I've actually improved the last year or so in my hands! just my feet still awful!
Haha, good to hear. Have to say although the weather has been pretty rubbish here the last couple of months. Wet & grey, then those couple of weeks of freezing cold. BUT I've yet to be 'properly cold' on the bike yet this winter, but admittedly I've done my usual of completely overdressing for my commutes... Must be doing something right, only a few times I've got properly soaked through too.
Like Thursday morning was forecast 0 with -1 windchill, when actual was more like 4-5 and the wind only a bit below. I slightly melted as was in my sub zero gear - thermal shorts, knee warmers, thermal tights over top, thermal base, thermal jersey, windproof thermal jersey over top. Thermal socks, Spatz roadman overshoes. Sotto zero gloves. skullcap, neck/facebuff, thermal windproof hat and extra windproof face buff on top!
This morning it was really mild (although very dark here), easily 8-9 degrees. Too warm for December!
I cheat, I've got a Briard (dog) which has hair not fur.. I brush him then use the hair that comes out to stuff inside my shoe ends. Works a charm
Nice! Natural fibres and insulation! Natural recycling too!
Friend of mine is a 'friend of Rapha' - got these 2 for £45 instead of £320
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Amazing deal! Seriously if you mate can snap deals like this then grab them! I've bought second hand 'Core' shorts (normally £115 new) for £45 before now... Even Rapha good sales/BF on them are only down to £85-90
Is 'Friend of Rapha' a Clubhouse thing, or is it a factory shop/outlet type thing?
I know the answer to this is "it depends", but where do you think you could get to distance wise for a single event in 4 months? Obviously it depends on training/current levels.
At the moment i do around 2 rides/week of 15-20 miles each. However i'm looking at events to find motivation to up this, and reclaim fitness. In the past (2022 in particular) i was quite happy running in the mountains for >10hrs, but a foot injury has put an end to that. My fitness since Oct 22 has plummeted as a result. Only mentioning that because it shows my body is capable of silly volumes.
I'm looking to sign up for this to drum up some motivation
irongravel.com
With the mindset you have and 4 months you're capable of anything! Do it! Set a challenge - as it should be EXACTLY that. A tough challenge to build and structure towards!
But you'll have to rapidly increase your time in the saddle - plus any trail/gravel/offroad miles to be at least preparing correctly. Road miles might be not what you need - unless they're an easier way to get decent time in the saddle. You'll need to train that endurance just as much as the strength/power needed. As Paul says - practicing feeding, fuelling & recovery almost better to 'train' until the better weather comes for more focused power endurance work.
May give them a try, although I like my Park Tool TL's for something like these tighter tyres getting something specific is good. Tempted by one of the 'tyre glider' type things but waiting for some made by reputable names as don't want to buy some useless tat...!
