Road Cycling

Junglist said:
I actually had a good score today. I did my intervals in the morning and then tried to keep my strain low. Went to bed 30-45 minutes after my 'prescribed' time but woke up with a 93% Recovery and 63 HRV. Sleep performance of 80%, reduced my sleep debt by 45 minutes as well

Hopefully I can keep that recovery high as tomorrow I have a threshold workout at 6am
Click to expand...
So yesterdays 32% Red 'Recovery' (high HRV) didn't impact me too much but with several other home things on the go didn't have the energy/time to jump on Zwift. Felt pretty tired so had another slightly earlier night, 6.5 hours sleep... Then this morning a Recovery of 39% - still not quite what I wanted! Again I'm below average (-20%) on deep sleep and (-37%) REM with the extra time just bumping up my Light sleep.

Felt pretty fatigued commuting into a headwind this morning, but with an early finish today will do some more chores & also get a ride in. That normally makes me sleep better... I'm weird - need to ride to sleep better and recover more. If I don't ride I recover 'less'. :eek: :rolleyes:

Junglist said:
Ah, the classic OCUK spec creep. Why buy a £5 blade when I can spend £300 on a new gadget :cry:


Hold on, off to check AliExpress for one
Click to expand...
Obviously.

I'm tempted by the NOOD 'The Flasher 2.0' for the name alone.
 
@Junglist another guy I ride Zwift with from your neck of the woods, he lives in 'Blackhorse'. Although he doesn't really ride outside anymore he's one of the founding members of SAS 'Salt and Sham' (Saltford and Keynsham) who meet up in Keynsham and he said is a very relaxed group. For something more serious he said look for Bath Cycle Club.

https://saltandsham.co.uk - guy to contact there is 'Rob Evans', BathCC it would be 'David Stoyle' if you wanted to talk memberships, local coaching Jason Streather 'at PDQ'. Looking at the SAS website they look very laid back/social and you can group ride without being a member. I've no idea how many rides they do alongside their 'official' club ride 7am Saturdays from Ashton Way
 
I know Blackhorse very well. Spent my teenage years in BH/Emersons green. Used to skate the halfpipe in Blackhorse a lot!

I've definitely seen those jerseys kicking about
 
Last edited:
Does anyone have a preferred sun cream? To date, I've used the old "buy the Boots own brand stuff" approach, but I'm a rather sweaty chap and it invariably drips into my eyes and stings horrendously.
 
Last edited:
manic111 said:
Does anyone have a preferred sun cream? To date, I've used the old "buy the Boots own brand stuff" approach, but I'm a rather sweaty chap and it invariably drips into my eyes and stings horrendously.
Click to expand...

My partner uses this stuff for running in the warmer months. But she's not super sweaty so I'm not sure how it would be with someone on the sweatier end of the spectrum

I can't comment on it as I don't wear sun cream but I would've thought it would be OK as it's designed for exercise?
 
Woohoo, after todays ride i've move cycling category in my Garmin from "Flat Specialist" to "Endurance Specialist"

That fits my goals quite nicely.


Also winning. I've been chatting to a guy on Whatsapp who lives on the same Urbanisation about potentially going for some rides and he messaged earlier to ask if i want an Ineos jersey for free :D
 
manic111 said:
Does anyone have a preferred sun cream? To date, I've used the old "buy the Boots own brand stuff" approach, but I'm a rather sweaty chap and it invariably drips into my eyes and stings horrendously.
Click to expand...
P20. I’ve done a single application before 6 hours in the French summer and not burned, it’s amazing. Just don’t put it above your eyes as it stings like a mofo if it runs!
 
Anyone got a recommended toolkit for keeping in a bike bag? I like the look of the Crankbrothers M19, but not sure if it's a bit much and realistically i only really need a couple allen keys which might just make sense to stick the relevant sizes in the bag to save on weight/bulk.

Was out last night feeling prepared as i've fitted my saddle bag with tyre levers, pump and spare tubes, only to realise i don't have any method of removing the thru axle!
 
manic111 said:
Does anyone have a preferred sun cream? To date, I've used the old "buy the Boots own brand stuff" approach, but I'm a rather sweaty chap and it invariably drips into my eyes and stings horrendously.
Click to expand...
for hot weather trips i take ones in spray.
so much easier to use and can be put in handle bar bag or rear pocket and almost no mess
 
WTF at the price of inner tubes. As soon as I'm after something non-23-25 with a 40mm valve (I need 28-32 with a 60mm_) I may as well double the price. Who in their right mind is paying £9 for an inner tube?! Don't need any of this ultra-light nonsense! :o

Edit: Meh. 20-28 it is with 60mm then.

Probably getting this Ortleib saddle bag (Micro Two). I have the old 'macro' version from ages ago, just can't find it (just the bigger 1.6L one I got and have never used, still too big for me)... So have 2 of the saddle brackets already.

manic111 said:
Does anyone have a preferred sun cream? To date, I've used the old "buy the Boots own brand stuff" approach, but I'm a rather sweaty chap and it invariably drips into my eyes and stings horrendously.
Click to expand...
I just use whatever is cheapest or we have on the shelf, but I do sweat quite a lot too - so have taken to wearing thin caps in the summer (or a headband in the really hot) to soak some of it up (also handy when getting bees/wasps in helmet - less panic), I generally apply a cream 20/30 mins before riding - as I'm kitting up - easier to apply nekkid so you don't worry about getting it on your clothing.

As others have said, the spray on 'kids' type stuff rather than a cream works well too. Absorbs fast, less messy & doesn't seem to run. Also strong 30+!

Martynt74 said:
Crankbrothers M19
Click to expand...
It's a good tool and really does have a lot with it. Remember you're getting the tool for emergencies - not just for removing your thru axle. Especially if you're going to be doing longer and longer solo rides - or big events, it is better to have 'everything' you may need. The chain tool is pretty worth it alone - but carrying some quick links & replacement chain length pretty invaluable. I carry both, although I've only broken a chain twice - both at the quick link, I've repaired friends chains at the roadside several times with my bits to get them home. I'm 'that guy'! Helps that I'm generally my own mechanic too (so have usually broken & repaired things myself before. Experience counts!) ;)
 
Last edited:
Cheers, most likely will just get it, i saw they did a less complete range too which was smaller, but it makes sense to have everything. I did have a similar cheap tool that Tredz supplied with a bike (minus features) but it always just felt flimsy so hoping something at this level will be nice.

I've also bought the Lezyne Pocket Drive mini pump and it feels way nicer than the RockBros one i had before
 
Last edited:
On the subject or repairs. What are you guys who run tubeless taking with you?

I've basically allowed my fate to be left to the sealant gods (they haven't forsaken me yet) but I think for when they do abandon me, I should be able to help myself.

I quite like the look of the Muc-Off stealth ones which hide away in the bars but it seems the Dynaplug ones are rated well also. Any other options? Found out I have the 28th of this month free and I'd quite like to do a 100km route but my partner wont be about to save me so need to make sure I'm self sufficient lol.
 
There's quite a few bar end ones i think. They do look pretty cool.

I've been debating something like this rather than a saddle bag, but don't know if it seems unnecessary.
www.sfbags.com

Jersey Pocket Tool Case

Keep your essentials secure with our Jersey Pocket Tool Case! Shop at WaterField Designs for a sleek bike tool bag with durable, organized storage.
www.sfbags.com www.sfbags.com
 
I now quite like the look of the dynaplug one which you can use as a CO2 inflator so you can repair and inflate the tyre instantly. But I already have a standalone CO2 inflator and I have another one built into my pump which I take out with me.

I feel that would bug me being on my jersey but I'm a princess and the pea kinda guy lol
 
As far as I can tell, once you get a good kit together for fixing punctures you will never get one. I got the dynaplug racer pro kit and haven't had to go near it since I got it. I did have basic bacon strips etc but I found that they didn't seal some punctures I had and a couple would seemingly work their way out over time whereas the dynaplug shouldn't.

Outside of that I just have a decent silca mini pump. I have used that probably half a dozen times since I bought it over a year ago and its really not that much work to reinflate a tyre with it. I did carry CO2 but I don't know if my sealant would like it and honestly I don't need to be able to quickly inflate my tyres.
 
Junglist said:
On the subject or repairs. What are you guys who run tubeless taking with you?

I've basically allowed my fate to be left to the sealant gods (they haven't forsaken me yet) but I think for when they do abandon me, I should be able to help myself.
Click to expand...
Plug worm things. Cheap tool & plug nothing fancy. Levers. At least 1 innertube (the right size!). Puncture patches (either for tube or for tyre!). Pump. Latex gloves so I don't get covered in milky goodness :D

In 5-6 years of tubeless I've only had to put a tube in twice, one of those I used a patch on a tyre hole (then put a tube behind it when it didn't work). I've put plugs in probably 5-6 times. I've put air into a leaky tubeless probably a couple of dozen times - multiple times I'll put air in several times to the same tyre to 'get home' rather than putting a tube in to avoid the hassle/time/mess at the roadside. Sealant is expensive and also stains/will dry solid on clothing so I prefer the hassle of topping up air. Most of the times these leaky times are when sealant is getting old, so I blame that first and foremost, many times being able to seal them at home with new sealant. I'm considering tyre inserts more and more for my 'good' carbon wheels, if anything to protect the rims and I've found increasingly my summer tyre choices pretty soft (or the state of our roads are getting worse)! Hutchinson Fusion, Pirelli P-Zero & now GP5000 STR.

Multiple times I've taken tubeless tyres off and found 3-4-5 blackthorns embedded in the carcass, happily sealed and tyre holding pressure. I'm an absolute convert. Even now I'm running old tubeless tyres I didn't like and now they're old couldn't get them to seal well tubeless with tubes (after buckling wheel last weekend I'm back on older wheels and tyres - probably wheels need new rim tape just as much to blame). I know technically they're probably just as tough as a normal tyre, but the fact I'm running tubes am paranoid about it. Literally riding along waiting for a puncture! It's going to be a long 100km+ ride tomorrow with the club, if I head out! :cry:

Martynt74 said:
I've been debating something like this rather than a saddle bag, but don't know if it seems unnecessary.
www.sfbags.com

Jersey Pocket Tool Case

Keep your essentials secure with our Jersey Pocket Tool Case! Shop at WaterField Designs for a sleek bike tool bag with durable, organized storage.
www.sfbags.com www.sfbags.com
Click to expand...
It's a smart and tidy way of doing it. Although I see more people using 'tool bottles' now and would probably advise that - so it's always on your bike and keeps pockets free, but if you need somewhere to put phone/keys/wallet/reading glasses/monocle then a case in a pocket is probably better, while also not using up a bottle cage. I'd a big user of pockets for most 'ride' stuff. Things which don't need quick access really would mount on my bike in some way. So I have always generally ridden with a saddle bag - although keep them small these days, as I have a 'SWAT Box' (frame mounted box) on the Diverge which carries the extra stuff I'd put into a bigger saddlebag. Summer long all day rides I'd take a top tube bag with an extra tube alongside a bunch of snacks (& battery pack).

Junglist said:
I now quite like the look of the dynaplug one which you can use as a CO2 inflator so you can repair and inflate the tyre instantly. But I already have a standalone CO2 inflator and I have another one built into my pump which I take out with me.

I feel that would bug me being on my jersey but I'm a princess and the pea kinda guy lol
Click to expand...
I've seen co2 cause more problems with sealant than I've seen it solve. 'Thermal Shock' means the majority of sealants will react to co2 in some way- they're a liquid carrier made to evaporate with rubber bits in it. Co2 is great at freezing things. What happens when you freeze rubber. What happens when you freeze liquid.

The Muc-Off sealant I'm currently using although is 'co2 friendly', the general recommendation is to replace/top up sealant once you've co2'd it so you have some which isn't contaminated. The Stans I used before turned into rubber pebbles rattling around my tyre, definately not 'co2 friendly'! YMMV with various others - worth trying in a 'controlled environment' to see what it does before you're in a remote roadside emergency situation!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom