The Cycling Thread [Archive] - Page 23 - SV650.org

EssexDave

23-04-12, 06:14 AM

Was dry up until the last 15 minutes but wasn't heavy rain.

I was hoping to finish in around 5 and a half hours, but the guy I was doing it with hasn't cycled much recently due to a new addition in his family and so at times we were sitting at 10mph on the flats :(

Was a great cycle though and would really recommend it.

maviczap

26-04-12, 07:07 PM

Aldi cycling stuff next week

The softshell are good

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/offers_week18Thursday12.htm

stewie

29-04-12, 06:03 PM

Has anyone used these guys ? http://www.myspokes.co.uk/ looking at a new lid and they incredibly cheap.Hows everyone dealing with this cr@ppy weather btw ? lousy innit ?

maviczap

29-04-12, 06:05 PM

Has anyone used these guys ? http://www.myspokes.co.uk/ looking at a new lid and they incredibly cheap.Hows everyone dealing with this cr@ppy weather btw ? lousy innit ?

No, not seen them

Tomorrow looks promising for me, 17 deg, Sunny & warm great :cheers:

Lack of posts in this thread is indicative of the nice weather we've been having :twisted:

stewie

29-04-12, 06:09 PM

Lol, yeah the weathers lovely up here too ;)

EssexDave

29-04-12, 07:02 PM

Just got back from a (blustery) 20 miler 1 hour 8 minutes with 300ft of climbing but mostly alli n one go.

Feel good and hoping that it's nice enough to cycle to work tomorrow!

maviczap

29-04-12, 07:39 PM

Should be ok

stewie

29-04-12, 07:50 PM

just ordered a new lid of thes guys http://www.myspokes.co.uk/ will let you all know how good they are, they seem very good value you might say ;) so we'll see, hoping to get out tomorrow and get a few miles in, fingers crossed :)

StewartR

29-04-12, 09:26 PM

Here's one of my other 2 wheelers. Managed the 40 mile round trip to work a couple of times but a lack of gear means I'm too much of a fair weather rider to have been out recently. Much get some decent waterproofs...once the curvy's done.
http://i1173.photobucket.com/albums/r583/dodrlk/Facebook/Mobile%20Uploads/394206_10150603350162345_698252344_10755902_102184 7186_n.jpg

maviczap

30-04-12, 10:12 AM

What are them old fangled things you've got on your pedals :p

Get some clipless :smt098

EssexDave

30-04-12, 10:48 AM

Waterproofs are overrated - you will get sweaty and wet (but slightly more unpleasant than rain wet).

Get some overshoes (as wet feet isn't nice) and get on with it. Provided it's not absolutely hammering it down it's not much of a problem!

StewartR

30-04-12, 11:15 AM

:) Binned the toe straps in favour of some Shimano 105 pedals + DNB shoes.

I'm odd with rain - Happy running in it, happy chucking motorbikes about in it, just don't get on with cycling in in. Maybe I should man up and go do some serious miles on a rainy day and see if that sorts me. Any recomendations on the overshoes?

maviczap

30-04-12, 11:28 AM

H'mm don't mind getting caught out in the rain, but no motivation to start out in the rain.

Overshoes, neoprene are warm, but your feet will still get wet if its really heavy rain.

Some folk cut a hole in a pair of Sealskinz socks to use as a oversock, although you could wear a pair of the thin Sealskinz socks if you want to keep your feet dry

EssexDave

30-04-12, 01:13 PM

I have some waterproof shoes (Northweave winter boots) which are outstanding at keeping you dry but just so damn warm for the summer.

Overshoes I have Altura ones from Wiggle that were about £20ish. They are a bit warmer but not too much.

You will get wet in heavy rain regardless of what you are wearing.

stewie

08-05-12, 04:16 PM

Since buying my bike Ive tried to get out as often as possible in between work, family, decorating etc.. anyway I seem to have picked up a bit of a wierd injury, it seems like ive got tennis elbow !, it only started after my first ride in mar and has got steadily worse, I dont know if its cos of me moving around the bars when I first started riding or what, gas anyone else experienced the same thing through riding or is it just me ?

maviczap

10-05-12, 07:37 PM

Don't know Stewie, its a bit weird

Possible causes, are your bars the right width? They'll have stuck on a generic size, but that might not suit you?

If you've got wide shoulders, then you'll need wider bars, I'm quite narrow, so I only use 40cm wide bars.

Best way to check is go to your local good bike shop and get them to see which size bar fits, across your shoulders.

plus looking at your bike, the saddle to handlebar height is quite wide, that may be putting extra strain on your elbow joints, so getting a stem that raises the height a bit might help.

are you stretching a long way to the bars, another possible cause of extra strain?

Difficult to know, without seeing you on your bike.

See if there's a LBS who does proper bike fitting if this carries on. There is a network of Specialized dealers who do bike sizing/fitting

stewie

10-05-12, 08:14 PM

Going to be taking the bike back to have a service done pretty soon so going to have him fit the correcelty, felt ok at first but now thinking its worth checking over, think the seat may be a bit low as well, oh well,need to get some clips sorted out as well :)

maviczap

10-05-12, 08:26 PM

Bikes always feel right first of all. But then you body says I don't like this one bit after riding it in the wrong position for a while.

Having ridden in my current position over many years, I can tell almost instantly if the saddle height has slipped and if I've built a new bike up, if I've got any thing wrong, because the frame dimensions are different.

I don't know what I've done, because I'm having a lot of problems getting my right foot cleat in a position that my outside knee joint likes. I haven't changed the cleat, and it was perfect last year, but these are my summer shoes, which I've swapped back to after riding in my winter boots

But its not right, as I don't feel I can get full power onto the pedal

Luckypants

11-05-12, 09:10 AM

Mr Speirs

11-05-12, 03:32 PM

I felt like that today! Felt totally ****e doing 12 miles today yet I've done a 15mile and 18 mile in the last week and felt great!!

maviczap

11-05-12, 04:51 PM

Jeez! Totally knackerd after a 30 miler in the wind yesterday... That's what I find fascinating (in a masochistic kind of way) about cycling, sometimes you are flying along feeling great and the next time out you feel like a wet dishcloth! However, I've been waiting for a good day for a while now :(

Yes, it was bloomin windy yesterday in Liverpool, the wind was howling round my hotel last night, and also on the drive home today.

krhall

11-05-12, 07:41 PM

Dipper

11-05-12, 08:22 PM

Popping over to Calais tomorrow early for a weekend of cycling, can anyone recommend any routes/places to visit?

maviczap

11-05-12, 08:29 PM

No, but you could check any routes to Bolounge, so we can go and watch the Tour stage finish on the 3rd July

maviczap

11-05-12, 08:31 PM

Bloody rear derailleur snapped! Only had it since Feb...should I try to get it replaced?

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l286/krhall_2006/photo-1.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l286/krhall_2006/photo1.jpg

Blimey you're a kit killer aren't you ;)

Don't think you'll get far with getting it replaced unless you can prove it was faulty

Dipper

11-05-12, 08:51 PM

No, but you could check any routes to Bolounge, so we can go and watch the Tour stage finish on the 3rd July
I think there's a coast path all the way if you want to take the MTB. We may do that one of the days, the other we'll be heading inland, somewhere?!?

maviczap

11-05-12, 09:00 PM

There must be a few quite lanes out of Calais and there's a coast road I'm sure

Google map it

krhall

12-05-12, 06:14 AM

Blimey you're a kit killer aren't you ;)

Don't think you'll get far with getting it replaced unless you can prove it was faulty

Yeah I am but how do I do that? TOO POWERFUL:roll:

Would a fixie be better, less stuff for me to muller!

I did it 1.5 miles from work after the worst hill in my journey, had to walk back in cycling shoes with the bike over my shoulder!!! Fortunately my old mountain bike thing has been at work for over a year so I got on that, was like pedaling through wet cement though!

maviczap

12-05-12, 08:02 AM

Would a fixie be better, less stuff for me to muller!

Yes, no parts apart from chain to break

Here's something for you to ponder, I saw this whilst trolling through EBAY, you'd need to take the freehub body off (big allen key) and replace it with this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gears-Fixed-Wheel-Adaptor-Converter-Shimano-Cassette-Hubs-FIXIE-/150799210846?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts _SR&hash=item231c55595e#ht_1348wt_1344

Plus the sprocket for the hub.

fizzwheel

12-05-12, 10:28 AM

Would a fixie be better, less stuff for me to muller!

Possibly, but you'll still need to keep the drive chain clean. I found with my fixie that you need to pay careful attention to the chain tension otherwise you get alot of backlash through the drive chain / pedals which doesn't give a nice feeling.

Then theres also the thing with the fixie of picking the right gear ratio for it, and it can be a PIA in a hilly area. Also I dont like riding mine through traffic / town and on cycle paths as you cant stop quickly and alot of momentum builds up in the back wheel as it acts like a flywheel, so you can just suddenly stop pedalling and jam the brakes on. It can take a while to stop...

Mine has a flip flop hub on it so one side is fixed and the other side is still single speed but it has a freewheel and I ride it more like that than I do fixed.

With your rear mech if you have only had it a few months, I'd give your entire bike and the mech a good clean and then take it back to the shop and ask them if they would expect it to break like that.

For what its worth, my 105 rear mech on my Van Nich gave 4 years of flawless service, until it met with a car.

maviczap

13-05-12, 08:00 PM

Jeez! Totally knackerd after a 30 miler in the wind yesterday... That's what I find fascinating (in a masochistic kind of way) about cycling, sometimes you are flying along feeling great and the next time out you feel like a wet dishcloth! However, I've been waiting for a good day for a while now :(

Similar here, did 32 miles today, but a damn strong headwind home.

Legs are a little sore after pushing the big ring all the way home, no pain no gain :D

Still better to get some miles in, as the rest of the week looks carp weather wise

Luckypants

14-05-12, 09:37 AM

Did another 50 miles Saturday, pace was pretty sedate as our mate Dave was on his come back ride after breaking his hip in our big crash in December... Poor bugger has to lay the bike down to mount and can hardly walk, but did the 50 miles and 2600ft of climbing - fair play! Dave is determined he is still coming to the Alps! :viking:

My legs felt ok apart from the steep part of the Racecourse hill in Oswestry. Need to keep at it then ride myself into form on Alp D'Huez.....

maviczap

14-05-12, 09:54 AM

Broken hips is a common theme around here, one of my veteran cyclist mates fell off on oil in Spain, luckily the surgeon treating him in Spain was a cyclist, so he got the right treatment straight away.

He was discharged very quickly from hospital too & when I saw him, he was just using a walking stick. But that's his TT season down the pan.

My neighbour also fell off and he's still on crutches, but he's got osteoporosis, so his recovery is going to take a few months. But he is 80, so fairly fit

This getting old lark isn't all its cracked up to be :smt087

Dipper

14-05-12, 03:07 PM

From what was going to be a 5 day trip cycling in the Loire circumstance meant this had to be reduced to a two day, one night trip just over the channel. To be honest we weren't expecting much being as it's the bit you just drive through to get to better places but we were really surprised how scenic the area is just South of Calais with plenty of rolling hills, smooth roads and considerate drivers, 110 miles of bliss, the wall to wall sunshine helped too:D:D:D

maviczap

14-05-12, 03:53 PM

Yep, that's what we found in France last year, plenty of considerate drivers, oh and wall to wall sunshine too :D

Luckypants

14-05-12, 03:58 PM

oh and wall to wall sunshine too :D

Conveniently forgetting the day when Col d'Aubisque was covered in cloud and we had to turn back for lack of visibility? (and the thunderstorms.. ;))

Luckypants

14-05-12, 04:01 PM

plenty of considerate driversLOL except for the old boy in the clapped out Fiat Uno Rob chased down that side road! :smt044

(oh and the German motorhome driver that nearly ran me off the road on the scary bit at the top of the Tourmalet)

maviczap

14-05-12, 04:08 PM

Conveniently forgetting the day when Col d'Aubisque was covered in cloud and we had to turn back for lack of visibility? (and the thunderstorms.. ;))

Ah yes, but that was our rest day, can't have it always :D

maviczap

14-05-12, 04:09 PM

Dipper

14-05-12, 06:33 PM

LOL except for the old boy in the clapped out Fiat Uno Rob chased down that side road! :smt044

(oh and the German motorhome driver that nearly ran me off the road on the scary bit at the top of the Tourmalet)

One local and one panzerwagen isn't bad for a whole week :p
Similar score to approximately 30 seconds of UK commute;)

Glad to have brought back good memories for you guys, I'll definitely be going back, only three hours from home to cycling heaven:D

maviczap

14-05-12, 06:44 PM

Dipper

14-05-12, 06:55 PM

You need to head for the Alpes or Pyrenees, at bit further for cycling heaven, but easy by plane.

Its where legends were made, and for us to dream about going

Still glad you had a good time, Vive La France
Would love to when time allows, it's been a busy year, fitness has suffered too with all this bl**dy rain, maybe next year.

maviczap

14-05-12, 06:57 PM

I know the feeling, just trying to sort out a trip to the Alpes in September, fingers crossed

EssexDave

18-05-12, 12:45 PM

so I'm looking for a more comfortable bike for training/longer rides than my Moda which has a very aggressive riding position.

I want it to be cheap and cheerful.

There is a Specialized Allez on ebay at the minute just round the corner from me going for £260 with about 6 hours left - and it's Matt black looks lovely!

Anybody have any recommendations?

stewie

18-05-12, 12:56 PM

I'm loving my Felt 95 atm even though I fell off it yesterday #-ospeciallized are a good though, depends on your budget really

EssexDave

18-05-12, 01:00 PM

Well sub £300 would be nice and I'm happy with a used bike.

I'll be selling my Dawes Super Galaxy (flat bars) if anybody is interested and replacing it with a bike I will actually use.

My moda is still lovely to ride but anything over 50 miles can get unconfortable due to the position it puts me in.

stewie

19-05-12, 02:14 PM

EssexDave

19-05-12, 02:27 PM

No it ended up going for like £420 and it was the bottom spec model...didn't see the point at that price, can pick them up new for around £500.

stewie

19-05-12, 02:44 PM

Shame, it did look nice as well, are you after more of a sportive bike ? I was looking at a Ribble 7005 before getting the Felt, good write up in cycling+ and bikeradar.com, think Mikes got a Gran Frondo.

maviczap

19-05-12, 03:34 PM

Dave can't you fit drop bars to your Dawes?

Or get a stem that raises your position on your Moda?

If not, you need a frame with a longer steertube to give you a more relaxed riding position, a sportive type might do, but any frame with a longer steer tube, which makes the saddle to handlebar height less extreme will help out with your long distance comfort

EssexDave

19-05-12, 03:35 PM

Yeah - my moda has a really aggressive riding position with the bars so much lower than the seat - which is fine on shortish rides, but when you're on real long distance it starts to get a bit uncomfortable.

Plus I'd like a cheap get around rather than trashing my nice bike!

I do like some of the ribble stuff but can't get a test ride as they're missions away!

EssexDave

19-05-12, 03:36 PM

To be honest Mavi I don't like the Dawes. I don't enjoy the ride and I'd like a nice ally framed bike.

I did test ride a Specialized Secteur which I really did not rate

maviczap

19-05-12, 03:38 PM

Why not go and look at Decathlon's bike range, some of them are quite well spec'd

Wiggle do test bikes, but not in your price range I think.

Keep trawling Ebay & Gumtree something will turn up

maviczap

19-05-12, 03:47 PM

To be honest Mavi I don't like the Dawes. I don't enjoy the ride and I'd like a nice ally framed bike.

I did test ride a Specialized Secteur which I really did not rate

Can't you rob most of the decent parts from your Dawes and stick them on a frame?

Gives you the option of looking for a frame on Ebay as well.

EssexDave

20-05-12, 12:30 AM

The componentry on the Dawes is in need of replacing soon - and again flat bars and shifters to go with still leaves shifters required.

I'll have a look at Decathlon's range.

EssexDave

20-05-12, 12:33 AM

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-id_8167039.html#more_infos

£500 and only equipped with Sora - the specialized is only £50 more than that..

maviczap

20-05-12, 06:47 AM

Well sell the Dawes on Ebay, as it should get a reasonable price, either whole or as a frame

Your local LBS should give you a bike box for nothing and send it by courier such as Parcel Monkey which will only cost no more than £10

EssexDave

20-05-12, 08:50 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'll have to do it when I'm back fom Scotland now :(

pookie

20-05-12, 09:37 AM

whilst you're at decathlon there is a evans cycles a stones throw away in retail park.. enjoy scotland

maviczap

20-05-12, 04:09 PM

whilst you're at decathlon there is a evans cycles a stones throw away in retail park.. enjoy scotland

Ha Ha, they don't sell any bikes in Daves price range, I've been in there too :D

EssexDave

20-05-12, 07:43 PM

Ha Ha, they don't sell any bikes in Daves price range, I've been in there too :D

I don't think they sell clothes for the amount I want to spend on a bike do they? :confused::confused::confused:

maviczap

20-05-12, 07:48 PM

No they don't

I was in the Liverpool branch the other week, I didn't buy anything, although I do have plenty of stuff, I was looking for a decent set of wheels and they had bugger all.

Could have bought a new pair of shoes, but don't really need any desperately, or a replica Phillip Gilbert BMC Belgian champions jersey, but again didn't really need it, especially at their prices

pookie

21-05-12, 07:23 AM

they are pretty good at price matching and get deliveries everyday. Makes a nice lunchtime ride for me. I just like looking at the bling bling bikes.

EssexDave

21-05-12, 07:33 AM

I did buy some shoes from there for £100 and my rear light for £35.

However, they are pricey BUT the staff generally are very good.

EssexDave

21-05-12, 05:22 PM

Very interesting.

I can't wait to get out Wednesday -weather looking good too down south :D

Anybody interested in a ride to Scotland late July/Early August?

maviczap

21-05-12, 06:13 PM

Pretty cool there SC

krhall

28-05-12, 02:19 PM

I sold my old hybrid Carrera Subway 8, this morning...had it years and did a fair few miles so put it up for £75, thinking i'd take less, turns out it was way too cheap and I could've sold it 20 times!

Anyway I have a pair of shimano SPD (not SL) pedals and some size 8 Nike shoes with SPD cleats. Pedals are in good condition and the shoes are pretty decent too. Does anyone want to make me an offer before I ebay them?

stewie

28-05-12, 02:43 PM

Luckypants

28-05-12, 02:52 PM

Anyone get out on the weekend? I blew up fairly spectacularly on the Dentdale Beast Sportive, pushed way to hard on the first climb. I had to bail at 50 miles onto the shorter Beastie route, I was 'coooked' to quote Sean Kelly.

I used Strava on my android phone to track the ride, quite good bit of kit. See the ride... http://app.strava.com/rides/9401801 bit depressing I am dead last on that first climb.

Now, how can I loose 8kg before the Alps in two weeks?? :smt044

EDIT: STRAVA calories / power / etc data is bunk as it is massively different from my HRM data. I do not seem able to add HRM data to STRAVA, unless using a Garmin....

maviczap

28-05-12, 03:01 PM

Lend you a triple ;)

Still playing to do the Stelvio? It still has snow on the top, if its the same one used in the Giro on Saturday.

krhall

28-05-12, 03:08 PM

Any idea what you're looking for ?

Not really mate, let me take a pic of them and feel free to take a punt!

krhall

28-05-12, 03:23 PM

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l286/krhall_2006/SPD%20SHOES/?albumview=slideshow

Luckypants

28-05-12, 03:31 PM

Lend you a triple ;)

Still playing to do the Stelvio? It still has snow on the top, if its the same one used in the Giro on Saturday.

LOL - get out and train more plus lose some weight might be the answer. Still planning on beasting the Stelvio, in three weeks - hopefully the snow is gone by then. We will be coming up from same side as Giro, after doing three quarters of the ascent from the other side... Craig has some crazy route planned :(

Just hope I can persuade Craig and Gladys not to do the Mortirolo as well!

maviczap

28-05-12, 03:40 PM

Do what I did last year and just train using the big ring up some of your local climbs, for as long as you can manage it. Don't change up, just grind away

I was strapped for time, so this was the only way.

Plus with the length of the climbs round your way, you'll have tree trunks for legs in no time.

Plus lay off the pies ;) :D

Luckypants

28-05-12, 03:50 PM

Wanna see a fat boy breaking a sweat?

http://www3.clikpic.com/cyclesportphotos/images/_CSP6122.JPG

maviczap

28-05-12, 04:06 PM

At least it was a nice day, even though you weren't having a good day :D

stewie

28-05-12, 07:16 PM

Not really mate, let me take a pic of them and feel free to take a punt!

I wouldnt have a clue what they would be worth tbh Kev

krhall

29-05-12, 07:40 AM

£25?

stewie

29-05-12, 07:09 PM

£25?

Mmmm thats very tempting, are you in a rush Kev ?

krhall

29-05-12, 08:26 PM

no mate, they are sitting under my desk. Did you take a good look at the photos? They are perfectly serviceable but the shoes have a few cracks on the outside of the upper, can be seen.

stewie

29-05-12, 09:33 PM

no mate, they are sitting under my desk. Did you take a good look at the photos? They are perfectly serviceable but the shoes have a few cracks on the outside of the upper, can be seen.

Ok Kev, if you dont mind waiting a few days mate I'll have om off you :)

krhall

30-05-12, 07:26 AM

Whenever you are ready mate...

Luckypants

30-05-12, 08:08 AM

Guys, could you not do this sales talk through PM? It is probably more appropriate. :)

stewie

30-05-12, 02:16 PM

Guys, could you not do this sales talk through PM? It is probably more appropriate. :)
Fair point, sorry, I'll pm you Kev.

Luckypants

08-06-12, 03:41 PM

Whooo! Off to the Alps in about 30 minutes, first ride is Alp D'Huez on Sunday :D (or is it :reaper:) Look out for photos being randomly posted....

maviczap

08-06-12, 06:36 PM

Have a great time LP & I hope the weather is kind to you, very envious, but my plans are coming together nicely for September.

Looking forward to some pictures of fat blokes sweating ;)

EssexDave

10-06-12, 08:50 AM

Enjoy LP!

maviczap

10-06-12, 06:06 PM

My legs hurt, 70 miles today

Luckypants

10-06-12, 10:31 PM

My legs hurt, 70 miles today

Mine do too a bit, Alpe d'Huez, Col de Seren and Les Deux Alps, just over 50 miles :)

Sent from my phone.

maviczap

11-06-12, 07:04 AM

Mine do too a bit, Alpe d'Huez, Col de Seren and Les Deux Alps, just over 50 miles :)

Sent from my phone.

Chapeau mate :takeabow::takeabow:

Luckypants

11-06-12, 07:19 PM

Shorter ride today, 24 miles with 830 meters of climbing up to La Berade for lunch. Brilliant descent but go-pro missed it! :banghead:

Down before the thunderstorm hit :)

Sent from my phone.

Luckypants

16-06-12, 04:01 PM

After an interesting time in Bourg d'Oisons we have arrived in Bormio to try to conquer Stelvio! Jesus its huge!

Sent from my phone.

EssexDave

16-06-12, 04:04 PM

Good luck! Any pictures?

Luckypants

16-06-12, 04:16 PM

Will post pictures when I get back. Maybe do a trip report.

Sent from my phone.

EssexDave

16-06-12, 04:29 PM

Will post pictures when I get back. Maybe do a trip report.

Sent from my phone.

No fair, talk about leaving us hanging!

Luckypants

16-06-12, 04:37 PM

LOL story of the abortive Marmot route is a small epic..

Sent from my phone.

mattSV

16-06-12, 04:42 PM

fizzwheel

16-06-12, 04:57 PM

LOL story of the abortive Marmot route is a small epic..

Sent from my phone.

I saw your facebook pics.

Glad you are enjoying yout trip Mike, very jealous...

Luckypants

16-06-12, 08:17 PM

Enjoy Stelvio - I can highly recommend the hot chocolate from the bar on the right at the summit. Also take some euros or a card and get yourself a Stelvio jersey from the cycling shack at the top - you'll have earned it ;-)
I intend to get a Stelvio Gran Fondo one, to match my bike :)

Tomorrow will be wearing my Wales top as usual for a big ride.

Sent from my phone.