Road Cycling

ShiWarrior said:
oh my, i have a £65 wiggle voucher that i got extended, runs out on the 12th April !!!

any idea what to get ?

I could use a base layer for the summer use

im also thinking something by Gore, like a soft shell

not really sure what else
Click to expand...

Some wear and tear consumables for the spares box like cassette, brake pads and chains before the pound drops even further?
 
Went out on Sunday with the plan of doing a hilly loop including Dorstone Hill and Gospel Pass. 65 miles which would've been quite a test of my legs and stamina. I felt very average on the way out, deciding to skip Dorstone, a couple of the long drags out a BB click developed louder when pushing any real power over 300W. Damn annoying! My legs felt ok, just a little heavy on the flats into a near constant headwind. But whenever I hit any climb, hearing the unhealthy click and my heavy feeling legs really put me off doing the big ones! I decided to skip both and just elongate my route along some main roads to hit 40+ miles. Loads of people out, I must've passed 8-10 different riders in various places (2 sets of 2 I did some leap-frogging with after also stopping a few times) and probably 25-30 going the other way.

https://www.strava.com/activities/924864276

Average was slow on the way out (~15.5mph) as I was semi saving legs for climbs so pushed on the second half to get the average up to over 17mph (on my ELEMNT) for near 18mph on Strava afterwards. Power levels not very good but feeling like I'm out of form considering the lowish miles the last 2 weeks. Need to push on with some evening miles, or maybe even turbo miles to rediscover the power I know I have somewhere.

Felt like a semi constant headwind the whole route around but not that strong, the couple of times I stopped I immediately overheated as I'd dressed a little warm! The wind also turned warmer in the afternoon sun. As I came through Hay-on-Wye I swung by Drovers Cycles to familiarise myself where it is, they're closed on sunday's else I'd have asked them to take a look at my BB. Through the town (quite a few cyclists around) some old dear was at the side of the road clapping and shouting "Well done!". I thought it strange but smiled and rode on. A little further at Glasbury after turning over the river I spotted a few yellow signs for a sportive/organised ride and a paramedic at the side of the road was cheering and telling me I was the first one back! I laughed, shook my head & waved as she looked confused when I didn't follow the signs, I told her "I'm not on the ride, sorry!" :D. I should've stopped for some cake! ;)

Think I need to do some hill reps or something, might be better for me than the turbo?!

BennyC said:
'Bento Box' is handy for storing an 80mm tube in :cool:
Click to expand...
Is it now not a 'Benny Box'? Looks big enough for a packed lunch! ;)
Vonhelmet said:
The old bottom bracket was in a bad way. Even turning the spindle by hand you could feel it was really gritty. The new one feels beautiful by comparison. I'll try to get out on it tomorrow afternoon, give it a quick test before it resumes commuting duty.
Click to expand...
Regreased mine last weekend and used some Morgan Blue 'Aquaproof paste' rather than my usual generic CRC Weldtite TF2 red grease and I'm getting some gritty noises. I'm not convinced it's the grease, it could be some grit I'd missed in there somewhere. Damn annoying! Need to strip and regrease tonight as can occasionally hear it when easy commuting. :(

Berger said:
Best chamois cream?
Click to expand...
Don't get the DHB one it's rubbish, really sloppy & messy! I had some Morgan Blue 'solid' waterproof creme and it was good but very thick... It's also discoloured some of my chamois so stopped using it. I'm back to Assos, 3rd tub I've bought (snagged it on a wiggle return for £7 with a smashed lid!) A tub lasts me a couple of years and I notice a huge difference if I ride without so won't really shop around in future.

merlin said:
interested in giving it a whirl myself.
Click to expand...
Do it! You'll love it! Not ridden myself yet but will happen at some point :)
 
Last edited:
Roady said:
Loads of people out, I must've passed 8-10 different riders in various places (2 sets of 2 I did some leap-frogging with after also stopping a few times) and probably 25-30 going the other way.
Click to expand...

Incredibly busy round Surrey yesterday. I went to Box Hill early Tuesday morning and there was 4 cyclists total, including my mate. Yesterday there must have been 200+. Would have been tempted for a PR attempt but glad I didn't try as traffic going up was pretty bad.
 
BennyC said:
I seem to have acquired some extra speed, race training perhaps... hadn't been down Kingston Hill in a while, pretty certain I've got 60mph in me :p

https://www.strava.com/activities/924710118
Click to expand...

Looking good. Smalldean Lane is a sod. First time we rode it had no idea it was that steep as the first part is fairly progressive but then you turn a corner and a wall appears. Only been up it once but I remember it being +20% in places. Looks like your form is good for April. Can only get stronger.
 
Roady said:
A little further at Glasbury after turning over the river I spotted a few yellow signs for a sportive/organised ride and a paramedic at the side of the road was cheering and telling me I was the first one back! I laughed, shook my head & waved as she looked confused when I didn't follow the signs, I told her "I'm not on the ride, sorry!" :D. I should've stopped for some cake! ;)
Click to expand...

https://www.strava.com/activities/925122163

Lol, it was a Junior National Road Race called 'Cadence'! Know I was in team kit but was certainly not moving at those speeds! :o

Over 100 starters, glad I didn't get swept up in that!
 
Calpol said:
Looking good. Smalldean Lane is a sod. First time we rode it had no idea it was that steep as the first part is fairly progressive but then you turn a corner and a wall appears. Only been up it once but I remember it being +20% in places. Looks like your form is good for April. Can only get stronger.
Click to expand...

I've been up it a few times, last in September or October I think so yesterday was the first time. TT'd yesterday and was already 40+miles deep with refilled bottles so hardly ideal! :o I think 24% is the max pitch and it's so short it's over quite quickly, about 90 seconds. Kop Hill has some similar gradients with a much longer and more pronounced drag of around 6-8% before flattening and then rearing up to 12-15% and finally 20%+ for the crest.

Generally I've avoided those sorts of climbs as they don't have a huge training benefit but are challenging if not fun on occasion. Thanks, had a good winter and cutting my teeth racing is paying dividends too :)

What's the consensus on Lifeline Tubes here? Normally I use continental Race28 and don't get through that many truth be told (sods law I'll puncture plenty now...). Neither are expensive at £1.75/£3.50 but just wondered if anyone found a notable difference?
 
Roady said:
https://www.strava.com/activities/925122163

Lol, it was a Junior National Road Race called 'Cadence'! Know I was in team kit but was certainly not moving at those speeds! :o

Over 100 starters, glad I didn't get swept up in that!
Click to expand...

On a similar note saw a race convoy and the following race go by in the oncoming direction on Saturday near Chobham / M3. Spotted a few Paceline RT - were you in it @Thomas. PLease. ? There was a breakaway of two riders ~10-15s ahead at the time with two chasing groups heading up from the roundabout after going over the M3 bridge.

Just before a car overtook me pretty aggressively and the 2nd motorbike in convoy signalled for him to calm it down :D
 
BennyC said:
What's the consensus on Lifeline Tubes here? Normally I use continental Race28 and don't get through that many truth be told (sods law I'll puncture plenty now...). Neither are expensive at £1.75/£3.50 but just wondered if anyone found a notable difference?
Click to expand...
No problem at all with them, had one iffy one (bad valve) out of the 12-15 I've used. About the same as the innertubeshop ones for quality and similarly priced now.

Lethal` said:
On a similar note saw a race convoy and the following race go by in the oncoming direction on Saturday near Chobham / M3. Spotted a few Paceline RT - were you in it @Thomas. PLease. ? There was a breakaway of two riders ~10-15s ahead at the time with two chasing groups heading up from the roundabout after going over the M3 bridge.

Just before a car overtook me pretty aggressively and the 2nd motorbike in convoy signalled for him to calm it down :D
Click to expand...
Thomas was!

Good the outrider signalled the car, need more of that/them around! I had some dick punish pass me yesterday. Lorry & car infront of him managed to pass perfectly, so did the car behind, but the idiot buzzed me. Further up the road he was further from the verge, it on a perfectly wide open road so I know it was intentional. It takes quite a bit to scare me (it didn't) and I do tend to ride closer to the side than many others when on fast A roads. Nervous/wobbly rider wouldn't have stood a chance & that's what annoys me most! :( :mad:
 
ShiWarrior said:
yeah i could add those on

i want to get something "special" so to speak, was a Birthday present
Click to expand...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/stolen-goat-bodyline-segment-short-sleeve-jersey/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-element-stripes-short-sleeve-jersey/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ale-prr-camo-dolomiti-long-sleeve-jersey/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-perfetto-light-short-sleeve-jersey/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-asv-race-roubaix-windslam-long-sleeve-jersey/

My ASV Roubaix Windslam is my go-to winter commuting jersey. So thick and windproof I don't need additional layers unless nearing zero, fairly shower/rain/weatherproof. Really wear mine as a jacket & softshell replacement. Can't fault it for that money!
 
 
The Perfetto light is a thinner version of the Gabba (Perfetto is now called Gabba)!

I mostly chose new designs I liked (SG, Gore & Ale) followed along with those that looked like deals on the Clearance...

Do a search filter like this, then sort on Price/Discount/Best selling to spot things rather than going through page after page! ;)

Several winter/spring thermal 3/4's and tights in that price range too...
 
Day off today spent shopping with the wife and kids and then two days in London for work later in week means I'll be way down on mileage. I might have to hire a Boris bike and see the sights at 12mph.
 
Vonhelmet said:
Day off today spent shopping with the wife and kids and then two days in London for work later in week means I'll be way down on mileage. I might have to hire a Boris bike and see the sights at 12mph.
Click to expand...
Go for some Richmond Park laps on a boris bike. I've seen the odd tourist there with one :)
 
That feeling when you replace your gear inners and don't need to touch your barrel adjusters. Bit like a Royal Flush? or do I have skills?... :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom