The Cycling Thread

[Luckypants]

Blimey, a week away and the Giro is coming to Northern Ireland! Next year will be fantastic for bike racing in the UK.

Sent from my phone.

[maviczap]

I keep meaning to go and see it, perhaps I'll fly over?

Although I'd prefer to go and see it on its home roads

I predict the UK TDF stages will be absolutely mental

UK TDF stages are on my doorstep, pretty sure I'll be able to play host for a TDF BBQ weekend give you guys a better chance of viewing some of the riding.

Is there a way I can separate out my strava ride? I'd like to see how long it took me to do my first 10miles.

Nevermind, I made a segment: LINK

Bummer! Its taken my overall time including stops its taken it as 00:31:45 to do the 10mile route. From the info page I can see that includes 6 sets of lights and slowing for a roundabout so I'm pretty sure I'd be sub 30min on the 10mile uninterrupted, which I think is fairly decent considering the 387ft gain... tempting for a time trial hmmmmm.

[Luckypants]

Finally back on here after a busy two weeks

I'd just like to say what a great mate and all-round decent chap Maviczap is! You may remember this post

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Does anyone know (or indeed have) a touring type bike I can borrow / hire? I need a bike for a charity ride that has come up at short notice.

Well Richard stepped up to the plate and sent me his bike set up to take my wheels and complete with rack. He then donated the cost of the shipping to my son's JOGLE fund raising on behalf of Parkinson's UK (www.justgiving.com/joglejon). While talking about other stuff it transpired Richard would be in Cardiff for a concert that I was also going to, so he arranged to pick up the bike from then, thoroughly at my convenience.

So Richard (Maviczap) Thank you very much for the loan and great night out in Cardiff. You are a top bloke.

[maviczap]

No probs mate, it was a pleasure, thoroughly impressed with yours and Jons ride.

It was a great night, although not as good as the following night in Leeds

This close



Booked my flight to Lyon last night for this years trip, as it was £100 cheaper than going by Eurostar, which is the opposite of last year.

For the bike & me £109 return to Lyon from Stansted, although I opted to put my suitcase in the hold for a bit more baggage allowance.

What also swayed it in favour of the plane is that Eurostar have changed their rules about carrying bikes

http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel...s#.UfY8btLVDaA

So you now have to book and pay for the bike, although its not an anti bike policy, its just them having problems with passengers with too much baggage

The flight's at a nice time too.

I'll probably have to get a hire car now, but I'll put what I've saved on Eurostar toward that, although I could get the TGV from Lyon to Valance.

But having a car, will give added flexiblty.

But it struck me that I could do a relatively cheap long weekend to the Alps next year, if the prices stayed the same, my flight was £55 incl taxes

You could do it without taking your own bike, as there's places in Bourg d'Osains that hire decent enough bikes.

Then you'd be able to get the bus from Lyon to Bourg

Food for thought?

This is where we're staying this year

http://www.velovercors.com/index.html

Does anyone fancy a swap with me bikewise?

Carbon Fibre Focus Cayo road bike, 52 size (medium)...looking for a decent mountain bike.

Otherwise I might put it on ebay.

[Luckypants]

Pretty pleased with myself after today's ride with the lads. I made the break and stuck with the fast boys for the 30 miles back to home, 82 miles and I thought 17.5 average, but Garmin clicked down to 17.4 on the warm-down . So just sharing (showing off!) because the miles are finally paying off after my lazy winter and just in time for Wild Wales

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/352694602

[maviczap]

Nice work mate

[Dipper]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Pretty pleased with myself after today's ride with the lads. I made the break and stuck with the fast boys for the 30 miles back to home, 82 miles and I thought 17.5 average, but Garmin clicked down to 17.4 on the warm-down . So just sharing (showing off!) because the miles are finally paying off after my lazy winter and just in time for Wild Wales

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/352694602

Good effort Mike, nothing wrong with showing off we all know the work it takes to build up the fitness....

I checked it out on Strava as the Garmin link doesn't seem work.