Road Cycling Essentials

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ArmoVanBuuren said:
Had a bad couple of weeks. Went to France to cycle the Tour du Mont Blanc. I arrived on Friday 22nd Aug decided to do Col de Forclaz in Annecy as my last training ride. Climbed it fine then began the descent, unfortunately suffered a rear puncture (blowout) on the descent which meant I had no control so I veered headfirst into a rockface at 40mph. I was so lucky in that my helmet took most of the impact (it smashed into two), I had to have 15 stitches in my face and my lower back is really painful but miraculously I suffered no broken bones. I was out cold for 15 minutes after impact and then can remember being lifted into the Ambulance. I then spent 3 days at the hospital having various scans, xrays and observations before being released. Was very impressed withe the french health service and my treatment.

My face then recovered well and is looking much better now, unfortunately my back is still very sore and aching without the super strong painkillers I've been given. So it was a very frustating week in Annecy recovering but not being able to move a great deal so no cycling which is gutting for me as I love the mountains!

Now back in the UK going to see the doctor shortly to get referred to physio so I can actually find out whats wrong with my back and begin the road back to recovery. I also need to get the stitches out of my lip as I've not been able to eat much and have lost a stone in the past 10 days so I'm now a stone underweight which is not good!

So in summary I cannot begin to think how lucky I was and dread to think what would have happened if I was not wearing a helmet, I wouldnt be here!
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Jeeze. Glad you're ok.

And as for being a stone underweight? Much better for climbing!!
 
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ArmoVanBuuren said:
So in summary I cannot begin to think how lucky I was and dread to think what would have happened if I was not wearing a helmet, I wouldnt be here!
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Glad you are okay and hope you make a speedy recovery!

To think, you survived a 40mph off and blow to the head whereas the other week a guy died from a head injury travelling at 15mph!
 
Tried my Castelli arm warmers on yesterday, thought they were far far too big. Turns out it was the knee warmers I had also ordered...
 
FrenchTart said:
I'm *this* close to buying a CycleOps Fluid 2 Turbo Trainer.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycleops-fluid-2-trainer/

Has anyone had any experiences of it and/or a different recommendation? I don't really want to spend much more than this if possible, and I like the idea of a fluid trainer.
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This is a good trainer. In my experience the weakest link with all turbos is the resistance lever and cycleops have good sturdy resistance levers and replacements are easy to get hold of if they do break. Some of the old fluid trainers would suffer from changes in resistance when the fluid heats up but i dont think thats such a problem anymore. I currently have a basic Elite model with magnetic resistance, its OK but the resistance level which clamps the handlebars feels cheap and flimsy.
 
I was under the impression that with a fluid trainer you don't have a resistance adjustment on the machine and that it auto-adjusts depending on the speed you're putting out?

Aside from that, gears are the way to do it, yeah.
 
Dunks said:
Tried my Castelli arm warmers on yesterday, thought they were far far too big. Turns out it was the knee warmers I had also ordered...
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lol.gif
 
4 stages of the Vuelta to watch and I'm back up to speed. SWMBO still giggles every time she hears Valverde jabbering on.
 
sHo0sH said:
I've not tried 3 laps before, but imagine I should just about have enough in the tank. Before I got the new wheels I did a 20:15, so hopefully can bring that under 20 this time.

Grudas, I see a lack of volunteering for this one...
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I'm afraid I'm going to have to back out of this one! Sorry.:o

I've booked myself in for an FTP test on Thursday afternoon and you need to be well rested for it apparently so no riding Thursday morning.:(
 
Shamrock said:
I'm afraid I'm going to have to back out of this one! Sorry.:o

I've booked myself in for an FTP test on Thursday afternoon and you need to be well rested for it apparently so no riding Thursday morning.:(
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I could probably do tomorrow? Would that count as rested?
 
FrenchTart said:
I'm *this* close to buying a CycleOps Fluid 2 Turbo Trainer.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycleops-fluid-2-trainer/

Has anyone had any experiences of it and/or a different recommendation? I don't really want to spend much more than this if possible, and I like the idea of a fluid trainer.
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Look for a 2nd hand Kurt Kinetic Road Machine or Rock n Roll (mark 1 versions, there is a mark 2 but likely too expensive...Road Machine Mark 2 is £270 new, Rock n Roll Mark 2 more).

I got a 2nd hand Road Machine at the weekend for £150 with a Kurt Kinetic front wheel riser (worth ~£20).

Garmin speed sensor and cadence sensor, USB ANT+ stick and all ready for virtual power on Trainerroad.
 
InQ said:
Look for a 2nd hand Kurt Kinetic Road Machine or Rock n Roll (mark 1 versions, there is a mark 2 but likely too expensive...Road Machine Mark 2 is £270 new, Rock n Roll Mark 2 more).

I got a 2nd hand Road Machine at the weekend for £150 with a Kurt Kinetic front wheel riser (worth ~£20).

Garmin speed sensor and cadence sensor, USB ANT+ stick and all ready for virtual power on Trainerroad.
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Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have a look at reviews. I assume they're reasonably better (though obviously cheaper if I get second hand)?
 
I just leave it on for a few mins and it will say that it cant get a gps fix and ask if you want to use it without.

I think it defaults to use speed sensors anyway, if it detects them, because they are more accurate than gps.
 
I guess the only useful counter on an indoor session is average cadence anyway, right?

Well that and power, but I don't have a turbo or a power meter.
 
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