Road Cycling
- Thread starter FrenchTart
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Nail biting ain't they! I remember when the guy I know was doing the TCR, I got totally sucked into clicking refresh every 5 minutes and checking the data. Throw in a couple of other dots you're also watching and it becomes a full on emotional drama as you watch (+refresh) Twitter & Insta & FB etc too!
Great little write up, amazing comment on there from one of the guys too, almost like an entire blog of the event! It does take a certain mindset, I'd love to be able to but I'd be utterly useless about sleeping rough. I struggle to even sleep in a different bed than mine these days!
Not daft, as during those conditions any slight benefit can make a huge difference to your general state of mind/wellbeing. Just puts less barriers in the way of the really cold weather riding.
As mentioned my feet are generally ok, a slightly thicker sock these mornings makes enough of a difference for me. But equally if my feet get cold they don't warm up again and that is miserable. Thankfully hardly ever get to the stage of being numb from cold these days... My circulation must be better/good! Hands are a different matter. My thumbs get so cold they'll get painfully numb from windchill on anything much below zero even on my short 10 minute commute. Utterly miserable! The rest of me is ok - I'm quite good at riding in multiple layers this time of year and just tailoring efforts/suffering through it. My core I generally run to overheat (my winter kit has generally vents I can open or just unzip), legs are multiple layers (as don't seem to overheat), then tailor arms/upper torso/head to suit as I go. The Kask Infinity I'm wearing works well, being able to close the vents to start with, then control how open later depending how warm I am is superb. Although I'll generally be in a windproof winter hat under it this time of year, so climbs out of a chilling wind can utterly fry me if I put a big effort in.
My Hydro's are a EU42. They say to size up, I did and then sized back down. Even then I think I should've looked for half sizes as they're slightly larger than my Sidi EU42 shoes. So much so the tongue overlaps the shoe outer on the outside edge of my right foot. Gives me a pressure spot right across the nerve there so anything over 10-15 minutes my foot goes numb and feels really bad afterwards. Unrideable for me, but think it's more their sizing, design and how it fits on me. I don't have the problem with any other Sidi shoes, the Northwaves I have are a 42 and have a similar overlap and it doesn't cause me issue.
The Spatz do look different, although not that odd. They're more like an extended aero cover, but thicker and not as bulky looking as an overshoe. They look smart, not too different so normal people won't see anything different about 'that cyclist' but also do look differnt enough once you know equipment/clothing/what an overshoe is etc.
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I thought the Spatz looked a bit odd but now I have them I quite like the look of them.
They have those reflective arrows up the back of them the full length of your calf so are absolutely brilliant for winter/dark riding to be honest. They are silly bright when a cars headlight gets on them from a huge distance back so they definitely do a good job visibility wise unlike 99% of other overshoes.
They have those reflective arrows up the back of them the full length of your calf so are absolutely brilliant for winter/dark riding to be honest. They are silly bright when a cars headlight gets on them from a huge distance back so they definitely do a good job visibility wise unlike 99% of other overshoes.
How tight are the cuffs at the top on the Spatz? They look promising compared to my existing worn-out overshoes, but I have issues with circulation in one of my legs which means I couldn't have anything too tight in a band that high up towards the knee. I suppose they'd have to be pretty tight to avoid water getting in, but if it's consistent all the way up I might get away with it.
Today can be forgotten sooner rather than later from a cycling standpoint...
First, my snazzy new Northwave Flash GTX Winter boots broke before I even got on the bike (the boa snapped), then a headwind, then a puncture, then the front brake somehow stopped working, and my derailleur decided to go doo-lally and forget its indexing...
Tomorrow is another day!
First, my snazzy new Northwave Flash GTX Winter boots broke before I even got on the bike (the boa snapped), then a headwind, then a puncture, then the front brake somehow stopped working, and my derailleur decided to go doo-lally and forget its indexing...
Tomorrow is another day!
It can only get better from now on!
I wouldn't say they are overly tight at all. They feel spot on. But I do have skinny pathetic little calves!
That's 1 thing which has always confused me - Neopreyne is 'easy' to print a rubber layer onto, look at the designs & decals on wetsuits. Then look at the amount of overshoes with designs/additional outer layers. There are very few. For me the logical thing to do would be to 'print' decals/logos/designs on the outside of the overshoe and use a 'waterproof' type rubber (like rubber itself!) then those areas would be imprevious to water. So print around the front leading edges of the foot to block wind and rain, yet still retain the usual uncoated neopryene on the sides and rear for flexibility and slight breathability.
Shimano do print a ton of stuff on the outside of theirs, but the material/neopreyne they use seems quite a bit thinner than what most general overshoes are made of and the print didn't seem that rubbery so wouldn't block anything. Endura and some others have a more 'rubbery' outside layer than fabric but it doesn't seem to make any difference.
They're tight, designed to be, but there quite a bit of stretch in the material. I'm borderline Small / Medium (EU42) but with big calves (and in talking with Spatz) they recommend going for the Medium.
I've tried to find somewhere locally who stocks them but drawn a blank. One LBS (Veloshop) was started by the previous Workshop guy from the NFTO Shop (Spatz made by ex-team manager) and he did have some but all sold out now.
Haha that's rubbish! At least you didn't get soaked... Yet!
You've got the Small ones? Know your calf 'dimensions'? Or should I just measure a passing midge?
Soldato
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2004
- Posts
- 10,648
You've got the Small ones? Know your calf 'dimensions'? Or should I just measure a passing midge?
Just measure your wrist to get his calf sizes
Just measure your wrist to get his calf sizes
To be honest, nae far wrong there!
I have smaller biceps, calves and wrists than my gf.... And she is 5ft and about 52KG.
My legs are hairy right now though. So that will add 1mm. It all counts!
I have the small ones yeah as my shoes are EU42. I will get the tape measure out tonight Roady
Ripped apart yet another Vector 2 pod last night, think this is the third I've killed in the last 6 months. They've been useful in the past replacing, hopefully will be the same again this time.
Who is attempting Festive500 this year? Got my mileage planned out weather dependent. Luckily the weekend falls nicely to allow some big rides without any family interruptions
Who is attempting Festive500 this year? Got my mileage planned out weather dependent. Luckily the weekend falls nicely to allow some big rides without any family interruptions
Yeah same shoe size as me.I have the small ones yeah as my shoes are EU42. I will get the tape measure out tonight Roady
The Spatz sizing is XS/S = EU38-42, M/L = EU43-45, L/XL = EU46-49. But in speaking to Spatz previously about sizing they did say this (about the Legalz): "
We have a lot of the Pro riders who are climbers opt for a smaller size than normal or sprinters opting for a size large than normal."
So they obviously stretch quite a bit for their normal fit. I'm unsure how similar the material is between the Legalz and Roadman is, it's probably a little thicker on the Roadman as they're more insulated.
When you're measuring (with them on) could you measure from the heel of the overshoe to the top 'gripper' then around your calf from there? At least then we'll have an idea how 'high' the overshoe top/gripper generally sits, to also show us where to measure to compare (we all have different length shins/legs!). Obviously also measure the widest/biggest area of your calf (guessing the gastrocnemius) which will be more towards the middle of the overshoe. Ta
I'll also do the same when I eventually get a pair, it's highly likely I'll be getting the M/L.
Rubbish to kill another, hit/catch it on something or do they just fall apart?! Wet with you last night? I got utterly soaked on the commute/nursery pickup. Fingers crossed you can get a replacement easily enough.Ripped apart yet another Vector 2 pod last night, think this is the third I've killed in the last 6 months. They've been useful in the past replacing, hopefully will be the same again this time.
Who is attempting Festive500 this year? Got my mileage planned out weather dependent. Luckily the weekend falls nicely to allow some big rides without any family interruptions
No Festive 500 for me, unless I somehow end up doing it on Zwift. It starts on the 25th doesn't it?
@xdcx Not sure if you know Ross Duncan or not? Maybe heard of him? Doing some mad record today on Zwift and continuing over the weekend (3-4 days of riding). 50,000 elevation in 1 ride, then as that's more than the total elevation of the 2018 TdF (not sure why using that one?) continuing afterwards to do more distance than it too, to tick over 3425km in 1 ride : https://zwiftinsider.com/3-records-1-ride/
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Reading the blurb on Strava makes me think it can't be done this way. I was considering it but I'm not very confident about the tyres I have on my wheels to be good enough in damp possibly freezing conditions :/
Think chain caught it, for some reason the Cannondale seems to catch more regulary, possibly due to the 1x setup, but whatever happened it completely ripped off the electrics.
Was wet here last night al;though not biblical, went for a run after the slightly extended ride home.
I haven't heard of him or know him but he's from a place about 10mins from my hometown.
Sounds absolutely dumb and ridiculous to me. What a waste of life!
Yeah it's outdoor miles only. Always has been!
It's very Rapha - battle the worst weather at a bad time of year, riders overstretching themselves and exposing themselves to higher risk to be 'part of the club', buy their overpriced kit to do it in, by guilt tripping people at the end of the year before the next starts to burn off the Christmas excess, oh you can get a badge.
It's a good 'challenge' but most ride it stupidly and for the wrong reasons.
Damn that sounds a bit awkward - for some reason I hadn't appreciated they'd catch the chain.
Was proper torrential here. After I got home towing the chariot I literally took my shoes off and emptied water out of them. Interestingly, in November sometime I used electrical tape and taped up the toe box vents on my shoes. One side (left) had come unstuck slightly and that was the shoe which was 'wettest'. So it's working. That foot was 100% wet, the right only around 80% lol. With my unexpected work bonus (4-5 times more than other years) I really will be buying some Spatz. A wet winter like this normally carries through into spring. I think I've got wet more times in November & December this year than March 2018->October 2019 combined.
Bit harsh but I know that counts as a compliment from you!
He's a nice guy, but only spoken to him a little during group rides on Zwift. He's from Dunfermline and rides around Fife, that's why I mentioned. You should probably give him a shout as think you'd get on well and quite surprised you've not come across him. He's an IT guy I think so probably into his data!?
Think he's a bit of a new guy to ultra cycling as only seems to do it on Zwift, I figured he'd done lots of outside riding so you may know him. Does an amazing amount for charity, earlier in the year he rode 124 km per day for 124 days for CHAS.
EDIT: CH**ST. According to Strava he's done nearly 24k miles this year and over 1 million ft of elevation.
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Bit harsh but I know that counts as a compliment from you!
He's a nice guy, but only spoken to him a little during group rides on Zwift. He's from Dunfermline and rides around Fife, that's why I mentioned. You should probably give him a shout as think you'd get on well and quite surprised you've not come across him. He's an IT guy I think so probably into his data!?
Think he's a bit of a new guy to ultra cycling as only seems to do it on Zwift, I figured he'd done lots of outside riding so you may know him. Does an amazing amount for charity, earlier in the year he rode 124 km per day for 124 days for CHAS.
Chris who won pan celtic is a Dunfermline chap also. He might know him. But both Chris and I have been up North here our entire cycling time really. Neither of us raced bikes when we live back in the motherland.
I see on Ross profile on BC he doesn't do RR or TT so no likely either of us would know him from races and we don't ride in the Kingdom unless we are home visiting family etc, so don't really know the regulars of the area down there.
CHAS is a fine charity. Jo's good friend is a nurse for them also.
Soldato
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- 29 Dec 2004
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- Shepley
I'm no Rapha fanboi but that's a bit harsh, I think it's a good incentive for most to get out over Christmas, even if you only aim for one of the intermediate distances. Let's face it, the weather is rarely that bad at this time of year, unless you live in deepest darkest Scotland (sorry @xdcx ).