Road Cycling Essentials

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Yeah

I dont have any pain problems and Im comfortable but I often have people say my bike looks a bit small for me,

which makes me think im doing something very wrong
 
Get someone to watch you (cycling behind you/stood while you're on a turbo) and get them to look for lateral knee movement, pelvis rotation, or anything else that you would say is wasted energy.

In my case I flare my right knee out slightly at the top of the pedal stoke (tight ITB - needs foam rolling) and I had a weird hump in my back (not enough reach - dropped handlebars, raised saddle. Also need a slightly longer stem).

If you look and feel efficient when riding then the chances are you're ok.

Edit: Vonhelmet needs to hit the squatz n oatz (& deadlifts) to get his glutes stronger. The downside of doing that though is you end up with a large behind like mine... :(
 
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I have a really arched spine (S) shaped that if can ever afford it I definitely want to try sort out as much as I can, but it'll be a hefty chiro/physio bill according to my dr.

I could definitely do with more reach if my back was straight, but atm its not so I dont know

I'll maybe video myself on the turbo.
 
I'm back!

http://app.strava.com/activities/58822119

Don't think any KOMs were threatened - Damien, your time up some of those climbs is awesome. By the time I got to The Rake I was absolutely ****ed, struggling from the heat and just wanted to get up it! That said, I don't think it was that bad aside from the very steep section which is short thankfully. I think Foxholes is a tougher climb, especially with that last ramp before the top.

Thanks all for the help with the route and it's good to know now the roads you're all talking about. :)
 
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Picked up my new bike today to replace my Carerra TDF. Had some time free in the studio today so figured I'd practice some product photography ;) First one is wonky but I'm in a rush to get out and have a ride on it!







Not sure how long it will stay looking that clean though!
 
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Nice, always liked the Gran Fondo.

Edit: some obvious advice but make sure you're drinking enough with the nice weather this weekend. I went through 3l of water and still came home 2kg lighter than when I left.
 
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topgun06 said:
Looking glorious!! Perfect timing to the weekend.
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Shame I'm not going to be able to use it until Sunday night :(

Going to Parklife in Manchester tomorrow with mates then promised the wife a day out on Sunday. Never used cleats before, don't fancy dropping my bike any tips for a beginner with cleats?

I'm half tempted to stick them on my old bike and not worry about falling over with that one.
 
I stopped off at a BP to get some more water on the way back. I took a litre bottle to the till and the guy tried to sell me their special offer of 6 litre bottles for £5 before he twigged that I was on a bike and had nowhere to put them. :p Maybe he thought I casually lycra up to walk to the shops.
 
One More Solo said:
I stopped off at a BP to get some more water on the way back. I took a litre bottle to the till and the guy tried to sell me their special offer of 6 litre bottles for £5 before he twigged that I was on a bike and had nowhere to put them. :p Maybe he thought I casually lycra up to walk to the shops.
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lol


todays ride went well I thought, done 2 hills (ok only cat 4's) and Pr's all over

one of the hills was new to me, but I gave it a go
http://app.strava.com/activities/58829699
 
One More Solo said:
I'm back!

http://app.strava.com/activities/58822119

Don't think any KOMs were threatened - Damien, your time up some of those climbs is awesome. By the time I got to The Rake I was absolutely ****ed, struggling from the heat and just wanted to get up it!
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Doing the rake last must have been a killer. I agree with Foxholes being tough but I reckon it's on par with the rake. Massive respect for tackling them all in one ride.

You do know I'm now honour bound to attempt the same right? Especially seeing as you've beaten me on a fair few of them... ;)

How much do you weigh out of curiosity?
 
I'll check your ride when I get the kids to bed and get to the pc. Well done if you did it as planned.

I cycled home from work. First time I've done it. All pretty straightforward. The couple of nasty junctions I had to negotiate had good cycle paths round them. I managed some PRs which is baffling given I had a heavy rucksack on.

Bike feels ok so far. My abs felt a bit more pressure on them, but that could have just been the rucksack. Legs ok. Knees at least no worse, so will see how things develop now.
 
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[Damien];24413640 said:
Doing the rake last must have been a killer. I agree with Foxholes being tough but I reckon it's on par with the rake. Massive respect for tackling them all in one ride.

You do know I'm now honour bound to attempt the same right? Especially seeing as you've beaten me on a fair few of them... ;)

How much do you weigh out of curiosity?
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I'm around 67kg, not sure what that is in old money. I know you're a bit heavier than that (and I'm assuming most of those times are set on your old bike?) so they're absolutely awesome. Got some serious power. :cool:
 
Getting closer and closer to the dragon ride.. weather looks beautiful. Only thing is, I discovered an older guy who sits behind me at work is doing it as well. He's a fair bit heavier than I am, but he knows the area well and obviously does a lot of cycling, and I suspect he'll kick my butt, but it's given me an incentive to get a shift on!
 
mr tommo said:
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Picked up my new bike today to replace my Carerra TDF. Had some time free in the studio today so figured I'd practice some product photography ;) First one is wonky but I'm in a rush to get out and have a ride on it!
<snip>

Not sure how long it will stay looking that clean though!
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Looks awesome. Definitely a bike that I've got on my shortlist when i come to upgrade from the Defy 2 to something a bit more carbon and whizzy! :cool:
 
One More Solo said:
I'm around 67kg, not sure what that is in old money. I know you're a bit heavier than that (and I'm assuming most of those times are set on your old bike?) so they're absolutely awesome. Got some serious power. :cool:
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10 1/2 stone, same as me, well usually, unable to ride at the mo and wont be until the end of the month as i'm on holiday (all inc, i'll come back with a few extra kg no doubt, was thinking of doing a bit of running whilst in Ibiza)....just when i was going so well. :mad:
 
oli collett said:
Getting closer and closer to the dragon ride.. weather looks beautiful. Only thing is, I discovered an older guy who sits behind me at work is doing it as well. He's a fair bit heavier than I am, but he knows the area well and obviously does a lot of cycling, and I suspect he'll kick my butt, but it's given me an incentive to get a shift on!
Click to expand...

It's a great event. Unfortunately the year I did it the timing chips failed. To say I was disappointed to slog my guts out for 7 hours and not be given a time was a understatement.
 
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