Looking into doing this but just going on my own doing the taster sessions. only 30 miles away.
Road Cycling Essentials
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Looking into doing this but just going on my own doing the taster sessions. only 30 miles away.
Cheers for the replies, quite insightful.
I think you're right there. I need a new jacket anyway, so I'll try and find one that is stylish enough to be worn off the bike too.
I see what you are saying. I might check out those trousers but honestly, unless I'm cycling in winter, I don't think I really need a big jacket at the moment. I just want enough to keep me dry and warm so I can keep cycling - I don't want my tour to be cut short by bad weather or anything.
I've looked at the Pocket Rocket too before, so it's interesting to hear your comments about breathability.
I like the look of that Montane jacket, let me know what it is like after you take it out. It's probably something I can wear off the bike too - it might be a bit expensive, but like Robbie said, I need something that can handle potentially (hopefully not) a few days of rain abuse.
£190?!?!! I think I'll pass for now!
I've always wanted to try riding in a velodrome, might have to do a google search and see if there are any in the South East. Good exercise and looks quite fun too!
I think you're right there. I need a new jacket anyway, so I'll try and find one that is stylish enough to be worn off the bike too.
I see what you are saying. I might check out those trousers but honestly, unless I'm cycling in winter, I don't think I really need a big jacket at the moment. I just want enough to keep me dry and warm so I can keep cycling - I don't want my tour to be cut short by bad weather or anything.
I've looked at the Pocket Rocket too before, so it's interesting to hear your comments about breathability.
I like the look of that Montane jacket, let me know what it is like after you take it out. It's probably something I can wear off the bike too - it might be a bit expensive, but like Robbie said, I need something that can handle potentially (hopefully not) a few days of rain abuse.
I have a Rapha Rain Jacket. Very nice it is too!
£190?!?!! I think I'll pass for now!
I've always wanted to try riding in a velodrome, might have to do a google search and see if there are any in the South East. Good exercise and looks quite fun too!
Last edited:
Caporegime
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Sagalout that looks great. Were the coaches military style ballbusters or were they fairly easy-going? The bloke at the top in the black top in the third pic must have vertigo, it looks incredibly steep!
A bit of both - very easy to talk to but put you through your paces at the same time, although you can drop down and onto the middle anytime you want. In the scratch race at the end it was 20 laps getting progressively faster and the group fractured, as the slower ones got lapped they were asked to come in whilst the rest of us redlined to the finish lol.
When I first saw the banking I was pretty intimidated by it - its about 12ft vertically high and 45 degrees. After 5 or 10 laps you start getting used to it though - you just push harder on corners to maintain your line, and everyone was comfy going up and down. The hardest bit to remember, especially after the sprints and TT exercise was not to stop pedaling, which is your natural reaction after going all-out.
Fastest 250M TT from a standing start in our group was about 23 seconds. Apparently Chris Hoy is about 17
Can someone recommend me a decent android cycling app?
I've got a trip conputer but would like to keep track of my routes and have them on my computer and phone.
Will be fitting a holder for my phone on handlebars if I can get one for my Samsung galaxy s2.
I've got a trip conputer but would like to keep track of my routes and have them on my computer and phone.
Will be fitting a holder for my phone on handlebars if I can get one for my Samsung galaxy s2.
Associate
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- 27 Apr 2004
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Google My Tracks. I've used it for 18 months or so now, it's very good. Be warned though, there's a bug with the Galaxy S 2 which means that recorded tracks fail to upload to Google Maps & Docs (the S 2's Google authentication bit is somewhat messed up). I imagine Samsung will fix it in an update soon enough.
Endomondo is another app which does what your looking for. I've been using it for about 5 months now.
![[DOD]Asprilla](/styles/overclockers/avatars/8.png){kind=avatar}
Soldato
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OK, working from home today so time to write a review of the Dragon.....
So, to the beginning. I stayed with mates in Bristol for the weekend, hadn't seen them for a while so there was much wine drunk, late nights and smoking. Not ideal preparations, but I cycle because I enjoy it and I also enjoy seeing friends and all that entails. I'm not going to beat myself up about it.
Left Bristol at 7am for the drive to Pencoed with the instructions saying that you should aim to arrive 45 minutes before you want to start. There were not fixed start times, you just rock up and go with groups of 100 going off at 2 minute intervals. Those doing the 120k were mixed with those doing the 200k. I pulled off the motorway at J35 and the roundabout was jammed with cars carrying bikes; this was going to take a while. Eventually made it to the first car park on the Technology Park round the corner and got parked up, changed and sorted the bike out. On the Friday before I left for Bristol thebikefixer.com dropped my Racing 1s off having trued and retensioned them and serviced the hubs for £20 (top man and highly recommened, especially as he's mobile and does pick-up / drop-off) and I had a new set of Hutchinson Fusion 3 Tubeless on at 100psi. I'd also intended to fit a 12-28 cassette, instead of my 12-25, but it was only when I arrived in Bristol that I realised I'd picked up by 11-23 by mistake, Still, what difference is 3 teeth going to make, eh?
Anyway, I made my way down to the start area about a mile away and found that everyone else had turned up at the same time. In the end I think we queued for an hour before we got to the start gate. The organisers have already stated that next year they are going to get the 200kers away first and then the 120kers. They still don't want to introduce allotted start times as they don't want to separate groups and clubs.
Finally made it though the start and we were off at a decent pace with myself and few others quickly moving to the front and away. Unfortunately, I'd put my waterproof jacket on as it was chilly waiting, and after about 2 miles I was overheating and so stopped to take it off.
The first third or so of the course was along the coast and so was fairly flat and so I trundled on alone at around 30kph for about 20km until a group of about 30 came storming past. I picked up the pace to around 40kph and joined the back and stayed with them (including doing my time at the front) until we reached the bottom of the first ascent of Bwlch. From then on I was back on my own again as the group quickly got strung out.
I've got to say that the hills are different to the ones we have in Surrey. Welsh hills go on for ever, but aren't very steep; I was absolutely fine on a 25 and I think a 28 would actually have been wasted. Most of the climb was nice, just a couple of occasions when the hairpins put you directly into the wind, but the views were good and it was nice to see cyclists as far as the horizon. Stopped for a feed at the top and I was at about 90km in 2hrs 45 which I didn't think was too bad. I did, however, realise that most of this had been pretty flat and now were were in the hills things were going to slow down considerably. The feed station was rammed, but turnover was quick with bananas, apple pies, jam tarts and energy drinks on offer from the kind volunteers from the Rotary Club.
Bit of drizzle at this point and it was certainly a lot colder on the hills than by the coast (durrr) so I put my jacket on and wished I'd been able to find both my arm warmers in the morning rush. Set off down the hill to where the course split and at 65kph my jacket flung open like a parachute which annoying meant I had to stop again.
I won't go on to describe all the ride but the long route went on a loop to the north before returning to climb Bwlch again. The sun came though at times and just after the second ascent the heavens opened and the last 60km were very wet indeed.
I managed to get lost at one point when I latched onto a group I had been chasing only to discover they were Cardiff Ajax CC on their Sunday club ride!! Fortunately one of them pointed it out to me at a set of lights and I was able to turn around before I was too far off course.
Following the last climb I was able to join another group (as well as drafting a bus for 5km) and we finished in storming style, working together to move along at about 40kph. Annoyingly I was dropped at the last roundabout (I chickened out when a car came from the right whilst everyone else charged though) and there was no chance of catching them again.
Some of the climbs had extra timing mats on them so that you can compare your times which I thought was a great idea.
All in all, very, very highly recommended and very well organised. There have been some issues with the timing, but we are assured that everyone has been timed, it's just a question of getting them recovered and on the site, which should be completed by next week.
My Garmin says 7.06 moving, 7.13 total and the results site currently says 6.55. Whichever it is, I'm still happy and will probably be going back next year.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90748981
So, to the beginning. I stayed with mates in Bristol for the weekend, hadn't seen them for a while so there was much wine drunk, late nights and smoking. Not ideal preparations, but I cycle because I enjoy it and I also enjoy seeing friends and all that entails. I'm not going to beat myself up about it.
Left Bristol at 7am for the drive to Pencoed with the instructions saying that you should aim to arrive 45 minutes before you want to start. There were not fixed start times, you just rock up and go with groups of 100 going off at 2 minute intervals. Those doing the 120k were mixed with those doing the 200k. I pulled off the motorway at J35 and the roundabout was jammed with cars carrying bikes; this was going to take a while. Eventually made it to the first car park on the Technology Park round the corner and got parked up, changed and sorted the bike out. On the Friday before I left for Bristol thebikefixer.com dropped my Racing 1s off having trued and retensioned them and serviced the hubs for £20 (top man and highly recommened, especially as he's mobile and does pick-up / drop-off) and I had a new set of Hutchinson Fusion 3 Tubeless on at 100psi. I'd also intended to fit a 12-28 cassette, instead of my 12-25, but it was only when I arrived in Bristol that I realised I'd picked up by 11-23 by mistake, Still, what difference is 3 teeth going to make, eh?
Anyway, I made my way down to the start area about a mile away and found that everyone else had turned up at the same time. In the end I think we queued for an hour before we got to the start gate. The organisers have already stated that next year they are going to get the 200kers away first and then the 120kers. They still don't want to introduce allotted start times as they don't want to separate groups and clubs.
Finally made it though the start and we were off at a decent pace with myself and few others quickly moving to the front and away. Unfortunately, I'd put my waterproof jacket on as it was chilly waiting, and after about 2 miles I was overheating and so stopped to take it off.
The first third or so of the course was along the coast and so was fairly flat and so I trundled on alone at around 30kph for about 20km until a group of about 30 came storming past. I picked up the pace to around 40kph and joined the back and stayed with them (including doing my time at the front) until we reached the bottom of the first ascent of Bwlch. From then on I was back on my own again as the group quickly got strung out.
I've got to say that the hills are different to the ones we have in Surrey. Welsh hills go on for ever, but aren't very steep; I was absolutely fine on a 25 and I think a 28 would actually have been wasted. Most of the climb was nice, just a couple of occasions when the hairpins put you directly into the wind, but the views were good and it was nice to see cyclists as far as the horizon. Stopped for a feed at the top and I was at about 90km in 2hrs 45 which I didn't think was too bad. I did, however, realise that most of this had been pretty flat and now were were in the hills things were going to slow down considerably. The feed station was rammed, but turnover was quick with bananas, apple pies, jam tarts and energy drinks on offer from the kind volunteers from the Rotary Club.
Bit of drizzle at this point and it was certainly a lot colder on the hills than by the coast (durrr) so I put my jacket on and wished I'd been able to find both my arm warmers in the morning rush. Set off down the hill to where the course split and at 65kph my jacket flung open like a parachute which annoying meant I had to stop again.
I won't go on to describe all the ride but the long route went on a loop to the north before returning to climb Bwlch again. The sun came though at times and just after the second ascent the heavens opened and the last 60km were very wet indeed.
I managed to get lost at one point when I latched onto a group I had been chasing only to discover they were Cardiff Ajax CC on their Sunday club ride!! Fortunately one of them pointed it out to me at a set of lights and I was able to turn around before I was too far off course.
Following the last climb I was able to join another group (as well as drafting a bus for 5km) and we finished in storming style, working together to move along at about 40kph. Annoyingly I was dropped at the last roundabout (I chickened out when a car came from the right whilst everyone else charged though) and there was no chance of catching them again.
Some of the climbs had extra timing mats on them so that you can compare your times which I thought was a great idea.
All in all, very, very highly recommended and very well organised. There have been some issues with the timing, but we are assured that everyone has been timed, it's just a question of getting them recovered and on the site, which should be completed by next week.
My Garmin says 7.06 moving, 7.13 total and the results site currently says 6.55. Whichever it is, I'm still happy and will probably be going back next year.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90748981
Soldato
- Joined
- 27 Dec 2005
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- 17,315
- Location
- Bristol
+1 for Endomondo. Best app out there.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 13 May 2003
- Posts
- 34,515
- Location
- Warwickshire
Inner tubes breaking!
My 1.125" tyres arrived for my commuter (Continental Ultra Gatorskin), along with 3 x 1.1 - 1.3" inner tubes.
So last night I set about putting them on...what a nightmare!!
The tyres are absolutely as tight as hell, so much so that I had no choice but to use levers to get them back onto the rim. In the process I managed to destroy 2 / 3 of the inner tubes I've ordered, so it's a trip to Halfords tonight.
My 1.125" tyres arrived for my commuter (Continental Ultra Gatorskin), along with 3 x 1.1 - 1.3" inner tubes.
So last night I set about putting them on...what a nightmare!!
The tyres are absolutely as tight as hell, so much so that I had no choice but to use levers to get them back onto the rim. In the process I managed to destroy 2 / 3 of the inner tubes I've ordered, so it's a trip to Halfords tonight.
Hi guys a mountain biker here so go steady on me 
I'm doing a 100 mile ride in July for charity which will mostly be flat bridleways and roads. I don't really fancy doing it on my mountain bike and would like some advice on a sub £400 road bike. Second hand will be considered as for the price I presume ill be better off buying second hand. I really have no idea on what is a good road bike so advice would be appreciated.
Cheers in advance
Matt
I'm doing a 100 mile ride in July for charity which will mostly be flat bridleways and roads. I don't really fancy doing it on my mountain bike and would like some advice on a sub £400 road bike. Second hand will be considered as for the price I presume ill be better off buying second hand. I really have no idea on what is a good road bike so advice would be appreciated.
Cheers in advance
Matt
Soldato
- Joined
- 10 Nov 2003
- Posts
- 14,034
- Location
- Surrey, by the river
£400 might be pushing it, even for second hand, but I'd try to get a cyclocross bike if I were you. Frame, drivethain and handlebar set-up is the same as a road bike, but they usually have stronger wheels, wider tyres (around 32mm as opposed to 23mm) and canti brakes for coping with mud better.
I only say this because you mentioned bridle paths and road bikes are really only for paved or tarmaced areas. You could use a road bike, but I'd want to put fatter tyres on and road forks simply may not have the clearance required.
PlanetX Uncle John, Specialized Tricross and Kona Jake the Snake are the usual suspects.
I only say this because you mentioned bridle paths and road bikes are really only for paved or tarmaced areas. You could use a road bike, but I'd want to put fatter tyres on and road forks simply may not have the clearance required.
PlanetX Uncle John, Specialized Tricross and Kona Jake the Snake are the usual suspects.
I'm a big fan of Endomondo and do quite a lot of cycling. It's available on Windows Mobile, Android and IOS.
Thanks just downloaded endomondo. Have you guys got a handlebar holder/cradle for your phones when using them as trackers?
Anyway.... here's my new bike. Carrera TDF, nowhere near as good as most peoples bike on here but I'm just looking at cycling as a new hobby as I've knackered my knee so no more football.
Firstly its great to be riding a roadbike. It just effortlessly glide along compared to my Giant mtb that I had been using(obviously).
Fitted some lights to it,got myself a helmet and a hand pump so far.
One noticeable differance is how crashy road bikes are over bad tarmac or grids/manholes. This crashiness transfers directly to my backside which isn't particularly nice the next morning. Are these bikes meant to have such hard saddles or is it my lack of padded shorts?
Anyway here's a pic of my £236
carerra tdf
Will be getting rid of the pedals as soon as I can.
Anyway.... here's my new bike. Carrera TDF, nowhere near as good as most peoples bike on here but I'm just looking at cycling as a new hobby as I've knackered my knee so no more football.
Firstly its great to be riding a roadbike. It just effortlessly glide along compared to my Giant mtb that I had been using(obviously).
Fitted some lights to it,got myself a helmet and a hand pump so far.
One noticeable differance is how crashy road bikes are over bad tarmac or grids/manholes. This crashiness transfers directly to my backside which isn't particularly nice the next morning. Are these bikes meant to have such hard saddles or is it my lack of padded shorts?
Anyway here's a pic of my £236
carerra tdf
Will be getting rid of the pedals as soon as I can.
Soldato
- Joined
- 27 Dec 2005
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- 17,315
- Location
- Bristol
I use a Topeak stem bar to keep my phone and wallet in when riding. Obviously can't see the screen (which would drain battery anyway) but it means I can hear the audio from it which tells me every mile how far I've gone/long I've been riding and how fast the previous mile was.
Tommo, could you repost (or email me) the voucher etc details for getting that? Have a few friends who might be interested.
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Soldato
- Joined
- 10 Nov 2003
- Posts
- 14,034
- Location
- Surrey, by the river
Excellent deal you've got there, congrats.
Unfortunately being a bit crashy is the nature of aluminium; it doesn't absorb vibration or big hits very well and so leaves that job to your backside.
A different saddle might help, but for most road cyclists finding the perfect saddle is like the quest for the holy grail (I've just spent the most I ever have on a saddle and the result is the first one I've found that properly disagrees with me).
Instead, look at some padded shorts and a carbon seat post. If you've got an alu front fork then you might want to look at a carbon stem as well. There are plenty of chinese sellers on ebay selling well regarded carbon at cheap prices.
Keep them, they are really handy for putting your feet on and making the cranks go round....
Ok will have a look at that.
It seems the £25 off voucher code expired on the 7th June.
But the 10% off voucher NUSJUN11 (courtesy of Burned Alive) still works.
If you go through to the halfords site using Topcashback then you will get another 3.03% back. Brings the total down to about £260.
How much are we talking for the seat post or the front forks? Have you got a link to any recommended ebay sellers?
Sorry not trying to be spoon fed its just this is my only port of call to do with bikes.
Not thought about using them for that, They've just been getting in the way on my Flintstones style ride to work!
It seems the £25 off voucher code expired on the 7th June.
But the 10% off voucher NUSJUN11 (courtesy of Burned Alive) still works.
If you go through to the halfords site using Topcashback then you will get another 3.03% back. Brings the total down to about £260.
[DOD]Asprilla;19335235 said:
How much are we talking for the seat post or the front forks? Have you got a link to any recommended ebay sellers?
Sorry not trying to be spoon fed its just this is my only port of call to do with bikes.
[DOD]Asprilla;19335235 said:
Not thought about using them for that, They've just been getting in the way on my Flintstones style ride to work!
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Thanks just downloaded endomondo. Have you guys got a handlebar holder/cradle for your phones when using them as trackers?
Anyway here's a pic of my £236
Will be getting rid of the pedals as soon as I can.
That's a heck of a lot of bike for the price, and it looks nice too. Was it 2nd hand or brand new?
I don't bother with a Cradle for my phone - I have a Cat Eye Velo 8 cycle computer, which can be bought for about £15. I just have my phone in my pocket recording my route, gradients, average speed etc.
You should buy yourself some padded Bibshorts, they make a big difference in cushioning your bottom from the traumas of the road!
You should also head to the excellent http://sheldonbrown.com/ website. This has lots of useful information relating to the maintenance and adjustments of bicycles.
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