Road Cycling
- Thread starter FrenchTart
- Start date
Beautiful day for being out on the bike here today, started off fairly cool obviously but was pleasant in the sunshine and virtually no wind. Could feel distinct drop in temps when riding in the shade but even with the Garmin showing 14 degrees it felt like it was warmer. Ideal opportunity to add some miles onto our club ride and get a sneaky century in for October 
https://www.strava.com/activities/732126642
Don't know how many more days will get like this, some of the quiet country lanes had fair bit of dried mud at entrances to fields - rainy days will make them rather messy
Can see I'll be dragging the Ribble off the turbo soon and swapping over with the summer bike. I made the mistake of buying a fairly nice condition winter bike off ebay so can't help wanting to keep it clean, plus it lives in the house so that's an extra incentive to give it a quick bath after a grubby ride. Most of the running gear stands up to winter grit and grime ok, just give the chain & rear cassette the baby wipe treatment then hit the chain with GT85. Need to fit some new mudguards as I've still not found a set where the rear will last a whole winter without snapping
https://www.strava.com/activities/732126642
Don't know how many more days will get like this, some of the quiet country lanes had fair bit of dried mud at entrances to fields - rainy days will make them rather messy
Can see I'll be dragging the Ribble off the turbo soon and swapping over with the summer bike. I made the mistake of buying a fairly nice condition winter bike off ebay so can't help wanting to keep it clean, plus it lives in the house so that's an extra incentive to give it a quick bath after a grubby ride. Most of the running gear stands up to winter grit and grime ok, just give the chain & rear cassette the baby wipe treatment then hit the chain with GT85. Need to fit some new mudguards as I've still not found a set where the rear will last a whole winter without snapping
Got out for 20odd miles in the dark this evening, testing my lights and checking my route to work to see how well lit it is. There's only a couple of half mile stretches with no lights, so I should be ok. It's weird riding unlit roads with just the lights on your bike, basically dealing with the 20 feet in front of you.
DIY saturday as the forecast was hit & miss. Things warmed up in the afternoon but the glorious sunshine was broken up by a couple of heavy showers... I'd planned ahead with a ride on sunday.
Things were damn cold on sunday, but as the morning wore on the sun was fantastic, yet the wind kept things very cool. Met up with a couple of friends to trace the charity ride that's taking place on the 15th, had otherwise drawn a bit of a blank for a route and as none of us knew it we thought we may as well ride the thing!
https://www.strava.com/activities/731949695
Fantastic route, some quick roads south and 1 p*ncture, winds cool all the way with much of the route in the shade of hedgerows. Every time we switched direction & picked up some sunlight it was glorious! The first climb (Wern Ddu)after Ewas Harold was a hard one to judge, I alternated between sat/stood to try and save my legs for later. Descent to Longtown was fun and the roads around this part of the world are fantastic - good surface, few potholes & quiet. After a short stint on the busy A465 we turned onto Grosmont Road, this one was brutal and I realised my legs were pretty toasted with no option but to sit and spin most of it. I'd eaten the last of my food just before and just hoped I had enough energy to get me home... Regretted not having more for breakfast!
At the top (regrouping) Matt's blade (out of his Keo blade pedal) flew out! We had a hard time getting it back in there as none of our multi tools had the right size star bolt to unscrew the catch 'axle'. A combination of brute force & leverage we managed to get it back in there. I'm quite concerned about this as the Keo Blade was the next pedal I was going to buy...
Anyone heard of this before? Kudos to the guy from Abergavenny CC who stopped to help!
After 25 minutes of faffing we carried on, my legs were proper feeling it after this, being stopped too long straight after a climb DOMS kicked in hard. Strange feeling as never really had them while riding (usually the day after)! Much of the route from here back to town was along [URL="https://www.bikemap.net/en/official/173236-national-cycle-network-national-route-46/#/z12/51.97642,-2.81988/terrain"]Sustrans Route 46[/URL] (which runs from Abergavenny to Hereford) and not something I've really explored or used before. The scenery was fantastic, the roads mostly good, mostly quiet, but the climbs were brutal at this stage! As we reached near town we took the main road home, my legs empty. After Richie & Matt headed home and I turned west I got a nice tow behind a horsebox through Whitecross and somehow got an 8th Overall on a very busy segment. Needless to say after this I struggled all the way back (doh!), even considered stopping and having my emergency gel, just to get me home! I was on pure 'get me home' mode at this stage, holding back to avoid bonking completely.
All in all a fantastic route & ride but a real eye opener to how much underfuelled I was, how out of condition I am, especially to anything much over 30 miles.
For a hybrid, it looks fast! Giant did a range of carbon 'road' bikes with flat bars, I've no idea if they still do.
FT: one of the local guys has also broken his collarbone, he's doing similar to you and turbo riding in a sling! He broke his September 13th on a sportive in Cambridge. Crazy to think a month earlier he Everested a beast of a local climb!
Things were damn cold on sunday, but as the morning wore on the sun was fantastic, yet the wind kept things very cool. Met up with a couple of friends to trace the charity ride that's taking place on the 15th, had otherwise drawn a bit of a blank for a route and as none of us knew it we thought we may as well ride the thing!
https://www.strava.com/activities/731949695
Fantastic route, some quick roads south and 1 p*ncture, winds cool all the way with much of the route in the shade of hedgerows. Every time we switched direction & picked up some sunlight it was glorious! The first climb (Wern Ddu)after Ewas Harold was a hard one to judge, I alternated between sat/stood to try and save my legs for later. Descent to Longtown was fun and the roads around this part of the world are fantastic - good surface, few potholes & quiet. After a short stint on the busy A465 we turned onto Grosmont Road, this one was brutal and I realised my legs were pretty toasted with no option but to sit and spin most of it. I'd eaten the last of my food just before and just hoped I had enough energy to get me home... Regretted not having more for breakfast!
At the top (regrouping) Matt's blade (out of his Keo blade pedal) flew out! We had a hard time getting it back in there as none of our multi tools had the right size star bolt to unscrew the catch 'axle'. A combination of brute force & leverage we managed to get it back in there. I'm quite concerned about this as the Keo Blade was the next pedal I was going to buy...
Anyone heard of this before? Kudos to the guy from Abergavenny CC who stopped to help!
After 25 minutes of faffing we carried on, my legs were proper feeling it after this, being stopped too long straight after a climb DOMS kicked in hard. Strange feeling as never really had them while riding (usually the day after)! Much of the route from here back to town was along [URL="https://www.bikemap.net/en/official/173236-national-cycle-network-national-route-46/#/z12/51.97642,-2.81988/terrain"]Sustrans Route 46[/URL] (which runs from Abergavenny to Hereford) and not something I've really explored or used before. The scenery was fantastic, the roads mostly good, mostly quiet, but the climbs were brutal at this stage! As we reached near town we took the main road home, my legs empty. After Richie & Matt headed home and I turned west I got a nice tow behind a horsebox through Whitecross and somehow got an 8th Overall on a very busy segment. Needless to say after this I struggled all the way back (doh!), even considered stopping and having my emergency gel, just to get me home!
I was on pure 'get me home' mode at this stage, holding back to avoid bonking completely.All in all a fantastic route & ride but a real eye opener to how much underfuelled I was, how out of condition I am, especially to anything much over 30 miles.
Nutter! Glad you were able to get out of his way, sure hope he hits a wall/lamp post soon and not a person!On the narrow track down to the ferry I turned a corner to find an Audi gunning it along. One car width road, approaching a blind bend and they must have been doing 45+ in the middle of the road. No way I was going to get it stopped in the rapidly decreasing gap between us so I threw it on the tiny strip of grass verge between the road and a ditch sliding all over the place on the brakes. The Audi... barely even slowed down
Good choice, bought my Defy 1 2015 at the end of 2014 on a good deal. 5500 miles later, replaced brakes, BB, wheels and saddle.
It's got a bell! Saddle nose pointing up, valve's don't match against tyre branding...
For a hybrid, it looks fast! Giant did a range of carbon 'road' bikes with flat bars, I've no idea if they still do.
I find it quite therapeutic! Can almost zone out on flat/boring A roads!
FT: one of the local guys has also broken his collarbone, he's doing similar to you and turbo riding in a sling! He broke his September 13th on a sportive in Cambridge. Crazy to think a month earlier he Everested a beast of a local climb!
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It's got a bell! Saddle nose pointing up, valve's don't match against tyre branding...
Saddle is an optical illusion due to the angle of the seatpost. Use the wall as a reference and it is actually very slightly nose down if anything!
Now heading off to work in Weston-super-Mare for a week so no riding for me
Hotel is near a leisure centre so I may try a bit of swimming 
Soldato
- Joined
- 11 Sep 2009
- Posts
- 14,064
- Location
- France, Alsace
Not managed much on the road bike recently. Was away in barcelona for 5 days and then came back and managing the kids/ house as wife is back in the UK for a funeral. I got a bit on zwift and been on the mtb. I would have liked to ride up in the alps this weekend, but was with the kids and parents, so instead I just drank a lot of wine.
Felt like someone else's legs on this morning.
Felt like someone else's legs on this morning.
Ahh - so you're Julian Simon?
Surprisingly fresh legs yesterday afternoon, despite Saturdays turbo, with some sunny & crisp weather. Put in an average power PB for the duration and actually managed to surpass my usual avg. speed for my standard Sunday elevation but with 20 miles less distance 
800 cals/hr
https://www.strava.com/activities/732103381
Not quite Ventoux but best thing to it close by
[URL="https://www.strava.com/segments/13346190]Club Des Brill-ingles[/URL]
800 cals/hr https://www.strava.com/activities/732103381
Not quite Ventoux but best thing to it close by
[URL="https://www.strava.com/segments/13346190]Club Des Brill-ingles[/URL]
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It's got a bell! Saddle nose pointing up, valve's don't match against tyre branding...
It has a bell. That's not one of the errors though - I'm riding a lot on shared paths, a bell is essential. Besides, it's a LionBellworks bell so it's not just a bell, it's fashionable, stylish and functional
Regarding the saddle, I put a bubble on it and lordrobs is correct, it's actually just fractionally nose down, so fractionally that the bubble isn't even out of the lines.
I'll give you the valves and the brandings, they're about an inch out but none of these are the errors I was thinking of.
Obviously nowhere near as fast as a full road bike but I'm enjoying it.
Yes.
Looks like I picked a good week to take as holiday (makes a change) 
Hoping to get over to the Isle of Wight on Wednesday, been many times but never cycled it. Keep meaning to.
Legs are feeling a bit toast today, as I've just done 2 weeks of solid tempo riding. Also, since starting to use a power meter I've realised how much I used to coast. Bit of shock to the system holding constant power, rather than in short bursts. I took on some coaching as well which is really helping. Find having a structured plan is really helping to motivate me, especially on days like Saturday where it was really wet and cold.
Went ahead and brought another pair of 'expensive' bibs, not much choice at the moment, stock seems a bit low (especially in my size). Ended up going with Roady's suggestion of the Sportful Gruppetto Pro SS16. However, the sizing chart is exactly the same as Castelli's, so they may have to be returned.
Can't remember if anyone else has Vector 2 pedals? If so, can you let me know how long typically the batteries last? Warning message has flagged up on my Garmin headunit, and I've only ridded with them for around 50-60 hours.
Hoping to get over to the Isle of Wight on Wednesday, been many times but never cycled it. Keep meaning to.
Legs are feeling a bit toast today, as I've just done 2 weeks of solid tempo riding. Also, since starting to use a power meter I've realised how much I used to coast. Bit of shock to the system holding constant power, rather than in short bursts. I took on some coaching as well which is really helping. Find having a structured plan is really helping to motivate me, especially on days like Saturday where it was really wet and cold.
Went ahead and brought another pair of 'expensive' bibs, not much choice at the moment, stock seems a bit low (especially in my size). Ended up going with Roady's suggestion of the Sportful Gruppetto Pro SS16. However, the sizing chart is exactly the same as Castelli's, so they may have to be returned.
Can't remember if anyone else has Vector 2 pedals? If so, can you let me know how long typically the batteries last? Warning message has flagged up on my Garmin headunit, and I've only ridded with them for around 50-60 hours.
Great scenery, have done the Randonee twice with Maxeh, not hugely challenging but it's either up or down. Clockwise from Wooton is recommended
Don't forget to ease off a bit to recover before climbs
Bonus from higher power averages = more calories expended = more food to be eaten 
Get a similar battery life from my P1's (decent AAA's)
There's actually a list on the front page of the group. Although I think there was too many so there's a link there to a Forum thread with them all on (no idea how up to date either are)!
You enjoyed the first 2 hours & pushed on through the next 4+. Some real grit, determination and stamina to do that mate - take positives from that if nothing else!
Lots of good riding around the coasts there, hire a bike!Now heading off to work in Weston-super-Mare for a week so no riding for me
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Do kids really take up that much time?! I've always intended to take them out for a 5 mile run/walk (like the dog) before then having the afternoon to myself while they sleep it off... Don't tell me that doesn't work with kids?! I'll have to rethink my whole future!
Good riding mate, hillarious route! Bet that other guy is fuming over you taking his KOM!
SoliD has Vectors I think!?
The sizing on the Sportful is marginally 'easier' than Castelli, I find L pretty tight in Castelli but will happily wear an L Sportful most of the time. My older Castelli's are XL and a better fit than L, although my older 'winter' Sportful Fiandre NoRain shorts I've just dug out are XL, but not finding them any looser a fit.
Really love my Gruppetto, half kicking myself I didn't get a 3rd pair when they were £65 on Wiggle... My only criticism would be the panel at the base/rear above the pad, if it rains it tends to stay 'wet' when other parts dry out, which can lead to feeling a few chills in any cool winds.
Don't let xdcx see you saying that, he'll have kittens!Besides, it's a LionBellworks bell so it's not just a bell, it's fashionable, stylish and functional
Pedals at 3 & 9, not 12 & 6!? I'm all out of ideas after that!
CRC still have some, £60
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/sportful-gruppetto-pro-bibshort-ss16/rp-prod144200
Bet that other guy is fuming over you taking his KOM!
Probably not as I only made the segment yesterday
Can confirm the ALDI socks are magically warm, worth every penny of the price - I've double dipped on them now - went back lunch time to buy some more.
Also picked up the beaniecap thing which clearly isn't waterproof in any way shape or form but sure as hell looks windproof and thermal, and re-stocked on Muckoff lube too.
Only thing I've resisted buying is riding gloves - I have some decent Road/MTB ones that are ok for autumn but will struggle under temps around 7 to 8c, but tbh I've got two pairs of general leather warm full finger gloves both of which I think will be ok to operate brakes/gear levers with - so I'm just going to run with them I think.
Also picked up the beaniecap thing which clearly isn't waterproof in any way shape or form but sure as hell looks windproof and thermal, and re-stocked on Muckoff lube too.
Only thing I've resisted buying is riding gloves - I have some decent Road/MTB ones that are ok for autumn but will struggle under temps around 7 to 8c, but tbh I've got two pairs of general leather warm full finger gloves both of which I think will be ok to operate brakes/gear levers with - so I'm just going to run with them I think.
You enjoyed the first 2 hours & pushed on through the next 4+. Some real grit, determination and stamina to do that mate - take positives from that if nothing else!
True, and I'm sort of glad I finished, but I only did that because everyone I phoned up to beg them to come and get me didn't answer.