Road Cycling Essentials

[chucky]

I need a new ride to focus on, ideally about 6-8 weeks away. Distance up to 75 miles, no more than 8000ft of climbing. Based in the SE.

Any suggestions?

If you havn't already joined a club - do that!

I'd cycle 50-70 miles every Saturday morning with my club.

 

[PermaChanged]

My girlfriend is trying to put me off spending £1700 on an Ultegra equipped full carbon road bike, would I be better off spending less in all honesty? I don't know

 

[George Hincapie]

If you havn't already joined a club - do that!

I'd cycle 50-70 miles every Saturday morning with my club.

I'm already a member of High Wycombe CC. Can only get out with them once a fortnight due to family obligations. I get a pass for one off events though

 

[George Hincapie]

My girlfriend is trying to put me off spending £1700 on an Ultegra equipped full carbon road bike, would I be better off spending less in all honesty? I don't know

Only you can make that decision. Ultegra is great, but there's nothing wrong with 105.

 

[George Hincapie]

I think you'd be lucky to find anything in the southeast with more than 8000ft of climbing.
In fact, you'd be lucky to find anywhere other than the Alps/Pyrenees were you can go over 8000ft in 75 miles.

The KK had 7000ft in 70 miles, so I'm sure they could do it if they wanted

I've found this, looks pretty challenging. Thoughts?

You doing anything soon?

 

[Ging3r]

I need a new ride to focus on, ideally about 6-8 weeks away. Distance up to 75 miles, no more than 8000ft of climbing. Based in the SE.

Any suggestions?

Isle of wight randonee on 6th May?

This looks quite good aswell http://www.circuitofthecotswolds.org/

 

[Fuzz]

Damn you... You just made me sign up to that.
I'd better get training!!

 

[Shadowness]

Thanks for the link, I think I'll sign up to that too

 

[SKILL]

I've never really agreed with the whole MTFU when it comes to saddles.

Saddle comfort is dependent upon the width of your sit bones and that's not really going to change. Some shops do saddle fitting so it might be worth finding out about.

Make sure the saddle is adjusted correctly i.e level and the fore and aft position is correct. http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html

Sorry, meant to post last night, cheers for this. I had a look at the bikefit link and I'll check that before I go out again, and if I still have problems maybe try to find a friendly local bike shop who can help

How long did it take you lot to go from a handful of miles to these 70-100 mile rides in terms of developing fitness, not so much with the aim of winning but just to complete it in a sensible time?

Looking at the links posted I'm probably a little crazy but the 70 mile (short route) cotswold one sounds tempting, with a little (or a lot ) of effort how feasible would it be to do that given the ~2 months training?

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

How long did it take you lot to go from a handful of miles to these 70-100 mile rides in terms of developing fitness, not so much with the aim of winning but just to complete it in a sensible time?

Looking at the links posted I'm probably a little crazy but the 70 mile (short route) cotswold one sounds tempting, with a little (or a lot ) of effort how feasible would it be to do that given the ~2 months training?

You'll be surprised how far you can actually go, it's just a case of correct fuelling and pacing yourself. I would say that if you can do 30 miles then you can go out on a club run and once you've got a couple of 50-60 miles clubs runs under your belt with a couple of moderate hills then you could do pretty much anything the UK has to throw at you.

 

[Saytan]

just organising some track time for my club. private sessions at newport are remarkably good VFM.

 

[George Hincapie]

You'll be surprised how far you can actually go, it's just a case of correct fuelling and pacing yourself. I would say that if you can do 30 miles then you can go out on a club run and once you've got a couple of 50-60 miles clubs runs under your belt with a couple of moderate hills then you could do pretty much anything the UK has to throw at you.

This is pretty much how I did it. Just deciding on my first Century. I definitely want to do one this year.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

This is pretty much how I did it. Just deciding on my first Century. I definitely want to do one this year.

Well I'm doing the SWRC May Flyer on May 13th; 157km, but it's 10km from my house to the start line.

 

[George Hincapie]

Well I'm doing the SWRC May Flyer on May 13th; 157km, but it's 10km from my house to the start line.

I might do this. How much climbing? It's not clear from the route details. You've booked already?

 

[NeilMick]

Not sure if I need to get a new saddle or whether it's a case of just getting used to it. Only done about 150 miles so far but my perineum is pretty tender after 30+ miles, not good.

 

[Kimi]

I posted this in the big bike thread, but i think its better here


Guys can you help me out here, this might not make sense as im typing at work real quick, but i need an opinion, my mate bought a Giant TCR Advanced 2 last October, and we went out and done a few 40 miles runs, everything was fine. Then in December the shifter broke (Shimano 105) where a spring fell out and it went slack, so he took it back to the shop and they fitted a new one, no worries. We done a 30 mile run then put our bikes away for xmas, until Jan, then the next ride, the little aluminium bit where the shifter connects to the frame broke, the shifter with momentum got carried up and hit and broke the carbon frame where it says Giant on here http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/....2/7309/44385/

Anyway, he takes it to the shop, and they send it away to Giant for analysis, this was in Jan, hes been bikeless since.

The shop said that Giant said it was caused by chain stretch? and wont replace the frame under warranty but will sell him a new frame for £600, which they then reduce to £500

Now, my point is, as the shop replaced and fitted his shifter, surely they should be kind of responsible, as i think they over torqued the screw when they put it back on and weakened the aluminium carrier because these things should just snap like that? they must have a setting for bolting ali to carbon?and i know that he treated the bike like gold dust so im 99% sure its not through miss use?

Anyway i just wanna get my buddy a bike back, because its boring riding alone

 

[kiteloopy]

Just ordered a Garmin 910XT with HR, Speed/Cadence sensor and Quick Release.
Was going to go for the Garmin 500, but I wanted something that I can use for running and swimming as well. I got a few sprint tri's coming up so that's my excuse.


Early birthday present for myself.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

I might do this. How much climbing? It's not clear from the route details. You've booked already?

Yeah, booked in already. Did the short route last year and it was fun. I managed the 86km in 3.21.09.

Don't remember it being massively hill, but Coombe Bottom can be quite challenging if you want to be quick up it. If it's a nice day then then it should be lovely.

 

[touch]

i think they over torqued the screw when they put it back on and weakened the aluminium carrier because these things should just snap like that?

Ironically, they are designed to break to protect the frame.
The idea is that if you bash the derailleur, the aluminium hanger snaps and means that the frame doesnt get any of the impact.

 

[fire_munki]

To the mechanics here: does a triple chainset use the same spacing as a double? I've got a triple at the mo with 50 tooth big ring and am spinning out to easily. Can I swap to a double without changing the shifter?

I hope so, as if not it's looking pricey, I got triple originaly as I thought I'd struggle but rarely go into the bottom and if I didn't have it would just grind it out.