The Cycling Thread

[carelesschucca]

No wonder the Angliru is famous 9 miles at an average of 10.5%, Mr Millar helped it's cause by taking his strop too.

It's trying to link the places I want to go up that's the fun bit. I had a route all a set out and put onto an XL spreadsheet. It's probably just way too much for me... I was only 4 days into a week long adventure and was over 250 miles with nearly 25,000ft of climbing...

I ain't no Alberto Contador so that's not happening.

No doubt I'll just end up with a weeks holiday in Mallorca and doing Sa Calobra, Puig Major and the lighthouse out of Pollenca.

[maviczap]

No wonder the Angliru is famous 9 miles at an average of 10.5%, Mr Millar helped it's cause by taking his strop too.

It's trying to link the places I want to go up that's the fun bit. I had a route all a set out and put onto an XL spreadsheet. It's probably just way too much for me... I was only 4 days into a week long adventure and was over 250 miles with nearly 25,000ft of climbing...

I ain't no Alberto Contador so that's not happening.

No doubt I'll just end up with a weeks holiday in Mallorca and doing Sa Calobra, Puig Major and the lighthouse out of Pollenca.

Mallorca & Majorca are both nice for riding, although can be busy & really hot.

What I find is that over a week my reserves tend to get depleted, whether its the altitude, amount of energy or age, our a combination of all three.

Only once when I did the week tour of France in 2012 did my form improve toward the end of the trip, usually its the opposite. We did have an enforced day off in the week, which was a blessing

[Luckypants]

What I find is that over a week my reserves tend to get depleted, whether its the altitude, amount of energy or age, our a combination of all three. Don't believe a word of it. In the Pyrenees he was kicking our arses by the end of the week.

[pookie]

does this mean the next org AR should be on road bikes? :)

[maviczap]

Yep, preferably with mountains.

[pookie]

you fancy organising it? ;) I think the tender has to be in around christmas !

[maviczap]

By mountains i mean France, Italy or Spain. Is this section ready for the challenge?

[carelesschucca]

I VOTE SPAIN... Unsurprisingly!

[maviczap]

Ok, last couple of days in France. Enforced rest day due to moving locations, good job as the weather wasn't great, the Galibier summit was closed above the Lauteret summit. Even so, crazy mountain bikers were coming back down the road. This closure meant a massive detour, which in itself was knackering!

So Mont Cenis, I always remember it, as Peugeot had a Reynolds 753 model called Mount Cenis. Its not been used by the Tour for ages, so I didn't know much about it. Drove up to Lanslebourg, as the main road can be busy, an there was a big road repair going on, which would be a nightmare to ride through.

Climb started off nicely, only about 6%, beautifully quiet, day was sunny, although damp spots under the trees. Only started suffering toward the top, as I got a stitch that wouldn't go away. But what a view at the top, unbelievable! One of the best views I've ever seen at the top of any climb.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8031/29812400705_26e4ed1c58_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Mqqm5H)P_20160919_123729 (https://flic.kr/p/Mqqm5H) by maviczap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89416312@N07/), on Flickr

https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8254/29776830596_beeda20520_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Mnh3jY)P_20160919_123725 (https://flic.kr/p/Mnh3jY) by maviczap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89416312@N07/), on Flickr

https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8102/29776996066_9e3bc2abfe_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MnhTvU)P_20160919_123604 (https://flic.kr/p/MnhTvU) by maviczap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89416312@N07/), on Flickr

https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8107/29729702911_a0e5f3bb7e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Mi7uUF)P_20160919_121016 (https://flic.kr/p/Mi7uUF) by maviczap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89416312@N07/), on Flickr

Nice cup of coffee & a bun at the coffee at the top, and then the descent, which was the best of the week, nice road surface, no traffic, dry roads.

I drove this road on my way back to Turin Airport, as a biking road, it would be fantastic on the Italian side, as a cycling route up, it would be bloomin hard, great on the descent, as the Italian side had proper tarmac.

[carelesschucca]

What gearing were you using Mav?

[maviczap]

50 - 33 front, 11 - 32 ultegra 11 speed rear cassette

[maviczap]

I'm saving up for one of these, then even when I get to 80, I can use gears like the Pro's use

http://www.mcipollini.com/de/biciclette/mcm2

[maviczap]

3UkGL7o057g

[maviczap]

Last installment, the big one, Col De L'Iseran. Again for the same reason I drove to the foot of the climb at Bonneval-S-Arc, because of the main road, and because I'm lazy :-)

However, I think that a ride from my base in Avireux to Bonneval would have been a great coffee/recovery ride, without doing L'Iseran. I might have contemplated riding the L'Iseran if I'd been staying in Lanslebourg, but that's with hindsight. In September the road was very quiet, and only a couple of bumps to speak of, otherwise pretty flat between Lanslebourg & Bonneval. That's a ride for another time.

L'Iseran climb starts properly at Bonneval, you can see the climb from the valley road. First time this week I started off in short sleeves & bib shorts, a nice day. Good job, as the climb started at 8%, so I was in the 32 at the back straight away, and it stayed there for most of the climb! There are a couple of nice sections which even go down hill or are no worse than 4%, but it doesn't really help much I found, as the worst bit was with 3km to go, just after one of these easy sections. The road just goes up straight, and you can see it all the way to the last but one hairpin. You can also see the cafe at the top, so you know how far you've got to go, but it goes on for what seems like forever. I stopped at 1.5km to go, just to get my breath back, as this is the heighest I've ever been. After that it still took a while to finally crest the summit, but what a view.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7794/29699783112_b9468b9749_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Mft9N5)P_20160920_121731_PN (https://flic.kr/p/Mft9N5) by maviczap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89416312@N07/), on Flickr

https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8363/29520145050_d00b34722f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LYAsE7)P_20160920_121423 (https://flic.kr/p/LYAsE7) by maviczap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89416312@N07/), on Flickr

https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8146/29185002964_20b0eca295_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LsYLAh)P_20160920_121647 (https://flic.kr/p/LsYLAh) by maviczap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89416312@N07/), on Flickr

The descent wasn't great, it was very bumpy, as they'd been laying a pipe or something on the down side of the road. Neither was it helped by a dozy old geezer just wandering across my path near the top, plus I thought his wife might do the same, so I passed them with caution, as they hadn't heard my stealthy approach.

m-7qwG8fwjc

Still got to the bottom without incident.

Having looked at the profile, I now know that I climbed the harder side at an average of 7.2%. Now I understand why I contemplated turning round. Next time I'll do the big one at the start of the week!

http://www.climbbybike.com/profile/Col_de_lIseran_Bonneval_sur_Arc_profile.gif

[maviczap]

Bored bored bored

N-1=N+1 = N-1

[carelesschucca]

I just want to be able to ride, ferking sick of all this nonsense, and still no results from my xrays. Not that results will change anything.

Trying to figure your mathematics, does this mean your a bike down?

[maviczap]

Trying to figure your mathematics, does this mean your a bike down?

nope :D

That bug has wiped you out :cry: :(

[punyXpress]

'tis the changes in teeth on his front sprocket.

[carelesschucca]

nope :D

That bug has wiped you out :cry: :(

New toy then? I'm still looking at lots of stuff but have decided not to spend any more cash till I'm back on the road.

Yep I'm worse now than I was at the start, there's a whole squad of people off in my work with the same repeat illness. No one that gets it seems to be able to shift it...

[maviczap]

Yep, its on its way :-)

I've spent a bit of money on new clothing this month, but not paid full price, I got a bargain on a jersey I was going to buy. I did buy one of Aldi's thermal jackets, as it was similar to a Castelli one I was going to buy.

Time to get the winter stuff out :-(

Rest is the only thing that's going to fix your health issue.

Your illness is one reason I have an annual flu jab now.

[Starlet_gt]

I had a cold about 3 weeks ago which rendered me completely useless. Didn't touch the bike for 3 weeks and I've still got a bloody cough. Done a few rides now and my fitness is ridiculously poor lol

[maviczap]

Yep, I had one in July, and as usual I got a chest infection.

Loads of folk I know have had one recently.

[carelesschucca]

http://www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk/2016/10/cyclist-everests-on-the-tak-ma-doon-hill.html

Some lunatic has been riding my local hill... FAR TOO MUCH!!!

[maviczap]

He crazy

[carelesschucca]

Yep, I've done it 17 times in total. He did 34 times in one day...

That's a definite Chapeau moment.

I'm so looking forward to being able to do the climb again, hopefully I'll be fit enough to use it as my training climb over winter.

[maviczap]

TBH mate, I can't see the point. I'd be completely bored with doing that.

Bit like doing a 24hour TT round the same course. I'd climb off before I fell asleep.

Lands End to John O'Groats I could do, as the scenery would change, or doing the different ways up Ventoux in a day.

I know its a challenge to scale the height of Everest, but 15hours & 34 times? Chapeau, but he's nuts :-)

[carelesschucca]

Nuts he is... I do enjoy going up it but coming down is good fun... I was talking with the guys up here and I'm quite perturbed that the quickest time up the hill is 10 minutes, when my quickest time DOWN it is 4:31, that means some monster is climbing a hill in just over double the time it takes me to get down it... THAT'S JUST WRONG!!!

[carelesschucca]

So more importantly how much does N+1 weigh then Mav?

[maviczap]

Its light :-)

[carelesschucca]

Oh, you need to finish it and give full opinions before they sell out... I'm sorely tempted.

TBH if I'd not taken a step back tonight I'd have bought a Caadx Ultegra. Really need to stop searching the internet.

[AJC]

http://www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk/2016/10/cyclist-everests-on-the-tak-ma-doon-hill.html

Some lunatic has been riding my local hill... FAR TOO MUCH!!!

Cycling up this tomorrow, only the once though! I can also now do it tomorrow as my bike now has gears again. My Di2 battery completely gave up and has been replaced.

Shame my "super light" build won't be ready for tomorrow but it will be ready for our club hill climb next Sunday :)

Seeing your pics Mav I really need to get a cycling hol sorted. I like the idea of a meet but with bikes instead of err, bikes...

[maviczap]

Yep, do it before you get too old like me.

If you need any advice on France then let me know, Luckypants has done Italy, which must be on my list of places to go.

[carelesschucca]

Seeing your pics Mav I really need to get a cycling hol sorted. I like the idea of a meet but with bikes instead of err, bikes...

I'd be up for this, a biking holiday with a meet up. I could watch you all disappear as we get to the hills... How about keeping it simple first time and going to Port de Pollenca in Mallorca. :-D

[Sir Trev]

High Wycombe has lots of hills but I would not recommend visiting just to cycle up them as, well, it's Wycombe...

[AJC]

Yep, do it before you get too old like me.

If you need any advice on France then let me know, Luckypants has done Italy, which must be on my list of places to go.

I am pretty sure you would still whip me up em climbs. Next couple of years fo sho!

I'd be up for this, a biking holiday with a meet up. I could watch you all disappear as we get to the hills... How about keeping it simple first time and going to Port de Pollenca in Mallorca. :-D

My club are chatting about a group trip to Pollenca. Seen 4 of the guys over there in the last month with their rides all over Strava. Looks amazing, especially in the late or early season.

[maviczap]

I doubt I'd leave anyone behind living in the flat lands as I do. It takes me all season to prepare for the mountains and I'm no spring chicken either. Just got a screw loose.

Yep Pollenca is very nice. One of my club mates goes there every year in October, temps are great and a lot less traffic.

[pookie]

so does this mean there is an sv650 meet on bikes?

[maviczap]

Looks like it's heading that way

[carelesschucca]

All this daft talk has kicked something off in me. Suddenly kicked that the gaffer is away for five days to Barcelona with her mum on the 6th April next year.

Now this means I can get away without grief...

Now checking cheap holidays in the north of Mallorca.

No doubt I'll find I can't afford it. But it's nice to look.

[Creaky]

Just wondering if anyone here can provide some advice on cycle maintenance, please?

I have a GT mountain bike which is about 15 years old. The bike is generally in good condition and works as a great commuter tool and casual rider. The only problem I have is that the suspension forks appear to have play in them. When I apply the front brake there is a juddering; not from the vertical movement which appears smooth but from within the fork sliders as though there is excessive play somewhere. I'd like to strip the forks to investigate but not sure if thats possible.

I've taken a few photos and wonder if anyone could help?

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t238/d15nel/GT/IMG_0945_zpskw9nisuc.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t238/d15nel/GT/IMG_0946_zpsnqnamqm3.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t238/d15nel/GT/IMG_0947_zps3yt2ayfz.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t238/d15nel/GT/IMG_0953_zpsnyuyxkph.jpg

The nuts at the bottom of the forks come off to expose a threaded section and I assume that the black plastic top cap should unscrew in some way. I've seen a strip down video on YouTube on a similar set of forks but wondered if mine are in fact serviceable. Bit loath to strip down without advice as I need the bike for daily use.

Would appreciate any pointers. Many thanks.

[mattSV]

Have you checked the headset is all tightened correctly?

[Creaky]

Hi MattSV
Yes, headset is tightened correctly. Play seems to be within the fork leg itself.
Cheers

[maviczap]

Those forks are very basic jobbies, no adjustment on them, it'll probably be just a coil spring and a bit of oil, although stuff from that era also used elastomer rubbers, which was even cheaper than coil springs.

My guess is that its a plastic bush that's failed inside the fork, so when you brake, the forks slide down, and the clunk you feel is the fork slider moving backwards in the leg.

Because they're the threaded type, it shows how old they are :-) So probably impossible to find any spares for, or replacements :-( as the steer tube is 1 inch dia. If its 1 1/8 then happy days, then you could just replace the forks and headset with the now standard 1 1/8 inch aheadset system.

Local bike shop might be able to check them out

[garynortheast]

I replaced a similar pair of forks (Shockwave) on my old Apollo bike last year. Not expensive and easy enough to fit. The ones I fitted were Suntour forks, got them from my local bike shop.

[maviczap]

Here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suspension-Forks-For-Mountain-Bike-Suntour-1-Inch-Ahead-Steerer-/311740198892?hash=item489529efec:g:g3AAAOSwcLxYKJ1 6

You'd need to change the headset bearing & handlebar stem as well, to aheadset type, but cheap as chips really.

[Creaky]

Thanks for the input maviczap and garynortheast.

[carelesschucca]

OK guys got another Chimpboy episode.

Put a new chain and cassette on the Triban and today it felt as if the bike is trying to jump gears... Well it turns out that there is a tight link (dunno how I managed it, it's a simple job) now can I remove the pin and replace it and hope it frees up the tight link or do I bin the chain and start again?

[maviczap]

You could wiggle the tight spot free, it usually works, or use a quick connector instead. Is the pin one of them shimano jobbies or just the standard pin?

I only use quick connectors these days

[carelesschucca]

It's one of the Shimano ones the you push in with the tool till it clicks then snap the other end off. It's weird and annoying it's a job you shouldn't be able to fail when you use the Topeak tool. Yet Chimpboy appears and does his best...

[maviczap]

As you've discovered they are not idot proof :-)

I've known shops fail on joining chains properly using this method, hence why i dont bother with them.

I dont have Chris Hoy thigh muscles, so i have faith in quick links, and you can carry a spare in your seat pack, should the worst happen.

Decathlon ones are dirt cheap to buy several at once. Just make sure you buy the appropriate one for the number of sprockets on the cassette, although a 10 speed one is said to work on 11 speed chains, and is easier to fit to an 11 speed chain, because it is minutely wider.

[Adam Ef]

Unless it's 8 speed or less you can't remove and refit a pin as they're riveted instead of having mushroomed ends on the pins. Once they're out the rivet end breaks off and it won't hold in again. Bend the chain sideways around the stuck link. Sometimes requires some force but it should loosen the plates slightly and free up the link.

[carelesschucca]

I'll have a go a the wiggle... I might not have explained properly I'd buy a new pin to try and fix the issue they're not expensive.

Here's hoping I'm pretty sure everyone within 20 miles must have heard me swearing at the bike and the chimp that out the chain on in the first place

[EssexDave]

Quick links are awesome for sure and I always carry two in my saddle bag - they weigh nothing!
Having also seen a few people have light offs and bend hangers - I carry a spare hanger too.

On another note, those Wattbikes are pretty good! I've got a Kikr Snap turbo which I'm using a lot but joined a gym for when I'm at work and after my FTP test last night was really impressed. They feel absolutely superb and interesting to see my left leg seems to do very slightly more work than my right. Also chuffed with the winter FTP of 288w, now if I could only shift some timber I might actually be quick ;)

P.s. Happy birthday Maviczap!

[carelesschucca]

Shh, I think he's keeping that a secret :-D

I just can't get motivated to use Wattbikes, I don't know if its because they're in my work and I just want to escape.

So it looks as if I'm going to be buying quick links, having said that I have the Topeak AlienII that has the chain breaker bit if I got pins I could just run the chain a link down till I got home...which reminds me, next time I put the new chain on keep the spares links as spares...

[carelesschucca]

On a slightly different note I have an interest in a new cycling lid, which atm is half price from the company themselves.

It comes in two sizes. 54-58cm or 58/62cm, I can't exactly try it on but a measured my head and as always I'm Ferking awkward and I'm 58cm. Should I;

A - buy the smaller one?
B - buy the bigger one?
C - buy both and go through the hassle of sending one back to France...

[maviczap]

Buy bigger, I have the same problem with Lazer helmets

[carelesschucca]

Bigger it is... Bonus, is its got a nice aero shell that clips on to it for some winter warmth...

It'll be my final Christmas pressie to myself.

[maviczap]

Yes, can't beat an aero shell for keeping your bonce warmer

[maviczap]

n -1 :-(

[Geodude]

n -1 :-(
Sold or broken :(

[maviczap]

Sold which can lead on to N+1 :-)

[Geodude]

:D

[EssexDave]

Just had SRAM Red etap fitted to my tarmac. Can't wait for some good weather to give it a go!

[carelesschucca]

Very nice, maybe you could use the groupset at this event... I'm sure you'll be allowed to stop in Lochcarron for a breakfast before the big climb.

http://www.handsonevents.co.uk/bealach-mor/

TBH I was up for it then started thinking how hard doing 65 flatfish miles were today, never mind doing 90 and climbing that blooming hill. :-D

[maviczap]

Just had SRAM Red etap fitted to my tarmac. Can't wait for some good weather to give it a go!

Serious amount of wedge to outlay, but well worth it, i love my Di2 stuff.

Not sure how I'd get on with the way Sram use the right levr to change up, and the left to change down ( or the other way round), plus both together to chane the front!

Let us know

[carelesschucca]

That's way to confusing for me.

[EssexDave]

I was weighing up what to go for. I liked that SRAM is lighter (it's 600g lighter than the 105 groupset it is replacing!)

I spent a lot of time thinking about Di2 vs etap and etap won due to looking cooler and being wireless!
I never got on with SRAMs mechanical 'double click' rubbish, but I actually think what they've done for etap makes a lot of sense - and hitting them both to change chainrings? Is that in case you forget how to pedal and have to get out of the big ring? ;)

[EssexDave]

Very nice, maybe you could use the groupset at this event... I'm sure you'll be allowed to stop in Lochcarron for a breakfast before the big climb.

http://www.handsonevents.co.uk/bealach-mor/

TBH I was up for it then started thinking how hard doing 65 flatfish miles were today, never mind doing 90 and climbing that blooming hill. :-D

I've thought about doing this a few times but it is such a long way to go just to ride my bike, especially when there are warmer places that can be reached in the same time!

It is on the list (a very long list) of things to do though!

[maviczap]

I was weighing up what to go for. I liked that SRAM is lighter (it's 600g lighter than the 105 groupset it is replacing!)

I spent a lot of time thinking about Di2 vs etap and etap won due to looking cooler and being wireless!
I never got on with SRAMs mechanical 'double click' rubbish, but I actually think what they've done for etap makes a lot of sense - and hitting them both to change chainrings? Is that in case you forget how to pedal and have to get out of the big ring? ;)

Yes, there's a big weight saving to be made, and Sram Red is about 100grm lighter than Dura Ace Di2, although most of that is the Di2 battery.

I have a SRAM aversion, don't know why? But the biggest influence was price. I picked most of my di2 stuff up 2nd hand, both sets of shifters £130 a pair, which the mechanical shifters were going for the same price. Rear mech £85 and front the same. All work flawlessly, and you won't know they were 2nd hand.

I do like the no cables of SRAM, that's a big plus, I wish Shimano would develop wireless Di2. I have one frame which has internal routing, which requires Teflon liners for the mechs to work well. Wireless would solve this issue. It'd also make di2 specific frames redundant, as you wouldn't need to hide the cables & make the frame look so clean with no cable clutter.

Wireless shifting would make my travel bike even easier to split & put together, I'd only have to connect the brake cables!

My biggest gripe is getting the di2 cable length right, and its an expensive mistake to get the wrong length, thank goodness for Wiggle returns, plus hiding excess length of cable is a PITA.

Aside from this its fab, anyone who hasn't tried it, needs to give it a go. Carelesschucca ;)

[synXero]

I do a bit of cycling myself! :D

Here's the absolute Frankenstein I rebuilt my dad's lovely old 1991 Canondale m500 into, to do the Outer Hebridean Way cycle. We started in the middle, cycled to the north of Lewis, then back to the middle, down to the south - then back to the middle again! Incredible journey.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s283/gtkdsn/C75D6D9D-53C9-4E8F-A91F-36B8E61D5B27_zpsjcavwjd8.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s283/gtkdsn/4DCA3E5E-A700-4BA4-BE9B-95B4E22FEC03_zpsw05nkwsi.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s283/gtkdsn/AFE75B53-9447-4DE5-AF44-EDEF7527112B_zps0pgusmpa.png

Down in London I ride a lovely carbon Planet X, SRAM force 22, 8.5kg with lights and air in the tyres -- I've got roadie drops for it as well as TT bars... Lovely thing to pedal.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s283/gtkdsn/7F9ADC12-32D1-467D-BB7F-69A5A52B416F_zpsm4c66v2k.jpg

[maviczap]

You were lucky with the weather in Lewis for your trip

Your Frankenstein bike is very similar to my Handsome Dog, which was an mtb frame originally, i stuck 700c forks in it, and then 700 wheels and dropped handlebars. As it had disc mounts i could run 700 wheels in the rear, even though it was designed for 26in wheels!

[carelesschucca]

Nope I ain't touching electronic stuff of bicycles (if I had limitless funds I would) but if I had limitless funds I'd be going for Titanium and probably Italian :D

[carelesschucca]

Well I've just finished reading In Search of Robert Millar and I really don't know what to think it all... It's a great book and an interesting read but I don't know what to make of the man himself, initially I thought he was on the autistic scale but now I don't rightly know, one thing for sure is I don't have the capacity to go out and break myself to get the gains.

He's seems to have been a bit of a marmite character people either loved him or loathed him...

[pookie]

n+1 again :)

[maviczap]

Pictures, pictures we need pictures :-)

[fizzwheel]

He's seems to have been a bit of a marmite character people either loved him or loathed him...

Agreed he is a bit marmite, but I loved watching him climb, such great style on a bike and one of my childhood heros. There was a documentary about him, they talk about it in the book. Some of the Episodes of "The High Life" are on youtube worth a watch.

[pookie]

I picked up these two for the Eroica britannia (http://eroicabritannia.co.uk/) ride this year .. its a Youngs of Lewisham ( not 1960s ) but has really nice lug work and quite light considering the age ( 531 tubing apparently) . Its a bit big but I like the colour and fancied trying out bar end shifters. I really wanted a Carlton Professional so maybe a transplant if a frame ever comes up. Its Jnrs first road bike and one without indexed gears. I get an unfair advantage as his Raleigh flyer (circa 1987) weighs a lot more than mine !

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/256/32066667100_3d4b3fdd8b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QRC3WG)

[carelesschucca]

pookie, the gearing on old bikes always blows me away, that thing looks like a right pita to ride up a climb. I also think its a disgrace that you're purposefully handicapping your son :-)

Just watched The High Life, my god he's a tortured soul, the bit at 4 minutes in when he's talking about his family is painful, you can see he tries to smile it off that he doesn't get on with his dad but the way his face changes shows the truth, it must cut him up inside but being a Glaswegian he sure ain't gonna announce it to the world.

[Red ones]

That's a nice piece of steel.

I'm still riding OS 753 and I don't think there's anything quite like steel. The way it flexes is special.

[maviczap]

Nice Pookie!

Two steelies in my fleet, always nice to keep it steel.

[fizzwheel]

my god he's a tortured soul

I dont think he is / was unique amongst the cycling fraternity in that respect

[EssexDave]

Just entered the 305km Dragon Ride in wales :why:](*,):twisted::crutches:

[maviczap]

Crazy fool :-)

Get training

[AJC]

Crikey 305km is pretty beastly!

I have a place in the Fred Whitton challenge. Actual genuine fear!

[carelesschucca]

Anyone fancy buying me a new bike... I've spotted this (http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/product-news/colnago-release-new-bike-ernestos-85th-birthday-310780?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social#JVBMrE8AWOoPdbVq.99) and I think I truly deserve it...

Thanks to the person who is kind enough to make me a happy boy.

[maviczap]

Anyone fancy buying me a new bike... I've spotted this (http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/product-news/colnago-release-new-bike-ernestos-85th-birthday-310780?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social#JVBMrE8AWOoPdbVq.99) and I think I truly deserve it...

Thanks to the person who is kind enough to make me a happy boy.

Just placed my order, Ernesto says it'll be ready for the spring ;)

[MattCollins]

Crikey 305km is pretty beastly!

I have a place in the Fred Whitton challenge. Actual genuine fear!


It was the elevation profile that got my attention. The course looks like it was designed by the Devil himself.

Last year I entered a 6hr TT. Scored a class win and placed outright with 274km. The course was flat and fast in comparison though.
We met up with another group on the way home and over the following 10 days rode all of the Cat 1+ (and a few that weren't) climbs on this list. The longest day was about 140km.
http://theclimbingcyclist.com/climbs/climblist/

[carelesschucca]

So am I right in thinking you're saying that you did 274km in 6 hours. Jesus you averaged 45.6kmh or 28.5mph for six hours

No wonder Bradley Wigginton has started ski jumping.

But then again my maths could be wrong.

[Blapper]

Hmmm, cycling thread - that's 26 tpi innit?

[Adam Ef]

Hmmm, cycling thread - that's 26 tpi innit?

Except for a couple of years when Raleigh thought they ruled the world and changed everything to 24tpi. They almost did rule the world too for a bit. A few years later and a certain era of vintage Raleigh bikes are a real PITA to find parts for.

[MattCollins]

So am I right in thinking you're saying that you did 274km in 6 hours. Jesus you averaged 45.6kmh or 28.5mph for six hours

No wonder Bradley Wigginton has started ski jumping.

But then again my maths could be wrong.


Haha... No, my name is not Jesus and I'm nowhere near the class of rider as BW. On my best day he'd lap me 25+ times in an hour on the track.

That race... A little under CP for 6 hours on a wind tunnel optimised TT set up (CdA <<0.24) in nearly ideal conditions...

And... I've been doing a fair bit more than a couple of random rides per month and dreaming about riding nice gear.

[maviczap]

Careless stop looking at those adventure bikes, you and me can book a joint aerotest here

http://veloptima.co.uk/aerotesting/

Marginal gains mate or in our case, whopping great gains ;)

[carelesschucca]

It's in an old church. Maybe I can pray to the Lord above to improve.

[maviczap]

It's a sign praise be the Lord of clinchers :-)

[EssexDave]

SRAM red etap update - it's awesome. Absolutely no doubt about it. The shifts are so simple and easy I can't believe how I ever managed before!

[maviczap]

Same I felt about my first carbon bike, that was a revelation.

I also felt the same about Di2

[carelesschucca]

Di2, who needs Di2?

Says the man that's chuffed because he just bought these bad boys (http://forums.sv650.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=16312&d=1489074710) at Evans with pricematch.
Gotta say that changing a brake cable is getting a tad expensive

[maviczap]

Di2, who needs Di2?

Gotta say that changing a brake cable is getting a tad expensive

You need Di2 ;)

Wire gear cable are so last year :D

[carelesschucca]

I need to stop this nonsense. I was trying to figure out if I could afford a bike I'd seen in the Evans sale. I took a step away before I did something stupid.

[EssexDave]

The only sad thing about it is because I no longer have any cables running into the downtube, I have two I filled holes and I can't seem to find grommets or the like anywhere.