Road Cycling Essentials

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Berger said:
Less than two weeks until I'm back in the UK for two weeks. Need some 30-75km routes around Wigan/Bolton way that won't have heaps of traffic.

I'd like to ride up to the forest/trough of Bowland too perhaps. Quiet lanes but quite tight and drivers go quick on them.

Will try to ride three times a week to keep fitness up!

I imagine the temperature and wet might be a shock to the system... Might have to buy a jacket!
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I'm going to Oz at the same time oddly enough and taking my bike - maybe we could do a clothing exchange at the airport. :D
 
Berger said:
Near the Cherry Gardens/ hospital in Wigan.

Ill probably go up to Standish, then up the hill at red rock and over the canal to Haigh Hall, through Blackrod and up to Rivington.
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Ah, right, I've found the Cherry Gardens on the map. If you head up to the roundabout at the bottom of Red Rock and carry on up there you can come up to Frederick's Ice Cream shop near Adlington. From there you can get to Chorley or back towards Rivington.

Here's a 30 mile loop for you. There's some good climbs in there. The section between 8 and 10 miles will get a bit ropey if it's wet or there's lots of leaves down, and I wouldn't attempt it if there's ice. The climb up to 12 miles is quite tough in parts (for me, anyway!), then there's some fairly fast descents which again are quite ropey if it's wet and definitely not to be trifled with if it's icy. The descent from 18-20 miles is good and straight and fast. There's a good cafe at about 21 miles, then a bit of climbing at 25 miles then a fast descent back down Red Rock Hill.

This is a bit longer than you asked for, but not by much, so maybe it's some you use to you. This is a 53 mile loop with some fairly long climbs, and you can add in some very steep ones too if you fancy it. You start out going up Red Rock, over to Blackrod then into Horwich, up Chorley Old Road, which is a cat 4 climb. If you want a brutal diversion at this point you can drop down Mill Lane, up Foxholes Road and Marklands Road, and then back across George's Lane to the top of Chorley Old Road. Drop down and take the Bolton Ring Road round past Moss Bank Park to Bradshaw. Bradshaw Road is another long steady cat 4. In Ramsbottom there's another long climb on Lumb Carr Road, or you can head down into Ramsbottom town centre and then head up Carr Street, Tanner Street, Rawson's Rake and Chapel Street - this is the infamous Rake, which has a 25% section near the end. From the top of there, head up through Helmshore to Grane Road, another long cat 4 climb. Drop down towards Blackburn and then come back up Roman Road, which is another long steady one, I think a cat 4. From there you head to Edgworth and Chapeltown - there's a Strava segment round there called the Edgworth Rollercoaster and the name is accurate. Cut back towards Belmont through the woods and then you'll come to the back end of Rivington. It's a cat 4 to the top of there and then a good long descent which is definitely not to be remotely considered if there's ice on the ground. Watch the cattle grid near the bottom, and then you're heading back towards the cafe from the earlier ride if you need a brew at this point. Over the reservoir, under the motorway, then up Dark Lane takes you back towards Haigh Hall, and then you can head back the way you originally started out and go back down Red Rock.

Both these routes are reasonably quiet in terms of traffic. Obviously there's more closer to civilisation, particularly around Horwich and Bolton, but there's nothing too problematic, and no particularly unpleasant junctions in there.

There's plenty more I could suggest to you if you want. Some more tough climbs, too :D
 
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Stupid threadless bottom brackets - the ones you use when the threads in the shell are damaged or, like mine, when it's a non-standard size. It developed a bit of a tick which turned into a creak, so I had a look at it last night. Not tight enough. I knew this was going to happen and sure enough when I tightened it I stripped the threads and I had to press it out the frame because it wouldn't 'undo' any more.

So I'm on the look out for one with a longer securing cup. Don't know if this was a particularly shallow one but it only got hold of about three threads which isn't enough.
 
Hi guys I have a question:- forgive the noobness of it!

I bought a 2013 Specialized Allez last year and its been a great commuter and start up road bike. I'm saving for a Felt 2014 AR5 but would like to know how easy it is to upgrade the Allez to a 10 speed. Some of the wheels I am looking at are only 10 speed so wont fit on the Allez which is 8 speed?

What is the bare minimum i need to upgrade to make the bike compatible with 10 speed wheels?

Thanks for any help.
 
rnickster said:
Hi guys I have a question:- forgive the noobness of it!

I bought a 2013 Specialized Allez last year and its been a great commuter and start up road bike. I'm saving for a Felt 2014 AR5 but would like to know how easy it is to upgrade the Allez to a 10 speed. Some of the wheels I am looking at are only 10 speed so wont fit on the Allez which is 8 speed?

What is the bare minimum i need to upgrade to make the bike compatible with 10 speed wheels?

Thanks for any help.
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my campagnolo khamsins were 10-11 speed I think.. just added a spacer(came with the wheelset) and my 8speed cassette went on no problems :)
 
Anyone thinking of a new bike should check out Pedal Powers 2nd Anniversary party ( 2nd Anniversary in the new shop ).

On Saturday only they ll be doing

15% off 2014 bike from Giant, Cannondale, Kuota, Lynskey, Ridley, Look and more

25% off 2013 Giant and Cannondale bikes ( I have a clearance list if anyone wants it emailed to them )

35% off 2013 Forme bikes,

on top of the discount they are offering 10% off your purchase in credit to use on your next shop!

No one will be cheaper for 2014 stock, here is the latest facebook post...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...40856126.33686.136690176355556&type=1&theater
 
looks like a seriously wet commute tomorrow.. I guess it'll be a good way to test out the jacket..

shame that I've got a bit of a cold..
 
Jonny69 said:
Stupid threadless bottom brackets - the ones you use when the threads in the shell are damaged or, like mine, when it's a non-standard size. It developed a bit of a tick which turned into a creak, so I had a look at it last night. Not tight enough. I knew this was going to happen and sure enough when I tightened it I stripped the threads and I had to press it out the frame because it wouldn't 'undo' any more.

So I'm on the look out for one with a longer securing cup. Don't know if this was a particularly shallow one but it only got hold of about three threads which isn't enough.
Click to expand...

VeloOrange have one, and SJS cycles carry one too.
 
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