30 miles a day, 5 days a week.
I have carbs before going to work, carbs and a protein shake at work, and protein/carb snacks throughout the day.
Road Cycling Essentials
- Thread starter Matutu
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I have carbs before going to work, carbs and a protein shake at work, and protein/carb snacks throughout the day.
Caporegime
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That's how I treat my commute, at least on my way back. I basically sprint up the hills (there are quite a few) and use the flat bit for recovery. Over 6 miles / 20 minutes it's the perfect cardio workout for me.
I try my best to 'give it the beans' on my commute. I average between 16 and 18 mins for 4 miles (with short steep hills throughout, a busy junction and 4 busy roundabouts to slow me down) however this is on a CX bike which is obviously heavier than a road bike and currently running chunky tyres. Hopefully my time will drop in the summer when i switch to slicks.
It is true though, i'm always tired when i arrive at work/home so even though (by the standards of this forum) i go quite slowly i am putting some serious effort in. As a result of this the fat has just dropped off of me in the past three months of cycling that i've done and my legs have become stupidly chunky.
The furthest i've pushed myself is 16 miles, but i did that with relative ease (the first two miles were actually the hardest, after that the bike just seemed to move itself). I would like to start going further, rack a few 30 mile rides under my belt, but i honestly wouldn't know where to go and i'd likely get lost!
I've been advised to try cycling clubs by several people, while i will give them a go I feel i'll probably get laughed at for taking a CX bike to a road race.
Ive asked Ribble how long it takes them to build a bike...10 to 15 days 
If I would kew it would be so long I would have done it myself and just bought parts
anyhow...ordered monay...maybe before of next week it will be here..until then - bus
If I would kew it would be so long I would have done it myself and just bought parts
anyhow...ordered monay...maybe before of next week it will be here..until then - bus
Caporegime
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10-15 doesn't seem that long. When will they post it is what you should be worried about 
.
Having it built is nice unless you have a fair amount of technical knowledge. For example I wouldn't know how to adjust the gears etc.
.Having it built is nice unless you have a fair amount of technical knowledge. For example I wouldn't know how to adjust the gears etc.
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Soldato
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- 10 Nov 2003
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- Surrey, by the river
10-15 days may also be incorrect.
Ribble save money in extraneous parts of the business to bring you the best deals. Some of those parts where they save money are customer service, build and dispatch quality control.
Most folks find their builds are late and there is frequently something missing.
I'd prepare yourself for a four week wait, though that is worst case.
Ribble save money in extraneous parts of the business to bring you the best deals. Some of those parts where they save money are customer service, build and dispatch quality control.
Most folks find their builds are late and there is frequently something missing.
I'd prepare yourself for a four week wait, though that is worst case.
Completely forgot to mention it but i've got another problem! (Typical)
When i switch up to one of the smallest gears on my rear cassette it sometimes slips off onto another random gear, especially in the wet. The bike it only two months old so am i right in thinking it might be something to do with cable tension? Have looked at a few videos and adjusting the rear gear looks quite terrifying!
When i switch up to one of the smallest gears on my rear cassette it sometimes slips off onto another random gear, especially in the wet. The bike it only two months old so am i right in thinking it might be something to do with cable tension? Have looked at a few videos and adjusting the rear gear looks quite terrifying!
I don't commute but I'm doing 30 mile per day 5 days a week with a longer ride on the weekend and like you I have just ordered a new bike
Yep, most likely cable tension. New cables will stretch in the first few months of their life, so will need to be adjusted. If you got it from a bike shop they will probably offer a free service for this sort of thing. If not, follow this guide to do it yourself. It can take a bit of time to get the alignment right if its your first time, but it's not too difficult to do.
Soldato
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Go further! You'll be surprised how far you can go with food and water. You just need to work out a loop on Google Maps beforehand that's easy and without too many turns, and then just take your phone for GPS in case you get lost.
You could always find a Sustrans route and just got back and forth along that. At least you won't get lost!
My commute is a mere 8.5 mile round trip, however I've started using the trainer in the evening, so my daily total is slowly creeping up again. I'll be doing 15 miles on the trainer for the next couple of weeks, then I'll take it up to 20 miles for a month, by which time we should have enough daylight for me to do it on a real bike. I started getting out on Sunday mornings again, and I'm slowly building up the distances again. I got up to 30 miles last week, will be aiming for about 40 this week.
On an unrelated subject, I've noticed that the padding in my shorts is almost non-existent now, so I figure it's time to replace them with bib shorts. So far I've been buying dhb stuff which seems okay, but I'm wondering if it's worth going for something a bit better, like Castelli. Would you guys say it's worthwhile?
On an unrelated subject, I've noticed that the padding in my shorts is almost non-existent now, so I figure it's time to replace them with bib shorts. So far I've been buying dhb stuff which seems okay, but I'm wondering if it's worth going for something a bit better, like Castelli. Would you guys say it's worthwhile?
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I dont have any dhb shorts but all the other dhb stuff i have is pretty good.
My favourite shorts at the moment are Giordana. I have a pair of castelli as well and they are very comfortable but they are a bit short. The giordanas reach down to just above my knee whereas the castelli ends mid-thigh (it's not like they are the wrong size either, as they fit perfectly otherwise).
I would recommend Giordana, Nalini, Craft and Castelli (with the above in mind).
Also, assos or rapha if you have far too much money.
Soldato
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I can't get on with Castelli. They should be great but I must just be the wrong shape; in some of their things I'm a small and in others I'm a large.
My favourites are ShuttVR at the moment.
My favourites are ShuttVR at the moment.
Suspended
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- 17 Oct 2011
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Castelli is in the same price bracket as Assos and Rapha. However, in my experience, Castelli and Assos are streets ahead of Rapha in terms of quality and comfort for bib shorts. I've tried the Rapha bibs and they feel cheap to me - very disappointing. Assos bibs are really nice, but the Pergotta X2 pad in Castelli bibs in particular is amazing.
I can recommend the Castelli Body Paint bibs
Virenti Millook:
Frame: Verenti 7046 PBS TB alloy frame with full HM 3K SL Carbon Rear-Stays
Fork: Verenti Full HM integrated monocoque with 1 1/8" steerer
Chainset: Truvativ Elita compact 50-34, black
Chain: SRAM
Front Mech: SRAM Rival, braze-on
Rear Mech: SRAM Rival
Levers/Shifters: SRAM Rival
Cassette: SRAM 12-27T
Brakes: Verenti Me2, dual pivot, black
Wheelset: Mavic Askium Black, M10
Tyres: Vittoria Diamante Pro, black
Forme Reflex:
Specification and Features of Reflex Victeur Road Bike
•Frame Forme T7000 12K Carbon
•Fork Forme T7000 12K Carbon
•Components Shimano 105 53x39 Chainset, Shimano 105 Groupset and Brake Callipers
•Wheels One23 SL Rim/Lightweight Anodized Sealed Bearing 32H Hub
Cube Agree:
Frame:GTC Monocoque Advanced Twin Mold Technology
Fork:Easton EC70 SL CNT Carbon 1 1/8" - 1 1/2"
Chainset:Shimano FC-R600 2-Piece Compact 50x34T, Press-fit BB
Cassette:Shimano 105 CS-5700 11-28T, 10-speed
Chain:Shimano 105 CN-5701 106 links
Front derailleur:Shimano 105 FD-5700BL double, clamp 34.9mm
Rear Derailleur:Shimano Ultegra RD 6700SS
Front Tyre:Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 23x622
Rear Tyre:Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 23x622
Wheelset : Easton EA30 Custom
Associate
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- 2 Apr 2009
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- Cork, Ireland
I've the 2011 Agree GTC. Great bike. I used to struggle to try and keep up with my friend on his Trek 1.2 at the start of the summer when riding my old hybrid. Since I got the Agree he can't keep up at all - usually ends up as a panting, wheezing heap collapsed at the side of the road after a spin with me on the Agree and him on the Trek!
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