Road Cycling

platypus said:
Because I'm going to be knackered :D. I'll enjoy the cycle, I just meant that I won't be able to enjoy Loch Lomond as much as I normally would because I certainly won't be doing much walking!

Actually, since you know the area, here's my route to LL from Edinburgh: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/14398351. Is there anywhere on there you'd recommend avoiding/detouring to see? I don't expect my last days ride to be quick and I'm happy for a bit of sightseeing.

I was considering https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/15269840 as an alternate route, but I honestly doubt I'll have the legs for it.
Click to expand...

Oh I had skim read that! Didn't realise you were actually cycling here instead of in the area.

I can't view those links even with an account unfortunately!
 
Steedie said:
Haha just the thought of attempting that at my level now terrifies me. I struggled on my second climb yesterday, 2.6 miles and only an average grade of 3% going up to 10% in places which is laughable in comparison, so have massive amounts of respect for doing stuff like that!

Genuinely excited to get to a level where I can give have a solid attempt at a climb like that. Me and Ben are off to the Peaks in August for a bromantic weekend away, so setting up a structured plan now to be at a decent level for that. I'm also still at 95kg from my bodybuilding days, so looking to shave off 10kg by then
Click to expand...
I hunt down climbs as I love the challenge, that for me is a massive part of my cycling. At the moment I seem to have lost my pacing/technique even though I've an increase in sustained power, I need to find my balance again. Much of climbing is like that, which makes it a bit of an art - balancing the power required, knowing how deep you can go while sustaining it so the recovery isn't massive (or you blow up).

Much of the climbs the others have linked you around the Peaks are probably different to most of the things you'll find regularly around you (without doing hill reps). As you're starting out most of your local climbs will probably be shorter (Benny help with this!) so you'll build power by attacking them, basically hitting threshold and holding it with enough stamina to get up, then recover at the top. Once you're a little better at suffering hunt down some longer climbs and then concentrate on holding near that power, without going so deep you need the huge recovery. Sustained power and pacing will be required on all of those longer climbs, not massive power spikes (which you'll probably find easier at this stage due to your weights conditioning and bodyweight).

Good climbers are much more than light guys with power, they're the guys able to sustain it over long periods. Dumoulin in the Giro at the moment (if you're watching it) is a great example, he's a TT god so his bread and butter is holding power and threshold levels without needing huge recovery. You'll see him tapping out a rhythm while the others are all attacking each other. That technique coupled with a bit of weight loss and he's being very competitive in the mountains against the lighter guys. The following days/week will be interesting (in the 'high mountains') to see if he can continue it.
 
Last edited:
Roady said:
Finished the week at 97 miles, quite disappointed with my distance and riding. Didn't do anything spectacularly hill wise but my shins are utterly ruined. I was struggling to walk yesterday afternoon? My left shin is worst but both feeling like 'shin-splints'?! I've had them before when walking loads (8+ miles) as I'm not used to it, but I hadn't done anything 'extra' walking wise, just the normal dog walks, ridden those 32 miles fairly easily (with the one climb effort) and the usual weekend things - BBQ & gardening. Yet with my mileage below my weekly usual, saddle sores and then these sore shins I feel defeated?! Can you get DOMS in your shins in the afternoon after some climbing efforts in the morning? :o
Click to expand...

My legs felt ridiculously bad yesterday any time I tried to up the power in response to my mate attacking. He's faster off the mark than me a tad but I can usually sustain it longer so end up passing a 100-150m ahead. Yesterday after smashing it up a mild climb my legs felt great but following a puncture stop they just seemed to fail at any sudden increases in power. It hadn't been a particularly intense week besides a brutal hill rep session on Tuesday.. perhaps I was still feeling the effects of that somehow!

Smashy hill reps taught me that I need to select a better gear at the bottom so I'm more spinny on the shallower gradients then I'm not turning 40-50rpm at the steep parts. Think I was being a tad too competitive but I did manage to just about 'win' every rep.
 
Haven't ridden more than 60 miles this year. There's a 104 mile group ride on sunday, but only 3000 ft of climbing in it, so pretty flat. Reckon it's stupid to attempt?
 
Jono said:
Haven't ridden more than 60 miles this year. There's a 104 mile group ride on sunday, but only 3000 ft of climbing in it, so pretty flat. Reckon it's stupid to attempt?
Click to expand...
Go for it. Sounds like it will be fun and the group will take your mind off any pain / you can tuck in behind them :D
 
'Smashy hill reps', love it! :D

I'm away next weekend for the bank holiday (Lille via Eurostar, last holiday before baby!) and probably can't ride Weds/Thurs/Fri after work. So I'm left with today and tomorrow to get any real mileage in, I'm going out later providing my shin doesn't 'flare up'. Muscles feel tight today and it's a bit 'tired' feeling but not sore like yesterday. I want to conquer the hill which beat me yesterday, but with the shin it's prob best I go for a flat ride tonight and then try it tomorrow (if it was caused by climbing)...

Jono said:
Haven't ridden more than 60 miles this year. There's a 104 mile group ride on sunday, but only 3000 ft of climbing in it, so pretty flat. Reckon it's stupid to attempt?
Click to expand...
Any options to cut it short should you die half way?

100+ miles without much riding will really be a test of your willpower as the 'saddle time' will be the worst factor for you!
 
Last edited:
I got a lesson in the benefit of TT vs road bike on Sunday doing the bike leg for our team in the Cheshire Triathlon.

4sfK5Rdl.jpg

We came 3rd (which is our best ever result in the relay) and the only two people faster on the bike leg had full on TT setups. The rider for the 2nd placed team rider overtook me when I felt I was motoring along at around 40kmh - I could hear the whoosh of his aero wheels coming past before I could see him. Kept him in sight until we turned, at which point the wind changed and he just disappeared into the distance. Still, chuffed to be only other relay rider under 40 minutes. Need more power!
 
FrenchTart said:
You're going to love Pyms Chair :p
Click to expand...

Steedie said:
Just had a look, that looks like a fairly respectable climb and what I should be aiming to do by August. Those little kickers look fun!
Click to expand...

2nd, 3rd & 4th falls sorted :p

Give it time, there's lots to remember, learn & take on (a bit like driving) but it's physically stressful too. Your technique will come on leaps & bounds in time, particularly as your pacing ability, lactate threshold and aerobic fitness improves.

Dropping 10KG, or even 5KG will make a notable difference on any slopes.

You learnt yesterday what is & isn't sustainable on a climb so whilst it might seem frustrating it's beneficial :cool:
 
randomshenans said:
I like to think the extra 10kg+ I'm carrying at the moment might be a downfall on uphills, but I'm a boss going downhill! :p
Click to expand...
Some monster downhill on your commute right? :p

I've noticed the difference in weight. I did a tough climb the other week that I had only tackled once before.. about a year ago and 8-10kg heavier. Both times I took it at pace to pretty much just get over it.. maybe with a little more power going through the second time and a heart rate 10 beats higher but I took 1.5 minutes off my time despite it feeling just as hard. Okay.. loads of other factors may come into play like potentially increased power since too but I feel like the weight would have certainly made a difference there.
 
30m - It's hellish :o

New house has a slightly longer commute which also forces me towards some hills as well, which should be much better. It's the only time I seem to have at the moment. Been such a **** year for riding with work and travelling.
 
platypus said:
Ah damn. Ok well ones really hill, and the other one is longer, and even hillier :D.
Click to expand...

I've only ever cycled Edinburgh to Glasgow parallel to the M8 so through Livingston and Whitburn but that will put you into the city centre.

I'd try stay further north and take in roads over the crow road way, try to head to Falkirk, Denny, Kilearn and then down to Balloch.

If you get out on the bike once you're here then that neck of the woods is good for the Crow road, Tak ma doon road, further north gets you to the top of the world climb towards Kippen or even the dukes pass from Aberfoyle to Callander.
 
Jono said:
Haven't ridden more than 60 miles this year. There's a 104 mile group ride on sunday, but only 3000 ft of climbing in it, so pretty flat. Reckon it's stupid to attempt?
Click to expand...

Missed this. Depends what level you were/are at as to how much of a challenge it'll be and if you're happy finishing it solo (presuming it's a drop ride) or are looping round so you can cut it short if need be :)

Long as it's clear then nobody can get their knickers in a twist.
 
BennyC said:
2nd, 3rd & 4th falls sorted :p
Click to expand...
inb4 <Steedie> "anyone want to ride with me? Benny keeps pushing me over"

SoliD said:
Short Sleeves for the first time this year I think on my commute in this morning. Glorious! Just a shame about the headwind after yesterday.
Click to expand...
Glorious out there today, arm & knee warmers + gilet this morning, needed for the cool winds. Just arm warmers at lunch and could've ditched them, warm winds from the south though. Beautiful out there though! :D

Shamrock said:
When the gradient gets above 20% I like being 58kg.:D

On the flats I'm hanging on for dear life.:(
Click to expand...
When the gradient is 100% you're also hanging on, but loving life! (poor attempt at climbing humour!) ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom