What exactly IS a well-lubed chain?
A chain that isn't making noise due to lack of lube? Personally I've 'over-lubed' my chain on the turbo and also not wiped off *all* of the excess. It won't be going outside so won't attract grime...
The symptoms of chain noise increasing from new are just as things bedding in, chains, chainrings and cassettes all wear at slightly different rates. Cable stretch too can introduce noise as indexing slowly goes out. Also when chains are new they come waxed, not lubed. This wax is amazing for keeping noise down! You can
rewax chains rather than lube (think some TT'ers do this?) but as it's more time consuming (you have to wait for it to cure/set) it's not a general thing that many do (that I'm aware of? Anyone?).
I'm using
Finish Line Ceramic Green and for the really wet weather I use
normal Finish Line Green. Mostly using the ceramic as it came on offer when I needed some and the normal Green was out of stock. I've been trying to 'use it up' lubing 2 bikes all seasons with it and it's lasting forever... I never had much luck with '
summer' lubes, finding I'd have to relube every week or more frequently. With the thicker 'water resistant' lubes I find they last longer. They do pick up more grime but I wipe my chain down usually once a week, relubing approx every 2 (possibly once a week if it's been a very wet week).
Dry lubes (waxes could be considered dry) could be worth a try if you only ride in dry conditions, as they're dry it doesn't attract so much grime. Just wears off fast in any rain/mud.
my forearm, wrist and hand understandably ends up ice cold.
My forearms are ok, my wrists, hands and ankles get cold. I always keep my hands covered anyway inside & outside. After reading in Cavendish's book that he has to have his wrists uncovered otherwise he overheats, I tried the same in the warm weather and found Peeling/Rolling gloves slightly forwards of the wrist makes a huge difference (to me and him anyway!).
In other news - I was squaring myself up to do this:
http://velothon.ironman.com/events/velothon-wales.aspx#axzz4MsMuovbY
But it says no disc brake bikes.
I need to find a newbie friendly (~80 miles ish?) disc friendly sportive within a few hours of Birmingham to aim towards in 2017. Any ideas?
http://velothon.ironman.com/events/velothon-wales/the-event/faqs.aspx#faq3
It says 'disc wheels' not disc brakes so I think you're ok... I know it's a 'UCI approved race' but I don't think the particular 'no discs in the peloton' kinda rule applies to the sportive. I could be wrong (and would actually be annoyed if you're right as I was seriously considering it too!).
Lots of other sportives around, look for the '
Mad March Hare' based Worcester direction early in the season. There's multiples around Shopshire taking in many of the climbs around the Shropshire Hills (
Shropshire Tors). Lots around the Malvern hills too. Check
British Cycling & the
Wiggle series for some starting pointers!
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/154994/Ride-the-Reservoir
I always overtake on the right, very rarely undertaking on the left (unless I'm turning left and there's stationary traffic & lots of space). Mostly just habit from commuting for several years through stationary traffic (1 lane) with parked cars at the side. I always consider that a driver is much less likely to open their door, pedestrians are less likely to surprise you and drivers are more likely to see you (as more used to being overtaken than undertaken) on that side. Avoids the pavement hoppers too.
).