The Cycling Thread

Dean, the seat height has changed the angle of your sit bones in relation to the seat. It'll need to go down a hair at the front. Like Mav said, level or slightly down. I'll add that there is level with a spirit and then there is anatomically level. Use the spirit as a guide.

10mm is a big change in seat height btw. The shoes won't have done that... Normally best practice is to only make one small change at a time and ride it a few times before making the next change.

[maviczap]

Wise advice, I had a major problem after swapping bikes in the spring. I only sussed it out, when I found the tip of the saddle on the Ti bike was angled upwards, I hadn't checked after tightening the saddle clamp, although I was also having issues with slipping seat posts , which distracted me.

Try dropping the saddle by 5mm and seeing how you get on.

Originally Posted by maviczap

Matt, agreed 42 would be dangerous, but setting out in mild temps in short sleves and shorts, is better than full winter kit and mudguards

Well... It started in the mid to high 20's and was into the 30's as soon as the sun poked its head over the horizon this morning... solid overcast and no wind too, an awful day... seriously. Most (sane) people stay indoors when it is like this and the roads were surprisingly quiet.
I'm wearing tights and sleeves now remember and with a shaved head a bandanna for skin cancer prevention. Cooling is a bit of a problem. Long cotton tees and bandanna kept wet with sweat and water seems to be my best option.

[maviczap]

Blimey, as soon as its around 17 - 18 deg I'm in shorts, and in France, its factor 30 always.

I had to stop on the Tourmalet and chuck a bottle of cold stream water over my head and body to cool down on my first overseas trip.

Ive got caught out over here before in scocio temperatures, but only because of my stupidly.

I think we've all managed to over do it at times. I spent half of my adult life in the tropics and deserts and have a high tolerance... and respect for high temperatures. My GF on the other hand has a middling tolerance and she will not complain... it's up to me to do the complaining.

Col du Tourmalet... I think that'd challenge most riders.

More of the same tomorrow breaking with thunderstorms, then mid to high 20's for the rest of the week... much nicer.


PS. Today's ride... https://goo.gl/maps/pjCeqjgPxaz

[carelesschucca]

Originally Posted by MattCollins

Dean, the seat height has changed the angle of your sit bones in relation to the seat.

Matt, you were spot on, I dropped the nose of the seat today before going out (Might have moved it slightly too much as I had to push myself back on the seat every so often)

What can I say about the ride though? Decided to follow Thursdays route again and the roads were a disaster, the big climb was closed half way up due to a landslide, decided to come back down and do the valley route to find the floods got gradually worse, I was up to the crank at one point, so turned back, and the next road I took was closed completely due to flooding. (I really need to take note of signs ) I still managed 40km in 1:46hr so all in I'm once again a happy boy.

Most of all thanks go to all of you guys, the advice you give to a newbie is invaluable.

[maviczap]

Lol at least you went out and tried, chapeau Dean! Even though you think why am i doing this, there's a great sense of achievement after doing an extreme ride, when other folk are sitting on the sofa and watching tv.

Id only have gone as far as the garage in weather like that

[carelesschucca]

Ah, Mav it was Blooming windy but I only got caught in the rain twice. TBH, there were tons of cyclist out, about 10 of the Falkirk Cycling Club came streaming past me downwind as I was going the other way, at least some of them said hi the rest were FAR TOO IMPORTANT to acknowledge some slow guy not wearing their colours.

[maviczap]

I saw the forecast & if it was as windy as we encountered on the Galibier this year, then that's windy. 4mph whilst riding on a 3% section shows how windy it was

Aye, I don't like the ones who think they are too important to say hi or nod to non club members.

But it's the same with motorcyclists

[pookie]

Its the same down here from the "we're better than you" brigade. Though they are easy to spot as they generally ride in packs and dont like to be left out so wear the same attire. I still say hi to see if I can get a response.