Road Cycling

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Epic ride today. Rode from Newcastle up the coast to Bamburgh (ancient capital or Northumbria). The north Northumberland coast is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and they are not joking! Was a very early start today too.

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xdcx said:
3:14 to complete todays Loch Ness Etape which was 106km and stated 900m climbing but looking on Strava it's ranging from 1000m to 1400m, all over the place! No idea what place I came yet but there was 3000 people doing it apparently.

Bit of a rough day, kept finding myself in no mans land and when in groups nobody was willing to work, or when they did they would hammer the pace down too much and hold everyone up. So I worked a lot today, would have been happier having more breathers in good groups but wasn't to be.

Got a nice group of 4 of us for the last 20 miles, really nice guys. We had 6 lovely fella's who sat on us and let us 4 rotate and never done a bit of work. So I put in a surge going to the last hill and split the group massively breaking us 4 guys away and we all finished well. The other 6 although selfish and annoying, are clever dudes, can't blame them haha.
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Well done.
I heard the fastest time was 2:51 and 2nd place was 2:55, so you must be fairly high up.

I did actually make it over to see the start after all. Feeling very out of place amongst the fancy bikes and lycra on my rusty old fixie with a down jacket and bobble hat :p

I'm going to go along to the recovery ride tomorrow. Give me a shout if you want to meet me somewhere on the way. I can either ride down straight from work (Inshes) or go home first and into town along Island Bank Road, whichever is easier for you.
 
PermaBanned said:
Not worth stuffing a couple of tyre levers, CO2 cannister and some stick on patches in your jersey pocket?
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It might be worth it to avoid the walk back, but you'd never get back into the race.

Most races will have service cars to give you a spare wheel anyway, but even by the time you've swapped wheels, it's very hard to get back on.
 
PermaBanned said:
Not worth stuffing a couple of tyre levers, CO2 cannister and some stick on patches in your jersey pocket?
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Probably is, but its also probably game over for the race trying to chase back on with a gap over 5 mins, especially on today's course, which was brutal.

Got a 3 day stage race coming up next weekend with neutral service, so will make sure I have spare wheels with me then.
 
physichull said:
Did a fairly hilly 50 miles this morning, but I swear, sorting out the garden in the afternoon is more knackering! Shattered now, putting the feet up and the Mrs is preparing a Sunday roast, can't wait. I may see how possible it is to inhale food.
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Are you getting any sense out of your power meter yet?

I've just been out and pushed myself for about 28 miles. I averaged 17.3mph, which is very fast for me, though my best speed on that loop is 17.7mph, so I need to up my game. My thighs are absolutely burning now!

I'm hoping to work from home tomorrow, so I think I'll sneak in a quick 10 miler at lunchtime.
 
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Murf said:
Epic ride today. Rode from Newcastle up the coast to Bamburgh (ancient capital or Northumbria). The north Northumberland coast is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and they are not joking! Was a very early start today too.
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Cracking day out Murf , quite envious of that cycling country
 
Wow, my quads aren't working today :/ Quite annoying given that I didn't do that many miles over the weekend. Hopefully they'll loosen up over the course of the day.
 
Itchytrigg said:
Sadly, don't think I can get a replacement and fitted in time before the holiday to the Isle of Wight so no island circuit for me.
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Not got a friend you can borrow a wheelset from? You could also ask a LBS if they'd hire you one for the week? Or just hire a bike for the day when you're over there :)

dodg3rman said:
Sounds like you had a good time and well done for your first one. I think once you get to a certain level (ours) you can do longer rides if you need too without worrying too much. Our legs are stronger than we think and we shouldnt be intimidated by thinking everyone else is faster than we are.
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Agreed, I'm surprised how well my legs felt yesterday and even on this mornings commute. I'm fairly sure my average speed is low whenever there's any elevation involved, but I'm getting better! :D

Amps said:
Did a local sportive today only 40 odd miles but with 3500 feet of climbing including 3 cat 3 climbs. I know its not a race but out of the 125 i came first :D
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Good work, well done!

Itchytrigg said:
Surprised I didn't really notice sooner being when spinning the wheel it hits the brakes.
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It may have acted differently with some weight on it, worth checking your brakes (alignment and pad wear) too.

Murf said:
Epic ride today. Rode from Newcastle up the coast to Bamburgh (ancient capital or Northumbria). The north Northumberland coast is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and they are not joking! Was a very early start today too.
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Great ride and the pics look fantastic, looks like you chose a great day for it! Good work on the average speed, very impressive! (again!) :o

Easy commute on the way in this morning, well for most of the route! :rolleyes:

Caught up with a guy on the last section doing a fairly good speed on a MTB. Stuck almost on his wheel but then felt guilty sat behind him as he was only slightly slower than me (~15mph)! Passed him (said "good morning" but no response) and figured I'd pull away but he stuck with me, I put the hammer down slightly (20mph :o) as my legs were feeling ok but he managed to stay with me! Thought he was going to pass me again (and felt like I'd been a right knob overtaking in the first place!) but then he dropped back. Shame he's not on flyby! :(

Still quite impressed with tired legs, slightly overdressed in full commuting gear that I can push 20mph over a half mile stretch with a slight incline :D

My quads are gonna hate me later in the week ;)
 
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Quick one - Michelin Pro 3 or Schwalbe Ultremo ZX?

CRC are doing a cracking deal on Pro 3's just now at £15.99 each plus free tubes but the Ultremo's always get good write ups too. Merlin Cycles doing a pair of Ultremo ZX tyres for just under £42.

Decisions.........
 
Draeger said:
Quick one - Michelin Pro 3 or Schwalbe Ultremo ZX?

CRC are doing a cracking deal on Pro 3's just now but the Ultremo's always get good write ups too.

Decisions.........
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Ultremos. The Pro 3s are a bit notorious for not being very durable, and the Pro 4s are considered a big improvement. The Ultremos, by comparison, have been consistently well rated.
 
Was thinking similar. For the sake of a tenner more I am leaning towards the Schwalbe's. I've had a pair of Schwalbe Stelvios on my bike for ages and they have been faultless.
 
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