Road Cycling

[Junglist]

I have a Giro Cinder, nothing special but I also have no frame of reference.

Having to come to a horrible decision. It's the XL size but due to my hair it's almost not fitting on any more! The trials of having an afro So I either work out a way to really flatten my hair or I accept it's done and get it cut. Was always planning to get locks but I'm too lazy for the maintenance and the idea of sitting in a chair making small talk for 8 hours sounds horrendous.

There goes my free insulation for the winter!

 

[SoliD]

Can get you a lovely thick hairnet to make up for the cut

 

[Shoeyuk]

Helmet recommendations - I've been struggling more than previous years with the heat, so looking at grabbing a newer more ventilated helmet, looking at Kask Valegro, the Abus Airbreaker or Specialized Prevail 2. Anyone got any others or experience of these?

I got a lazer z1 mips this year it’s got loads of airflow and I have been pretty cool on my rides this year compared to what I had.

you can also get an aero shell that closes it up the majority of holes as well.

The only thing is I’ve had a couple of bees fly into and opening and fly back out.

 

[SoliD]

I ordered a Kask Valegro from CRC, will see how it is. needed to place an order and it was the only one I liked the look of on there so can return if it's not right.

 

[UTmaniac]

Got a Bordeaux red Abus Game Changer last autumn from Amazon for ~£73, been very comfy and breathable since spring.

 

[Jonny ///M]

Giro cinder for me, we sell Lazer but the shape of them doesn't suit my strange shaped head.

Worth ordering a few and sending others back tbh. Some expensive helmets can feel cheap AF, maybe I'm just a snob to the Giro rocloc dial thing vs other brands that one click feels like three on the Giro.

 

[SoliD]

Got a Bordeaux red Abus Game Changer last autumn from Amazon for ~£73, been very comfy and breathable since spring.

Already got a gamechanger for racing. It's a lovely helmet and wanted the airbreaker but couldn't find it in the right size.

Has a nice balance between aero and airflow though.

 

[NooBish AbbZ]

Signed up for the Lincoln Petit Grand Prix tomorrow(Choices of 47, 67 and 101 mile routes); I've done a few 100+ milers in the past but this season I've not done anything over 25 miles on my few times a week ride. I don't really know why, so I've gone for the 67 mile route.
I bought a new bike in May (Planet X Pro Carbon w/ SRAM Rival) upgrading from my 7 year and 4000 mile old second-hand Triban 5 So a huge step up.

I also bought a Garmin Edge 830 a few days ago so that's set up with my route and all ready to go! Getting ready for the bonk

 

[Lethal`]

Been using various forms of Giro Foray for years and not really struggled with the heat. Currently got a MIPS version.

 

[Berger]

Nothing exciting for me. Fitted a new chain for winter. Just touching 0.5 on the chain checker, see if it stops the occasional chain drop when I was in big/big combo and using it on the turbo would increase wear rate. All waxed and fitted.

 

[AndyCr15]

Staying at my mums in Shropshire for a few days, so headed into Wales for a ride yesterday. Went from Lake Vrynwy to Bala Lake and back, including a small diversion to Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall. I don't think the climbs are 'known' climbs, but about 5,500ft for the day seemed plenty. Some great views up the top though.

 

[turbot1984]

Staying at my mums in Shropshire for a few days, so headed into Wales for a ride yesterday. Went from Lake Vrynwy to Bala Lake and back, including a small diversion to Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall. I don't think the climbs are 'known' climbs, but about 5,500ft for the day seemed plenty. Some great views up the top though.

I was out near Bala a few weeks back, some great riding around there.

 

[esoteric]

Five months of cycling and had my first bout of verbal abuse from a van driver "Get off the f-word road c-word".

 

[NooBish AbbZ]

Signed up for the Lincoln Petit Grand Prix tomorrow(Choices of 47, 67 and 101 mile routes); I've done a few 100+ milers in the past but this season I've not done anything over 25 miles on my few times a week ride. I don't really know why, so I've gone for the 67 mile route.
I bought a new bike in May (Planet X Pro Carbon w/ SRAM Rival) upgrading from my 7 year and 4000 mile old second-hand Triban 5 So a huge step up.

I also bought a Garmin Edge 830 a few days ago so that's set up with my route and all ready to go! Getting ready for the bonk

Well I probably should update you all. A good pace throughout; I was aiming for an average of 17mph to complete in 4 hours or less, and for the majority of the ride found myself in a group(different groups) of 3. Average speed was 18mph and a total time of 3h 48 minutes or so. There was one significant part without a group where it was a long open straight and a headwind. Of course it was.

I also got my maths wrong which was a pleasant surprise. 67 mile route and my Garmin was set to 'Auto-lap' every 5 miles. Anywho, for some reason I'd got it in my head after 'Lap 8' I'd done 30 miles and I was almost half way. It was wonderful to hit the food stop(cookies were excellent!!) 4 miles later, check my watch and see 44.5miles completed. "Nahhh, that's not right?". Checked the new Edge 830(very happy with the purchase) and it confirms 44.55 miles complete. Result!

I did eat a little too much at the feed stop but it was only a 22 mile dash to the end which is my normal ride length I'll do a couple times a week.

Finally around Coningsby and Tattershall it is very very very flat. We had one 'climb' of only 0.8 mile and I think only a few hundred feet but I am very out of practice on hills. My calves were burning, the Climb-Pro thing on the Edge was really good and the bike... The bike!! I've watched reviews and heard reviewers talk about when they pedal and the bike just like...responds quickly to that input. I now know exactly what they mean. Really happy with the new bike (Planet X Pro Carbon w/ SRAM Rival) and I definitely should've done far more sportives this year! Potentially looking at one more in a few weeks time but I would need my shift to be changed so we'll see.

 

[Junglist]

I really need to do a sportive. I keep waiting for my friends to want to do one with me but really I should just bite the bullet and do one by myself. I'm sure it's probably a friendly experience?

 

[Roady]

So went to the local bike shop and it turns out my rear derailleur is faulty for some reason the cage wont move back which was what caused the chain to drop. The shop has said they can deal with Canyon for me and get it all sorted under waranty.

Awesome if you have a LBS willing to do that - fantastic customer service - that they're willing to put the leg work in for you with Canyon (a 'direct to consumer' brand). Make sure you send some profitable business their way!

Got some clipless pedals and shoes coming tomorrow. It's my first set of clipless pedals, shoes too so went with a 2 bolt set up, I read that it's good for beginners.

2 bolt is a good introduction, easy entry/exit. Generally recessed cleats so long wearing and easier shoes to walk in. Also generally double sided pedals are the norm so easier use. Goodluck! You'll still have a cleat fall (or several)!

Yep, definitely explains the confusion!

I must have seen @Berger's name in a quote and thought it was him.

Lol sorry, I'm quite a quote-r!

Helmet recommendations - I've been struggling more than previous years with the heat, so looking at grabbing a newer more ventilated helmet, looking at Kask Valegro, the Abus Airbreaker or Specialized Prevail 2. Anyone got any others or experience of these?

No experience of them. Only Kask I owned (Infinity) wasn't that airy. The Specialized I have (Evade) is very airy for an aero helmet. I tend to wear cheaper Spesh or more recently Giro Agilis as my commuter/daily. Really no complaints and what I'd call 'normal' - didn't find it extra hot through the heatwave (else would've used the Evade more).

The trials of having an afro So I either work out a way to really flatten my hair or I accept it's done and get it cut.

Enjoy it while it lasts - those of us struggling for any 'whisps of warmth' on top really are jealous! At least getting it butchered now, it'll be mostly fuzzed back before the really cold weather. But also kudos for carrying it through that heatwave!

Can get you a lovely thick hairnet to make up for the cut

I ride with a guy who has a hairnet over his aero helmet to keep buzzers out! Works well and figure he's just someone who doesn't take being stung all that well...

Staying at my mums in Shropshire for a few days, so headed into Wales for a ride yesterday. Went from Lake Vrynwy to Bala Lake and back, including a small diversion to Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall. I don't think the climbs are 'known' climbs, but about 5,500ft for the day seemed plenty. Some great views up the top though.

Enjoy your trip! Pics didn't load. Well done for making it up from Llangynog, that looks quite a meaty climb. I remember walking up there as a kid... A loooooong time ago. Just remember it raining nearly all the time so you had a great day!

The back side of Bwlch-y-groes, you'll have to do it from the south side to get the Top100 segment! Or do you call it Hellfire Pass as you're English?

 

[AndyCr15]

Pics didn't load.

I did wonder, as I shared them straight from Google Photos and thought there might be a permissions issue...

The back side of Bwlch-y-groes, you'll have to do it from the south side to get the Top100 segment! Or do you call it Hellfire Pass as you're English?

Damnit, I hadn't actually checked for Top 100's... I was literally just basing it around my family wanting to go to Lake Vyrnwy. Nevermind, I'll be going back soon and I'll do the loop in reverse!

I hadn't realised, but even though I've done multi day trips in the Alps, the Lake District, Mallorca... that ride was my fifth biggest for elevation gain!!!

 

[Liefrich]

I did wonder, as I shared them straight from Google Photos and thought there might be a permissions issue...

Damnit, I hadn't actually checked for Top 100's... I was literally just basing it around my family wanting to go to Lake Vyrnwy. Nevermind, I'll be going back soon and I'll do the loop in reverse!

I hadn't realised, but even though I've done multi day trips in the Alps, the Lake District, Mallorca... that ride was my fifth biggest for elevation gain!!!

I have cycled up there twice in the last few years, based in a really nice log cabin campsite outside Bala.

Lovely roads up there and that Llangynog climb is beautiful although a tad hairy on one of the bends if I recall!

You also missed Hirnant Pass which is No191 in the official climbs and literally descends down to Lake Vyrnmwy. https://www.strava.com/segments/16406640?hl=en-GB

 

[AndyCr15]

Yeah, it's funny, it was literally almost a 'how can I waste some time and have a ride before my relatives arrive' rather than me planning a big ride of any kind. I'll have to plan it better next time and get Hirnant in there too...

 

[Liefrich]

Yeah, it's funny, it was literally almost a 'how can I waste some time and have a ride before my relatives arrive' rather than me planning a big ride of any kind. I'll have to plan it better next time and get Hirnant in there too...

Looked a cracking ride anyway! I am surprised that the Llangynog is not in the official climbs book as it's miles better than most of the climbs in the south!