Road Cycling Essentials

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Up and out early this morning as working this afternoon (boo!):

http://app.strava.com/activities/60648215

They've finally resurfaced what was the awful Muirkirk road, and apart from a couple of sections that they've randomly decided to leave it's looking pretty good. Did the dual carriageway section into Linlithgow for the first time to get home, wasn't as bad as i thought. Hardly any traffic on it with the M74 running along in parallel, just a pity the road surface for the 1st five miles was woeful.

And for once it was perfect cycling weather up here today. About 14 degrees, dry and a bit overcast but hardly any breeze. Nice. Really pleased with the pace as well - ok, it's not too hilly but it's a big step forward for me to feel like i can hit that 18mph mark and hold it for 50+ miles.
 
Not been out since Tuesday and not going to get out tomorrow night, as I usually would, so going to head out tonight. Fingers crossed the weather is good. Sunset isn't until twenty to ten, so at least I can be out for a decent length of time. Out soon after seven, back about ten. Should be able to get 30 or so miles done.
 
ShiWarrior said:
pretty sure its seated fine, one of the guys in the club checked that and made some cable adjustments, but had a bit of a problem though (was better than before) and now its skipping 2nd
but i'll check it again just incase
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Does it shift up into your biggest cog and down into your smallest cog OK (at the back)? If so then it sounds like the cable tension is a little high and you need to loosen it off probably a half turn.

Nick1881 said:
Just done my second ride, I'm so unfit it's ridiculous, didn't go to far as I want to break myself in gently.

Don't laugh please :p http://app.strava.com/activities/60690045
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Gotta start somewhere! Just keep it up and might be worth keeping an eye on your cadence - aim for around 80rpm as a minimum average. It will take time to get used to it though.
 
One More Solo said:
Does it shift up into your biggest cog and down into your smallest cog OK (at the back)? If so then it sounds like the cable tension is a little high and you need to loosen it off probably a half turn.



Gotta start somewhere! Just keep it up and might be worth keeping an eye on your cadence - aim for around 80rpm as a minimum average. It will take time to get used to it though.
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Might take me a while to get to 80 lol, my asthma is going off now too and I don't have an inhaler as I've hardly needed one for years.

I forgot to put my HB strap on, then there'd be evidence of me nearly dying.
 
:D

You may need to drop a gear to achieve the higher cadence. The general idea is if you are travelling the same speed at

a) a low cadence in a higher gear
b) a high cadence in a lower gear

b) should be easier. Asking you to do 80rpm in the same gears you're riding now would just be cruel. :D
 
One More Solo said:
:D

You may need to drop a gear to achieve the higher cadence. The general idea is if you are travelling the same speed at

a) a low cadence in a higher gear
b) a high cadence in a lower gear

b) should be easier. Asking you to do 80rpm in the same gears you're riding now would just be cruel. :D
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Ah got ya, I'll look out for the cadence on the Garmin on my next ride.

Thanks
 
To Shi:

Sorry, they were separate points. If it goes into the big and little cog then that means the limit screws are set correctly. Once you've checked they are OK (sounds like they are) you need to check your gear indexing, and in this case it sounds like you need to loosen the cable a touch.
 
Nick1881 said:
Just done my second ride, I'm so unfit it's ridiculous, didn't go to far as I want to break myself in gently.

Don't laugh please :p http://app.strava.com/activities/60690045
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I'd get into a lower gear, up your cadence and maybe drop your speed. There's no sense in hurting your knees before you've even broken your lungs in.

But yeah, keep it up and good work for getting started.
 
Thomas. PLease. said:
Just come back from my first sportive. Enjoyed it overall, people where really pleasant, and the free food was nice :)

Took it pretty easy and tried to stay steady, worked with a group for the first 60 miles, then ended up pretty much solo for the rest. Managed to sneak in for a gold ranking so was pleased with that! Good ride overall.

http://app.strava.com/activities/60702267
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Great ride! Looks a tough course.
 
Thanks for all the advice, just got back from Halfords - ordered a Hybrid Comp (on offer too so only £499 :)), mudguard set, spare inner tube, puncture repair kit + tyre levers, saddle bag, pump, and pair of basic glasses.

Going to take the advice from here and get lights separately.

Thank you to all!
 
Makhaira said:
Thanks for all the advice, just got back from Halfords - ordered a Hybrid Comp (on offer too so only £499 :)), mudguard set, spare inner tube, puncture repair kit + tyre levers, saddle bag, pump, and pair of basic glasses.

Going to take the advice from here and get lights separately.

Thank you to all!
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good choice! :)
 
Right, think my gears have now been adjusted

Difficult when you haven't got a stand, so doing it in the garden is a nightmare, may have to invest in a stand!!
 
Right, I need to get my Raleigh out the loft and get it powdercoated. I think I stripped it down some time in January or something ridiculous like that and I still haven't got around to sending it anywhere :eek:

This post was prompted by feeling like death all weekend from riding over 80" gearing to work all last week in strong wind. #overdiditmuch? #sometimesevenineedgears.
 
Thomas. PLease. said:
Just come back from my first sportive. Enjoyed it overall, people where really pleasant, and the free food was nice :)

Took it pretty easy and tried to stay steady, worked with a group for the first 60 miles, then ended up pretty much solo for the rest. Managed to sneak in for a gold ranking so was pleased with that! Good ride overall.

http://app.strava.com/activities/60702267
Click to expand...

That's the one I was going to do today but didn't bother in the end as I had a BBQ yesterday and didn't fancy waking up at 5.30 for it! Got a good avg speed there!
 
If anyone fancies sponsoring me to cycle 100 miles, I'm doing the Liverpool - Chester - Liverpool ride on Sunday 7th July, with my brother in law. We're raising money for Christians Against Poverty, an award winning charity that provides free debt help and money management courses. Sponsor me at Justgiving. Thank you!

PS Please don't anyone be put off by the "Christians" in the charity name! Religion is why they do what they do, not how.
 
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