Maybe my club is strange then as we have people on our social rides with small backpacks all the time.
Road Cycling
- Thread starter Zefan
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Maybe my club is strange then as we have people on our social rides with small backpacks all the time.
Maybe my club is strange then as we have people on our social rides with small backpacks all the time.
Move to Leeds janp!!
On second thoughts... maybe not
Soldato
Not heard of the book, but I'm more of a 'google when you need it' kinda guy. I've used parktool and RCUK for most of my 'repairs' and I think I'm probably at a similar level to you - I like to teach myself but for daunting stuff I like to have a read of something first!
Got this week to learn how to adjust/reindex my gears after a rear derailleur cable 'tweak' so we're both doing similar!
Shame you dont live closer!
Could teach each other rather than taking 3 hours to clean the spring and service the jockey wheels lol
Soldato
I don't know how you guys can stomach SIS gels. Only other ones i've had are Torq, but they are so much nicer and smaller too for more energy.
![[Damien]](/styles/overclockers/avatars/4.png){kind=avatar}
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Ah, fair enough. I thought you didn't use clipless at all. On my CX commuter I use one sided pedals (these). Best of both worlds then.
Caporegime
Only one of my bikes has flats now, and even those are just double sided clipless/flat pedals. The bit that always gets me is when I stop at the lights and go to move my right pedal up towards the top and just end up lifting my knee in the air. It feels really weird, and then I have to go back and hook my foot under the pedal to bring it up
Caporegime
On the backpack front... I can't see why a backpack is necessary if you've got three jersey pockets, two bottle cages, and a partridge in a saddle bag. That being said, if you want to ride that way, then fine. I think the group is being a bit snobbish by making a fuss about it.
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having nearly gone up the back of someone who lost forward momentum when his unretained feet skipped off his pedals over a bump I can see the desire for a group to have foot retention of some kind, be it toeclips, SPDs whatever
the backpack thing is a crock though
the backpack thing is a crock though
Soldato
If it was a Rapha backpack would they have reacted the same? 
Not getting involved in the discussion too much but have to agree with some of Jan's points, regardless of the opinions of these other riders he shouldn't feel he has to change because of them. Maybe change because he wants to!
DHB Active jerseys with rear pockets are regularly
Possibly the even 'easiest' option (no clothing changes!) would be to get a toptube-bag? My missus got one from Tesco a week or two ago for £3.99 (she wears no cycling gear and wanted to avoid backpack for 2 of her 4 daily journeys). I'll ask her later if they still have any as I quite fancy one for myself. It even has a waterproof seethrough phone pocket on the top! Would be 3 or 4 times the capacity of my 0.6L saddle bag (so around 2L capacity - more than enough for a couple of tubes, couple of bananas, phone, keys and few bags of haribo/bars.
I'll be using it next weekend for a 40 mile Sportive 'Spring Challenge' style ride (but thinking about it I should get one so I'm carrying less in my Backpack when commuting!).
IIRC Jan doesn't have rear pockets on most of his riding gear and the times he has put stuff in pockets he's lost things! Defo being snobbish!
If it was a Rapha backpack would they have reacted the same?
They'd probably ask where they could get one! Maybe that's the way forwards, brand it as Rapha/Castelli!
I don't like SIS gels too much easier, the High5 I have no problem with! Not tried any others...
My Northwave Celsius GTX turned up (size 43). They're fantastic but slightly big... Wiggle have no 42's in stock (and I waited a few weeks with these on back order) so I'm reluctant to send them back. I'll be wearing thicker socks in winter anyways?! My normal SPD's (Shimano XC30's) are a size 43 and a slightly better/tighter fit.
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Soldato
We could start our own group
your loss
all these awesome roads to ride haha..tbh I couldn't care less who wears what? enjoy the ride and be done with it.
for all I care I'm in a sleeveless top 90% of the time, with raybans and a snapback cap!
on that note, I love pedestrians..
random clips from friday/today
gnats are back out in force along any trails next to a river/water source.....
in clouds of about a million... literally ride into them and you can hear them hitting you like rain.
you look down and about 200 gnats are hitching a ride....
I've never been on one but seen pics of my local ones they are considered social rides and a lot of only 20 mile or under but they do some 40-60+ mile rides as well which says they go around 16mph which isn't to slow and I know some of them also have their own facebok group anyone can join where they probably push a little harder
in clouds of about a million... literally ride into them and you can hear them hitting you like rain.
you look down and about 200 gnats are hitching a ride....
Go on skyride social rides insteadI started off at the back on my own. Generally, I'm a faster climber than the rest of the group, so I overtook on the hills and waited at the top. Generally on the flats, I was smack bang in the middle, either on my own or with a silent partner
I would join a proper cycling group, but I'm trying to get experience of group riding in smaller groups before I move up to a big bunch. I did a trial run at a local club last year, but the pelaton crashed within the first 5 miles, the guy in front of me broke his collarbone. The guy infront of him had cut his brake cables too short, so when he started to steer, it applied his front brakes. I'm not really concerned about my own safety, but after that event I was a little nervous about causing an accident myself. So as I say, just wanted to gain a bit of group riding experience before going back. Do you not think I'll have the same problem with a cycling club though? Everyone in their club gear, and I rock up with Sports Direct shorts, and a dirty fluorescent back pack?
I've never been on one but seen pics of my local ones they are considered social rides and a lot of only 20 mile or under but they do some 40-60+ mile rides as well which says they go around 16mph which isn't to slow and I know some of them also have their own facebok group anyone can join where they probably push a little harder
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If it was a Rapha backpack would they have reacted the same?
Splendid idea! I'm going to look for one, probably cost a small fortune though
Just had two fry-ups for lunch so I've cheered up slightly.
Go on skyride social rides instead
I've never been on one but seen pics of my local ones they are considered social rides and a lot of only 20 mile or under but they do some 40-60+ mile rides as well which says they go around 16mph which isn't to slow and I know some of them also have their own facebok group anyone can join where they probably push a little harder
There's not an awful lot near me, I've just checked. The only ones greater than 16-18 miles, are 30 miles away. I can't quite do a 60mile trip, then a 40mile trip on top, hopefully one day
you could always become a skyride leader and lead your own.
you get paid too for doing something you would anyway
In Newcastle Upon Tyne it seems like they are nearly always trying to recruit more ride leaders
you get paid too for doing something you would anyway
I think it's just a one day course but they only do them at certain times of the year.
In Newcastle Upon Tyne it seems like they are nearly always trying to recruit more ride leaders
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I'll certainly consider it, I'm not sure I'd make a good leader though, I get lost on rides a lot
Just had a look, Rapha do a backpack, but they only have pink in stock and it's £150
My Hi-Viz one from Amazon only cost £11!
Soldato
I've only had an issue with jersey pockets once, when my phone fell out and the screen smashed. I didn't realise at the time but my house/car keys had also fallen out at the same place. Luckily they were still there when I went back.
Always use a backpack when commuting, with that days clothes and food in.
Always use a backpack when commuting, with that days clothes and food in.
See that's my main fear with a saddle bag, or using jersey pockets. My keys fall out / saddle bag breaks without me realising. It happened to one of the guys on my ride once.
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