Road Cycling Essentials

booyaka · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:12

Got to say Trainerroad is well worth the price. It's got so many programs/rides etc in there and it's very good/accurate with a ANT+ dongle - feel much more like your "training" than churning away watching a sufferfest video.

I stuck on a movie in the background but had trainerroad on the bottom of the screen and did a quick 40 mins before dinner tonight.

http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/1558928

physichull · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:14

Pretty useful website/link for useful road cycling advice. Just another that I add to my list of sites that I read and check up on on a daily basis:

http://roadcyclinguk.com/

As with hobbies, cycling is now my main hobby. It used to be playing the guitar (another expensive hobby, why are all the good ones expensive and require expensive toys??!?

). Last year I have considered as my introductory year to road cycling so this is the year I want to start taking it to the next level a bit more. Not sure what her indoors is going to say about it. If she doesn't let me go on club rides on the weekend I can always engineer an argument or something! Haha!

Agree with Calpol about aspects of road cycling, every commute helps me alleviate stress and anxiety and all the club rides (scary at first) are a great way to meet like minded people and make new friends. In a modern living environment it can often be difficult to make friends outside of work, so the club cycle rides bring it together a bit.

That's a big plus for my cycle club (North Cheshire Clarion), its not like Manchester Wheelers (from what I hear) where social rides are just proposed on a whim or like Wigan CC where 99% of them are in it for competition and the only club activities are races or TTs. North Cheshire Clarion organise intro rides for newbies and beginners, extending out to around 45 miles on the longest ride to get fitness levels up and learn bunch etiquette. They then offer both Saturday and Sunday long social club rides which are the main events. They even have a strong junior session with qualified coaches who run track and turbo sessions. The forums are lively and ride schedules are always posted there along with a whole multitude of different topics.

Anyone else's cycle club mirror this?

Going to Cali · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:43

Any recipes for an easy to make ride snack? Went out on a hard ride with Shamrock and hit the wall after 60 miles (4000ft ascent, mind). Thinking something with peanuts, raisins, oats, honey, chocolate chips. What we got?

SoliD · 26 Jan 2015 at 20:54

Going to Cali said:
Any recipes for an easy to make ride snack? Went out on a hard ride with Shamrock and hit the wall after 60 miles (4000ft ascent, mind). Thinking something with peanuts, raisins, oats, honey, chocolate chips. What we got?

I like these.

http://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/honey-peanut-butter-booster-bars/

FrenchTart · 26 Jan 2015 at 21:13

physichull said:
Pretty useful website/link for useful road cycling advice. Just another that I add to my list of sites that I read and check up on on a daily basis:

http://roadcyclinguk.com/

As with hobbies, cycling is now my main hobby. It used to be playing the guitar (another expensive hobby, why are all the good ones expensive and require expensive toys??!? ). Last year I have considered as my introductory year to road cycling so this is the year I want to start taking it to the next level a bit more. Not sure what her indoors is going to say about it. If she doesn't let me go on club rides on the weekend I can always engineer an argument or something! Haha!

Agree with Calpol about aspects of road cycling, every commute helps me alleviate stress and anxiety and all the club rides (scary at first) are a great way to meet like minded people and make new friends. In a modern living environment it can often be difficult to make friends outside of work, so the club cycle rides bring it together a bit.

That's a big plus for my cycle club (North Cheshire Clarion), its not like Manchester Wheelers (from what I hear) where social rides are just proposed on a whim or like Wigan CC where 99% of them are in it for competition and the only club activities are races or TTs. North Cheshire Clarion organise intro rides for newbies and beginners, extending out to around 45 miles on the longest ride to get fitness levels up and learn bunch etiquette. They then offer both Saturday and Sunday long social club rides which are the main events. They even have a strong junior session with qualified coaches who run track and turbo sessions. The forums are lively and ride schedules are always posted there along with a whole multitude of different topics.

Anyone else's cycle club mirror this?

That actually does fit in with my experience of Manchester Wheelers so far. I really enjoyed my ride with NCC and also with Chorlton Velo (despite their slightly dubious reputation). I might have to see if I can do some more CV rides. NCC was great but it's just too far away really.

One More Solo · 26 Jan 2015 at 21:46

The lack of club rides with Manchester Wheelers is a bit of a weird one, a couple of years ago when I first looked at joining there used to be a ride almost every day of the week. I know the committee have looked at ways to improve the ride list but I guess it just comes down to demand. The track/time trial side of the club is brilliant though.

FrenchTart · 26 Jan 2015 at 22:00

One More Solo said:
The lack of club rides with Manchester Wheelers is a bit of a weird one, a couple of years ago when I first looked at joining there used to be a ride almost every day of the week. I know the committee have looked at ways to improve the ride list but I guess it just comes down to demand. The track/time trial side of the club is brilliant though.

I'm interested in trying TT stuff but it's tough to 'break' into it. At least from a new person's perspective.

I'm also running into issues with balancing good training with more social riding...

One More Solo · 26 Jan 2015 at 22:15

FrenchTart said:
I'm interested in trying TT stuff but it's tough to 'break' into it. At least from a new person's perspective.

I'm also running into issues with balancing good training with more social riding...

Turn up, pay your £3 and ride up and down the road. It's easy as it gets to get into it. I'll give you a shout when I'm riding when TT season starts again.

FrenchTart · 26 Jan 2015 at 22:27

One More Solo said:
Turn up, pay your £3 and ride up and down the road. It's easy as it gets to get into it. I'll give you a shout when I'm riding when TT season starts again.

That does sound more simple than I was imagining

Please do give me a shout as I'm sure I'll be more motivated with a familiar (forum) face.

SoliD · 26 Jan 2015 at 22:29

One More Solo said:
Turn up, pay your £3 and ride up and down the road. It's easy as it gets to get into it. I'll give you a shout when I'm riding when TT season starts again.

3 quid bargain! Ours are all 4 minimum!

FrenchTart · 26 Jan 2015 at 22:33

SoliD said:
3 quid bargain! Ours are all 4 minimum!

We're 'oop north. Generally if you can't pay for something with a lump of coal it's regarded as all fancy, like.

Amps · 26 Jan 2015 at 22:44

Just booked up Majorca for a week in april. Going with a random from the office that i dont really know and 13 of his cycling club friends who i have never met. Very out of character for me but looking forward to it. Now just need to find a reasonable bike box.

ShiWarrior · 26 Jan 2015 at 22:49

our Club TT's are through the summer, Tuesday evenings, anyone can do it, but our club takes priority as its run by us
pay about 3 quid and they time you

Tonester0011 · 26 Jan 2015 at 23:01

Amps said:
Just booked up Majorca for a week in april. Going with a random from the office that i dont really know and 13 of his cycling club friends who i have never met. Very out of character for me but looking forward to it. Now just need to find a reasonable bike box.

I was working there earlier this month, so many cyclists!!!
Was making me all warm and fuzzy, me sitting there eating my egg and bacon

Roady · 26 Jan 2015 at 23:20

Almost forgot to post, after my manic Sunday (so busy only managed 20mins on turbo) and then commuting this morning carrying my weeks worth of gear and other bits (extra 5kg, felt about 10!) I realised I have the dentist tomorrow so can't cycle to work... :rolleyes:

Gave me a perfect excuse to hammer it home to see if the training is paying off!

First part (Kings Acre) was great, really impressed by my effort! Then I hit the dreaded traffic :rolleyes:

- put in a big effort just before home and see my HR hit 190 - the highest i've measured so far! (Previous was 186!). Now if only I can maintain some of those speeds...

Tonester0011 · 26 Jan 2015 at 23:25

What HR monitors do you use?
I've decided to get back into cycling, buying a new bike etc to get the feels right rather than use my old one

touch · 27 Jan 2015 at 01:31

Amps said:
Just booked up Majorca for a week in april. Going with a random from the office that i dont really know and 13 of his cycling club friends who i have never met. Very out of character for me but looking forward to it. Now just need to find a reasonable bike box.

What club are you going with?
I'm also going there for a week in April (1st week)

Thomas. PLease. · 27 Jan 2015 at 06:32

Tonester0011 said:
What HR monitors do you use?
I've decided to get back into cycling, buying a new bike etc to get the feels right rather than use my old one

Garmin pod with a polar soft strap has always worked best for me. Garmin straps tend to go wrong pretty quick.

Roady · 27 Jan 2015 at 08:39

booyaka said:
Got to say Trainerroad is well worth the price. It's got so many programs/rides etc in there and it's very good/accurate with a ANT+ dongle - feel much more like your "training" than churning away watching a sufferfest video.

I stuck on a movie in the background but had trainerroad on the bottom of the screen and did a quick 40 mins before dinner tonight.

http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/1558928

I'm looking forward to starting it, hopefully this weekend!

physichull said:
the club rides (scary at first) are a great way to meet like minded people and make new friends. In a modern living environment it can often be difficult to make friends outside of work, so the club cycle rides bring it together a bit.

This is why I need to get into a club for the social side of it - I have a couple of guys I know (and a neighbour) I'm hoping to get out with this year too (now I feel I won't be a burden!).

Amps said:
Just booked up Majorca for a week in april. Going with a random from the office that i dont really know and 13 of his cycling club friends who i have never met. Very out of character for me but looking forward to it. Now just need to find a reasonable bike box.

I'd get out for some rides with them first to make sure you're happy with them and their riding! Wouldn't be much fun going with some pro's and getting dropped every hill and you'd have time before April to increase fitness (if required)

Still, sounds like it'll be a good laugh!

We're looking at Rhodes for our summer holiday, the hotel mentions 'local bike hire' (dubious) but then talks about all different types of bikes you can hire... Including Road bikes, MTB, Tourers etc so fingers crossed I'll be able to get out for some decent rides while over there

Tonester0011 said:
What HR monitors do you use?
I've decided to get back into cycling, buying a new bike etc to get the feels right rather than use my old one

Thomas. PLease. said:
Garmin pod with a polar soft strap has always worked best for me. Garmin straps tend to go wrong pretty quick.

Went with the Wahoo TICKR after hearing about Garmin strap probs - I also wanted a HRM with a replaceable battery (CR2032). It's worked perfectly on my evolution from iPhone->S5->Garmin as it's BTLE & ANT+ compatible. :cool:

topgun06 · 27 Jan 2015 at 09:21

Amps said:
Just booked up Majorca for a week in april. Going with a random from the office that i dont really know and 13 of his cycling club friends who i have never met. Very out of character for me but looking forward to it. Now just need to find a reasonable bike box.

Someone else booked up I see!! Awesome!

Should be meeting up with the cycling buds later this week to sort out our plans for Majorca.