Road Cycling

Martynt74 said:
Annoyingly my sores still don't seem to be healing, every time it all seems better i head out on my bike and they flare up so taking a solid bit of time off and got some steroid cream.

As the order of @fez i've also started hanging out with my wang out to keep it dry. I think half the issue is my office is so hot that sitting at my desk results in stewing in ball sweat. Trying to use the standing part of my desk as much as possible. Just have to hope no-one walks past the window outside!
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If they continue, I can probably help with your bikefit. General biomechanics are bad enough, let alone with a bike involved. A number of fitters are clueless as well, as are physios in my experience.
 
Clearly wasn't with it this morning, got 4 miles from home before realising I had forgot my helmet... Oh well, it turned my 42 mile ride into 50. At least I didn't crash into a hedge like one van driver I saw this morning...
 
Junglist said:
Did anyone order the udder cream in the end?
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Yes, not had a chance to try it yet though. Last bit of my previous creme still to go.

So, today I'm competing in the Corporate Games in Leeds. I'm rather surprised to find there aren't many other cyclists with there only being three of us in my age bracket (10mi TT). Guaranteed podium! :cry:
 
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Nearly died going up a hill yesterday. Brasted hill which averages about 16% one it kicks up in the second half. Last time I did it I had to stop half way up it to have a little rest and let the guy I passed about 1km back grind past me while I tried to hide.

I've been generally feeling knackered lately, I assume I have some sort of bug combined with lack of sleep but it just brings home the old "it doesn't get any easier, you just get faster".

Despite feeling like I have lead in my legs and generally feeling quite tired all the time I am consistently beating previous times. Fingers crossed once I am feeling better I will be setting some nice new PRs.

Also, anyone in Kent who has submitted a clip for dangerous driving? Was overtaking a bunch of parked cars, following another car overtaking and as soon as that car had cleared a woman in an SUV pulled out and started driving at me. I was about 20m from clearing the parked cars but she just couldn't wait.

Tried to submit a report earlier but their portal breaks every time I get to the point where its starting to collect info. Is this a long standing issue?
 
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It’s ok. I’d be stopping on hills less than that!

Went hiking today and swallowed a load of Naproxen before hand. Then took delight in my foot not hurting and decided to run various sections.

The drugs have now worn off and my foot hurts. Currently self medicating with my 5th Alhambra 1925.

Confirmed my beliefs that any risks f surgery are worth it to be able to run again. Just had a huge smile on my face during those sections.
 
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fez said:
Nearly died going up a hill yesterday. Brasted hill which averages about 16% one it kicks up in the second half. Last time I did it I had to stop half way up it to have a little rest and let the guy I passed about 1km back grind past me while I tried to hide.

I've been generally feeling knackered lately, I assume I have some sort of bug combined with lack of sleep but it just brings home the old "it doesn't get any easier, you just get faster".

Despite feeling like I have lead in my legs and generally feeling quite tired all the time I am consistently beating previous times. Fingers crossed once I am feeling better I will be setting some nice new PRs.

Also, anyone in Kent who has submitted a clip for dangerous driving? Was overtaking a bunch of parked cars, following another car overtaking and as soon as that car had cleared a woman in an SUV pulled out and started driving at me. I was about 20m from clearing the parked cars but she just couldn't wait.

Tried to submit a report earlier but their portal breaks every time I get to the point where its starting to collect info. Is this a long standing issue?
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Brasted is my nemesis...once properly bonked on it and wanted to die...
 
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Decided to try again today and whilst some discomfort was still there it seems better although only a short ride. Unsure whether to dig out an old saddle from the shed to see if it changes anything.

What's more disappointing is that my average power has been down around the 170w level the last few rides whereas i usually average 190-200ish. Unsure if it's just the heat during the ride or just some accumulated fatigue from the heat indoors. Possible not helped by a longish hike yesterday.
 
Back from Cyprus yesterday - glorious week away (more like 9 days) but has meant another 'setback' on my return from injury... I've ridden 8 times in the last 37 days and only 5 of those with any effort/purpose (Zwift races/TTT's)! Eeeek! Determined now I'm feeling 100% recovered, been given the all clear from fracture clinic, holiday out the way & new bike ordered. Reset now and 'start again' - but really my aim is to get back into my regular schedule and then 'see where I am' rather than any particular focus/pressure. I know the riding I do will bring me back to that level (eventually) so really no stress about it :)

One More Solo said:
Yeah, they sell it at my local farm wholesaler so I just buy a tub when I'm in buying chicken feed if I run out. I am looking at getting some milking goats but I'd be buying them a separate tub. :D
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You're using chicken feed in which cycling products...!? :D

Goats are fun! Always wanted some (being from a cattle+sheep farm).

Drollic said:
@Roady

It's more a question of why wouldn't you do it given it takes seconds and is free as opposed to why would you.

Anything that can be done to prevent them and catch them early on high pressure points should be taken advantage of.

It can be the difference between needing 24-48 hours off the bike compared to a week, perhaps more.

Sores are really useful to understand as they are often unilateral and an early warning sign of imbalance. The sooner a cyclist fixes this, the better. Even the most minor of skin irritation you see will also often be unilateral. Increase the volume and intensity and that same area will likely get a sore.
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For me I've ridden many years, so I know the post-ride 'feel' before I'm getting a sore, or even when several hours into a big ride can mitigate them as can feel those 'traffic' areas. I'm even accustomed to have a 'rummage' to reposition some chamois cream mid-ride.

I wasn't saying using a mirror is a 'bad thing' but really once you understand sores and your propensity to them in certain conditions/locations, you shouldn't need to use one. The visibility of a sore is quite late to do anything about it, but for locating the position - you shouldn't need a mirror as can feel where they are!

I've got a leg imbalance, through many years of riding it's impacted my pedal stroke so I 'rock' in the saddle and don't bend my left ankle much through the top of the pedal stroke. That combined through riding normal width saddles with wide sit bones have become accustomed to sores. A wider saddle has helped quite a bit in mitigating them, while a fitter also advising me to reduce crank length to aid the imbalance. Still too soon to see what difference that'll make to my pedal stroke. But at least a combination of things which can be causing them I can change and to gradually reduce them.

Trifid said:
My bank account is starting to not like you!


Pinging @Roady as you do need a new bike... https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road-b.../3965.html?dwvar_3965_pv_rahmenfarbe=R107_P03
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Why would I pay that for an average chinese mould frame known for a harsh ride and bad tyre clearances and bad QC, with a £1600 wheelset? (Yes, I know Canyon are a bit better than that these days - at least for their top end frames...) ;)

Paying £3500 for my replacement bike (Tarmac SL7 Comp again with upgraded bars) + £1400 for Zipp FC404's so £1000 cheaper than that (with an extra set of alloy wheels). I know mines 105 di2 vs Ultegra and I'm swapping a few more things (ultegra cranks & wider saddle) which will make it comparable in performance & weight to the CF SLX8.

Obviously the Tarmac Pro is probably more the directly comparable one to it and in an SL8 that's £8000 - https://www.specializedconceptstore...024-tarmac-sl8-pro-ultegra-di2-376591/option/ so you do get quite a bit more from Canyon, but a Tarmac SL8 Expert is the same price (with SRAM). Top end S-Works is £12,000+ but comes with Dura Ace & is lighter so not that comparable.

Worth noting - in case anyone was unaware - the Tarmac SL7 Comp, Expert and Pro have the same carbon frame. The Pro has 'lighter paint', so really between them all all you're paying for is the different components and not the frames themselves. Only the S-Works is a different carbon frame. The SL8 Comp, Expert and Pro again have the same frame. No paint weight difference. Only with the S-Works again having different carbon. That's why I've been happy getting the 'low' model of the Comp and then just upgrading them! :)

Martynt74 said:
Been thinking about fueling a bit recently and curious what you guys do for longer rides. From listening to some podcasts around long endurance runs and the talk seems to be to aim for ~90g carbs per hour.
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You've already figured this out - if you where maybe riding at 90%+ effort then that's the type of burn. Until you're a paid professional probably better to ride at less intensity and enjoy yourself more... So figuring out what you're burning at that 'mostly 70%' kinda level is what you need to find. There's no harm in over fuelling while training, but obviously not something you do during a timed event. So really play around with different foods for ease and what you can handle to eat (& digest) while training. Different things work for different people. I like cake. But more seriously - I've found the 'cleaner' I eat (granola bars & real food) the better I feel afterwards so tend to prefer to fuel like that. Gels used to upset up and energy drinks tend to make me feel bloated when riding, so I'll only save them until the end of a long ride when I really need the boost.

SoliD said:
So after 5 and a bit weeks I've phoned Aviva who have confirmed my claim has been approved, just waiting the offer from the bike department now. So trying to find a road bike now, looking for something for someone who is 5'9, will need electronic gear, preferably Di2 over SRAM, something semi racey, but not necessary full on aero jobby. Want to spend at most £5k including a Power Meter. What's everyone seen so far?
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I'm spending 3-4000 on Tarmac SL7 Comps at the moment. 12s 105 Di2 and can't fault it. Does need upgraded wheels though.

SoliD said:
Cheers, Van Rysel is a nice looking bike but above budget, Trek looks good so will add to shortlist! Seen a few BMC and Specialized Tarmac Expert on Tredz, but keeping the lookout.
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Tarmac Expert is OK - but check my details above - the Comp, Expert and Pro in SL8 are all the same frame (you gain Ultegra & slightly better wheels going for the Expert, but nothing frame+bars wise over the Comp). The VR would be a nice 'project' to see what it's like. TCR always been a good bike for the money - if you could handle the lack of front integration.

Trek like Specialized tend to be overpriced...

Mr.Cookie said:
Did Goodwood motor circuit today, first ride in ages as I'd broken my big toe into 4. Weather was great and so nice to not see a pot hole :D


Also https://www.velominati.com/ not sure if it's been posted before :)
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It's been posted here since before I was here... 2013-ish ;)
 
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Roady said:
I'm spending 3-4000 on Tarmac SL7 Comps at the moment. 12s 105 Di2 and can't fault it. Does need upgraded wheels though.


Tarmac Expert is OK - but check my details above - the Comp, Expert and Pro in SL8 are all the same frame. The VR would be a nice 'project' to see what it's like... TCR always been a good bike for the money - if you could handle the lack of front integration.

Trek like Specialized tend to be overpriced...


It's been posted here since before I was here... 2013-ish ;)
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Didn't know that about the SL8! thanks, as above not fussed about integration, having 2 hoses on display for 3etap is nothing, and know the pains of running semi internal on the Canyon for hoses is a pain. Think will be sticking with the Giant, although another spanner in the works from the insurance comapny that they want a bike by bike quote, further delaying the payout.
 
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@Roady

By checking, you can see the chafing, you can see the minor red pimple like irritations before they start worsening and become a sore, you can see pressure imbalance, you can monitor the healing of them if you have them. If you know you get them and ride consecutive days, you can tell after day one if it's likely to worsen and then make a decision on if riding is worthwhile. It takes away any guessing.

What's your imbalance like between legs on dual sided pm? I can probably help.
 
Drollic said:
If they continue, I can probably help with your bikefit. General biomechanics are bad enough, let alone with a bike involved. A number of fitters are clueless as well, as are physios in my experience.
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Cheers, i did have a bike fit back in April which did help some elements. The odd thing really is that i've never had sores up until around 2 weeks ago. I think it's the ramp up in temperature and just general dampness. I'm sitting on the sofa in the evenings and then getting up and skin feels clammy/boxers damp with sweat. Combined that with similar when sat at my desk (current office temp is 38C) although i'm making the effort to stand more to reduce the heat buildup.

The visual effect has gone, so it's now just a case of me trying to shower twice a day and use some moisturiser to help keep the skin in the best health possible.

I am debating a switch of saddle though. I've put on weight as documented elsewhere which probably isn't helping the rubbing. I've been really rubbish at focusing on shifting that and it's now plateaued around 10kg higher than this time last year. I had hoped it would drop off quick but it's not happening. Damn old age!
 
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