Road Cycling Essentials

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28" waist?!?! I'm hoping I can pull my way back from 34 to 32!

And how do you measure your thighs? I assume that's the sum of the two of yours?

I've been wondering about weight loss lately. I've been cycling 3 times a week for nearly 3 months now and seem to be losing weight from my thighs and bum and building some muscle there and on my shoulders and upper arms, which I'd expect. I want to lose weight off my stomach and chest though. Will I lose that fat through cycling even though I'm not really working the muscles there? Will my body eventually start mining those fat reserves when I exhaust the ones right by the muscles I'm using? How does all this work?
 
You can't remove fat from specific areas of your body, it comes off as a whole.
There is just more of it on your stomach though. :o
 
Vonhelmet said:
Will I lose that fat through cycling even though I'm not really working the muscles there? Will my body eventually start mining those fat reserves when I exhaust the ones right by the muscles I'm using? How does all this work?
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Yep, you'll eventually lose it. You dont lose fat around muscles that you are using, it just seems like that because your body will naturally will lose it from your arms/legs first. The fat around your abdomen will be last to go, but if you keep reducing your bodyfat, it will go.
 
Cheers guys - all this biology/anatomy/physiology isn't really my thing! I figured it had to work that way as otherwise you'd never lose weight off your face, unless you did gurning exercises or something.
 
Russinating said:
Created a little TT near me to do. Only tried it the first time today and 2nd on the Strava leaderboard for it even though I wasn't really going that fast (compared to what others are capable of). Can get sub 6 mins definitely as was held up by a car for a bit.
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Thats a good average speed for a circuit with what looks like quite a few sharp turns. You should try 4 laps and see what sort of time you can do. That would be around 10 miles, which is a standard distance for TTs.

Normally, a good target to aim for would be 30mins (20mph) but that would be for a straight road (maybe with a 180 degree turn at half way)
 
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Vonhelmet said:
Cheers guys - all this biology/anatomy/physiology isn't really my thing! I figured it had to work that way as otherwise you'd never lose weight off your face, unless you did gurning exercises or something.
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Yep, i chew all day but my chin(s) are just getting bigger and bigger :p
 
touch said:
Thats a good average speed for a circuit with what looks like quite a few sharp turns. You should try 4 laps and see what sort of time you can do. That would be around 10 miles, which is a standard distance for TTs.

Normally, a good target to aim for would be 30mins (20mph) but that would be for a straight road (maybe with a 180 degree turn at half way)
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Good idea. Might do that :)

It's not the best route, only chose it because it's close to me, it's flat and it's cycling friendly, but it does have two junctions and a set of traffic lights which aren't great and it is busy with cars. Get to blast down this straight at the end though...

jCnP3.jpg
 
Russinating said:
Cutting off your nose to spite your face? All you have to do in is go in and pick it up. If you're that concerned then just get it built elsewhere, and at least if there's any problems/you need to return you can do so pretty easily without having to deal with shipping or telephone only.
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I had the same thoughts about buying from Halfords, however actually I think they've really improved over the last couple of years. The lads in there knew there stuff and when I mentioned that I already owned a 'Dale MTB they didn't even attempt to hit me with the standard sales faff.

Vonhelmet said:
Was gonna say... If Halfords bother you, buy the bike there and pay someone else to put it together. The Boardman Race reviews well and is great value, and the Boardman Comp is basically the same bike with full carbon steerer and better groupset - either of these are a great bet.
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I actually bought a road Comp and I'm so happy I did. Its been the perfect mix between cost and reliability. Only issue I have is that I had to buy the bloody thing in white...!
 
Does anyone have any suggestions on Bib shorts? I can't seem to find the Nalini ones that were really popular a couple of months back - I don't really want to spend a fortune however I'm stuck for suggestions :(
 
CooK1E said:
Does anyone have any suggestions on Bib shorts? I can't seem to find the Nalini ones that were really popular a couple of months back - I don't really want to spend a fortune however I'm stuck for suggestions :(
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http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CLNAPAS/nalini_palma_bib_shorts

or http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CLNAMOAMYK/nalini_moa_mykonos_bib_shorts

I find their sizing amusing. I have a 44inch chest and a 36 inch waist which would make me a XXXL and a L simultaneously. I guess with bib shorts the chest is pretty irrelevant though. Their lack of sizes is them selling out, I guess, seems that they don't plan to restock.
 
Vonhelmet said:
28" waist?!?! I'm hoping I can pull my way back from 34 to 32!

And how do you measure your thighs? I assume that's the sum of the two of yours?

I've been wondering about weight loss lately. I've been cycling 3 times a week for nearly 3 months now and seem to be losing weight from my thighs and bum and building some muscle there and on my shoulders and upper arms, which I'd expect. I want to lose weight off my stomach and chest though. Will I lose that fat through cycling even though I'm not really working the muscles there? Will my body eventually start mining those fat reserves when I exhaust the ones right by the muscles I'm using? How does all this work?
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I went from 36" to 32" in my first yeay cycling so I don't think you'll have much of an issue there.

As for measuring thighs; you just measure the circumference at the widest point, usually about a quarter of the way from crotch to knee.

Each thigh is currently 24" :)
 
[DOD]Asprilla;22411574 said:
Check your home insurance first. I've not found a bike specific policy that is cheaper or offers better coverage than my house insurance.
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I've got Endsleigh student contents insurance, bikes over £500 were not an option :)
 
Going to try out a Norco Valence A1 this week from Evans, through the cycle to work scheme. I cant find any reviews of it anywhere, but it seems to fit the bill; comfortable geometry, 105 groupset and decent looking. Does anyone know of any reviews on this bike? I really wanted a Giant Defy but for some reason Evans doesnt sell Giant!
 
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