Finally got out and did the loop I've worked towards for most of furlough to take in some climbs I utterly died on in a Sportive 4 years ago.
https://strava.app.link/4vSm2aZIm7
Used it as a bit of a kick back into things after the last couple of weeks of reduction and loss of willpower. Really enjoyed it and riding really rested meant I was able to be happy with my times on the climbs and enjoy the scenery and quiet roads. Once over the border at Painscastle and again when I got back there 1.5 hours later I'd only seen 3 or 4 cars on the roads. Saw more walkers, horses, sheep and squirrels than cars. Hundreds of squirrels!
Heavens opened on the top of Rhulen as I reached the top of the big climb, above the tree line so no shelter. Couple of pictures from on the way up and one from the walking spot/map at the top after the first downpour. Another downpour just before I started the descent and then another on the way down. My Castelli Tempesta jacket worked well but without guards I got soaked. Chamois and shoes still damp when I got home (racing to beat 4th downpour, did by 10-15 mins) 1.5 hours later.
My weight is pretty consistent, but I've gained a kilo or two since last year when I was really screwing up my nutrition and think I was losing muscle mass as a result. I certainly feel more powerful now, just have to ignore the number on the scales and accept it means very little in a performance context.
I'm finding similar but without the riding and structure you have buddy. The last few years my winter weight has creeped up towards 80kg and my summer weight I'd continued to chase 75kg but usually a bit over. Last year don't think I got much below 76 for very long and even now after a bunch more riding have not seen below 77kg, yet I'm feeling far stronger on the bike than I have for the last couple of years/summers. The times I'm putting into hilly segments I regular ride are good, even a few PR's. I'm seeing good sustained power numbers but even with that don't feel I have my climbing legs very much yet. But that in itself gives me something to 'chase' and work towards rather than my FTP or weight...
Terrible two's here also. Every single thing is a fight/compromise/argument. No matter how trivial or part of routine/normality it is, he will decide he wants to have a drama about it. He's back to childminder as of Wednesday next week for 2 days a week and whilst I love having so much time with him I am genuinely looking forward to it. I'll actually get some work done (working from home full time) and he will get to socialise and play with his mates which will keep his brain and body going rather than being stuck inside with mum and dad all day.
Haha I can so-so relate. We had a 45 minute meltdown because some batter had fallen off a fish finger. It was 'broken' and as we couldn't fix it, cue meltdown. Actually left him on the floor bawling for 20 minutes as we'd totally exhausted everything at that point. Sure enough once he'd got over himself (probably eventually realised we'd left the room) he came found mummy for a cuddle, 5 minutes later all fish fingers and dinner finished, smiles and happy boy again. WTF. He'll have moments of a strop building, bottom lip comes out, but you tell him to not be silly and he's all ok (but not when tired!). Other times you explain things and he's totally ok. But just not every time!
Glad all is going well with number 2. I've loved the time with mine and really do feel like he and I have bonded much more as a result of it. Laura returning to work in the Office the last 2 weeks (3 days a week) has really strengthened it more. Made it more obvious maybe than I realised when she was working from home. Although equally I can't fathom what looking after 1, 2 or several kids all day every day would do to my sanity. I'm sure I'd have none!
I’d buy a P2M if I didn’t need pedals (weird crank on my TT bike), but all pedal powermeters seem flawed in some way.
Going from the chainring (Powertap C1) to switching BB & cranks to Shimano R8000 to run this 4iiii Precision has worked wonders for me. Zero issues, rock solid reliability and that feeling of something which 'just works' is superb. The C1 was good and generally reliable, but had the odd quirk with it. Nothing with the 4iiii. Have to remind myself to calibrate it and probably only do it every 8-10 weeks.
So I'd advise a crank arm option to anyone, even changing BB & cranks as I did. I shaved off close to 1kg by doing so and the Wheelsmfg BB is superb. Zero issues with ingress like the Praxis it replaced.
Bike 2 work is also starting up next week so contemplating just getting something with that. But just no idea what. Think the dream would be system six but if not a carbon road with discs as all my wheels would then fit it, not full aero but not full on Endurance, Emonda/tarmac/ultimate style thing with di2.
Good to hear and I'd be the same mindset as you by using b2w for it. Might find some great deals this autumn on new, there's been huge demand and not heard of many problems about factories/production only supply lines affected. So maybe some brands will ramp up production... Only to have lots of frames left as people back at work stops the demand. Not to mention the second hand market flooded with 2020 bikes bought for furlough and then sold... That's what I'm holding out for.
Can't go wrong with SystemSix, Emonda, Tarmac, Ultimate with di2. Basically the ranges I'm looking at with probably the TCR in there and if spending that on a new Tarmac I'd go for the Venge. There's not meant to be much between them. The TCR and Propel there's more of a difference. The TCR is meant to be a much better all round bike. Any news on Canyon and the new Aeroad yet?
Sportful and DHB ranges seem to have a few different options. I’m 5ft 10” and 79kg for sizing purposes. Cheers.
Depending on torso that will be borderline Medium and Large in Sportful. I'd steer towards Large as at least then you can wear it over pockets rammed full of food etc. Probably a medium in DHB. I like my Sportful kit (shorts, jerseys, warmers, winter jackets etc) I don't own any of their jackets as I tend to go for jerseys. Fiandre range is superb. The Jackets I own I've always been happy with the DHB's offerings I have (own 2 commuter and an EQ2.5). Would size a medium in them as comparable to a Large in Sportful.
I'd go Quarq or P2M myself but I don't have £1200 to buy for my race and TT bikes. Then I wouldn't have power all winter either on the winter bike. So yeah, £1200 for what, 4 months? of power data outside on those bikes in this silly weather country? It's silly.
Cost up what changing BB's (£40), cranks (£150) and a crank based is (£200-300) in comparison. Also quite easy to swap a 5800/6800/r7000/r8000 crank arm between bikes/seasons to avoid buying 2 Stages/4iiii etc.
You win the competition for longest link.
Great to see you back out riding and enjoying it buddy. Also helps to be in a different area - less chance of coming across your old times on segments!
Got a week off, sure enough it’s thunder storming.... same as last time I had a week off in April it was the only week which rained.
I did just over 3 hours in the warm this morning, got a few spots on the way home and threw the bike in the shed for it to start hammering down when I got in the door
Haha unlucky with the week! Gutted! Still it looks more like showers broken up by sunshine rather than constant rain so fingers crossed for you!
Great when the race home results in missing a soaking! Even when youve had some a few hours before...
worried now the insurers will give me a wheelies voucher for the sum, as they originally offered cash plus a voucher for the helmet. will see what's what when they get back to me. Hoping the lack of mediums bikes about will force them up a bit.
Wheelies do have some ok brands on there If I recall so not the end of the word. Fingers crossed they just write you a cheque for the full amount and call it that. Claiming anything for personal injury/time off work, or not bothered/something they do without another party involved?
Best gear cable ferrules and where from?
Does anyone sell the metal ferrules that come fused onto a cable end for R7000/R8000 derailleurs?
I'm using some cheap ends, bought a pack of 100 or something several years and had no issues with them. Most Lifeline/Shimano gear cables come with ends too.
Not aware anyone does the 'pull' ends. With the faff in something reliable/melting metal involved they're probably far more expensive than just buying a new cable so no market for them.
Potential cyber attack at Wiggle. I've just changed password and removed credit cards just in case.
https://road.cc/content/news/wiggle-investigating-suspected-cyber-attack-274553
Thanks for this, reset mine & pulled cards. Tend to use PayPal through all online purchases now when possible anyway (can use AMEX through it and gain Nectar points!).
