Road Cycling Essentials

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nydryl said:
That was gruelling today with the cross/headwind. Surprised at some of the Strava stats as it felt like I was cycling through treacle at times.

http://www.strava.com/activities/85973568

My bike has also developed an irritating creak and is shifting terribly. How long do people normally get out of a chain and cassette? Think I'll have a day off the bike tomorrow and clean and index.
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Nice ride!

I concur re the wind - went out for 50 miles today as well. Normally get a lovely push along the Muirkirk -> Douglas section with the tailwind but today was full on in-yer-face headwind the whole way.

http://www.strava.com/activities/85977769

Jonny and I did that same flat-ish 19km segment in a bunch ride at the start of August with a slight tailwind at an average speed of 39kph and felt like we were just cruising along. Today, on my tod into that headwind i barely scraped 25kph along the exact same section and felt like i was right on my threshold the whole way. Was such a relief to hit the turn at Douglas and head back towards Strathaven.

I guess that illustrates what the guys above are talking about re training with power. I was definitely working far far harder today even though speed wise it was way slower. Would be interesting to see the difference in the power i was actually having to put out for both days.
 
I've just seen there's a sportive starting about 5 mins down the road from me in a couple of weeks. There's a 70 miler and 100 miler. I did 70 miles a few weeks ago (with a 2 hour gap in the middle) and just about survived. Quite tempted to sign up for the 100 mile one as a challenge, but I've had pretty much zero preparation!
 
Well my trusty Royal GT saddle split last week and I was gutted. Can't complain, since it's done 25+ years duty through multiple owners and it was free, but I only got to use it for 3 years :(

I was surprised that I completely didn't get on with the Selle Regal saddle. By looking at it, it's the ideal shape for me, but on the bike it was hell. The top was too curved and stuck right through the padding in my shorts - exactly what I was trying to get away from with my old Flite - and it felt like there was no way to break it in. So that's on its way back at the moment.

In the meantime, my Brooks is on the bike. I thought it would look out of place but it actually looks ok. Feels great to ride on it again but I'm just hoping it doesn't rain or with no mudguards it'll get ruined.

I'm currently screwing together the most comedy rat bike for the bad weather. As you may know I generally ride fixed gear on steel frames. I don't want to use my Russian track bike in the salty weather over the winter so I'll be keeping it for the dry days. I've got a battered old Raleigh frame that I'm altering a little as the ultimate stealth winter bike. It'll be wearing some beaten up chrome mudguards and dressed in fresh red paint - but here's the killer bit - I'm going to sprinkle iron filings in the surface of the paint in strategic places to fake rust it and make it look like it's completely shot, while underneath it'll be wearing a set of track wheels I've yet to lace up. Should be a hoot :D
 
Had a reply from strava arknor about the bridge segment, it is flagged hazardous because of "many tourists who stop frequently to take photos and the narrowness of the shared use path." Therefore strava won't do anything about it. I can see why from their perspective just a bit annoying when in reality it isn't really dangerous. Most people do seem to go on the pedestrian only side.
 
platypus said:
£600?! For what. Don't get me wrong, if the choice were down to me I'd have one by now :).
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A six month old power2max with rotor crankset.

My main use for is training for another Ironman, but it's also now used for pacing during triathlons and TTs and highly specific training. As a data analyst by trade I don't mind spending hours picking through data so it suits me rather well. You really can pick your style apart, but that equally means you can focus on very specific areas to improve on.
 
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Saundie said:
Neither;

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:D
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I managed to get hold of the purple one I wanted,

so Im getting purple headset, undecided on decals still.
 
Phantom Shadow said:
Had a reply from strava arknor about the bridge segment, it is flagged hazardous because of "many tourists who stop frequently to take photos and the narrowness of the shared use path." Therefore strava won't do anything about it. I can see why from their perspective just a bit annoying when in reality it isn't really dangerous. Most people do seem to go on the pedestrian only side.
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just because there is not a segment leaderboard does not mean people will go slower so it's just

People will go as fast as they always try to for the average speed of the ride to be as high as possible

if people are in the way they will slow down , if its clear they won't.

segment on strava is irrelevant
 
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uniQ said:
Grabs popcorn. *this gone be good* :D
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probably take him less than 10-20mins per mudguard if he has a decent hacksaw or whatever to cut the stays with although when you open the box and look at the instructions they are really confusing which is why I said to check the youtube guide for fitting "sks style mudguards"

I'll have to force my self to go Wilkinson or wherever soon so I can get a new hacksaw to fit my front one :D

bike looks weird with only the rear guard or at least I think it does.
LOsVwOX.jpg


When I ordered mine I was so brain dead I completely forgot to check if I had mounting holes on the front for the front guard...
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but goggling suggested people have mounted them using pclips like this
OGV8HUJ.jpg

and the part of the suspension the guard attaches to does not move so it's totally safe.


I just CBA to go and buy a hacksaw :D but I need to get some paint and a roller anyway so will have to force myself to fit the front one soon although I have been tempted to just get a crapp mtb style guard for the front but I guess they aren't really long enough and as good as chromoplastics and I already bought the damn things now .

if I had proper mounting holes I guess I would have fitted it already so I must just be the hassle of doing it all
 
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uniQ said:
Grabs popcorn. *this gone be good* :D
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haha



arknor said:
probably take him less than 10-20mins per mudguard if he has a decent hacksaw or whatever to cut the stays with although when you open the box and look at the instructions they are really confusing which is why I said to check the youtube guide for fitting "sks style mudguards"
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wont be opening them up until I get my bike
 
I think it is all meant to go in jersey pockets, but why would I carry things that can just live in a small saddle bag :)

Rule 18 touches on lycra, doesn't say anything about jeans for you though lol, padded shorts sure are more comfy though
 
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