Road Cycling Essentials

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Going to Cali said:
Whilst we're posting results, I did the olympic on Sunday.

My results:
Age bracket: M30-34 (I'm 29 - assume it's based on birthday in year)
Age position: 60
Swim: 00:28:45 - 833 (Did breaststroke the whole way :(, wetsuit was too tight and I probably should have done some swim training)
T1: 00:04:28 - 1463
Cycle: 01:00:28 - 143
T2: 00:04:29 - 3965 (Lost my rack, some guy knocked my shoes!!!)
Run: 00:38:44 - 187
Total time: 02:16:52
Overall position: 217

Have a nagging feeling I should have done much better though, my background in swimming is strong but I completely neglected to do any training, as a result I found I did the first 100m freestyle before my shoulders ran out of juice, weak upper body. My transitions were also dreadful, but that is down to race experience as much as anything I suspect.

Overall, quite pleased with the time and position. Given that I took up cycling in November and running around May then I think my performance was pretty strong in those disciplines, with time in the pool and experience in the event there's massive room for improvement.

Couple of decent photos on the site, but not vain enough to pay £3 a picture. RIP OFF!
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Seriously, that's storming it. You should definitely stick with it if you can put in times like that already.

I spent over 7 minutes in the transition areas which I was quite shocked about, but you've got to bear in mind that you have to run through about 65% of the Excel centre to get to your transition point. And then back out again. It's not like the ITU races on TV that the Brownlees, Gomez etc compete in. I was looking at the elite transition times and they weren't that much faster.

I reckon shave 5-6 minutes off the swim and two minutes off the second transition (because that's how long mine took) and you're getting dangerously close to that 2 hr mark :D

rs1800 said:
What is the benefit of BIB style shorts over normal. Do they tend to fall down?
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You can't go for a pee in bib shorts.
 
It's easy peasy to pee in bib-shorts. Even on my smallest, tightest, most crotch-hugging pair I can double over at the waist and pull the chap out over the top. True enough you look a bit demented peeing in the hunchback stance at the side of the road, but it works. Most of my shorts are a more straightforward stand up straight and pull him up and over. I suppose if you're a monster you could always get access from the bottom.
 
rs1800 said:
Really usefull stuff there. It will take me a while to go through it all and ill prob be back but 2 quick queries.
I just got a trail bike for fitness (I am over weight and unfit) and haven't ridden a bike in years. I used strava for my 1st proper ride tonight which gave time and distance. what would I use a computer for?
Also I was in jeans which maybe were a bit restrictive but im not going for records (I averaged 8mph over 5 miles). Is it worth me getting the lycra stuff?

cheers
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Really if you are not bothered knowing your speed and cadence when out then I wouldn't worry about getting a computer. The reason I got shorts was due to having a road bike I required a little more comfort. Just wear what you are comfortable wearing to be honest! If you don't fancy the lycra look then you could always get some mtb shorts.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-ascent-baggy-mtb-shorts/
 
rs1800 said:
I am 42-44" waist but when I look at sizing for shorts on wiggle it says their biggest size xxl does 100cm=40". Do you think they will be big enough?

and are these ok?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-active-padded-cycling-bib-short/
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I'm a 34" and ordered the XL and they fit fine, dhb are a little on the small size, usually buy L in tops, but this ones a little tighter than most. Could always buy two sizes and at least when you're fitting nicely into the smaller one you know you're on the right track!
 
grudas said:
6bK6x0u.gif


;)
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Haha not too far off..

Everything seems fine but evidently something on the bike ain't right.
 
syke said:
I'm a 34" and ordered the XL and they fit fine, dhb are a little on the small size, usually buy L in tops, but this ones a little tighter than most. Could always buy two sizes and at least when you're fitting nicely into the smaller one you know you're on the right track!
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Dhb on the small size? Try any Italian clothing..
 
Legs feel quite weak after my TT today, put in a 26:18 on the 8.85m course. Slowest time of the day but enjoyed it. The racing will really start next week now I've got a time to beat.

edit: That means I averaged about 20.2mph, brilliant :D Wanted to get over 20

rs1800 said:
I am 42-44" waist but when I look at sizing for shorts on wiggle it says their biggest size xxl does 100cm=40". Do you think they will be big enough?

and are these ok?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-active-padded-cycling-bib-short/
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I've got a large in both aeron and aeron pro bib shorts, waist is around 40" and they fit fine. Think they aeron were a bit see through but that was when I started out and wore shorts over the top. Now I just cycle between 2 pairs of large aeron pro and they are perfect.
 
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mixmasteral21 said:
To be honest it wasn't that bad because it's a very popular climb and there were many other cyclists passing which kept things a bit interesting.

I certainly won't be doing it again in any hurry though!
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The idea of doing repeats like that is oddly tempting to me but nobody else I know seems to be up for it. Could be a fun solo mission/fail/go home sometime though :)
 
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