Road Cycling Essentials

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Arsey said:
Got the Canyon today, went for a ride around Richmond Park and it was lovely. My bike was previously a hybrid and this can just sustain a much higher speed on flats, as well as being better in climbs which I guess is because of the weight.

2012+-+1


Also, there was about 4 guys in full team sky kit & helmets riding around the park on Dogma's, not sure who they were.
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Nice bike. Just noticed you use the same forum name on BR in the SCR thread.

The guys on Dogmas in the park will be from Sky Velo training for the Marmotte and Etape. Sky sell their ex-team bikes to Sky Velo (BSkyBs cycle club) for peanuts.
 
Vonhelmet said:
Do you cycle to work, then? If I go ahead with it, I'd be doing 13 miles each way into Manchester. It's reasonably flat, but it's Manchester so the chances of it raining on any given day are about 135%. I think I can probably live with getting wet and cold, though I imagine I'll have to own about 4 sets of kit minimum so that I've got a dry set for each journey in the event of either dripping with sweat or getting drenched.
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Lycra dries quickly, assuming you can hang it up somewhere, so you don't really have to worry about it from that perspective. The smell is a different matter ;)

As for weather, you'll probably find that the worst to cycle in is strong winds, perhaps second only to ice. Rain/cold/heat aren't a problem if you've got a decent layering system. I absolutely detest wet feet so I wear overshoes when it's raining, and as you've probably heard mudguards are a must as well.
 
Great. Unsure on the sizings though. I've got a 2010 HTC bib shorts in a size 5. Any idea what that correlates to as S/M?

Also my Scott jersey is a S but for example my suit jackets are 38, which according to them is a M. Hmm!
 
My ride from last night. A bit further and a bit faster than my last. I'm getting the hang of the clipless pedals now. I really like the feeling, now that I'm getting used to it.

I managed to overtake a couple of guys as well. Admittedly one of them was twice my age and neither of them were trying, but I'm counting it :D

As for clothes... I think it won't be long before I tear the cheap jersey I picked up on eBay. It's a large, which should be ok for me, but it doesn't cover all of the base of my spine and it's really hard to put on and off. I'll have to pick up some more at Halfords or Decathlon or something.
 
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Hurgh, I have done sod all riding since it became "winter" here, I moved to Australia so I don't have to ride in the rain, or the dark.

And its been raining and windy, and dark :o

So gone from 400km in April, to 60km in June.....

Felt inspired after watching the TDF the last two evenings and finished work early for a quick 20km (or so I had planned) before the sun goes down (5pm).

Only around 3 minutes down on my best time, but could feel that my fitness has suffered as I really had to push myself, need to MTFU or buy some winter gear so I can ride more. I was only wearing shorts and a jersey (temperature drops below freezing overnight now) and my body was warm enough, but my head/ears have gone really cold and sore.
 
Vonhelmet said:
My ride from last night. A bit further and a bit faster than my last. I'm getting the hang of the clipless pedals now. I really like the feeling, now that I'm getting used to it.

I managed to overtake a couple of guys as well. Admittedly one of them was twice my age and neither of them were trying, but I'm counting it :D

As for clothes... I think it won't be long before I tear the cheap jersey I picked up on eBay. It's a large, which should be ok for me, but it doesn't cover all of the base of my spine and it's really hard to put on and off. I'll have to pick up some more at Halfords or Decathlon or something.
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wow, that's so flat!
why can't Cornwall be that flat!
 
There's plenty of hills round my way, but I'm choosing not to go to them just yet! 15 miles of flat is enough for me for the time being.
 
Stupid taxi almost killed me this morning. Literally just pulled out of a roundabout junction without looking, which was interesting in the wet. Was obviously so oblivious to driving in general that he didn't even notice me cycling 10cm away from his driver's window for a good 10 seconds until I knocked and said hi.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;22267685 said:
Nice bike. Just noticed you use the same forum name on BR in the SCR thread.

The guys on Dogmas in the park will be from Sky Velo training for the Marmotte and Etape. Sky sell their ex-team bikes to Sky Velo (BSkyBs cycle club) for peanuts.
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That's right, are you commuting from South West into central every day?

I want to join a south west club, that Sky Velo looks really good but unfortunately it's for employees/friends only! I was thinking of either Dynamo or Wheelers, edging towards Wheelers just because it seems a bit smaller/more friendly?
 
Not going into central at the moment, am working in Brentford so I go to the park and then out though Richmond and over Kew Bridge.

I'm a member of Wheelers and they are really nice, plus you'll see a lot of folks from BR there. TBH I tend to go out on my own at the weekend now as SV meet at 8 and KW at 9. By the time you've faffed on telling people what routes are on and sending them off you aren't getting to the hills until 10 and then most club runs will have a cake stop.

I like to get out of the house at 7 and be back by 11.

KW are a nice club and a good community and they will help you with whatever you want. Look at okgo; 18 months ago he and I used to commute to the same office and I used to drop him in the park and on Castlenau. Now, he's close to Cat1 and is the current Richmond Park TT champion in the road bike category.

KW may not be as big as Dynamo but they are still getting on for 500 members.
 
willems said:
arent you doing 50 on sunday?
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Just 25 - only doing Liverpool to Chester, not the full round trip.

If I can get in shape this year I'll do the 50 next year, or maybe the 90 that takes in Delamere forest. Also want to do Manchester to Blackpool next year, which is 60. Hopefully the two events won't be on the same day, as they are this year.
 
Vonhelmet said:
Just 25 - only doing Liverpool to Chester, not the full round trip.

If I can get in shape this year I'll do the 50 next year, or maybe the 90 that takes in Delamere forest. Also want to do Manchester to Blackpool next year, which is 60. Hopefully the two events won't be on the same day, as they are this year.
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good luck. youll be fine. im hoping the weather is gets better. miserable at the minute.

im signed up for the 50. ive also got my eye on the 90 next year :cool:
 
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