I use these, but only because they were on offer when I got them. They seem to do the trick, but then again I only cycle about half that distance. I will probably stick with them as they don't upset my stomach, which is probably the most important part of eating while on the bike.
Road Cycling Essentials
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A lot of the roads I ride on are way too narrow to take the middle. I'd be dead within a week. I only tend to undertake cars when they're stationary and the cycle lane permits. That's partly why I ride a MTB rather than a road bike. It's a lot more forgiving on pothole infested 'cycle lanes'. You do get the odd car though that scrapes the kerb rather than giving you room to move to the front at upcoming lights. I'd rather move off from the head of traffic than have to deal with left turning cars while I'm trying to accelerate from a standstill.
Edit: Also, I think that you London road cyclists are bloody mental. I've had a few close calls and a couple of hits already. I can't imagine how you lot don't get killed on those roads...
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Got the cycling jersey thing from Lidl. It feels okay, the arms are just sleeves that you put on, I thought they were zipped but guess not. They are quite tight on the arms though.
The saddle bag is quite small compared to one I've seen elsewhere. However it did have a mount for your saddle so you can quickly remove it.
The saddle bag is quite small compared to one I've seen elsewhere. However it did have a mount for your saddle so you can quickly remove it.
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Soldato
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[Damien] said:
Traffic moves pretty slow in London.
I overtake on either side, just depends on the road and what drivers generally do. For instance on Lower Richmond Road in Putney I overtake on the right heading East, but heading West I overtake on the left. Most cyclists I've spoken to do the same on this road.
Coming through Bushy Park yesterday heading for Teddington and I'm overtaking on the left as cars tend to expect it there, but I was checking the mirrors of each car to see what the driver was doing before going past. Three from the front was a Disco and I see the driver has her handbag on her lap and is rummaging though it, so I back off. She pulls out her mobile, clamps it to her head with her left shoulder and then darts left into a maintenance road without looking and only signalling at the last minute.
Last week in the same place and I go to overtake a Micra, but this time on the right as I was overtaking a cyclist as well and the driver just flips out and starts pointing to the left whilst veering to the right. I decided not to overtake but this seemed to just annoy her more. Ah well.
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Edit - Double post
Soldato
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I like the SIS GO Gels because they are a bit runnier and easier to take in on the move (for me anyway).
Apparently you want gels and energy drinks which combine glucose and fructose as their carb source because the body can only absorb a limited amount of each per hour (think it's something like 60g of glucose and 30g of fructose) but the absorption of them is independent so you can increase your intake to 90g per hour by having both. (http://www.endurancesportsnutrition.co.uk/brandinfo.aspx?iid=8)
I popped into Lidl on my way home. Normally by the next day after they put cycling stuff out, most of it has disappeared but they seemed to have pretty much everything in quantity. Picked up a saddlebag which just about fits all of the emergency stuff I carry:
Co2 pump + 2 16g cartridges
Inner tube
Multitool
Swiss army knife
Tyre levers
Puncture repair patches
Spoke wrench
A small bag of cleat bolts
The multitool that comes with it is the usual crappy Lidl one that they do but I'm sure someone will want that and the puncture repair kit.
Co2 pump + 2 16g cartridges
Inner tube
Multitool
Swiss army knife
Tyre levers
Puncture repair patches
Spoke wrench
A small bag of cleat bolts
The multitool that comes with it is the usual crappy Lidl one that they do but I'm sure someone will want that and the puncture repair kit.
I was a little disappointed with the arms I must admit, especially given my arms are skinny so they wouldn't fit lol. (I have to get large because I have broad shoulders). The top itself is good though so I'm OK with that. I would have been a lot happier if it had been zipped/velcro. I 'may' try and get them velcro'd on.
I have the saddle bag from last year with the included kit, and it's been very good and robust. Recommended. Multitool has been fine to be honest. I would suggest carrying a chain tool and spare link or two. (I don't but I should).
You must have been lucky with your multitool. The first one I got from them fell apart very quickly, springs all over the place. This one seems just as flimsy but better than nothing I suppose! My multitool has a chain tool in it and I also carry a couple of KMC missing links which I forgot on that list.
40mph average?
Tell him I love some Endura Hummvee's 3/4's 
lol.How the heck he manage that.. that's incredible. Looked him up... he's just a little bit good!
COUGH http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fuzz40mile
In aid of the British heart foundation, I do it every year but no one ever bothers sponsoring me..
Booooo
It's not that far I suppose but for an untrained fatty like me the climb is by no means easy
Thank you.
Last years climb :-/
40mph average?
How the heck he manage that.. that's incredible. Looked him up... he's just a little bit good!
how the heck do you think i feel, once my road bike comes i need to bloody try and stay on his wheel on the way to work....
Soldato
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Apparently Gent-Wevelgem isn't on TV, was looking forward to watching that.
Apparently Gent-Wevelgem isn't on TV, was looking forward to watching that.
Yeah, thats a bit disappointing. I'm on call this weekend so i was looking forward to watching it when i cant get out on my bike.
Although, to be fair to eurosport, they are showing live stages of the Tour of Catalunya and Criterium International. You cant have it all.
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I've use the SIS Go gels as it's what we sell the most in blackcurrant and orange. They tasted ok for what they are supposed to be but my favourite was the mule bar kicks, the yellow one, as it was just like honey. Mule bar energy bars are also really nice to eat but mostly liquirose,summer fruits and apple strudel. High 5 make a bar that is almost like the taste of a curly wurly...half the box is gone and we've not sold that many
However, having grabbed a few high 5 gels the other day I can confirm one of these tastes just like honey so it's my new favourite! I was having them at the same time as the high five 2:1 and 4:1 drinks due to reading something in cycling weekly? about gaining more from doing it that way.
Yeah I got the large one too. I got large and medium but the large one fit really snug so I'll be returning the medium tommorow.
Going to check the saddle bag at ASDA tommorow before seeing if the LIDL one is better, as I remember it being much larger.
I do like the back pockets on the jersey though, will make it really handy for holding my keys and some money.
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Got my health MOT at Nuffield Health this afternoon. Looking forward to it! Get to find out my VO2 max and resting heart rate, blood glucose and cholesterol as well as a few other standard things (BMI, blood pressure etc).
Probably shouldn't have done 40 miles in the saddle yesterday after an hour spin session the day before.
Probably shouldn't have done 40 miles in the saddle yesterday after an hour spin session the day before.
Jus got back from an awesome day at Bespoked Bristol bike show. Never seen so much Bike porn under one roof before.
Took a few photos but missed loads and they really don't do the frames on show justice:
http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/5034583/1/BespokedBristol?h=c7e206
Also picked up some decent shwagg including a boat load of free stickers, beer matts, posters etc and couple of Merino Jerseys from Shutt Velo Rapide for a ridiculously cheap £25 each.
Took a few photos but missed loads and they really don't do the frames on show justice:
http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/5034583/1/BespokedBristol?h=c7e206
Also picked up some decent shwagg including a boat load of free stickers, beer matts, posters etc and couple of Merino Jerseys from Shutt Velo Rapide for a ridiculously cheap £25 each.
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