Road Cycling Essentials

-TA- · 25 Feb 2011 at 14:44

Did 16 last Friday and it was colder,,, so I should really,

once I get going its ok, have dropped from 48x16 to 48x18 so feels very spinny!

Saundie · 27 Feb 2011 at 13:07

Did my first metric century (i.e 100km/62mi) today, took about 5 hours with 35 minutes of rest scattered throughout the route. Averaged 14.2 miles per hour according to my GPS, which I suppose is fine. More detailed stats here;

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/jCXWWuAOhlw

I'm feeling pretty cold now, and my head aches quite a bit from having not had enough to drink. I'd say that it was a bit easier than I was expecting, though I suspect my muscles will start to ache once they cool down. I think I did pretty well for a first attempt at a 100k, and I'm now looking towards doing a proper metric century next month with a bit more confidence.

Draeger · 27 Feb 2011 at 14:07

Saundie said:
Did my first metric century (i.e 100km/62mi) today, took about 5 hours with 35 minutes of rest scattered throughout the route. Averaged 14.2 miles per hour according to my GPS, which I suppose is fine. More detailed stats here;

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/jCXWWuAOhlw

I'm feeling pretty cold now, and my head aches quite a bit from having not had enough to drink. I'd say that it was a bit easier than I was expecting, though I suspect my muscles will start to ache once they cool down. I think I did pretty well for a first attempt at a 100k, and I'm now looking towards doing a proper metric century next month with a bit more confidence.

Well done m8. Nice one. 100k is one of my targets for this season. Furthest I've ridden in one go on the road so far is about 45 miles.

Russinating · 27 Feb 2011 at 14:11

Well done. Really need to try that too just to get some hours in the saddle before my sportive.

Saundie · 27 Feb 2011 at 15:10

Thanks guys, the old ego appreciates it. I suspect it will take a knock when [DOD]Asprilla chimes in with something along the lines of "pfft, my commute is longer than that"

[DOD]Asprilla · 27 Feb 2011 at 16:36

Really? That's not the personality I want to cultivate.

/ sad face. Well done though, keep setting targets and knocking them down.

Anyway, did the ride to the pies today; 57 miles in 3 hours 9 minutes.

I need a bike fit. My lower back is killing me.

.Andy · 27 Feb 2011 at 17:24

Disappointed in myself today regularly been doing 20-25 miles on a Sunday morning at an ok-ish pace with my training partner. He's picked up an injury so I was on my own and just blasted a quick 11 miles off - couldn't motivate myself to go further though I did up my average speed.

Plus side I seemed to have fixed my numb foot with thinner socks!

Any thoughts on bullhorns with clip on aero bars? I never use the drops and like the look of a bullhorn set up

SDK^ · 27 Feb 2011 at 18:02

I did a 73 mile ride today, including 10 miles from getting lost.
I guess all miles are good miles.

It was a major struggle through the rain and battling through the cold for most of it (4 hours)
Also the front tube exploded splitting the tyre bead but was very lucky to be able to continue.

Saundie · 27 Feb 2011 at 18:14

[DOD]Asprilla;18559478 said:
Really? That's not the personality I want to cultivate.

I'm kidding, of course you're not like that, it's just that you're a much stronger cyclist than I am, as demonstrated by your 57 miles with ~3000 foot of climbing in 3 hours 9 minutes

SDK^ said:
I did a 73 mile ride today, including 10 miles from getting lost. It was a major struggle through the rain and battling through the cold for most of it (4 hours) Also the front tube exploded splitting the tyre bead but was very lucky to be able to continue.

Sounds like more congratulations are in order; top effort. Was this purely for training? Also, how are you finding the Allez Elite?

oddjob62 · 27 Feb 2011 at 18:17

Saundie said:
Thanks guys, the old ego appreciates it. I suspect it will take a knock when [DOD]Asprilla chimes in with something along the lines of "pfft, my commute is longer than that"

I remember my first 100k, did involve a pub lunch half way so it was reasonbly easy, but felt so good to get that achievement. Well done.

[DOD]Asprilla · 27 Feb 2011 at 18:44

You say I'm the stronger cyclist, but I've never cycled 100km before. Most of my cycling is in triathlons so 40km is generally the limit for me. Today was the furthest I've ever been.

Russinating · 27 Feb 2011 at 19:11

Slightly off subject, but bought these today and thought others might be interested.

£12 from Paperchase

.

SDK^ · 27 Feb 2011 at 19:49

Saundie said:
Sounds like more congratulations are in order; top effort. Was this purely for training? Also, how are you finding the Allez Elite?

Thanks

These bike rides are training for my two sportives (100 & 127 miles) and MTB Midlands XC races starting end of March.
The freezing rain today sapped all of my power, 4 hours pedalling with frozen soaking feet - left overshoes in the car :/. I've never been so happy to see the finish.

The Allez is great, just need to get some lighter wheels and it will be perfect.

Saundie · 27 Feb 2011 at 20:28

Looks as though my ideal bike is finally going to be available next month, already with a healthy price drop. The only problem that I can see with it is the choice of gearing; 45x18 makes absolutely no sense on what's supposed to be a touring bike. The lowest gear on it (with 26x1.5 tyres) works out at nearly 33 gear inches which is pretty bad, but the highest is a nonsensical 134 gear inches. I know you can change the chain ring, but that 18t on the back seems a pretty poor choice. Of course, I don't think anybody else is interested in internal hub gears or touring bikes

[DOD]Asprilla · 27 Feb 2011 at 21:00

I've got an IGH tourer, but mines only an 8 speed alfine. Also, since mine is belt driven I can't actually change the sprocket or chain ring, they only make them in one size.

TreeTops · 28 Feb 2011 at 13:40

Saundie said:
Of course, I don't think anybody else is interested in internal hub gears or touring bikes

Well I wouldn't be so presumptuous! I do at least one tour a year, sometimes two - although not on a bespoke touring bike. I save the Caad9 for road duties and have a modified Trek 7.5Fx for touring. Triple chainset, butterfly bars, rack and panniers & custom built 36h wheels. Tours so far:

2010 - Central & Eastern Scottish Highlands - including 3 fantastic climbs: Glenshee, Lecht and Drumochter
2009 - Scottish Borders/Northumberland - stunning scenery
2008 - Pennine Cycleway (Derby to Berwick) - including my hardest day on a bike, 10 hours of saddle time to get from Buxton to Hebden Bridge in atrocious conditions
2008 - Double Coast to Coast (Reivers & C2C) - splendid isolation in parts of the Reivers route
2007 - Leeds - Thirsk - Sutton Coldfield - a gentle introduction to touring - 4 consecutive 65 mile days

This years tours are another double coast to coast, this time following the Hadrians Cycleway and Walney to Wear routes, followed by a tour around Southern and Western Ireland.

Touring introduces you into a completely different mindset. You don't worry so much about how quick your going. If you have to ride 80 miles then you moderate your pace accordingly. If you know you have a tough day of climbs coming up, you make sure your not completely exhausted the day before. Basically, you take your time! One thing is for certain though, that first day touring, when you've just added 10kg of weight onto the back of your bike, always comes as a bit of a shock.

Mr. Brightside · 28 Feb 2011 at 14:27

[DOD]Asprilla;18559478 said:
Really? That's not the personality I want to cultivate.

/ sad face. Well done though, keep setting targets and knocking them down.

Anyway, did the ride to the pies today; 57 miles in 3 hours 9 minutes.

I need a bike fit. My lower back is killing me.

Funnily enough I did exactly 57 miles on Saturday, and also had lower back trouble; if it weren't for that I'd happily have gone further. I took 3 hours 27 minutes though.

I rebuilt the front mech on my runaround bike yesterday. Having only used the top gear (it's a triple) for pretty much a whole year on it, I realised a few weeks back that it was completely seized. A good soak in citrus cleaner followed by GT85 and some persuasion with pliers and a plumbing spanner later and it works like new.

Russinating · 1 Mar 2011 at 10:13

Did the interval training in the gym last night and almost died, numerous times. Can feel the difference though, if only in my legs this morning

.

My trouble I think is that the first that goes is my knees. Is that normal or can I work on strengthening them specifically?

Jonny69 · 1 Mar 2011 at 13:53

I'm nursing a few impending injuries so I'm trying to take it easy. Knees mainly, but it seems to be coming from the bottom of my hamstring and the top of the calf pulling on my left leg. Pretty sure it's from running, but sitting with my legs crossed seems to really aggravate it so I have to keep switching position when I'm sat. Also having problems now my thighs are tight in my jeans. Sat in the office chair my leg muscles are being squeezed and it gets uncomfortable. Moan.

Edit: oh, and someone had a second go at my lock over the weekend. Looks like they've been cutting away at the outer protection to get to the braid inside. Hopefully it should be safe with the combination of a braid and a D lock.

Saundie · 1 Mar 2011 at 14:25

Does this mean that Jonny69 will be unavailable for a Sunday morning ride this week?

Road Cycling Essentials

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