The Cycling Thread

[EssexDave]

18mph on that average was flat out in the draft of someone very strong.

When I had my Moda TT bike my best was 19.9 miles in an hour pushing hard - and that was only last year or so.

I'm going to join the local cycling club up in Greenwich (Dulwich Paragon) next year, but for this year going to do some chaingangs with a group that go out Tuesday nights made up of quite a few racers, I think cat 3-4 so should be a fair indication of the pace.

[maviczap]

Yes, go try 3/4 cat races. All levels of abilities

Do some midweek club 10's I'm sure Dulwich must run some. Just turn up, pay and ride.

Nice and simple

[EssexDave]

Would have thought so - will be joining next year as not up there for a while now so just doing some local stuff around here for now.

Had a poor start to the year with not a lot of mileage so I don't think there's much point getting into it just yet when I can do a lot of the training stuff anyway. Looking forward to it though!

[maviczap]

Had a poor start to the year with not a lot of mileage

Same here

Snow, flu and crap weather have all contributed to the lack of miles

Although my avg speed is more than 1mph better than at the same period last year, despite the lack of miles.:confused:

Doesn't sound much, but it is quite a difference in speed.

[EssexDave]

Yeah 1mph is pretty huge! Especially just because :P

I wish I gained 1mph from nowhere :D

[maviczap]

TBH I don't know where its come from either :confused:

[Owenski]

Seem to have hit a bit of a wall on my route to work, the strava times have returned zero PR's.
Oddly though the return journey on Friday was filled with them... I wonder if the wind has finally changed direction.

[Owenski]

Mother****er knocked me off

[tactcom7]

you ok Matt??

[fizzwheel]

Mother****er knocked me off

You OK ? Hope its not to serious for you and the bike.

I know this is probably the last thing on your mind, but...

1. Go to A & E and get checked over
2. If you have the car drivers details, dont faff about trying to claim off their insurance yourself. Get some legal help.

I used these guys

http://www.cycle-claims.co.uk/

When I got knocked off in 2009 they were fantastic, but even they had a battle getting me financial recompense for my mangled bike...

[Roberrrrt]

Ayup guys, I'm sure Matt will update you but just been on blower with him.

Sounds like its just cuts and bruises, bike has taken a bit of stick but sounds fixable.

Some **** of a taxi driver caused it all so I gather, like I say ill let Matt fill in the finer details.

When I came off the phone he was loading the bike into abi's car so least he's got a ride home!

[Owenski]

Well that was an all together unfortunate evening.
My clips seemed to stop working as a i left work, little did I know by not stopping to tighten them I'd set my self up for what followed.
Realization, Anger, Pain, More Anger, Frustration, Shock, More anger, Relief, Calm, Frustration, Anger, Protested Acceptance, Bewilderment more anger, and finally complete lethargy.

See that's just the words to describe my mental state for the hour which followed not adjusting my cleets so turn away now if you dont want to read the full synopsis.

Firstly I'm very greatful for those who came to my aid, members of the public who despite been on their way homes from their own hard days still took the time to help a stranger. I thank you :)
The first witness on scene who pulled me back from the drivers window of the car that hit me turned out to work for the CPS, which is always nice when you're around someone who knows how to handle a situation. I owe him a massive thanks as he's no doubt kept me out of cuffs.

I had been travelling along whitehall road towards the A62 behind a taxi, the traffic was heavy and slow moving often stationary at times. I had repeatedly seen the driver of the car in front check his mirrors and manouver to ensure he prevented me from easily passing on his left. I wasn't in a rush and in only 6 weeks of riding I've already come to expect this in heavy traffic. As we're crawling forward and with me trying to perfect my balancing we approach the junction with globe road, from our direction visibilty down this road is good. I see no one waiting to turn in and no one approaching to exit, so seeing that the taxi's rear quater has passed the turning I purposefully checked his indicators and decide I can nip past the *****, ironically I had thought I'd be safer in front where I'd gradually be leaving the guy further and further behind me.

As I leveled with his passenger door my spider senses tingled just before I saw his wheel turn and bonnet lift as he accelerated. I don't know exactly what I did but I know his impact somehow made me highside the bike and both the bike and I flipped into the air.
We separated in the tangle and fell as in 2 heaps on the road, I bounced to my feet and charged back to his car already shouting that he'd done that on f*ing purpose. To add insult to injury the taxi driver was captain smiley I lost count of the amount of times he said sorry (pay attention thats important) whilst all the time maintaining a smug smile.
In my rage from the impact as I ran back towards his car I gave his bumper a serious kick the making my way to his door I tried to put his drivers window through to remove him from the car. in heinsight the pain in my foot suggests his car won that round also and in a blessing his window was been wound down so flex'd as opposed to shattered. At that point I took the opportunity to remove his ignition key, it was it this point the first witness restrained me and escorted me back to my bike and helped me to the footpath. Where a student nurse who also witnessed it had rushed to help in any way she could.

There was much swearing and arguing for the next 5 min until I agreed he could have his keys in exchange for his wallet which would allow him to move his car to a safer location whilst ensuring he didn't do a bunk.
In that time the first witness announced his living as a CPS officer and ensured me he saw everything and I've nothing to worry about.

On his advice I called for the police and ambulance who both attended, the ambulance crew were fantastic. Checked me over and calmed me right down, the first res ponder agreed to remain at scene to ensure the taxi driver didn't leave until the police arrived.
I'm very pro police, and I've supported them endlessly on here when things have been mentioned but why is it that when ever I actually need an officer they're always a *****? He didn't make the greatest first impression with his open mouthed chewing of gum and his "I'm here now let me handle this" persona. But any officer who opens with "what do you say's happened here" whilst looking disapprovingly at you needs to really think about what service they're meant to be providing.
The guy clearly couldn't be bothered to deal with it and just wanted to go off and save the world for as highly as he thought of himself.
He never once let me finish describing the events, interrupting with meaningless lose lose statemented questions such as "so if you're on a motorbike approaching a junction is it safe to undertake another vehicle"
For a million reasons officer no its not safe, but I'm not on a motorcycle NOR were we approaching a junction NOR was he another moving vehicle.
Didnt matter what I said he just repeated the key words which suited his opinion rather than my version of events. I tried without joy to explain its was a line of traffic, he'd passed the junction so much so that his vehicle has stopped just as much on the wrong side of his exit road as the correct. That was also before considering his lack of use of indicators and his earlier **** blocking road positions. It didn't change a thing, the officer replied with those same key words, approaching and moving traffic to which I conceded.
I knew it wasn't going anywhere, nor was it getting me home any quicker, a journey which I'd not yet worked out how I was to complete.

In the end I agreed I'd exchange details with the driver and that the police would serve no further part.. exactly what the officer wanted from before he arrived.

Outside and now back with the driver and the car I'm shown its suffered no damage, the review of my push bike is not so straight forward. Bent bits and bobs a busted back tyre and a rough estimate of damage by myself of £200. The officer insists we have each others details and we have 5 minutes to resolve it either at the road side or call our insurance companies (advising me I can claim through my household policy). At this point the driver looking at my bike points out all the damage is from hitting the road, confused I asked the relevance of his observation to which he replied "thats when I saw you, you were in the road" I said so you pretend to have not seen me at all now, not even when you hit me? Then despite his previous appolgies for the collision he now insists there was no collision. I just about cried as I felt the final rug been pulled from under me, I called the officer back over but before I had chance to tell him the driver began to insist we sort it here and now, which I was hoping for but not yet ready to propose.
His offer was £40 followed by "ebay ebay ebay" I looked at the officer who did nothing, I reiterated the £200 and said you've just offered me 20% of that!
I asked his excess, he said its zero... riiiiiite! He then offered £50 the officer this time looked at me as though to say just take it.

I reluctantly accepted having during this exchange had chance to see the wheels span freely and other than a puncture and a bent brake lever the bike was fine.

As it transpires I've got the bike home and its been fixed up better than before as now I've finally sorted my clicking gears out too. So other than the inconvenience of it I've ended up with £50 which wouldn't be so bad had I not kicked his bloody car. I've got numerous cuts and bruises but the most painful thing is my foot which is my own stupid bloody fault entirely.

So lesson learnt the hard way, never ever ever ever "nip past a *****" always keep them in front and yourself out of their path.

[Geodude]

What an anus and what a daft thing to do to a soft bodied cyclist, glad you're not to badly hurt owenski.

[andrewsmith]

S**T Matt

Get yourself sorted mate. BMW driver by any chance?

[Owenski]

Merc C220 "the exceutive way to take down cyclists"

[pookie]

I'm sure karma will work its way round to mr taxi driver sooner rather than later.

planet x have a mega sale on at the moment .. time for some retail therapy :)

Stocked up on my sis energy stuff and some cheap lights

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/c/q/massive_warehouse_clearance

[tactcom7]

Glad to hear you're o.k(ish) Matt, how are you feeling today once the adrenaline has worn off? Is it worth writing a letter to his taxi company informing them of the situation?

[maviczap]

Glad you're ok Matt, I had a van turn in front of me at traffic lights the other day & I was ahead of him, I didn't even know until he turned in front of me.

Anyway you're one of those stupid cyclists

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-22639720

[pookie]

yep and one of those that dont pay " road tax " ;) ..

I must remember to check my rear mirror to assess the situation from the comfort of my car to ascertain if the accident was bad enough for me to get out.

[maviczap]

Yes, poor little dear has had such a hard time of it :rolleyes:

[Dipper]

Sorry to hear about this Matt, glad you're OK.

[Luckypants]

Went out on my 30 mile hilly route yesterday, got absolutely soaked! It was dry at home but raining hard out on the loop and I was climbing when the rain started so was soaked by the time I stopped to put my cape on :(

The club run is around Aberdyfi on Saturday, so I hope it picks up by then! When is summer going to arrive?

[maviczap]

When is summer going to arrive?

Good question, I'm thoroughly fed up with this weather :smt019

[Owenski]

I forgot to turn on my Mon-Wed-Fri alarm this week after I turned it off for the bank holiday so missed out on riding yesterday, thank god lol.
What a miserable day weather-wise, back out on it tomorrow though and the forecast looks ok. As long as 30th June is reasonable then I'll be happy (30th june = raceday).

Mavi - What distance would you train on for a 50mile race?

[maviczap]

Solo time trial or massed start?

[Owenski]

massed start 300+ riders

[EssexDave]

Owenski is that a proper cat 4 race?
If so I wish you the best of luck :)

[maviczap]

massed start 300+ riders

Sounds more like a sportive?

Do what you're doing now with a long steady ride once or twice a week, to build up your long distance stamina.

Your daily commute sounds taxing enough.

When I raced 50 mile TT's I just used to ride it like two 25 mile TT back to back, I had enough stamina to ride it at that pace. But I was better (and preferred) at 10 & 25 mile TT's

[Owenski]

http://greatcycle.org/about/52-miles

its that puppy. Cat 4/Sportive/bimble I've no idea what the hell it is I'm just planning on turning up and pedaling until someone tells me to stop.

[EssexDave]

Looks like a sportive - a race probably would be less people and much faster :P

[Owenski]

Good to know :)

[Roberrrrt]

guess i better pay attention to this too then since im joining matt on the GMC ride

[maviczap]

Looks like a sportive - a race probably would be less people and much faster :P

Agreed, although a lot of riders enter to race.

Owenski, don't worry about it being a race, it isn't,you can take it at your own pace. So at the food stops and hydrate, before you get hungry and thirsty.

Take it at your own pace & follow groups at your level and you'll finish it no problem.

They'll be riders of all abilities there

[Owenski]

As long as I beat bert Im happy... as long as bert beats me he'll be happy...
I think we'll have killed each other by mile 10 lol

[Luckypants]

Broken.... Just completed Wild Wales Challenge sportive, geez its the hardest ride I've done all year. Sooooo tired!

Sent from my phone.

This is still taking entries for this year if anyone fancies it. Hopefully I'll be better prepared this year.

Sent from my phone.

[Dipper]

This is still taking entries for this year if anyone fancies it. Hopefully I'll be better prepared this year

mmmmmm tempting..........

[maviczap]

Its a pity its on a weekend I'm working, as it would be ideal preparation as a final training block :-(

[Luckypants]

I think Essex Dave entered last year but couldn't do it for some reason. It will be a leg breaker! :)

Sent from my phone.

[maviczap]

If I'd have done it after last years Alps trip, it would have been ok :D

[EssexDave]

I wanted to but never entered as I think I was busy on the day it fell on

[Owenski]

"busy" ;)

[Luckypants]

"busy" ;)

:D

Sent from my phone.

[smudga]

I went & did 16 miles on my bish today got to my turn around point & the heavens opened up
looked like a drowned rat when I squelched back in lol

[Owenski]

again!
ANOTHER busted inner tube :(

Thats 4 in 3 months! I wouldn't be so annoyed if it were just a puncture that a patch would fix but its always a nip on the tubs from the ****ty road surfaces on my commute.
The roads are broken up near the channels and in the heavy traffic its unreasonable to ride in the middle of the lane. 9 times out of 10 I dodge the worst ones but every now and then I get caught out and like today wake up to find a flat tyre waiting to great me.

Anyone any suggestions?

[maviczap]

Yes 2 suggestions.

What tyres are you using? Nothing is completely puncture proof, but Continental Gatorskinz are almost, plus from what I've been reading Vitorria tyres are also very good.

Also this nip in the tube, is by chance on the underside of the tube? There's a trend for wheelmakers to use plastic rim tape, now under certain circumstances the rim tape can move or shift causing the inner tube to go into the spoke hole and find a sharp piece of metal that wasn't cleaned off in the finishing process.

So if by chance the hole is on the under side (ie rim side) then fit some proper Veloflex cloth rim tape. Smooth any sharp spoke ends or spoke holes.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/velox-rim-tape/

[pookie]

I've also seen slime tubes but not sure how effective they will be.

[maviczap]

I've also seen slime tubes but not sure how effective they will be.

There are better sealants out there than slime tubes. This one got great reviews, but you have to apply it yourself.

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/tyres-tubes/tubeless-kits-parts/tubeless-accessories/fenwicks-airtight-tubeless-tyre-sealant-500ml.html?utm_campaign=googlebase-GB&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=Tubeless+Accessories&gclid=CIrfpOOC9bcCFTMgtAodTFAA3Q

But I don't like the extra weight the sealant adds to the rotating mass of the wheel, and I don't use slime tubes or anything similar. I don't suffer many punctures.

[Owenski]

You're not the first one to recommend those gatorskins actually so I will give that a go.
Wiggle have them on a full set 2 tyres 2 tube offer so I'm going to have a piece of that :) thank you.

[maviczap]

They are expensive, but I've not hard any punctures on mine.

I've seen a GP4000 with a sidewall cut from a flint, but its not the same construction as a Gatorskin.

When you replace the tyres, have a good look at the rim tape, make sure its seated properly in the right place

[Roberrrrt]

You're not the first one to recommend those gatorskins actually so I will give that a go.
Wiggle have them on a full set 2 tyres 2 tube offer so I'm going to have a piece of that :) thank you.

linky?

[Luckypants]

+1 on Gatorskins, I have only had two or three punctures in 4 years of using them. If you get the non-foldable ones, the have a very stiff sidewall that will help avoid pinch punctures, but makes them very hard to put fit!

Follow Mav's advice with the rim tape, then make sure your tyres are pumped up properly, to 100 psi or so to help keep the tyre seated on the rim.

[Dipper]

Cheap Continental inner tubes!!! :D (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-x-Continental-Race-28-700c-Road-Bike-Innertubes-42mm-/360365833956?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts _SR&hash=item53e77a3ee4)

[Owenski]

LINK: Wiggle Gatorskins & Tubes £48.75 (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-ultra-gatorskin-road-tyre-and-tube-set/)

[Luckypants]

Another thought Matt, you might find it useful running fatter tyres, say a 25C or 28C to give more resilience against impacts?

[Roberrrrt]

He runs 28's already I believe

[Owenski]

25's

[Jackie_Black]

I appear to have bought another bike. This time a genesis Alfine day one. It's on the cycle to work scheme (first time ive used it) and they can extend the lease over more time to escape the big final payment. I only went in the shop to look, but it just called out to me to buy it :rolleyes:

[maviczap]

25's

Which wheel have you had most punctured on? front or rear or both.

If its the rear, then you could go up to a 28 if thee's enough clearance for it

[maviczap]

I appear to have bought another bike. This time a genesis Alfine day one. It's on the cycle to work scheme (first time ive used it) and they can extend the lease over more time to escape the big final payment. I only went in the shop to look, but it just called out to me to buy it :rolleyes:

They do make nice looking bikes

[Jackie_Black]

see the thing is, you forget how soft steel is to ride on. Good old reynolds tubes, disk brakes and a hubgear of all things. Really looking forward to doing some kind of toury/commuting/ bimbling about on it.

[maviczap]

Yes, steel is still nice to ride. Much nicer than alu

[fizzwheel]

I appear to have bought another bike. This time a genesis Alfine day one. It's on the cycle to work scheme (first time ive used it) and they can extend the lease over more time to escape the big final payment. I only went in the shop to look, but it just called out to me to buy it :rolleyes:

I very very nearly bought one of them. Lovely looking bikes, but I was put off by the reports about the big jumps between gears on the 8 spd hub.

Otherwise :cool:

[Jackie_Black]

Well I went up and down the box and it felt good. A little heavy but reassuring. I think I just fancy something different.

[Luckypants]

Don't you hate those rides where your legs just don't wanna know? 70 miles of burning thighs and a piteable average yesterday. :confused:

Sent from my phone.

[maviczap]

Yes, but after all the miles you've been clocking up this week, my legs would want a day off :D

[Luckypants]

Not that many mate, only done three rides. I just hate it when as soon as you need power, your legs say 'no way', then start hurting and feeling stiff. No matter what you do you cannot wake them up nor get your heart rate up around where it should be for the climb or whatever. I know it's my body saying it needs a rest, but I'd rather it did that on days I'm not riding! :smt027

The guy I was out with yesterday has gone out today and done another 60 odd miles Grrr! Now he is beating me on those challenges on Strava :smt091. Not that I'm competitive or anything.......

[maviczap]

More than me this week mate, although I did 2 turbo sessions at the hotel this week.

I'll be out tomorrow & tues I hope, as there's not many weeks left before France, once the school holidays start etc :(

Would have gone out today, but small children need to be entertained and the weather has been pants :thumbdown:

Still I'll have room to set the turbo up in the garage by tomorrow, so even if the weather is pants I can still do some proper workouts

[fizzwheel]

I know it's my body saying it needs a rest, but I'd rather it did that on days I'm not riding!

Thats all it is, I know it's frustrating and I know you know this, but listen to your body !

I havent ridden at all since I finished TWWB. I stripped and cleaned my LOOK and put the double back on. But I still havent been out on it. I could make excuses, but I just dont feel like riding.

I want to have a go at the Strava climbing challenge thats coming up though so need to find my cycling mojo !

[maviczap]

I was the same after the Alps Tour last year, very difficult to get my mojo back and strangely I didn't come back with any form, which was different to my experience after riding in the Pyrenees, where I came back with exceptional form.

I think all my reserves were used up last year. Bloody good fun though :cool:

Anyway, there's pre Tour interviews and progs on Eurosport in the afternoons this week.

[Ch00]

I am looking for a full size folding bike (to get it on the bus) as my commute take me though a tunnel.

10 miles each way with a couple of hill. Urban riding.

I have heard of Dahon as a brand and them seem pretty good?

Does anyone have any thoughts?

[Luckypants]

I havent ridden at all since I finished TWWB. I stripped and cleaned my LOOK and put the double back on. But I still havent been out on it. I could make excuses, but I just dont feel like ridingI understand where you are coming from, after total immersion in a sport sometimes you need a little break. Your mojo will soon return. On the upside, I'm slowly reeling you in on the June challenge :p

Anyway, there's pre Tour interviews and progs on Eurosport in the afternoons this week.Indeed and already Sky+'d... Apparently there is something on ITV4 too, but I keep forgetting to check that channel!

[maviczap]

I am looking for a full size folding bike (to get it on the bus) as my commute take me though a tunnel.

10 miles each way with a couple of hill. Urban riding.

I have heard of Dahon as a brand and them seem pretty good?

Does anyone have any thoughts?


Dahon look like a Far East copy of a Brompton, which is the gold standard of folding bikes.

Trouble is then you'll pay a premium for a Brompton, but then they are a UK based firm, which doesn't manufacture overseas. So you should get good customer service.

Evans stock both brands them don't they?

I'd go a see one in the flesh and see how easy they are to fold. Try a Brompton too.

My mate had a Brompton for cycling from Liverpool Street to his office & another guy I know uses his to cycle to our office from the local station. They are perfect for this, I'm not sure about their long distance credentials?

[Owenski]

Gatorskins and Tubes turned up this morning along with the usual mini haribo packet.

[maviczap]

You know you're not fit, when a toothless 70 plus vet catches you on a 63in fixed gear, although he did peel off after a couple of miles. :(

Not before telling me he'd done 7000 miles last year. :smt104

Then i get passed by another guy on a fixie, he was doing a good 2-3mph more than me, but he was on tri bars and one of the fast boys from one of the local clubs.

He did have the decency to wave as he overtook me :)

[Owenski]

Scary thing is I'm pretty sure you'd pass me in the same manor... those blokes who passed you would destroy me.
its gonna be a big test on Sunday, I've got to maintain 17mph for 3hrs or it'll be a DNF :(

[Dipper]

You know you're not fit, when a toothless 70 plus vet catches you on a 63in fixed gear, although he did peel off after a couple of miles. :(

Not before telling me he'd done 7000 miles last year. :smt104

Then i get passed by another guy on a fixie, he was doing a good 2-3mph more than me, but he was on tri bars and one of the fast boys from one of the local clubs.

He did have the decency to wave as he overtook me :)

so true, why o why do we choose such a cruel sport..

[maviczap]

Because we crazy

42 miles of headwind today, worst thing was it was stronger on the homeward leg, a killer

[Dipper]

Indeed, bonkers but keep coming back for more, a couple of days off the bike and I'm going crazy.

This year has been so windy, whichever direction you cycle there seems to be a strong headwind.

[maviczap]

This year has been so windy, whichever direction you cycle there seems to be a strong headwind.

Yes, except for the homeward leg last night on my little jaunt out, pure tail wind, I set loads of new PR's on my local Strava sections last night.

Maybe that's why I wasn't at my best today?

[Luckypants]

its gonna be a big test on Sunday, I've got to maintain 17mph for 3hrs or it'll be a DNF :(

Why that average Matt? Sportives in my experience are quite generous with their average required, many have no minimum speed at all. What event is it?

[AJC]

Crikey getting back up to those distances/averages is quite daunting at the moment!

I have decided to get back into cycling after pretty much 10 years. Football was my main thing but a knee ligament injury and subsequent surgery means I'm safer with the cycling now :)

Picked this up recently for what I believe was a pretty sweet price:

http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u472/fac83ajc/Bicnchi.jpg (http://s1069.photobucket.com/user/fac83ajc/media/Bicnchi.jpg.html)

Its a full carbon Bianchi 928, loving it so far. Managed a massive 16 miles tonight into a headwind at around 12.5mph and I am knackered ha!...

[maviczap]

Nice, but you drink too much ;)

[Jackie_Black]

I pedalled to work today, admittedly on my Ped-elec as i was wearing my suit but i didnt really need the elec much so was mostly just slogging along on a heavy bike (think late 70's raleigh grifter). I'm looking forward to getting my new genesis next week. That will clearly be much better for the job. I even found a route which is mostly off road and only 5 minutes slower than my car commute!!

[AJC]

Nice, but you drink too much ;)

Ha yeah, almost ashamed to say the collection of whisky has gotten larger since. By ashamed I really mean proud (i'm scottish...)

[Bibio]

anyone interested in a Merlin Malt1 with fancy pants stuff on it like air forks and hydraulic disc brakes?

mate across the back wants a new bike and wants rid of the Merlin.

[maviczap]

Stick it in the MTB section Bib, this is the thin tyre section :D

[Bibio]

aaahhh ok.

goes off to find the MTB thread

[andrewsmith]

Stick it in the MTB section Bib, this is the thin tyre section :D

The laytex wearing that isn't fetish section, you mean ;)

sent from place where even the devil is afraid

[maviczap]

Aye not in this MAMIL section :p

[Owenski]

Why that average Matt? Sportives in my experience are quite generous with their average required, many have no minimum speed at all. What event is it?

LINK (http://www.greatcycle.org/)

Its not a sportive (or at least not as I understand them) its that one in the link above, For the 52mile route it says you're expected to be able to maintain 15mph but then they only allow 3hrs for the ride which actually means 17mph. Although it does later say that there are 4 hours between the start of the 52miler (8am) and the start of the 26miler(12noon) in which case if you can drag it out over 4 hours then its 13mph and I'll pi55 that.

[Luckypants]

Yeah its what I'd call a sportive, albeit over a short course you are lapping. 17 on flat good surfaces as they claim should be in your abilities. Enjoy!

Sent from my phone.

[Dipper]

Aye not in this MAMIL section :p

Just like this...
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/542656_10200479690856842_578035635_n.jpg

[Owenski]

Yeah its what I'd call a sportive, albeit over a short course you are lapping. 17 on flat good surfaces as they claim should be in your abilities. Enjoy!

Sent from my phone.

Saving grace is that its most definitely the flattest route I'll have ever ridden.

Thank feck!

[Dipper]

Aldi (https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/coming-soon/aldi-commuter-cycling-coming-soon/) have got some cycling stuff coming soon.... about time I got a bike stand.

[andyb]

Hoping for some advice on SPD's. I've just bought my first road bike, it's second hand and came with R540 SPD SL pedals.

I looked at some Shimano RT82 shoes last week but they're SPD compatable (not SL). Sooo, thinking of getting either A520 or M540 pedals, I'm only a beginner so don't think hotspots will be a problem with the SPD's but I'm willing to be told otherwise.

Any advice and suggestions welcome :D

Cheers,

[fizzwheel]

There's not alot in it, the 540 are a 100 grams or so lighter, depends whether you want to shell out the extra cash for the M540's or not.

One of the chaps I cycle with, only notices the hot spots on a 60+ mile ride. Depends how much distance you think you'll end up doing really and of course SPD pedals are a lot cheaper than a new pair of shoes are...

[Owenski]

For what its worth ive got a pair of m545 pedals and can't fault them, cheaper than new shoes and certainly no hotspots as they feel just like normal pedals.
I even bought a pair for my mountain bike. :-)

[andyb]

Am I right in thinking that if I get the M540 pedal on the road bike with RT82 shoes I can use them on the MTB if I get similar pedals?

I think I'll be happy with 20-30 mile rides for the time being, by the time I end up doing 60+ mile rides I'll probably be wanting to change bikes too ;)

[maviczap]

Yes, you can use the same shoes and pedals on both bikes

But depends on if you're planning to ride off road in those shoes, if you have to get off and walk in mud & carp it might be tricky.

But riding MTB on the road with these pedals & shoes will be fine

[andyb]

Are there any shoes/pedals that could be used off road on MTB and on the road bike that wouldnt be too much of a compromise in both areas or should I stick to two sets of shoes and pedals?