Good ride on saturday out with the club. Do totally get the bad luck side of it - guy who punctured twice last week, punctured once on the way to meet us, then again 20 minutes into our ride. He gave up at that point and went home, even though we tried to get him to continue his heart just not in it!
Felt good and just riding socially and spinning the legs to see how they where (after being in bits after last week). 10 less miles and 1000 less ft climbing I was totally fine. Amazing clear day and lots of great views. Wasn't warm due to the wind, but any time we got out of it, it was glorious!
Smashed ZRL last ride of the season on Tuesday, legs where rubbish,
but somehow nearly pulled off a solo breakaway to the finish! Caught in the last 800m but still held on to 8th place. No idea how I had the legs for it. So my team clear winners of EMEA South C2 and will be promoted to C1 for next season.
Just to add to the above when spraying stuff like WD40 make sure you don't get it near anything where there is grease like BBs or rear hubs as it'll strip it away and you'll need to change those bearings way before they ever need to.
Agreed, keep that GT86 confined the the chain - spraying it towards the ground or into a rag to scrub with. Also make sure you don't get it on your disk rotors!
Note: I'm using it as a cleaning agent, it's a good penetrating light oil so lifts grime. But it has no staying power and is too light for the chain/chainring/cassette surfaces. You need to relube after.
The GCN video with Si using WD40 as a lube replacement is utterly stupid. I get using it to get moisture out of chain links might be a thing, but you need to get something back in there to protect them again afterwards.
it's not online killing the LBS, it's LBS killing themselves.
Totally agree! LBS here is shutting down because he 'can't offer his customers the full range anymore' - he only stocks Merida and has absolutely no consideration to stock any other brands. Silly excuse! Why not announce you're closing down because you're old and can't be bothered to compete!?
Just did my first ever FTP test, that was a horrible experience especially to get such a low number back! Going to do the 4 week FTP booster and hope I can get up to a somewhat credible number.
FTP was 206 and I currently weigh 82kg. Hopefully I can lose a bit of weight over the next few weeks if only to boost up my number! I started strong then looked at the time to see I had 15 minutes left. It turns out that when going for as hard as you think you're going, 20 minutes is a long time! My average watts dropped down significantly in the last 1/4. Live and learn for next time now!
A good start and not a bad 'result' - don't be too disappointed!
If I can ever get close to 3.5 w/Kg I'll be really happy. Will take many months of training though
I'd be happy with 3.5 too, only been 'training' towards it for 5~ years!
Enjoy the gains and increases, the big bumps you get early on from some structure are so much fun - but they don't last!
Also I've been meaning to ask but especially given recent highway code changes. What are people's views on overtaking distance whilst you're in a non segregated cycle lane?
Particularly at this time of year the cycle lanes are just full of rubbish so best case you're hugging the edge of the cycle lane and have cars passing as if the line markings are an invisible barrier.
No change to road behaviour here. Cycle lanes? What are they? Don't have any this part of the world. The
NCN is a prime example of the 'black hole' I live in for cycling infrastructure. Still a fantastic place to ride a bike!
for quick detailing with foam for chain/frame (maybe it will work on intricate bits of car & window cleaning too) - the
Marolex Axel 2000 Pressure Washer Snow Foamer Lance Spray Bottle 2L
look interesting versus buying pressurized sprays recurrently.
Why is everyone foaming their bikes recently!? It all seems crazy expensive stuff too! I'll stick with my cheap degreaser and a cloth...
338w gave me 321w so sitting at 4w/kg as I'm 81kg. Hopefully I can drop to 77-78 at 320w.
Strong numbers mate, kudos! I'm going well at the moment but still not far off my 'peak' at around 270/280W if I did a test... But carrying 3-4kg more than at my best. Got far more power so keep telling myself it's muscle, but still getting 72 bottles of beer delivered every 2 months and they don't drink themselves might not strictly be accurate...!
It's the right turn after cresting Whiteleaf.
