Road Cycling Essentials

[Roady]

These days my approach is to always plan a stop somewhere to fill up on liquid. Carrying tons of liquid is kind of annoying and if it's summer no matter how much I take with me I'll run out.

There were places on the side of the street in Andorra, natural springs that were safe to drink! Some of them even had plastic bottles you could take/use! Amazing idea (but I guess theres more natural springs in the mountains)

It's a different colour

Well, assuming you mean the 500SE. The 500 has Sora but ti's £430, and for that you can get something similar with a much better frame. The advantage of a carbon fork isn't so much weight as its ability to absorb vibrations. but tbh that's probably a bigger issue from the rear wheel anyway. And steel is good at that too. Just stay away from alu forks (i'm looking at you, base level Allez).

Lol I noticed the colour too

I noticed a little difference going from cheapy heavy alu bike with alu fork to light alu bike with carbon fork. Noticed more of a difference changing 25mm to 23mm tyres...

Saw this on dcrainmaker today and though you chaps might be intrested:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/02/stravaplus-extension-plugin.html

Cool writeup, I'd looked at it when first linked but couldn't see the point - now I can and I'll be adding it, the handly link to flyby, heatmaps and zones are ideal

They must have read your mind.
http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/garmin-gopro-handlebar-mount.htm

Vibration might be a factor though as the Kedge version of it suffers from and increased amount of of it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZftbFqZbws

Legend, ordered 1 so will report back, half the price of the k-edge, free delivery from superstar (and I know how quick their delivery is along with the quality of their components from before)

so it seems that junction/works finally took someones life.. RIP -;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-31531120

I cycle through that every day and it's a hell, not only is it tight the roads are a mess! full of manhole covers, potholes and cars that seem to be on fire.. check out -;


to 12:55...

eh! it's been in that condition for like a year!

That's rubbish, London cyclists being killed hits the news countrywide! None of the deaths around here even reach the national papers, nevermind the news...

Cold commute in this morning, no rain and no ice or wind, but still cold! Took it easy as want to do a good ride tomorrow - semi-recovery but was practicing cadence for the most part (easy last 1/2 of my commute). Quite pleased with myself

 

[topgun06]

On the off chance, does anyone have any experience of staying in the western Palmanova, Portals Nous area of Majorca for cycling? I'm just looking for ideas of places to stay

We're thinking of staying in a different location this year to experience the western Tramuntana.

 

[FishFluff]

I had an actual bike fit done by a professional last night and it's completely transformed my bike. Swapped to a shorter stem which has obviously changed the handling (the stock stem was a boat like 120mm job) and I'm about a million times more comfortable on the drops now. Very chuffed about it.

However, I think I need gloves with some padding now as the hoods aren't as comfortable. Particularly the fleshy bit on the palm of my hand underneath the thumb. Can anyone recommend some padded gloves that won't break the bank? Sub £40 would be great!

 

[Roady]

On the off chance, does anyone have any experience of staying in the western Palmanova, Portals Nous area of Majorca for cycling? I'm just looking for ideas of places to stay

We're thinking of staying in a different location this year to experience the western Tramuntana.

No idea sorry, but are there websites to goto for cycling info/routes/bike hire across europe?

I'm off to Rhodes in June and we'll probably hire bikes for a day or two to get around, hotel does have bikes to hire but no info on types/prices... I'm looking for rough prices and if I can hire a nice road bike for a week for £30-50 I'll prob do that instead and do more riding than if hiring some crappy hotel bike!

I had an actual bike fit done by a professional last night and it's completely transformed my bike. Swapped to a shorter stem which has obviously changed the handling (the stock stem was a boat like 120mm job) and I'm about a million times more comfortable on the drops now. Very chuffed about it.

However, I think I need gloves with some padding now as the hoods aren't as comfortable. Particularly the fleshy bit on the palm of my hand underneath the thumb. Can anyone recommend some padded gloves that won't break the bank? Sub £40 would be great!

A rough bike fit can work wonders, I had a 5 minute one when they built my new bike and it's amazing, so much more comfortable than my old bike which I tweaked over many months to get right (and probably still isn't)

Gloves, short fingered or full? Short: I'm using some cheapy Sugoi ones, but the girlfriend has a pair of these Sportfuls which are good, I've borrowed them a couple of times (benefit of small hands!). Long fingered gloves I'm wearing these Alpinestars and they're great for the money. I have a pair of Castelli prima's which I'm very dissapointed with (I really want to like Castelli gear but the 3 Castelli things I own have all been dissapointing), may try and return them but I got some oil on them... As for thicker/winter gloves I'm wearing some £15 Aldi specials, they're good but I'll probably pick up a pair of the DHB Neoprene, Amberley or Extreme Winter's for next winter (when they're on a 30/40% sale!)

The Altura Night Vision Waterproof are on a good sale at the moment and would be fantastic gloves for the money.

 

[janp]

Little ride from hell last night, was rushing to get to Porsche to get a part for my car so had to go on the hard shoulder of a 4 lane A road at rush hour, then went to go to the hospital to have my infected finger looked at.

On the way and way back, I almost ran over, a bloke who didn't look as he crossed the road, had to put on the anchors, had some idiot in some peugeot swerve towards me then overtake me and chuck on his brakes, and then I almost ran a kid who couldn't have been more than 3 years old, who ran straight out from the pavement and across the road after his parents had plonked him there.... All this in horrendous wind and rain! Joyous!

Which road? I rode on the A27 (4 lanes), coming out of Fareham. Not an experience I'm going to forget any time soon.

I almost ran over two kids last night. Cycling the wrong way down a 3-lane A road, dressed in black with not a single light.

I didn't find the wind too bad, but certainly was a little wet by the time I got home. Let my shoes in the airing cupboard all night, and still soaking wet. Roll on spring

 

[topgun06]

I had an actual bike fit done by a professional last night and it's completely transformed my bike. Swapped to a shorter stem which has obviously changed the handling (the stock stem was a boat like 120mm job) and I'm about a million times more comfortable on the drops now. Very chuffed about it.

Glad it has made a difference. Another positive outcome! This is something I'm interested in getting done.

No idea sorry, but are there websites to goto for cycling info/routes/bike hire across europe?

I'm off to Rhodes in June and we'll probably hire bikes for a day or two to get around, hotel does have bikes to hire but no info on types/prices... I'm looking for rough prices and if I can hire a nice road bike for a week for £30-50 I'll prob do that instead and do more riding than if hiring some crappy hotel bike!

Hummmm. I've not seen anything specific. I guess its just a case of finding a hotel and doing some research on it. That's how we found the one for the past two years. We have a few on the short list anyway

You will probably find something for the upper end of that price range. I'm sure there are plenty of places for hiring.

 

[rnickster]

Speaking of Bike Fits

has anyone used this site

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp

was thinking of it for my g/f and possibly a TT set up for myself.

I've not done any of the measurements yet so no idea if its comprehensive fit guide at the end of it.

Nick

 

[topgun06]

I'd be interested to know if anyone has used that too. I have seen it before but have never given it a try.

 

[FishFluff]

I think it would certainly give you a good starting point. When I had mine done the guy used the software measurements as a base and then made a few tweaks based on experience.

 

[SoliD]

Which road? I rode on the A27 (4 lanes), coming out of Fareham. Not an experience I'm going to forget any time soon.

I almost ran over two kids last night. Cycling the wrong way down a 3-lane A road, dressed in black with not a single light.

I didn't find the wind too bad, but certainly was a little wet by the time I got home. Let my shoes in the airing cupboard all night, and still soaking wet. Roll on spring

Check my strava, but between Eastern Road and Hilsea Turnoffs, wheres the 4 lane section coming out of Fareham?

 

[Dunks]

has anyone used this site

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp

was thinking of it for my g/f and possibly a TT set up for myself.

I've not done any of the measurements yet so no idea if its comprehensive fit guide at the end of it.

Nick

Looks pretty good.

I think I'll give it a go to give me some more specific information to go on for buying my new bike, then get a bike fit afterwards.

 

[Roady]

has anyone used this site

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp

was thinking of it for my g/f and possibly a TT set up for myself.

I think it would certainly give you a good starting point. When I had mine done the guy used the software measurements as a base and then made a few tweaks based on experience.

As mentioned it'll only give you 60% of the fit an experienced fitter will do (if that). A fitter would also look at your mobility and riding style, an online calculator obviously cannot. For basic frame size guidance it's probably ok, but certainly for something like a TT bike I'd look at something more personal/specific.

Hummmm. I've not seen anything specific. I guess its just a case of finding a hotel and doing some research on it. That's how we found the one for the past two years. We have a few on the short list anyway

You will probably find something for the upper end of that price range. I'm sure there are plenty of places for hiring.

Yeah seen loads of places listed for hire with a huge range of prices and bikes, but no real reviews of many of them (except the really expensive bike hire aimed at cycling holiday kinda peeps). Don't want to get ripped off/scammed!

For those of you who complain about not enough hills around Manchester: https://www.strava.com/activities/255329443/overview

 

[topgun06]

For those of you who complain about not enough hills around Manchester: https://www.strava.com/activities/255329443/overview

Yes no one needs to complain about no hills near Manchester. I'd like to more into the Peak district towards Hope this year. I've mainly stayed around the southern areas.

I've done the road from mile 53 to 66, but not really covered the rest of it in the saddle.

 

[platypus]

Those aren't hills.

 

[Thomas. PLease.]

has anyone used this site

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp

was thinking of it for my g/f and possibly a TT set up for myself.

I've not done any of the measurements yet so no idea if its comprehensive fit guide at the end of it.

Nick

If you're thinking of a TT bike absolutely get a proper fit on a rig before you buy anything. TT bikes are so dependent on a huge amount of variables, imho its a necessity to get a fit before you buy anything, unless you want to ride in discomfort or you really know what you will fit already.

E.g. I'm 5'10" but ride a 58cm Cervelo P3 for my TT bike, as I have fairly short legs but a longish torso, so need a lot of reach.

While expensive, I can't recomend these guys enough. (http://www.ten-point.co.uk/) They are fully clued up, and will tell you exactly what sort of bike will suit you, as while most frames have standard 52cm, 54cm sizing, there is a huge amount of variation in stack and reach that goes along with that, and the various manufacturers do completely different things.

 

[FrenchTart]

Those aren't hills.

Okay Grudasypus.

 

[Roady]

Those aren't hills.

Hush you

Planned a couple of routes from where my parents now live to take in some of climbs which featured in the 2014 ToB - One I know well (used to live there) and one I've travelled most of the roads before (in the car). Seems like I really need to work out a hill training plan - as most of my planned routes seem to take in lots of climbing and my normal riding currently doesn't!

I'll have an attempt at this one sometime, probably not this year! CAT 2!

Maybe try and get this KOM? Leaderboard is quite an impressive list

Spoiler

(ToB stage finish was outside my parents house, I didn't go! )

 

[janp]

Check my strava, but between Eastern Road and Hilsea Turnoffs, wheres the 4 lane section coming out of Fareham?

My bad, it was 3 lanes. Still disgustingly scary when motors are doing 70+ round you. Eastern way, heading out from Fareham towards Boarhunt....never again

I can't see your ride on Strava, guess you've got enhanced privacy. Can I add you?

 

[SoliD]

My bad, it was 3 lanes. Still disgustingly scary when motors are doing 70+ round you. Eastern way, heading out from Fareham towards Boarhunt....never again

I can't see your ride on Strava, guess you've got enhanced privacy. Can I add you?

Of course! Ah, I'm not that bothered by it ridden the A27 round Brighton, and do the A3 TT's, just on that the slips have no hard shoulder, and I was on my mtb, so not able to get through as quick as I would have liked.

 

[Vonhelmet]

I've just hit the credit card for £700. Half a grand on an asgard bike box and the rest on a frame bundle from planet x. I was gearing up to spend £200 on a frameset, but I got an email saying I could get frameset, seat post, saddle, seat clamp, headset, spacers, stem, bars and tape for the same price. I've already got all the extras bar the clamp, but I've gone ahead with the deal and I'll keep a couple of bits as spares and then flip the rest on eBay. Bargain.