Road Cycling

[Roady]

I found it difficult to judge cadence... I have effectively two options with my gearing ~85 or ~92 (without changing gear in a lap). 85 felt more powerful, less taxing on the lungs but I wasn't sure the muscles would hold out as that's quite low compared to my usual 95-100.

92rpm, or higher! Whatever cadence you find comfortable should usually be the most efficient, at least for your muscle form/memory/condition. When you're riding different cadences at higher powers you'll generally tire more as you're pedalling less 'naturally', fatiguing & fading earlier.

Your lap-times were quite consistent around the 2:20 level at just under 300W avg, how sustainable did you find that & how many laps do you have to do?

You're 3rd fastest on my 'People I'm Following' list for Hillingdon! Thomas is 2nd and one of my local riders is 3 seconds even faster than him!

Don't forget to take a beetroot shot.

EURGH! Tried a beetroot smoothie when on hols and it was MINGING! Then again I'm not a huge beetroot eater (apart from a bit shredded/with salad)

 

[Lethal`]

92rpm, or higher! Whatever cadence you find comfortable should usually be the most efficient, at least for your muscle form/memory/condition. When you're riding different cadences at higher powers you'll generally tire more as you're pedalling less 'naturally', fatiguing & fading earlier.

Your lap-times were quite consistent around the 2:20 level at just under 300W avg, how sustainable did you find that & how many laps do you have to do?

You're 3rd fastest on my 'People I'm Following' list for Hillingdon! Thomas is 2nd and one of my local riders is 3 seconds even faster than him!
EURGH! Tried a beetroot smoothie when on hols and it was MINGING! Then again I'm not a huge beetroot eater (apart from a bit shredded/with salad)

Beetroot really is quite disgusting!

Yeah I think I'll be aiming to keep it around the same. I have to do 11.1mi/18km for the event.. not sure how many laps but I think they are longer than the Hillingdon ones too and hopefully less exposed to the wind
The effort was reasonably sustainable. I don't think I would have held the first lap speed for that kinda time and there certainly wasn't much more available to give.

I usually look at this segment for overall lap time as it's the start/finish line My time there is when a mate challenged me to an all out lap.

 

[Calpol]

I did - but he admitted that he was not concentrating, had his hands on the flats and therefore not covering his brakes.....and by the time he reacted (to the lights now at red!) it was too late!

Already own a pair of LG shoes - been superb but need some new ones - reduced to £65.....not sure if I love them or hate them!!!

Anyone else with lace up shoes??
]

I'm close to splashing out on the Giro Empires. I think they will suit my slim feet and quite like the Ultra violet

 

[FrenchTart]

Those do look awesome. Sadly I'm too lazy to keep them looking that way so they'd just be mud-coloured soon enough.

(and I bet they aren't SPD-compatible )

 

[SDK^]

So I did my first night ride tonight - A quick 20 mile blast and loved it. Despite riding in complete dark country roads, drowning in puddles, strong head rain and stinging eyes from the sweat salt in my helmet.

My Exposure TraceR and Lezyne Power Drive 1100XL worked perfectly

 

[SoliD]

Those do look awesome. Sadly I'm too lazy to keep them looking that way so they'd just be mud-coloured soon enough.

(and I bet they aren't SPD-compatible )

They do do SPD empires. I think I'll plump for a pair of the reflectives at some point as they should go with any other clothing, whereas the ultra violets will only go with a small portion of my Rapha collection... come at me xdcx.

 

[Shamrock]

I'd rather not throw up before the start

Yeah, but you can't argue with the improved mitochondrial efficiency!

Alternatively you can get the beet-it cereal bars which are a bit more palatable.

I use the SPD version of the Empires for my commutes.

Giro Republic...

[/IMG]

 

[BennyC]

Anyone ridden a Mango bike? I'm looking at their Point AR frameset for a new winter/bad weather/trails bike and at £269 it's pretty hard to beat.

Maxeh has a Mango single speed but he's not on the forums much. Can give him a nudge if you want?

Hands on the flats whilst doing anything other than climbing a mountain pass shall be frowned upon. 'Ave a word.

Here here.

 

[Shadowness]

Damn looks like you lot are in for a windy one today, some KOMs to be had I think!

Shame I'm out of the country....AGAIN!

 

[xdcx]

SPD's? In road cycling thread? Lucky I have no power here. The dirty people thread is separate to this one, please vacate so we can stay on topic.
Those Giro's above look like cheapo gash Tesco two stripe knock off trainers. Wow.
Laces on cycling shoes is alright, specifically the Empires which are sweet. Jury is out on the purple ones though (ultra violet? do one, they're purple, ladies).
If we are talking cool shoes of recent then I propose these Fizik R1B in red... Not the coolest ever, but of recent times these are the coolest of the cool right now:

FWIW - Kicks are serious SERIOUS business. This may not be a war you Rapha ponces wish to participate in so I suggest you pull a fluffy French and wave le white flag

 

[SDK^]

^ I was just looking at those on their site. Think i;ll wait for the summer though.

 

[lordrobs]

Cool shoes Dorothy. Do these take you back home when you click your heels together three times or does it just auto route the GPS back to start?

 

[Shamrock]

FWIW - Kicks are serious SERIOUS business. This may not be a war you Rapha ponces wish to participate in so I suggest you pull a fluffy French and wave le white flag

Au contraire...

 

[booyaka]

Sorry to disappoint but I've ordered a 2nd pair of my current shoes but in black (current ones are white).

They've been superb for 2 years in the wet/dry etc and I thought I'd just stick to them. They fit well, the Boa laces are superb. Down to £80 as I paid £110 about 2 years back.

 

[madindehead]

Road.cc did a review of the Mango Point AR bike a while ago.

 

[Lethal`]

Got a KOM lost notification email this morning. Checked it and apparently he had done 37mph for a mile into Doris' wind (and 34mph for 14 miles in a southerly direction) It was already flagged.

Also 47mph through a 30 limit with a speed camera. Wonder if he got a ticket too.

 

[Roady]

Yeah I think I'll be aiming to keep it around the same. I have to do 11.1mi/18km for the event.. not sure how many laps but I think they are longer than the Hillingdon ones too and hopefully less exposed to the wind
The effort was reasonably sustainable. I don't think I would have held the first lap speed for that kinda time and there certainly wasn't much more available to give.

I usually look at this segment for overall lap time as it's the start/finish line My time there is when a mate challenged me to an all out lap.

Much of it may stem down to the cornering and the quantity of riders around, are you able to get some solo laps/practice on the course before hand to figure out your sustainable lap times? If there's a segment you could look for other riders who've ridden Hillingdon with comparable lap times to your aim also riding there, to give you some idea.

I'm close to splashing out on the Giro Empires. I think they will suit my slim feet and quite like the Ultra violet

Spoiler

They just don't do it for me sorry! They're very 'track'/fancy indoorsy looking, I can imagine Wiggo strutting around in them. I think from the 'flashy' style of a glossy unusual colour, showboating. For me a laced 'traditional' style shoe has to be more traditional colours, like the Giro Republic Liam linked. Although still not a style I'd wear, I'm less of a traditionalist and more of a fan of the modern look, features and bright colours.

Although at the moment I'm really digging the camo look:

So I did my first night ride tonight - A quick 20 mile blast and loved it. Despite riding in complete dark country roads, drowning in puddles, strong head rain and stinging eyes from the sweat salt in my helmet.

My Exposure TraceR and Lezyne Power Drive 1100XL worked perfectly

Night rides are even more fun with less winds & rain! Summer time on loops you know with no traffic = bliss!

Damn looks like you lot are in for a windy one today, some KOMs to be had I think!

Shame I'm out of the country....AGAIN!

Horrific here in Hereford and getting worse, 40mph winds topping out at 50mph at lunch. I drove. No point riding in winds like these taking stupid unnecessary risks!

Those Giro's above look like cheapo gash Tesco two stripe knock off trainers. Wow.
Laces on cycling shoes is alright, specifically the Empires which are sweet. Jury is out on the purple ones though (ultra violet? do one, they're purple, ladies).
If we are talking cool shoes of recent then I propose these Fizik R1B in red... Not the coolest ever, but of recent times these are the coolest of the cool right now:

Spoiler

Hate to say it but I agree with all of the above and those R1's are beautiful! Only issue would be trying to match other kit to do them justice!

Cool shoes Dorothy. Do these take you back home when you click your heels together three times or does it just auto route the GPS back to start?

I lol'd. Even more on topic with the high winds we're having!

Still one of the best looking shoes IMO!
Really like the White/red ones too...

 

[xdcx]

Shamrock those Rapha things having all velcro straps is a proper indication of what they are aimed at
Wee Watt Warriors! (substitute "rriors" for "nkers" where relevant).

 

[Shamrock]

Shamrock those Rapha things having all velcro straps is a proper indication of what they are aimed at
Wee Watt Warriors! (substitute "rriors" for "nkers" where relevant).

 

[xdcx]

hehe <3 <3