Road Cycling Essentials

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Another weird incident on the commute home tonight. A lad in his early 20s driving a black Clio (you know the type) passed me rather aggressively (high revs, quick swerve). Then I caught up with him about 3 miles down the road when I was stopped at a crossroads. He was coming over the crossroad towards me, slowed down, beeped, then stuck his middle finger up at me as he drove past. What a tool.
 
physichull said:
Another weird incident on the commute home tonight. A lad in his early 20s driving a black Clio (you know the type) passed me rather aggressively (high revs, quick swerve). Then I caught up with him about 3 miles down the road when I was stopped at a crossroads. He was coming over the crossroad towards me, slowed down, beeped, then stuck his middle finger up at me as he drove past. What a tool.
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ignore lol :)

I hit a pedestrian quite hard on Sunday.. was probably doing 29mph before slamming into a turdarse who thought it was a good idea to cross the road.. with his family.. during red.. without looking!

still have a bump on my forehead from that!
 
Shamrock said:
I've got Speedplay Zero stainless pedals (£140) on my Rose and Shimano M520s (£15) on my other two bikes. I don't really notice any benefit from the Speedplays except being a tiny bit lighter (due to lighter wallet!), looking more aesthetically pleasing on the bike and road shoes being better looking than MTB shoes.

I've ridden 2 centuries on the M520s and plenty of 60mi+ rides and never felt uncomfortable or that my power transfer was lacking.
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Dunno how you have your speed plays setup but I love the fact I have zero float on mine, also makes it far easier unclipping!
 
grudas said:
ignore lol :)

I hit a pedestrian quite hard on Sunday.. was probably doing 29mph before slamming into a turdarse who thought it was a good idea to cross the road.. with his family.. during red.. without looking!

still have a bump on my forehead from that!
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Had a couple of people trying doing this to me, so far they've noticed and jumped back onto the pavement. Apart from one woman, who looked right at me from the other side of the ride, saw me approaching, and then started to slowly cross the road. Wasn't sure if she was going to stop in the middle as she had clearly seen me, ended up swerving around her onto the other side of the road incase she decided to just walk in front of me.

As soon as people see cyclist, they seem to just think 'doesn't matter'.

Think I'm beginning to see the reason for america and its jaywalking laws, pedestrians are stupid.
 
Late to the start of tonight's group ride and everyone had already left. Did the route solo anyway but struggled a bit. Now at 750km for February.

Long ride planned for Saturday so should be at 1000km by the end of the week.
 
I think I've developed a nasal spray dependence.:(

I didn't realise that I'd been treating my congested nose for the last 2 months with a spray and now I'm reliant on one to breath normally!

Luckily it doesn't affect my cycling as I can breath okay in the cold air. I'm going to go cold turkey for a week then if there isn't improvement seek a doc.
 
Shamrock said:
I think I've developed a nasal spray dependence.:(

I didn't realise that I'd been treating my congested nose for the last 2 months with a spray and now I'm reliant on one to breath normally!

Luckily it doesn't affect my cycling as I can breath okay in the cold air. I'm going to go cold turkey for a week then if there isn't improvement seek a doc.
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Sadly this is a real thing that can happen. It will take quite some time to return to normal breathing - you just need to hold on and resist using the spray at all again.

I have dodgy breathing (especially at night) and the Sudafed/whatever spray I used had this effect. I have broken away from it now but I've got a general steroid spray to use at night from the doctor. Apparently doesn't have the same dependency-inducing effects...
 
Shamrock said:
I think I've developed a nasal spray dependence.:(

I didn't realise that I'd been treating my congested nose for the last 2 months with a spray and now I'm reliant on one to breath normally!

Luckily it doesn't affect my cycling as I can breath okay in the cold air. I'm going to go cold turkey for a week then if there isn't improvement seek a doc.
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If it's a steroid based spray you're only supposed to use it for a month continually as it will eventually thin the lining of your nose and permanently destroy your sense of smell.
 
Realised I was being hasty last night.

You can buy a new lock ring from Rotor USA (at least) for $18 which although it's pretty dear, its a damn sight cheaper than a new set of cranks!

I don't think I even need it as my cranks have no play in them and it looks to be wound all the way out, but I'll order a new one anyway. And when it says 1.2nm be very very careful this time.


Rode with the morning bunch today which was pretty easy going, when I was on the front I upped the pace a bit which had a few people shouting. I want to ride fairly hard not just roll around and chat about coffee. Did 45km, but didn't really feel it, only 160w average power! So I did another 30 minutes on the rollers after work, stuck them on level 2 to see how tough they were. Averaged 260w for 30 minutes which is more like it, sweating like a mad man, 100% humidity and low 20s this afternoon.

Apparently the Friday bunch is a bit more of a smasher so I'll get up and see what it's like.
 
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I have the same issues with club rides Berger, I want to get involved with racing but I don't want to spend 3 hours riding 30mi on a weekday evening or 8 hours riding 80mi on a weekend. I get it's a social thing for a lot of people but it's just not an efficient use of time for me either as training or around other commitments.
 
The clubs I'm in have different rides so they pretty much cater for anyone.

I've found myself in a small group of cycling friends who like to go out and train hard. Lucky really because I think I've come on loads since riding with them.

P.s commute this morning took me over 11,000 miles recorded on Strava (3k in 2012, 6.7k in 2013 and 1.3k 2014)
 
One More Solo said:
I have the same issues with club rides Berger, I want to get involved with racing but I don't want to spend 3 hours riding 30mi on a weekday evening or 8 hours riding 80mi on a weekend. I get it's a social thing for a lot of people but it's just not an efficient use of time for me either as training or around other commitments.
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Ok I said slow, average moving speed of 30.2kmh. Bit of stopping for people who dropped off when we smashed up some pinches.

Some do the guys in the group could easily go along quick enough to almost drop me so it's a bit annoying as I have limited training time. Will just bear it in mind for future, see how Fridays ride is, starts 15 mins earlier so should do more distance and be quicker..

Emailed rotor and rotor USA as well as Paul Hewitt cycles in Leyland to try and get a new locking nut as I had a query over the size.

UK site doesn't list size, but USA shows a 2 and a 2.5mm bolt on the lock ring, mine was a 2.5mm but I don't know if there is any difference or if they are interchangeable.
 
One More Solo said:
I have the same issues with club rides Berger, I want to get involved with racing but I don't want to spend 3 hours riding 30mi on a weekday evening or 8 hours riding 80mi on a weekend. I get it's a social thing for a lot of people but it's just not an efficient use of time for me either as training or around other commitments.
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Welcome to my world. With kids at home I can't head out at 8.30, leave the meeting point at 9.30, stop for coffee and a chat at 11.30, set off again at 12.15, get home at 12.30 and find I've only done 50 miles.
 
Local clubs round here are super serious ones. Sundays tend to be 4/5/6 hours 80/100 milers etc and with a wife & 2 kids, no way can I get 4/5/6 hours to myself. 2 or 3 nights a week training etc.

I wish there was a few more "relax" cycling clubs around here but their isn't anything I can find without about 1 hour each way to just the meeting point!
 
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