Road Cycling
- Thread starter FrenchTart
- Start date
Pretty old now. I bought it in Feb 23 and it was already used.
Might try them just incase I get somewhere.
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 7,053
- Location
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Went on holiday for 2 weeks and gained 5kg
Came back and rode a bit every day (230km according to Strava)
Seem to have quite a bit of pain today that came suddenly after bending down to put on shoes, so probably need a few days rest and start stretching, I’ve always been crazy inflexible
Came back and rode a bit every day (230km according to Strava)
Seem to have quite a bit of pain today that came suddenly after bending down to put on shoes, so probably need a few days rest and start stretching, I’ve always been crazy inflexible
A bit of a spur of the moment thing, I got invited to join a group cycling around the Isle of Wight yesterday. Having never done it before, I decide it should be fun!
Near perfect weather made for an amazing day. It's a lumpy route, my head unit said 20 climbs, but most of them were only a minute or two. Although I've thought about doing it before, I'd not realised it was relatively simle from North London. 1 hour 45 minute drive, £9 all day parking in Southampton and £20 return ferry trip.
It was interesting how many cyclists where on the ferry too, it was like the UK's mini version of a Mallorca trip
Near perfect weather made for an amazing day. It's a lumpy route, my head unit said 20 climbs, but most of them were only a minute or two. Although I've thought about doing it before, I'd not realised it was relatively simle from North London. 1 hour 45 minute drive, £9 all day parking in Southampton and £20 return ferry trip.
It was interesting how many cyclists where on the ferry too, it was like the UK's mini version of a Mallorca trip
mine was much weaker than that but 43k in Letchworth most off-road. Drove down to my brothers in the morning, got on the bikes and off we went..
https://www.strava.com/routes/3386294955318603528 is the route, you can see from pictures it is interesting.
while the distance and climbing isn't much, it really did beat both of us up, some very technical descends - could tell by MTB bikes everywhere.. and one stupid climb that I could not do, crashed on it and couldn't clip back in - SPD-SL pedals did not help.
think I bent my hanger too, it skips between 2nd and 3rd gear now goes up and down it, other gears are mostly okay bar a few catches/rumbles from the back.
other than that we had one flat.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3386294955318603528 is the route, you can see from pictures it is interesting.
while the distance and climbing isn't much, it really did beat both of us up, some very technical descends - could tell by MTB bikes everywhere.. and one stupid climb that I could not do, crashed on it and couldn't clip back in - SPD-SL pedals did not help.
think I bent my hanger too, it skips between 2nd and 3rd gear now goes up and down it, other gears are mostly okay bar a few catches/rumbles from the back.
other than that we had one flat.
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I see the route literally goes through Emily's. Did you stop for a coffee and cake? I've been there quite a few times.
I did! that's why I included it in the route, nice little cafe
had a brownie and a coffee there.A bit of a spur of the moment thing, I got invited to join a group cycling around the Isle of Wight yesterday. Having never done it before, I decide it should be fun!
Near perfect weather made for an amazing day. It's a lumpy route, my head unit said 20 climbs, but most of them were only a minute or two. Although I've thought about doing it before, I'd not realised it was relatively simle from North London. 1 hour 45 minute drive, £9 all day parking in Southampton and £20 return ferry trip.
It was interesting how many cyclists where on the ferry too, it was like the UK's mini version of a Mallorca trip
That's actually an incredible idea! Did you do the full route? I just had a look at train and Ferry times and it's not even that awful
Soldato
- Joined
- 9 Nov 2005
- Posts
- 9,491
- Location
- Southampton, hopefully not too hot, or too cold
You know about the annual free entry IOW Randonnee? I kept forgetting about it when I could ride it, in the last few years I've been aware of the date several months ahead. It's not on the official route, but I always wanted to climb from Ventnor esplanade to the top of Down Lane, ~2 miles ~700 feet (bigger than highest in mainland Hampshire that's ~4 miles ~640 feet)... In ~33 years of living in SOuthampton I've had one visit to IOW full stop, for a week's holiday ~20 years ago!
Yeah, I hadn't really thought about how easy it is to do in a day trip.
I don't think we followed exactly what the signs said. The person organising it said it skipped a few coastal roads, so we had a couple of deviations. This is my ride.
@grudas Our next purchase?
es.aliexpress.com
Rhinowalk Bike Helmet Banana Bag Cycling Storage Crossbody Bag Universal Fit For MTB Road Bike With Morale Badge Pack Accessory - AliExpress 18
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
es.aliexpress.com
that is amazing, I need it. Would match my bike too.@grudas Our next purchase?
Rhinowalk Bike Helmet Banana Bag Cycling Storage Crossbody Bag Universal Fit For MTB Road Bike With Morale Badge Pack Accessory - AliExpress 18
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
Felt pretty flat on saturday, not many out (5) for the club social so spent the first half going easy chatting. Ate some snacks early and started coming back, did a 100% effort up a climb I'd not been up for a while, even with the legs running out the top section took 40s off my PR so chuffed with the effort. A better day I've easily got more time there (should be able to do 300W average rather than the 270W). 2 riders peeled off for a shorter ride so the 3 of us did a bit of Paceline on the way back, that really woke my legs up and felt good at the end! Did start to do another solo loop, but a block of headwind turned back and went home. Used it for a segment effort - I'd spotted last weekend which goes past my house, so bagged that KOM! 
Anyone follow London-Edinburgh-London? Sad to see that cancelled but can understand why. Had 3 people I 'know' riding it! 1 of them (Zwift teammate) from Norway trained all winter and was very close to making it through (only around 50 riders made it off the Pennines before the rest where held there for 24 hours). They had 150+ riders crammed into a tiny village hall waiting out the storm...! Riding his way back to London today.
Bagged myself a pair of Specialized Torch 1.0 shoes for £35, don't even look worn. Listed on ebay as football boots!
V1 lasted 2014-2021
V2 lasted Dec 2021-May 2023
replacement May 2023-present
'Best' I did was 7.5kg in 2.5 weeks of all inclusive. Reality it was more like 3-4kg. Most holidays now we're more active and I pig out less but still see 3-4 after getting home, which then levels out to 1-2 and that's fairly normal for me anyway (75-77kg depending on volume).
Anyone follow London-Edinburgh-London? Sad to see that cancelled but can understand why. Had 3 people I 'know' riding it! 1 of them (Zwift teammate) from Norway trained all winter and was very close to making it through (only around 50 riders made it off the Pennines before the rest where held there for 24 hours). They had 150+ riders crammed into a tiny village hall waiting out the storm...! Riding his way back to London today.
Bagged myself a pair of Specialized Torch 1.0 shoes for £35, don't even look worn. Listed on ebay as football boots!
Tickr fan here...
V1 lasted 2014-2021
V2 lasted Dec 2021-May 2023
replacement May 2023-present
Got the 'Blue' (v1) after a couple of years of issues with Garmins (bought an Edge 500 or 800 which came with a HRM, then purchased a 'hard strap' to get it working accurately, gave up after 3 straps). The V1 wasn't without issues but lived for a long time, it eventually stopped waking up in Dec 2021. Used to pop the battery out and it'd work, but then was draining batteries every couple of weeks. Not bad for something worn every ride (indoors+out), even my commutes since Oct 2014 (£42).
Tickr v2 bought Dec 2021 (£40), had a couple of failures due to moisture then it died May 2023, Wahoo no questions asked replaced it (replacement was with me in under 2 days), not skipped a beat(!) since. I've used 'waterproof grease' around the battery door to stop ingress and seems to have done the trick. The V1 had a rubber seal around the door, the V2 doesn't. Broke the strap on the original Blue (Amazon nobrand replacement was ok), broke one of the poppers on my V2, had a spare strap from the replacement. Would probably message Wahoo when the unit or strap breaks again and just see if they do anything for me, else easy to justify buying another. Even if there's a chance a V2 will die within 2 years, replacing every 4 years feel it's worth it, as there's also a chance it'll work for 6-7 years.
Tickr v2 bought Dec 2021 (£40), had a couple of failures due to moisture then it died May 2023, Wahoo no questions asked replaced it (replacement was with me in under 2 days), not skipped a beat(!) since. I've used 'waterproof grease' around the battery door to stop ingress and seems to have done the trick. The V1 had a rubber seal around the door, the V2 doesn't. Broke the strap on the original Blue (Amazon nobrand replacement was ok), broke one of the poppers on my V2, had a spare strap from the replacement. Would probably message Wahoo when the unit or strap breaks again and just see if they do anything for me, else easy to justify buying another. Even if there's a chance a V2 will die within 2 years, replacing every 4 years feel it's worth it, as there's also a chance it'll work for 6-7 years.
You might find most of the holiday weight is 'water' and your body adapting to change in diet & travel. You'll level back out when back home and into a routine - then measure.
'Best' I did was 7.5kg in 2.5 weeks of all inclusive. Reality it was more like 3-4kg. Most holidays now we're more active and I pig out less but still see 3-4 after getting home, which then levels out to 1-2 and that's fairly normal for me anyway (75-77kg depending on volume).
Great ride & looks like you had glorious weather and a great time! My club went down there a few summers back, 3 hour drive down to Lymington (?), glorious weather, stayed in a campsite, got up early for the 9.00 ferry and it was raining, but they had a glorious afternoon when it cleared. I've heard it can be really windy down there? One of them even rode down...! Then he had no legs the next day and had to bail half way around the IoW and get a lift home
So other than getting beaten up, a crash, wrecking your cleat, bending your mech hanger, a flat and the distance+climbing not being enough, you had a good ride?! #gravel
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So other than getting beaten up, a crash, wrecking your cleat, bending your mech hanger, a flat and the distance+climbing not being enough, you had a good ride?! #gravel
All in that sounds like a great ride to me
Before I blast some cash in the Rapha sale, anyone else noticing many good sales around now we're heading towards autumn (ooops I said it)?
Likely grab myself another pair of Core shorts as some colours are £90 which is a good price, but the plain black isn't and the Core II out there might even be lower prices to come... Hmm. I've generally bought 1-2 pairs a year, but since covid times half of those have been second hand, so a couple of 'medium' pairs are well worn and the elastaine starting to go so only wear them on the turbo (if you know what I mean). I'm also wearing Large more these days...!
There used to be Rapha 'Archive' stores and one was in Shepton Mallet but it closed soon after covid, are there others around? Not heard much about their 'clubhouses' or the RCC recently, just all the bad press about them struggling. I guess I'm partly to blame - of the 16 pairs of Rapha shorts I have, think I've only paid 'full' price for 2 of them and might be as many as 10 pairs where/are second hand. I've binned/retired to recycling 4 pairs.
But quite surprised you've only done it once considering how close you are? But is that it - not far enough away to really appeal for a day away, but also not close enough to ride on a good day - takes a bit more planning for a long/complete whole day out. Still doing CX? Getting quite tempted here... Bunch of my club just started 'skills' sessions and it looks good fun. I probably wouldn't do more than a couple of the local & easy to get to 'races', but the skills and bike handling are very useful even for a roadie like me who usually avoids mud...
Likely grab myself another pair of Core shorts as some colours are £90 which is a good price, but the plain black isn't and the Core II out there might even be lower prices to come... Hmm. I've generally bought 1-2 pairs a year, but since covid times half of those have been second hand, so a couple of 'medium' pairs are well worn and the elastaine starting to go so only wear them on the turbo (if you know what I mean). I'm also wearing Large more these days...!
There used to be Rapha 'Archive' stores and one was in Shepton Mallet but it closed soon after covid, are there others around? Not heard much about their 'clubhouses' or the RCC recently, just all the bad press about them struggling. I guess I'm partly to blame - of the 16 pairs of Rapha shorts I have, think I've only paid 'full' price for 2 of them and might be as many as 10 pairs where/are second hand. I've binned/retired to recycling 4 pairs.
Haha suffering on the wheel is brutal at the best of times, even worse when you're the one doing it with a friend going well! All day!
But quite surprised you've only done it once considering how close you are? But is that it - not far enough away to really appeal for a day away, but also not close enough to ride on a good day - takes a bit more planning for a long/complete whole day out. Still doing CX? Getting quite tempted here... Bunch of my club just started 'skills' sessions and it looks good fun. I probably wouldn't do more than a couple of the local & easy to get to 'races', but the skills and bike handling are very useful even for a roadie like me who usually avoids mud...
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hasn't rapha quality gone downhill? I've got a few siroko bibs and they're very good imo. Jerseys sadly too small for me, even xxl doesn't fit. Serves me right for being fat.Before I blast some cash in the Rapha sale, anyone else noticing many good sales around now we're heading towards autumn (ooops I said it)?
Likely grab myself another pair of Core shorts as some colours are £90 which is a good price, but the plain black isn't and the Core II out there might even be lower prices to come... Hmm. I've generally bought 1-2 pairs a year, but since covid times half of those have been second hand, so a couple of 'medium' pairs are well worn and the elastaine starting to go so only wear them on the turbo (if you know what I mean). I'm also wearing Large more these days...!
There used to be Rapha 'Archive' stores and one was in Shepton Mallet but it closed soon after covid, are there others around? Not heard much about their 'clubhouses' or the RCC recently, just all the bad press about them struggling. I guess I'm partly to blame - of the 16 pairs of Rapha shorts I have, think I've only paid 'full' price for 2 of them and might be as many as 10 pairs where/are second hand. I've binned/retired to recycling 4 pairs.
Haha suffering on the wheel is brutal at the best of times, even worse when you're the one doing it with a friend going well! All day!
But quite surprised you've only done it once considering how close you are? But is that it - not far enough away to really appeal for a day away, but also not close enough to ride on a good day - takes a bit more planning for a long/complete whole day out. Still doing CX? Getting quite tempted here... Bunch of my club just started 'skills' sessions and it looks good fun. I probably wouldn't do more than a couple of the local & easy to get to 'races', but the skills and bike handling are very useful even for a roadie like me who usually avoids mud...
Soldato
- Joined
- 17 Sep 2006
- Posts
- 4,451
- Location
- Gloucestershire
I'm not finding that. Ive had a few bits lately. I tend to go for the 'Pro Team' stuff as I prefer the fit. Both the winter bits and summer bits seem high quality and I've not had any issues.