Road Cycling
- Thread starter FrenchTart
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Pointing out everything isn't necessary but holes or patches that can't really be avoided or are particularly dangerous are worth pointing out. Generally speaking you should be looking up the road anyway and not down at the wheel in front and moving slightly to the side regularly allows you to anticipate hazards easily.
You also don't want to compromise your own handling warning other riders behind
Unnecessary amounts of aggression towards car drivers by one rider today, only my second run with the club this year and hadn't ridden with these two members before (just the three of us in the top group today). I get it, it can be pretty irritating when car drivers peform stupid maneuvers or are clearly in the wrong, you can let them know easily enough without completely seeing red, acting like an arse and just asking for further confrontation. Pleased none of us were in club jerseys to be honest as if it had been me driving I probably would have got in touch with the club to report it. Did actually forewarm the club secretary I felt it that unnecessary. Energy better spent turning the pedals! The driving Road Rage advert could be heeded by cyclists too: "let it go".
You also don't want to compromise your own handling warning other riders behind
Unnecessary amounts of aggression towards car drivers by one rider today, only my second run with the club this year and hadn't ridden with these two members before (just the three of us in the top group today). I get it, it can be pretty irritating when car drivers peform stupid maneuvers or are clearly in the wrong, you can let them know easily enough without completely seeing red, acting like an arse and just asking for further confrontation. Pleased none of us were in club jerseys to be honest as if it had been me driving I probably would have got in touch with the club to report it. Did actually forewarm the club secretary I felt it that unnecessary. Energy better spent turning the pedals! The driving Road Rage advert could be heeded by cyclists too: "let it go".
My anger is saved only for the very worst of Birmingham's motorists, I don't have time to get angry with them all.
Ok ride today save for two issues:
1) first mid ride puncture.......EVER! Fixed easy with gas.
2) sore on outside of right knee - not sure if just overuse or an issue with saddle height or cleat placement.
Ok ride today save for two issues:
1) first mid ride puncture.......EVER! Fixed easy with gas.
2) sore on outside of right knee - not sure if just overuse or an issue with saddle height or cleat placement.
Soldato
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Probably your foot angled too far inwards.
Soldato
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Sorry but that's just a stupid thing to say. The roads in the UK are terrible, fact. And when you're on somebody's wheel, you cannot see in front at all. Why is it enough to just assume?!
Ok, I'll rephrase as clearly I've not said this right. It's people signalling every little thing. If your hands are off the bars more than on then you're doing it wrong.
Yes i did some bedtime reading up and come to that same conclusion, ive repositioned the right cleat to lock off any chance of foot pointing inwards - also seat up a touch and forward a touch.
Fingers crossed, will probably do 20 miles tomorrow night subject to weather so I'll know a bit more after that.
I stretch my ITB's out religiously so I'd be very surprised if they are tight.
Soldato
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They don't have to be off the bars "more than on", just at all for it to be a possibility. It's courteous to warn someone of a potential hazard. Sometimes that means they can prepare for it by putting their hands on the bars and standing up slightly so their legs absorb more of the impact. Sometimes that means swerving to avoid it.
Myton Hospice 100km ride today; two 'incidents' causing stoppages but nothing I couldn't handle
https://www.strava.com/activities/1119875375
Should be the quickest event time
https://www.strava.com/activities/1119875375
Should be the quickest event time
When I've been out cycling with Ben over his way, I've been very grateful for his keen hand signalling as there are some real nasty surprises to be had if you don't know the roads and you're close to someones wheel. Fair enough if you both know the roads well, but if not, I'll take excessive hand signalling if it means I don't go home with square wheels
Did you check if your cleat had slipped at all before adjusting it and that you've not been under tightening that shoe causing you to compensate?
Unless you also partake in running, or have a history of ITB issues, your ITB is not likely to be the issue. More likely to be a tight hip or lateral quad. Give the 'couch stretch' a google and while you're at it smash the seated hip stretch and give your hamstring & calves peppering too
If it is just inflammation taking it easy for a bit with a higher cadence, less torque and mashing when possible should help 
If there's a really **** patch on a fast descent with a few areas to avoid or too many hazards to point out, I think I've said in the past 'follow my line'. Means you don't compromise your own safety and every one has been forewarned.
Did you check if your cleat had slipped at all before adjusting it and that you've not been under tightening that shoe causing you to compensate?
Unless you also partake in running, or have a history of ITB issues, your ITB is not likely to be the issue. More likely to be a tight hip or lateral quad. Give the 'couch stretch' a google and while you're at it smash the seated hip stretch and give your hamstring & calves peppering too
Thanks Benny - good advice and yes ive had hip flexor and quad tightness issues. Ive neglected some stretches the physio gave me - also she was concerned i was getting too quad dominant (hamstrings a fair bit weaker). I'll work on stretching out and lay off sprinting hills which is what I think set it off Saturday.
Unfortunately no i didn't note my cleat position before I adjusted, i'll ink pen around them now I think for future tinkering!
Fairly common for cycling. I did a Bupa health assessment recently and I was pretty poor at some of the hamstring dominant stretches. She asked if I cycle or run as apparently it's pretty common.
Just looked that up and it looks far too hard for me, but on the plus side it did just inspire me to enter the Ride London ballot for next year. Fingers crossed... I think....
Good social ride on saturday, but we did get totally soaked! With rain & a thunderstorm forecast I was in two minds what exactly to wear (my packable is almost as good as my full jacket, which is too big for leisure riding), just before leaving the house I could see some large raindrops on the patio but it didn't look heavy so put my packable on... The closer I got to the shop (meeting point) the heavier the rain got! Just as I was pulling in I spotted Richie (staff member) in front, turning into the empty car park I said "I bet i'm the only idiot out in this!". Both laughing we could see a couple of bikes leaning up with Steve & Simon huddled in the doorway (back door into workshop). I wasn't alone! 
While waiting and laughing about how stupid we where a few more arrived, Adam, Sue & Laura. 6 of us with 3 of the other regulars away on holiday so quite a good turn out for a group ride in forecasted heavy rain! The other saturday morning ride (ELY) was totally cancelled because of it (part timers!). We huddled in the workshop for 15 mins peering out and chatting what to do, the downpour subsided slightly but we sacked off the original 40 mile planned route with a shorter/flatter one heading East. Looking South-East we could see some brighter skies and as we rode out some breaks in the cloud. With only 3 of us having mudguards fitted I jumped on the front for the lead out of town into the wind, I happily sat out there leading the way (avoiding spray!) until I wasn't sure of the new route. Rain was still pretty heavy/constant for the first 20/30 minutes but gradually slackened as we made our way north-east at Dormington. Riding through 'Watery lane' (in the rain!) thankfully it started to ease up, quite a narrow 'cut through' style lane with rough parts thankfully without too much standing water. After heading north we turned back west along another rough road, avoiding a hedge trimmer or two (no punctures!) the sun had come out with things rapidly warming up. I stripped off my packable and full gloves to dry out a little. Things were clearing/warming up quickly at this point with the roads drying out.
The run back in from Burley gate was a good one, with Steve, Adam and Simon setting a good pace on the front a gap appeared. I was on the back but came through gradually closing the gap, just as we'd joined up Adam and Simon set off again (disclaimer: this stretch of road back towards town is usually used as a leg test before the end of the ride so people usually attack/ride hard like this!). Steve was starting to lose ground so I hopped on the front again to close another gap! With Steve on my wheel I didn't have to worry about towing the slower two riders quite so much so put a good effort in to catch Simon. Once I'd reeled him in I briefly rested before a longer effort to reel Adam in, he had some great pace and being quite cooked at that point I just sat on his wheel.
Great mileage considering the conditions & a good group to be out with. Glad I went but people really need to learn the benefits of mudguards... Or even overshoes for that matter!
While waiting and laughing about how stupid we where a few more arrived, Adam, Sue & Laura. 6 of us with 3 of the other regulars away on holiday so quite a good turn out for a group ride in forecasted heavy rain! The other saturday morning ride (ELY) was totally cancelled because of it (part timers!). We huddled in the workshop for 15 mins peering out and chatting what to do, the downpour subsided slightly but we sacked off the original 40 mile planned route with a shorter/flatter one heading East. Looking South-East we could see some brighter skies and as we rode out some breaks in the cloud. With only 3 of us having mudguards fitted I jumped on the front for the lead out of town into the wind, I happily sat out there leading the way (avoiding spray!) until I wasn't sure of the new route. Rain was still pretty heavy/constant for the first 20/30 minutes but gradually slackened as we made our way north-east at Dormington. Riding through 'Watery lane' (in the rain!) thankfully it started to ease up, quite a narrow 'cut through' style lane with rough parts thankfully without too much standing water. After heading north we turned back west along another rough road, avoiding a hedge trimmer or two (no punctures!) the sun had come out with things rapidly warming up. I stripped off my packable and full gloves to dry out a little. Things were clearing/warming up quickly at this point with the roads drying out.
The run back in from Burley gate was a good one, with Steve, Adam and Simon setting a good pace on the front a gap appeared. I was on the back but came through gradually closing the gap, just as we'd joined up Adam and Simon set off again (disclaimer: this stretch of road back towards town is usually used as a leg test before the end of the ride so people usually attack/ride hard like this!). Steve was starting to lose ground so I hopped on the front again to close another gap! With Steve on my wheel I didn't have to worry about towing the slower two riders quite so much so put a good effort in to catch Simon. Once I'd reeled him in I briefly rested before a longer effort to reel Adam in, he had some great pace and being quite cooked at that point I just sat on his wheel.
Great mileage considering the conditions & a good group to be out with. Glad I went but people really need to learn the benefits of mudguards... Or even overshoes for that matter!
The few times I've ridden with headphones in (single & left) I've only done it on long & fast A roads when you don't have much chance of hearing cars behind you anyway... The couple of times I've tried slower & narrow roads with them I've really realised how much awareness I get some hearing vehicles and get too much paranoia from not having 'perfect' hearing!
Only a couple of weeks ago a damn BMW i8 came past us on a group ride, could hardly hear the bloomin thing until it was alongside!
I've never tried them, do they actually work?!
Now you've explained it more I've reread the first post and understand it better; my first read I thought much of the same as the others who commented! You're right - they sound rubbish at 'real' group riding, not waiting on people who wrong turn & not waiting at junctions for those dropped is a sure fire way to lose friends! It's a social 'group' ride, not a smash everyone & win fake 'race'!
Same, shoulder checks are second nature to me, even in the car.
This. Even following a line with holes signalled you'll still catch the edges of some when following a wheel.
Yup, there are times when leading I'll signal rough parts and actually ride over them rather than last second swerving (which needs two hands so I couldn't signal) if I've got no time to easily miss them... I find it much 'safer' (than possibly clipping a wheel or cutting across)! I also know I'm running larger tyres and lower pressures than many others...
I'll always try and avoid holes, around these parts we tend to shout "HOLE", shouting direction and signalling it if possible. The times there's so many holes you can't avoid them I'll always shout as early as possible, signalling early where the worst are and then keep both hands on bars to navigate a line through them. I always assume someone on my wheel is going to follow my line with holes around.
I may investigate this as I've got tight hamstrings after the last couple of bigger/harder rides... We got an exercise ball for the other half (pregnant) so will mean it gets some other use too!Yeah, I bought a giant exercise ball to help the hamstrings, needless to say its been used a total of 0 times!
Soldato
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Good luck, if you get through qualification you should be fine for the real thing. I will post my LEL report in the other thread if you want a taster once my hands start working properly.
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