Road Cycling Essentials

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Some people are just machines when it comes to climbing. Whilst MTB'ing on a local trail last week I was trying to improve my overall standings on Strava on a segment which is just under a mile in length and a long slog of a climb. Currently sat 7th overall in the rankings and furiously trying to climb the table. So I'm busting a gut coming up this climb, lungs nearly coming out my nose and legs aching like mad when out of nowhere a guy comes past me doing at least twice my speed, barely breaking sweat and breathing normally - 'Hi, nice afternoon, eh?' he says as he sails past. Right to the top of the climb he went and I thought he might slow a little at the top where a gate to the next section is but no, stopped, opened gate and went tearing up the next switchback climb section like a demon.

I have no idea how it was possible for him to bimble past me with such ease, I'm not exactly the fittest guy on the planet but I do ok and I was on my chinstrap just coming up there. Amazing to see, it was like he had an electric motor in his frame..!!!. Kudos to him though I suppose!.
 
Draeger said:
So I'm busting a gut coming up this climb, lungs nearly coming out my nose and legs aching like mad when out of nowhere a guy comes past me doing at least twice my speed, barely breaking sweat and breathing normally - 'Hi, nice afternoon, eh?' he says as he sails past.
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I had a similar experience going up Toys Hill last month. It was the first time I'd tackled it, and I made the rookie mistake of overcooking it at the start. I got to the bit where it ramps up to about 15% and had to bail out. As I stood trying to regain my composure, a guy came storming up the hill, and gave me a cheery "morning!" as he approached. I just about managed to muster a grunt of "morning" in response. I was expecting him to trail off and slow down, but instead he got out of the saddle and danced up the steepest section and off into the distance. I'm not a great climber by any stretch of the imagination, but that guy made me look ridiculous.

In my defence, he had road pedals, which are worth at least 25w over the touring pedals I use...
 
I have to admit I'm guilty of doing the whole cheery "Morning!" thing as I pass people. The secret is disguising the fact you're wheezing like a 70 year old asthmatic for the few seconds it takes to pass them and make sure you take a nice deep breath before speaking.
 
[Damien];24793933 said:
I have to admit I'm guilty of doing the whole cheery "Morning!" thing as I pass people. The secret is disguising the fact you're wheezing like a 70 year old asthmatic for the few seconds it takes to pass them and make sure you take a nice deep breath before speaking.
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I always do this! If I'm breathing out of my ass before I pass someone I'll take a deep breath, smile, give a cheery greeting, then get back to collapsing my lungs.
 
uniQ said:
What about the soloist you just bought? :eek:
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That's going to be for not so good weather, winter training and commuting blasts.

I'm thinking about replacing the Scott. I'm going to get the Soloist up and running this week and make sure it is everything I remember it being before I go off and do anything silly.

Hang on, aren't you the bloke with an R5VWD who wants and R3 for winter training? ;)
 
[Damien];24793933 said:
I have to admit I'm guilty of doing the whole cheery "Morning!" thing as I pass people. The secret is disguising the fact you're wheezing like a 70 year old asthmatic for the few seconds it takes to pass them and make sure you take a nice deep breath before speaking.
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I always smile and nod at every cyclist I pass, even the regulars who are rude and ignore me. Why not? I'm on my bike :).
 
[DOD]Asprilla;24794278 said:
That's going to be for not so good weather, winter training and commuting blasts.

I'm thinking about replacing the Scott. I'm going to get the Soloist up and running this week and make sure it is everything I remember it being before I go off and do anything silly.

Hang on, aren't you the bloke with an R5VWD who wants and R3 for winter training? ;)
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Yeah, but I don't have a stable of f = (N+1)*X, where X is at least 5 :p

After seeing the leaked photos I'm thinking:
'14 R3 w/ 6870 Di2 (Standard double)
- Commuting/training - Fulcrum 7's
- Racing - C50's

:D
 
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Do you think it is worth upgrading my 500 edge to a new 510?
The stop/start button on my 500 has failed, although occasionally I can get it to work by fiddling with it for 5 mins.

I'm not so sure the extra the 510 costs is worth it IMO, as I doubt I'd use the extra features.

Checked with Garmin regarding warranty, & I'm well out. They have offered me a refurbished 500 for £99 but I can get a brand new one for £135

Cheapest I've found a 510 is £200
 
Upgrade would be an 800/810 from a 500. 510 is more of a sidegrade.

My initial thought is, no it's not worth the upgrade. But I switched from an 800 to an 810 and it was worth it imo.
 
Robzere31 said:
Do you think it is worth upgrading my 500 edge to a new 510?
The stop/start button on my 500 has failed, although occasionally I can get it to work by fiddling with it for 5 mins.

I'm not so sure the extra the 510 costs is worth it IMO, as I doubt I'd use the extra features.

Checked with Garmin regarding warranty, & I'm well out. They have offered me a refurbished 500 for £99 but I can get a brand new one for £135

Cheapest I've found a 510 is £200
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I'd upgrade from the 500 to an 800 but not the 510. The 510 is pitched at a bit of a weird price, I'm not sure why someone would buy one when they get so many more features in the 800 for not much more money.

That said, I'd push Garmin on the warranty issue and you may get a positive reply. After initially being quite unhelpful on the phone and via email, when I sent my out of warranty unit in they repaired it FOC and I had it back within 4 working days.
 
Your Rapha order has now been despatched. Delivery and order details are as follows.

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Order Details

- Hardshell Jacket, Blue, Medium
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Oops :o
 
platypus said:
I always smile and nod at every cyclist I pass, even the regulars who are rude and ignore me. Why not? I'm on my bike :).
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I made the mistake of saying hi to a cycling club the other day. I'd just hauled myself up a cat 4 climb and scored a PR and was probably looking pretty mullered by that point, and riding my rubbish bike and wearing my cheapo clothes... Said hi as I passed this gang of club riders who were waiting outside the pub at the top of the hill and got a load of jeering in response. Cheers guys. Nobs.
 
Vonhelmet said:
I made the mistake of saying hi to a cycling club the other day. I'd just hauled myself up a cat 4 climb and scored a PR and was probably looking pretty mullered by that point, and riding my rubbish bike and wearing my cheapo clothes... Said hi as I passed this gang of club riders who were waiting outside the pub at the top of the hill and got a load of jeering in response. Cheers guys. Nobs.
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Really? That's pretty surprising =\
 
Just seen a post on my Facebook feed about 12 hour national TT Championships, I didn't know these things existed!?

A local guy did it and managed 8th place with 267.82 miles, or 22.32mph average - that is insane!

Vonhelmet said:
I made the mistake of saying hi to a cycling club the other day. I'd just hauled myself up a cat 4 climb and scored a PR and was probably looking pretty mullered by that point, and riding my rubbish bike and wearing my cheapo clothes... Said hi as I passed this gang of club riders who were waiting outside the pub at the top of the hill and got a load of jeering in response. Cheers guys. Nobs.
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Should your location read "In the hood"? :D
 
Vonhelmet said:
I made the mistake of saying hi to a cycling club the other day. I'd just hauled myself up a cat 4 climb and scored a PR and was probably looking pretty mullered by that point, and riding my rubbish bike and wearing my cheapo clothes... Said hi as I passed this gang of club riders who were waiting outside the pub at the top of the hill and got a load of jeering in response. Cheers guys. Nobs.
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The correct term is 'tryhard ######s'
 
I might do my first club TT tomorrow, didn't realise its the last one of the year (they only do it over the summer)

what should I eat?

I will get home from work around 3:30, eat, and then I will head off about 5 o clock or so
will have a dinner at work (no idea what is on the menu until tomorrow)
so not sure what to do..
 
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