Road Cycling Essentials

Status
Not open for further replies.
Berger said:
It was the Belmont / Rivington road, coming from the Belmont direction not far after reaching the top. Went past a turn around point then down and right, was a little rough but not too bad, could see where cars had bottomed out, just a shaded spot that mustn't get any light.
Click to expand...

There are bits up there that must be constantly in winter. We were still watching to ice up there in Feb this year gone. There were drifts of snow on some roadsides that didn't melt until March!

I've looked at your strava plot and it looks like you fell pretty close to the turning bay. I thought it might have been a bit further along, where there's a dip and a little kink left before a sweeping right - that's sketchy enough in the dry. I can well believe there'd be ice near the bay, in the lee of the hillside.
 
tedmaul said:
You not been well mate, or just having a chilled day?

It was indeed pretty mingin' out there yesterday. My feet were like blocks of ice by the time i got back.

Having said all that, today looks stunning so i might have to try and get out there for a bit.
Click to expand...

I've not been on the bike for about 3 weeks I think. Had a rough few weeks and was rough from being out on the Friday night trying to be something I'm not haha.


tedmaul said:
Ouch! Hope you're ok! And the bike too.

Must be the day for it, as i crashed this afternoon as well. Just as well I only paid £30 for that new jacket as it's got a bloody great hole in the elbow now! :(

My own stupid fault - should have stuck to main roads. Ventured up a back road to do a climb and hit some ice on the descent. Bike went down hard and i went sliding off down the hill. Elbow, knee and ass have some lovely road rash and i expect will be fairly bruised in the morning. Yet to really check the bike properly - it's not shifting great but it got me home.

http://www.strava.com/activities/94330318

Up until then i'd been having a pretty perfect winter ride.

Oh well. Stay safe kids.
Click to expand...

That's a tough run you decided to do. Maybe not the best idea going to one of the highest point's around, they put a wind farm up there for a reason :P, with the temperature so low. It was bloody freezing today as I spent most of it outside down the road from you working on my car. Wave at the green car up on axle stands if you drive down meikle earnock road.

Check your rear mech hanger isn't bent or you'll put it into the wheel and damage that too.

Where did you come off then?
 
Phantom Shadow said:
Personally I'd rather replace a tyre with a hole like that in it - the last thing you want is for it to blow out when you're doing 40mph down a hill
Click to expand...

yeah that's what I did :) used an old front tire I had laying around.. it's still full of thread and sure as hell safer than that! :)
 
Glad you're ok Berger. Sounds like a nasty crash.

I got my current Trek bike around the 10th October 2012 and yesterday I did my 6000th mile on it. I'm just 150 away from doing 6000 in 2013 after doing 3000 in 2012. Wonder if 9000 in 2014 is a realistic target?
 
Vonhelmet said:
There are bits up there that must be constantly in winter. We were still watching to ice up there in Feb this year gone. There were drifts of snow on some roadsides that didn't melt until March!

I've looked at your strava plot and it looks like you fell pretty close to the turning bay. I thought it might have been a bit further along, where there's a dip and a little kink left before a sweeping right - that's sketchy enough in the dry. I can well believe there'd be ice near the bay, in the lee of the hillside.
Click to expand...

I fell where you think I did, I just cropped the ride quickly on Strava.

As you can imagine, if in doubt flat out Colin McRae style down the dip and kink then stacked it on the sweeping right. Until then I'd had no problem with the wet or leaves....

Just about to change my bandages as soaked through overnight and ruined the bed. Time for more pain....:rolleyes:
 
One More Solo said:
The forecast for where I am on the 16th is for low to mid 30s. :cool:

Next free weekend is 7th December if you fancy it?
Click to expand...

7th is out, however. Weekend before or after is fine (depending on weather obviously). Note, I will be bloody slow up 'dem hills. Really, really slow. That said, I'm thinking of going this weekend too.

If anyone is interested..fancy a final blow out challenge before the year is out. Winnat's might well kill me :p.
 
Jonny ///M said:
I've not been on the bike for about 3 weeks I think. Had a rough few weeks and was rough from being out on the Friday night trying to be something I'm not haha.




That's a tough run you decided to do. Maybe not the best idea going to one of the highest point's around, they put a wind farm up there for a reason :P, with the temperature so low. It was bloody freezing today as I spent most of it outside down the road from you working on my car. Wave at the green car up on axle stands if you drive down meikle earnock road.

Check your rear mech hanger isn't bent or you'll put it into the wheel and damage that too.

Where did you come off then?
Click to expand...

At the top of that climb up behind Darvel, just as it starts to descend. I forgot there's a steep descent in a little valley, and it had obviously got no sun all day. I totally appreciate what an idiot i am for even attempting to go up there when it's this cold. I'm pretty sore today, and didn't sleep well as i keep sticking to things where i lost some skin! :(

Should have stuck to my instincts and just taken the main road back into Strathaven, where it probably wouldn't have been icy and would have been gritted anyway.

Up until that point the route had been great, and an awesome day for it. But the last 20km or so after i crashed were pretty awful - it got dark, there was ice on the roads that i could barely see even with my lights on full. It was a very slow ride home! Thankfully they'd gritted the road from the rig onwards so that bit wasn't too bad. Was relieved to get home though and won't be making that mistake again! Shorter routes on main roads from now until spring i reckon.

I'll check the bike out properly this evening. Rear mech was my worry as well, so i'll give it a thorough check over. I may yet see you in the shop at some point in the next week depending on what state it's in!
 
Womble said:
UniQ ... wanted to ask about R5s in general as thinking of getting a 'summer' bike in addition to my CAAD8 commuter. Going to attempt to find a stockist and try one but may be able to get a 2012 frame for 1.6-1.7k. Its a 51 and I'm a short ar$e, only 5ft 6 and ride a 51 CAAD8 (got it on the cycle to work and feel its a bit big as no real seat - bar drop). What size are you and your R5 - any other frames comparable to the geometry?
Click to expand...

I'm 5'10 ride a 54 and it's an excellent fit. Cervelo's geo is based all around stack and reach.

Oh - and whats wrong with yours if you're thinking of selling it? My shortlist of 'summer' bikes was Cervelo/Bianchi/Colnago really so always have other options :)
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with it at all. It's an amazing bike, best I've ever ridden and I've been pretty fortunate to ride quite a lot of frames. Reasons are due to future work commitments which look like they'll see me relocating and travelling a fair amount. So rather than having £x,xxx tied in a bike and left in storage I would prefer it if someone else was able to enjoy it as much as I have.

PS - went a bit overboard on the hills today, should have stopped before Ide as had to stop halfway
http://www.strava.com/activities/94301741
Click to expand...

Good man, looks like a tidy route and a good workout :)
 
Its getting tough to maintain any sort of mileage. I may even have to resort to the turbo trainer. Had a nice run out yesterday. Only 36 miles but it was a nice bright day round our way and the wind wasn't too bad. I now have nearly 400 miles on the chinese frame and its doing well. I seem to have managed to put a couple of paint chips into the TT, highlighting that that paintjob isnt the most resilient but its definitely a lighter and stiffer frame than the Wilier which is giving me a real dilemma!

the other day I saw a Basso Astra with 105 go for £640 on Ebay. It was a 58 so tad large for me otherwise what a bargain. Plenty time to search for a bargain over the winter!
 
Vonhelmet said:
It definitely sounds like a bike fit is in order. If normal riding hurts, then something probably isn't right. A decent bike fitter will not only be able to set up your bike correctly, but will be able to see from your pedalling style whether you are lacking strength somewhere in your body or aren't moving correctly.



There's loads more to it than just the seatpost height. I'm sure it's technically possible to figure it out yourself, but for the sake of endless trial and error it's probably easier to pay someone who knows what they're doing to do it.



What gearing have you got? What cadence are you riding at? It might be you're straining yourself if you're pedalling too slowly, though I'd expect that to hit you in the knees rather than the back, but I suppose it could manifest anywhere really, depending on how you're set up and how you move.



Yes, indeed, I had my bike fit with them. I spent £110 for the second tier service, which I think goes into a bit more depth and - crucially - means you can take your measurements away with you when you're done, so you can set up future bikes. It was expensive but it really was money well spent. I was having real trouble with my knees before the fit, and they have been so much better since then, and my riding has improved as a result.

Here is my write-up of my experience there.
Click to expand...

Thought I'd wait until after my ride to Sheffield to respond.

My back wasn't a problem at all this time, ached a little on the climbs but nothing like last time so I think I might be ok in terms of fit!

Gearing - Well I think I'm on a 12-23 cassette with the stock 50/34 Chainring now, Evans replaced my cassette after a year but only had that one in stock, so this cassette from what I was told, would make it harder going up hills (ooopss!).

This does make sense because going up those climbs to Sheffield I found my cadence very low and it was hard pedalling. Might be worth me looking at some different options should I get some news wheels and cassette at the same time, make it a bit easier going up those hills!!!

Am I making it harder for myself on this gear ratio? seems that way...
 
Terrible tiny picture, but here is my garden art:

0iLYCkm.jpg.png
 
rnickster said:
Thought I'd wait until after my ride to Sheffield to respond.

My back wasn't a problem at all this time, ached a little on the climbs but nothing like last time so I think I might be ok in terms of fit!

Gearing - Well I think I'm on a 12-23 cassette with the stock 50/34 Chainring now, Evans replaced my cassette after a year but only had that one in stock, so this cassette from what I was told, would make it harder going up hills (ooopss!).

This does make sense because going up those climbs to Sheffield I found my cadence very low and it was hard pedalling. Might be worth me looking at some different options should I get some news wheels and cassette at the same time, make it a bit easier going up those hills!!!

Am I making it harder for myself on this gear ratio? seems that way...
Click to expand...

12-23 is pretty serious gearing. I'd suggest you strongly consider backing off to a 25, or even a 27 or a 28.

You really have to be careful pushing too hard at low cadence in high gears. A mate of mine is getting into racing and has been doing some tough rides in just the big ring to work himself harder, and he's found his knees getting really sore as a result. It's something you have to build up to, or you'll do yourself some damage.

Although someone will now call you a girl for using a compact with those easy gears ;)
 
rnickster said:
Thought I'd wait until after my ride to Sheffield to respond.

My back wasn't a problem at all this time, ached a little on the climbs but nothing like last time so I think I might be ok in terms of fit!

Gearing - Well I think I'm on a 12-23 cassette with the stock 50/34 Chainring now, Evans replaced my cassette after a year but only had that one in stock, so this cassette from what I was told, would make it harder going up hills (ooopss!).

This does make sense because going up those climbs to Sheffield I found my cadence very low and it was hard pedalling. Might be worth me looking at some different options should I get some news wheels and cassette at the same time, make it a bit easier going up those hills!!!

Am I making it harder for myself on this gear ratio? seems that way...
Click to expand...

34-23 is a lot higher than most people will use. Get a 25 or 27 cassette on there and that cadence will be much higher on hills
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom