Road Cycling

madindehead · 6 Jul 2016 at 15:54

Roady said:
Credenhill, on the west just outside Hereford. Less than 2 miles to work, door to door!

Also won't have to cross the river (bridge is a huge traffic bottleneck) unless we need to head south, we had to cross it for 90% of all journeys before!

https://www.strava.com/routes/5627340 - my mileage is really going to suffer lol

That's about the same distance than I live from my work. I just walk, as getting changed takes more time

Also not the most fun roads to ride on.

Pretty good that you're away from the river!

Roady · 6 Jul 2016 at 16:23

Bear said:
Only problem with Sportful bibs I've found is that they seem to be made for short Italians. I'm only 5'10 and in XL I find the straps dig in a bit as they come up a bit short. Like the quality of them otherwise.

SDK^ said:
I found the same with Castelli bibs - straps too short.

I've always had slightly tight straps on all my Castelli & Sportfuls. I've got short legs but would consider my torso 'normal'... Although if I'm 5'6" and I have to buy 30/31" length trousers would that make my torso long?!

Doesn't cause me a problem and I actually prefer them to the looser fit of the DHB straps which allows the pad to move...!

Jonny69 said:
but SWMBO has banned me from riding to the docs tomorrow. I think it would be OK if I go on a freewheeling bike because I'll only actually be pedalling a small proportion of that ride. But whatever, I can just go for another gentle roll round the block.

Probably for the best!

Turbo? Cheaper option!?

madindehead said:
That's about the same distance than I live from my work. I just walk, as getting changed takes more time Also not the most fun roads to ride on.

Pretty good that you're away from the river!

Interesting... May have to investigate the walking option, another is a flat pedal/bar'd runaround I can just jump on without getting changed @lunchtime.

The better half's commute will be 5.4 miles... Had told her it's 'probably less than what I was riding' (4.4). Wonder how long I've got until she notices...

Although I've said we'll ride together some of the distance, so I could always do a longer route to her work to 'deliver' her there lol

Hope she doesn't notice until I can N+1.

Jonny69 · 6 Jul 2016 at 18:32

Roady said:
Turbo? Cheaper option!?

Same argument as I usually bang on: I've got a perfectly good road at the end of my drive

I have my rehab gearing already set up on my geared bike, which actually I'd forgotten about. 48/40 rings and sorted out a 15-20 straight-through set of 6 gears. It's an old Uniglide setup so I can put pretty much any set of 6 ratios on as long as I've got the cogs.

FrenchTart · 6 Jul 2016 at 19:05

Jonny69...just rest properly. There's no point in re-injuring yourself or making recovery take longer.

I've been getting back into riding a bit more this week which has been nice. I can't believe how much happier I feel having done a bit more intense exercise. Makes such a huge difference.

Vonhelmet · 6 Jul 2016 at 19:08

SoliD said:
Maybe you did actually! Or maybe I'm imagining it! I'll send you one now!

Sent you a reply. Did it make it? Check your junk folder.

SoliD · 6 Jul 2016 at 20:09

Vonhelmet said:
Sent you a reply. Did it make it? Check your junk folder.

Got it. Been bit busy. Will send money tomorrow!

Edit - Money sent!

BennyC · 6 Jul 2016 at 20:29

Talking of bibs, picked up a set of Castelli Volo which fit quite well, particularly snug and reasonable value too at £80, think I got them for nearer to £60 during the platinum discount boost in May/June.

Ordered a M to match my Rosso Corsa Free Aero Fit Castelli bibs (got those at 1/3rd the RRP, £53) but they were actually smaller?! So exchanged and went a size up, stock came in recently so received them this week. Haven't ridden in them yet but can't see any issues. I'd agree the straps are on the shorter size as a Large fits me comfortably at 5'10".

Review

SoliD · 6 Jul 2016 at 20:38

One More Solo said:
Yeah seems like that kind of event. One guy I know did the Marmotte in under 7 hours this year so I'll probably pass on riding with him. Out in France from next weekend so looking forward to getting some longer rides in. Only downside is it's nearly impossible to do a flat ride where we are but can probably hack it for a week.

I'm entering the ECCA 12 hour on 14th August so need plenty of saddle time!

HAHA, that is beasty. What's the course for that one?

How long you out, where you staying? I really want to go away again later in the year, but can't find anyone who is available! Might just fly out to Spain and watch few Vuelta stages!

Well if you do it let me know!

One More Solo · 6 Jul 2016 at 22:12

SoliD said:
HAHA, that is beasty. What's the course for that one?

How long you out, where you staying? I really want to go away again later in the year, but can't find anyone who is available! Might just fly out to Spain and watch few Vuelta stages!

Well if you do it let me know!

Staying near La Clusaz, about an hour from Geneva. Close to the mountain TT and Megeve to Morzine stage so looking forward to those.

The Marmotte takes in all the big climbs around Bourg D'Oisans, Galibier, Telegraphe, Glandon and finishes up Alpe d'Huez. May try and ride part or all of the route when I'm out, schedule permitting. Only ever done the Alpe down there so would be good to check out the others.

If you meant the 12 hour then it takes in a load of different circuits near Cambridge after 80 or so miles of dual carriageway. Meant to be a fastish course but I'm happy to just finish!

SDK^ · 6 Jul 2016 at 22:29

Well I'm seriously not impressed with Castelli clothing.
The sizing is all over the place, it's uncomfortable to wear and my new Free Aero Race bib shorts have ripped at the back after the 2nd use. They have added a small strip of material at the top to strengthen it but it's useless. (See below)

DHB clothing is cheaper, more comfortable, fits properly and after 2 years use they are still in perfect condition.

Bear · 7 Jul 2016 at 06:23

That's pretty poor as they should have hemmed that piece then it would have been a bit stronger. Hardly surprising a thin piece of material like that would be prone to tearing.

madindehead · 7 Jul 2016 at 07:02

Straps being right when you're standing isn't an issue. If they are tight when you're on the bike then you'very got a problem.

That is not good SDK

I wasn't a fan of the Castelli shorts I tried on. Too tight around the genital area

oli collett · 7 Jul 2016 at 07:18

I've never had an issue with Castelli kit - I've got a set of aero race bib shorts which I even had a bad crash in 2 years ago and they are still going strong.

As for sportful coming up short, I don't find that the case either and I'm 5' 10 and wear a medium!

BennyC · 7 Jul 2016 at 07:56

oli collett said:
I've never had an issue with Castelli kit - I've got a set of aero race bib shorts which I even had a bad crash in 2 years ago and they are still going strong.

As for sportful coming up short, I don't find that the case either and I'm 5' 10 and wear a medium!

I've worn my Aero Race shorts to absolute death and had one minor off in them and they are still going strong too. A very small section of stitching on the rear of the pad came away but they still perform just fine.

Those do look quite poorly designed though

Saytan · 7 Jul 2016 at 08:20

You rarely see grizzled old roadmen, the kind with a shed full of worn out rims in Castelli. Or Rapha.

Roady · 7 Jul 2016 at 09:19

https://www.strava.com/activities/632318066
Ride 'home' (my parents place where we're staying for a month) last night from work. Chose the main road option for ease - shorter and only 4 real climbs, 2 of them quite long so good training for me. Headwinds. Not much sleep, legs tired and no real riding for 10 days meant I suffered. Still felt good to get the 24 miles done in 1 hour 24 with 1500ft climbing. Did Hereford->Kington in under 55 mins steady, which I did in reverse 10 days ago (hammering it!) in under 50 mins. More downhill that way though! :cool:

Jonny69 said:
48/40 rings and sorted out a 15-20 straight-through set of 6 gears.

Spinny spinny! Just take it easy!

I figured the Turbo being static was easier - less leaning for corners & you can literally stop whenever you wanted. Also don't have headwinds, hills, traffic or any real speed to worry about! You could even have zero resistance to just spin at your leisure to exercise the hip movement without taxing damaged/repairing muscles!

FrenchTart said:
I can't believe how much happier I feel having done a bit more intense exercise. Makes such a huge difference.

Tell me about it!
Thurs->Sunday - Holiday in Stockholm, lots of walking & uncomfortable sleeping in a strange bed. Rested but not 'fresh', probably due to the walking. No cycling.
Monday - cleared house, 8am-8pm carrying heavy stuff, loading and unloading van. 8-11pm unloading cars & driving to 'home'. Bed at 12.30am in strange bed. No riding. 5 hours sleep. Suffering.
Tuesday - 5am start, restless night. Work 8am-5.30pm. Driving to other parents, picking up stuff & back 'home' to bed at 11:30pm. No riding. 5.5 hours sleep. Suffering!
Wednesday - 5:30am start, restless night & not feeling very recovered from Monday. Work 8am-5.30pm. CYCLED 'HOME'! Legs woke up and although I suffered it felt good to be tired from riding. Bed at 11pm. Slept like a baby! 6.5 hours sleep.
Thursday - 5:30am start, bounced out of bed, feeling fresh and rested!

BennyC said:
Talking of bibs, picked up a set of Castelli Volo which fit quite well, particularly snug and reasonable value too at £80, think I got them for nearer to £60 during the platinum discount boost in May/June.

Damn, gutted I missed those! Really want a pair as I've got the Volo jersey (£39) in Black/yellow and it's really grown on me... Fit is superb and material/design is better than the more expensive Entrata jersey (£45) I got the same time which has several 'pugs'/snags all over it (even though I've been really careful with it!), it's baggy fit too! Stupid Castelli sizing - where a more expensive summer jersey is baggy/flappy!

SDK^ said:
Well I'm seriously not impressed with Castelli clothing.
The sizing is all over the place, it's uncomfortable to wear and my new Free Aero Race bib shorts have ripped at the back after the 2nd use. They have added a small strip of material at the top to strengthen it but it's useless. (See below)

Rubbish! That looks like a fault in the fabric to have ripped so cleanly & easily.

madindehead · 7 Jul 2016 at 10:01

The new Entrata 2 has much better sizing Roady. It is also a lot more expensive too

BennyC · 7 Jul 2016 at 10:02

Roady said:
Damn, gutted I missed those! Really want a pair as I've got the Volo jersey (£39) in Black/yellow and it's really grown on me... Fit is superb and material/design is better than the more expensive Entrata jersey (£45) I got the same time which has several 'pugs'/snags all over it (even though I've been really careful with it!), it's baggy fit too! Stupid Castelli sizing - where a more expensive summer jersey is baggy/flappy!

Yeah I'm gutted I can't get the matching jersey now, though historically Castelli jerseys have never fitted me that well

Jono · 7 Jul 2016 at 10:29

Anyone got any of endura's top of the range shorts?

madindehead · 7 Jul 2016 at 10:45

Jono said:
Anyone got any of endura's top of the range shorts?

I've heard some good things about Endura's kit.

Road Cycling

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