Road Cycling Essentials
- Thread starter Matutu
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Yeah I wouldn't have even considered it at £650 but as you say, at £475 it isn't a terrible buy. I really liked the simple look of the Dolomites I tried but I haven't seen the matt silver in the flesh yet, I'm sure it will be fine though.
I'll take on board what you are saying about the tyres but I'll probably keep it as is just to start with. TBH at the moment I wouldn't know a good road tyre from a bad one and my hybrid has Kenda's so I'm used to their plastic compound
As soon as I know if/what I'm doing with guards I can decide about tyres (AFAIK 28's won't fit with guards).
I'll take on board what you are saying about the tyres but I'll probably keep it as is just to start with. TBH at the moment I wouldn't know a good road tyre from a bad one and my hybrid has Kenda's so I'm used to their plastic compound
As soon as I know if/what I'm doing with guards I can decide about tyres (AFAIK 28's won't fit with guards).
Man of Honour
Yeah I wouldn't have even considered it at £650 but as you say, at £475 it isn't a terrible buy. I really liked the simple look of the Dolomites I tried but I haven't seen the matt silver in the flesh yet, I'm sure it will be fine though.
I'll take on board what you are saying about the tyres but I'll probably keep it as is just to start with. TBH at the moment I wouldn't know a good road tyre from a bad one and my hybrid has Kenda's so I'm used to their plastic compound
Yeah, I wondered about that wording in the description - 28s *or* guards. Very odd. Personally I'd go 25s + guards
The tyre suggestion isn't just from a feeling nicer/faster point of view btw. The Pro4s will have far superior grip in the wet so you're less likely to come off your bike (this happened to a friend of mine on one of his first rides on his new bike, damaging one of the shifters). I guess if you're already used to the plastic Kendas you're less likely to have this issue though. I don't want to sound like I'm pressuring you (though I totally am) but you could potentially save money by getting them to build the bike for you with better tyres - they will often offset the cost of the upgrade against the money they save by not building in the other tyres.
Sounds like topgun has you covered but I'm happy to weigh in too
Last time I went up to the Goyt I came from north of it so I went up through the brickworks - going through Kettleshulme is nice too if you work out the route right. Once you're through the Goyt then Cat and Fiddle is pretty much mandatory
Snake Pass is much further north but cycling around that area can be very fun (assuming you avoid anything like rush hour).
I'm not sure how many days you've got and/or how hardcore you want to make the rides but I'd be tempted by a loop that is Brickworks > Goyt > Buxton > North towards Whaley Bridge > Chapel-en-le-Frith > Edale > Hope Valley > er... somewhere
Are you planning on doing something like staying in Buxton and then heading out from there or somewhere else?
Thank you kindly for that. Sounds good. I think we will try and make a weekend of it. Buxton looks a reasonable location for a base but I dont' know the area too well.
Did any of you see this on Bike Radar Classifieds. Gorgeous frame
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40090&t=13018070
Poor bloke has to sell it
Man of Honour
Hmm..I'm just getting a generic BR page. Do you have to be signed in to see that?
If you're making a weekend of it I definitely recommend one day going West/South (and then back to Buxton) and a second day going North/East. That way you'll get to experience all the best bits without having to do a particularly strange/arduous route
If you're making a weekend of it I definitely recommend one day going West/South (and then back to Buxton) and a second day going North/East. That way you'll get to experience all the best bits without having to do a particularly strange/arduous route
Hmm..I'm just getting a generic BR page. Do you have to be signed in to see that?
If you're making a weekend of it I definitely recommend one day going West/South (and then back to Buxton) and a second day going North/East. That way you'll get to experience all the best bits without having to do a particularly strange/arduous route
Yeah - its on the Classifieds
FrenchTart has a very good shout with:
I'm not sure how many days you've got and/or how hardcore you want to make the rides but I'd be tempted by a loop that is Brickworks > Goyt > Buxton > North towards Whaley Bridge > Chapel-en-le-Frith > Edale > Hope Valley > er... somewhere
Hope valley is beautiful. I've not cycled around there, but have been on several walks/visits to the area.
I've mocked up a few crazy routes but it gives you an idea...
I've pretty much done a B-line for every hill in the area but: https://app.strava.com/routes/1498168
Mile 4-5: Gun Hill. A popular hill in the area. The TOB went up it 2 years ago. You can see Merseyside and Snowdonia from here on a good day.
Mile 9-11: Wincle. A small village. Small brewery at the bottom which does some nice beers. Probably couldn't fit many in your jersey pockets though.
Mile 11-17: An enjoyable down hill into Macclesfield. Plenty of Cafes in Macc, probably plenty of places to stay.
Mile 17-21: If you carry along the A537 it is the Cat and Fiddle. Probably the longest climb in the area. Around 30mins for a fit cyclist.
I deviated off to include the Goyt ...
Mile 27-30: A lovely steady climb up through the Goyt along a one way road. Finishes up at the top of the Cat and Fiddle.
Mile 45-50: A steady downhill into the Manifold valley. The Cafe at Wetton Mill is ideal for a snack. On a nice day you could fall asleep lying on the grass by the river.
Mile 49.5-50.5: Wetton Road. Very steep. You climb up out of the valley so quickly. Not particularly interesting, but you concentrate more on staying upright to care!
Mile 53-56: One of my personal favourites in the area, the climb up through Lower and Higher Elkestone. I don't know what it is but there is something about it which I enjoy. Completing it gives a great sense of achievement.
Mile 65: Heading out of the Peaks now. But here is Cheddleton railway. From mile 61 to here is pretty much downhill, quite fast and fun.
Mile 73-77: Pretty much a hill up to Lask Edge/Biddulph Moor. Views from here can be impressive on a good day.
Another route: https://app.strava.com/routes/1498718
This route covers the whole of the Cat and Fiddle and then heads out to Bakewell. Home of the Bakewell Tart apparently. A nice little village with plenty of Cafes.
Mile 58-51: A particularly steep climb up to Grindon. The road can be a little rough at times. But a definite challenge.
I'd definitely recommend the Goyt, Cat and Fiddle, Hope Valley and the area around Bakewell and Longnor.
In terms of places to stay you have Leek, Macclesfiled, Buxton. Even Ashbourne to the south Peak District is nice. Ilam and Dovedale near Ashbourne are especially beautiful places to cycle. A Premier Inn has opened up in Leek recently which could be handy. Staying in Buxton would give you greater access to the north so probably the best bet.
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Yeah, I wondered about that wording in the description - 28s *or* guards. Very odd. Personally I'd go 25s + guards
The tyre suggestion isn't just from a feeling nicer/faster point of view btw. The Pro4s will have far superior grip in the wet so you're less likely to come off your bike (this happened to a friend of mine on one of his first rides on his new bike, damaging one of the shifters). I guess if you're already used to the plastic Kendas you're less likely to have this issue though. I don't want to sound like I'm pressuring you (though I totally am) but you could potentially save money by getting them to build the bike for you with better tyres - they will often offset the cost of the upgrade against the money they save by not building in the other tyres.
Yeah I would be rather narked to drop my new bike! My shoulder is still playing me up after my off last summer but I'm not sure how much of that I can blame on my tyres
I may well give them a bell. Even if they won't offset the cost of the Kenda's I can just sell them on I guess.FrenchTart has a very good shout with:
Hope valley is beautiful. I've not cycled around there, but have been on several walks/visits to the area.
I've mocked up a few crazy routes but it gives you an idea...
I've pretty much done a B-line for every hill in the area but: https://app.strava.com/routes/1498168
Mile 4-5: Gun Hill. A popular hill in the area. The TOB went up it 2 years ago. You can see Merseyside and Snowdonia from here on a good day.
Mile 9-11: Wincle. A small village. Small brewery at the bottom which does some nice beers. Probably couldn't fit many in your jersey pockets though.
Mile 11-17: An enjoyable down hill into Macclesfield. Plenty of Cafes in Macc, probably plenty of places to stay.
Mile 17-21: If you carry along the A537 it is the Cat and Fiddle. Probably the longest climb in the area. Around 30mins for a fit cyclist.
I deviated off to include the Goyt ...
Mile 27-30: A lovely steady climb up through the Goyt along a one way road. Finishes up at the top of the Cat and Fiddle.
Like 38-40: Longnor and Crowdecote
A windy climb up the edge of the hill. Longnor is a small village, a few nice cafes and pubs.
Mile 45-50: A steady downhill into the Manifold valley. The Cafe at Wetton Mill is ideal for a snack. On a nice day you could fall asleep lying on the grass by the river.
Mile 49.5-50.5: Wetton Road. Very steep. You climb up out of the valley so quickly. Not particularly interesting, but you concentrate more on staying upright to care!
Mile 53-56: One of my personal favourites in the area, the climb up through Lower and Higher Elkestone. I don't know what it is but there is something about it which I enjoy. Completing it gives a great sense of achievement.
Mile 65: Heading out of the Peaks now. But here is Cheddleton railway. From mile 61 to here is pretty much downhill, quite fast and fun.
Mile 73-77: Pretty much a hill up to Lask Edge/Biddulph Moor. Views from here can be impressive on a good day.
Another route: https://app.strava.com/routes/1498718
This route covers the whole of the Cat and Fiddle and then heads out to Bakewell. Home of the Bakewell Tart apparently. A nice little village with plenty of Cafes.
Mile 58-51: A particularly steep climb up to Grindon. The road can be a little rough at times. But a definite challenge.
I'd definitely recommend the Goyt, Cat and Fiddle, Hope Valley and the area around Bakewell and Longnor.
In terms of places to stay you have Leek, Macclesfiled, Buxton. Even Ashbourne to the south Peak District is nice. Ilam and Dovedale near Ashbourne are especially beautiful places to cycle. A Premier Inn has opened up in Leek recently which could be handy. Staying in Buxton would give you greater access to the north so probably the best bet.
Awesome - totally appreciate the effort in doing this. Will plan it with a couple of buddies tomorrow. Thanks again
Man of Honour
Yeah I would be rather narked to drop my new bike! My shoulder is still playing me up after my off last summer but I'm not sure how much of that I can blame on my tyres
Worth a try definitely
There are other tyre options in that price range if they can't provide the Pro4s. Ask them what brands they can get in and I'm sure someone will have a good suggestion for you.Me too actually - there are several routes in there that I've not done and areas I haven't visited. I'll be changing that in the very near future now I think
When are you planning on doing your rides btw? I'm not trying to crash the whole thing but if you fancied some local company for half a day it'd be fun to join up with a fellow OcUKer for a short ride and some coffee/cake.
Worth a try definitely
When are you planning on doing your rides btw? I'm not trying to crash the whole thing but if you fancied some local company for half a day it'd be fun to join up with a fellow OcUKer for a short ride and some coffee/cake.
That sounds a great idea. Realistically I am thinking April for this (avoiding Easter). If none of my ride buddies can organise themselves then I'll come up on my own and meet you. What ever way it would be great to meet up with a fellow Oc'er. Perhaps we could even expand the invite once a date is more certain.
Man of Honour
Sounds good
I'm away 1st-5th of April but if it ends up being after then I'm definitely up for a ride.
edit: I guess "avoiding Easter" strongly suggests that it won't be 1st-5th
Caporegime
Post up when you sort a date, I might be able to get a day pass and head out to meet you.
I did 20 miles this evening, following the same route as Wednesday night's zone 2 ride, but at pace and pushing myself this time. Sticking to zone 2 I averaged 14.2mph. At pace tonight I averaged 16.9mph.
I did 20 miles this evening, following the same route as Wednesday night's zone 2 ride, but at pace and pushing myself this time. Sticking to zone 2 I averaged 14.2mph. At pace tonight I averaged 16.9mph.
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Haha we could have been in there together this week as I've been in twice already , but on Thursday I ordered the Dolomite 6 (XL). Got the £75 off gear deal and managed to blag another £30 on top too
Just got an email this evening saying its getting delivered Monday morning so well happy with the service.
I've also booked an appoinment with a bike fitter/bio-mechanical expert for a review of my foot/ankle/knee/hip problems etc with a view to getting some proper good cleats/pedals/shoes/orthotics/shims whatever is needed really.
I expect 180-200w to do 30kmh on the flat, depend on your height and wind resistance!
Man of Honour
That seems more in line with what I'd expect too, though given my height probably on the higher end of that scale for me I think.
Haha we could have been in there together this week as I've been in twice already , but on Thursday I ordered the Dolomite 6 (XL). Got the £75 off gear deal and managed to blag another £30 on top too
Just got an email this evening saying its getting delivered Monday morning so well happy with the service.
I've also booked an appoinment with a bike fitter/bio-mechanical expert for a review of my foot/ankle/knee/hip problems etc with a view to getting some proper good cleats/pedals/shoes/orthotics/shims whatever is needed really.
Excellent! I was going to go back in and order in store but time was against me a bit and knowing that they are just running out old stock on the 2014 I did it online as click and collect. Hopefully get it on Thursday when they have late night opening.
Man of Honour
Meant to be going out for a ride today. Weather looks poor and I'm feeling a bit ill. Maybe I'll just lie in bed for an hour and then hit the turbo.
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