on my commute tomorrow. Getting the front wheel straight was a pain!
 
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Jonny69 said:
But you do realise with events like the KK it's not about the time you put in or the fact that you 'beat' other people, it's about the fact that you did it and completed it that makes it fun.
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:confused: it can be whatever you want it to be.

It's only 70 miles, maybe thats not much of a challenge for him? Paying to cycle round a route that might not be any further than a normal training ride is not fun, competing with other people to see how good you are makes it fun.
 
Jonny69 said:
But you do realise with events like the KK it's not about the time you put in or the fact that you 'beat' other people, it's about the fact that you did it and completed it that makes it fun. It's the fact that you can actually physically do it :)
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I know, that's not lost on me :)

I want to complete the route and complete it in a decent time. By that, I mean I hope not to be crossing the line with the stragglers. I want to perform well. I'm going to find the climbs difficult, but I descend like a madman and am fast on the flat so we'll see.

Hope that clears it up :)
 
Streeteh said:
I think something seriously wrong could be potentially emerging.

I'm not an expert by any stretch, but i think the headset is the core of the issue. Basically when i go for a ride now, i'll come back (even after my 4 mile commute to work) to find the fork and handlebars have come slightly loose and now are able to tilt independently of the frame if you see what i mean.

As a solution i loosened the stem bolts and tightened the bolt on top of the headset, this stops the movement. I then tighten down the stem.

Unfortunately after i go out riding again it works itself loose. It's not a huge amount of play, but its enough to make me worry.

Any suggestions what the cause/solution could be?

[EDIT] Loosened the stem bolts all of the way, tightened down the top bolt and tightened the stem screws down again. Haven't got a torque wrench so kinda winged it, hopefully i haven't done any damage. Seems to be nice and snug now, i guess we'll see what happens on my commute tomorrow. Getting the front wheel straight was a pain!
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That is how you nip up a headset but if the bearings are worn it will just become notchy and/or work loose again.

I don't know what bike you have but bikes with carbon steerers have an expanding bung inside that grips on the inside. These usually need tightened every so often before you tighten the top cap.
 
Just signed up for the two Shakespeare rides this year. April 1st is a 60 mile event & September 9th is the 100 mile event.
Also got the 75 mile Sunrise Express ride on February 18th. Gearing up to be a good year. :)
 
Jonny ///M said:
That is how you nip up a headset but if the bearings are worn it will just become notchy and/or work loose again.

I don't know what bike you have but bikes with carbon steerers have an expanding bung inside that grips on the inside. These usually need tightened every so often before you tighten the top cap.
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Cheers for the feedback. I've got a Boardman Team CX, it's only about three months old so i'll be a bit grumpy if the bearings are worn already!

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/cx/cx_team.html

I'd assume the steerer is alloy, but unsure.
 
Robzere31 said:
Just signed up for the two Shakespeare rides this year. April 1st is a 60 mile event & September 9th is the 100 mile event.
Also got the 75 mile Sunrise Express ride on February 18th. Gearing up to be a good year. :)
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Hi, I live in Studley and did a ride through Wootten Wawen / Henely-in-Arden at the weekend. Can you recommend any nice scenic routes, 30 miles or so? What's the nicest way to get to Stratford for example?
 
Robzere31 said:
Just signed up for the two Shakespeare rides this year. April 1st is a 60 mile event & September 9th is the 100 mile event.
Also got the 75 mile Sunrise Express ride on February 18th. Gearing up to be a good year. :)
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I've signed up for both of those too :)

There's also the Great Shakespeare ride on August 12th too.

See ya then
 
Damn headset has come loose again. It's only 1/2mm of play and doesn't really affect my riding, but it is a visible amount of play. I've nipped it all up twice in two days but it still works itself loose after just 4 miles of cycling. It's still effectively a brand new bike, so i don't see how it can be wear. I've got a torque wrench in the post so should be able to make sure it's all torqued up perfectly when that arrives, but i'm not holding out much hope.

Any suggestions or am i doomed to taking it to the LBS and getting them to have a look?
 
Streeteh said:
Damn headset has come loose again. It's only 1/2mm of play and doesn't really affect my riding, but it is a visible amount of play. I've nipped it all up twice in two days but it still works itself loose after just 4 miles of cycling. It's still effectively a brand new bike, so i don't see how it can be wear. I've got a torque wrench in the post so should be able to make sure it's all torqued up perfectly when that arrives, but i'm not holding out much hope.

Any suggestions or am i doomed to taking it to the LBS and getting them to have a look?
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Buy some threadlock, apply a small amount on the threads and tighten up again. Get the medium grade threadlock not the stronger permanent one.

-edit- LOL beaten to that one :D
 
Will have a look into some threadlock, cheers guys.

Am i in any major danger of doing in the frame if i ride on it when it's working loose?
 
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