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Original poster

Cycling Thread - pleasure peddlers to serious cyclists sign in here!

994 replies

Thistledew · 13/08/2011 16:41

Hi All

I thought I would start a cycling thread. It would be great if we could make it all inclusive, so whether you currently just enjoy bike rides but are interested in taking it further, or already train seriously, please post what you are up to and what your aims are. By sharing knowledge and experiences, hopefully we can spur each other on.

If you want to, please post a quick biog of how long you have been cycling, how much you currently cycle, and what your goals are.

And for those who wish to engage in a bit of bike porn, please feel free to post what sort of bike you ride!

Happy peddling!

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Original poster
Thistledew · 09/09/2011 23:08

Waves to MTYBF and Paddington.

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Original poster
Thistledew · 09/09/2011 23:06

C'mon DebiTheScott. How abouts a race then?

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upahill · 09/09/2011 20:35

Oh Hi Paddington!
Where about in Lancaster are you going?

morethanyoubargainfor · 09/09/2011 19:32

Hello Paddington, nice to meet you Smile.

paddingtonbear1 · 09/09/2011 18:42

Hi all, I am on a cycling weekend this Sat/Sun, in Lancaster. Weather forecast for tomorrow is not too bad, but Sunday... oh dear!

I thought about doing the Cycletta near here (Tatton Park), but the entry cost put me off.

Hello morethanyoubargainfor :)

morethanyoubargainfor · 09/09/2011 13:08

Hi, can i join in?

I am not sure what you would call me, maybe a wannabe serious cyclist Wink.

I purchased by bike 2 summers ago, a lovely muddy fox hybrid! I only started riding it this summer Blush. I started in May this year after a rib injury put a stop to my running. I have done one 36mile event so far, 4 weeks ago. I have another 32 miles event planned for Sunday. I haven't managed any training betweeen to the 2 so could be a little tender on monday!!

I have also enquired about doing a cycle trek through morocco next july Shock.

I love cycling and often go out on a sunday for a little ride and end up doing 20-25 miles.

So that is me, hello.

Original poster
Thistledew · 09/09/2011 12:56

Hi Debi I have just got the email with my start time - 9.20. I would like to say that I will catch up with you en route, but if you are a triathlon regular, I very much doubt that I will!

Has anyone done that route or cycled around there before? I have looked at the route profile and google streetview and am trying to work out how tough the hills will be. The last one seems to be quite steep at the end, but otherwise not too bad.

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Original poster
Thistledew · 08/09/2011 23:18

Debi. I only entered today Grin

I am trying to persuade DP to let me use his slick road tyres rather than the 35 mm cyclocross ones I have on at the moment. We use the same type of cassette so it should be easier to swap the whole wheel rather than just the tyres.

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DebiTheScot · 08/09/2011 22:45

I think I put down 1hr 30. Have you not had your race pack and 'final email' thistle? I have and my race pack says I'm starting at 9.10 which according to the email is in the first wave which is 9-9.10. What number are you? I'm 214. I wonder how many are doing it.

I didn't think it was that expensive as it includes entry to the zoo. I used tesco vouchers to get tickets for dh and the kids so it should be a good day out. Some of the triathlons I've looked at are way more expensive.

Original poster
Thistledew · 08/09/2011 15:08

Hi Debi

I am doing the Cycletta too. I gather we will be given our start times on Friday. How long did you estimate that it will take you? I put myself in the second fastest bracket 1hr 15 to 1hr 30. I am guessing that they will set people off in these groupings.

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Bettymum · 08/09/2011 09:37

Debi I looked at the Cycletta, it looked really good but so expensive! So I didn't enter.
I would think that you'll probably move off in a big slow wave and then people will find their own pace and you'll be able to spread out and find your own space. Good luck, hope it all goes well for you!

upahill · 07/09/2011 21:25

mountaingirl my arse is getting sore as I type!!

Looks like there won't be much mountain biking tomorrow. Lots of gusting wind expected.
we go out for fun, not to be blown off the moors.

May go to another spin class instead.

DebiTheScot · 07/09/2011 21:16

Not sure I've got time for another mn thread (I'm on the running thread too) esp as work is busy at the moment but I thought I'd say hi and ask if any of you are doing Cycletta at Whipsnade zoo on Sunday?

I'm a relatively new competitive (not that I'm ever going to win anything) cyclist in that I've done 2 sprint triathlons this year and am doing Cycletta (40km) and hope to do a duathlon in the autumn. Have always cycled on and off but getting into it again now and have just bought a new road bike with the hope of improving my bike times and enjoying road cycling more- sometimes get frustrated on the mountain bike on the road with the amount of effort needed.
So anyway, the point of my post was- any tips for starting a cycling race? I'm happy enough about the race (well they're saying it's not a race but it's timed and we're starting in 3 waves depending on expected finish time) but a bit nervous about the start as in a triathlon you obviously don't start the cycle with many other people.

mountaingirl · 07/09/2011 20:12

prettybird Hope the bike gets fixed and you all have a wonderful ride on Sunday.

upahill hope you are not too sore. My friend's friend lost 2 stone doing spinning classes.

Back on the bike tomorrow. Going to take it easy as I still had a fever this time last night.

upahill · 07/09/2011 14:33

I've not been out on my bike much over the last couple of days.
I had a mountain trail ride planned for this morning but the weather was shockingly bad. The wind would have been awful.
I went to spinning class for the first time and not sure how I feel about that ( apart from the fact I know I am going to be sore!!)

prettybird · 07/09/2011 14:30

Bugger: the hanger of ds' gears has sheared again (we think it got damaged in a bad fall in early August and sheared about a week later, so Islabikes sent a replacement which my dad fitted).

Dad tried to get a replacement locally but 'cos the Islabikes are proper kids' bikes, couldn't get one the right size - so he has got Islabikes sending up two so that he can have a spare in his kit while we are doing the Pedal for Scotland on Sunday.

Ds was most dischuffed at having to walk to school today - he'll be really pissed off that he'll have to do the same again tomorrow and possible Friday. He's also upset 'cos he was in the middle of his (made-up) "Tour of Glasgow" - and yesterday (when it happened) he was apparently about to take the yellow jersey back from Ben [sic] Wiggins.

But at least it happened now and not during the ride. Grin

I was also pleased with him for not panicing when it happened - I'd told him to let him cycle around locally by himself cos I was knackered and still wet from my own 21 mile ride and had got him to take his mobile with him (which he uses rarely). The only wee challenge was him trying to describe where he was - but to give him his due, he did so exactly - and I had to go out on my bike after all to find him. I thought it was just a matter of putting the chain back on - but the whole gear mechanism was hanging off. Shock

prettybird · 06/09/2011 10:12

I'm looking forward to doing the Pedal for Scotland on Sunday - 51 miles. Going to be doing it ds (who turns 11 the day before) and my dad, who is 74.

I've done it before about 6 years ago on training that consisted of my commute to work (ie 3.1 miles each way 4 or 5 days a week). Let's just say my bum was sore the following day - but my aerobic strength held up.

I've been doing a bit more training this time: have done 2 c.20 mile runs so far and am just about to go out and do another one (to visit my mum), plus a number of 10+ mile cycles.

Ds has only done the 10+ mile cycles - but he comes in as fresh as a daisy, so I don't have any concerns about him.

My dad has done the Pedal for Scotland many times, so I don't have any concerns about him. It'll be the first time he has done it without my mum though, so it'll be bittersweet for him - so I am pleased he is going to be doing it with his grandson.

mountaingirl · 04/09/2011 16:59

Thistledew Well done to you! You have every right to feel proud of yourself.

I am lying on the sofa feeling very sorry for myself as I went down with flu yesterday and today I was due to participate in a cycle challenge of between 74-90km. I have been aiming towards this all summer, even sent ds back to the UK a day early yesterday so I could do this! My friend I have been training with managed to do the 74km (decided not to do the steep mountain climb back up) and kept me up to date with her progress whenever she stopped. DH says we will do it together but that's not quite the same as doing it with 40 other people and celebrating your achievements.

Give yourself a huge pat on the back, you deserve it. Wine

Original poster
Thistledew · 04/09/2011 15:35

I have just got home from finishing the Richmond to Windsor ride and am feeling pretty chuffed with myself.

The ride was 37 miles but due to the fact that engineering works meant that we couldn't get a train to Richmond, DP and I decided to cycle to the start, so the total mileage was 45 miles.

We did the whole 45 miles in 3hrs 20 mins, about 25 mins of which was getting to the start, and were lucky to finish just before the heavens opened.

I was really pleased that I managed to keep up a good pace on the flat, and even at the end was keeping up to about 17-18 mph. I am also especially proud that I managed to cycle up a long steep hill that forced many people to get off and push. Hills really are my bête noir, as my asthma kicks in big time and I usually end up hyperventilating, but this time I just stuck the bike in the lowest gear, kept my cadence up, and focussed on breathing slowly and deeply. I did have a moment about 3/4 of the way up when my breathing got a bit ragged and I felt a bit panicy, but I managed to get it back under control to finish the climb.

I know it is nothing compared to a Vuelta stage, and I am pretty knackered now (and enjoying a hot bathSmile) but I feel a great sense of achievement to have managed this having only starting cycling less than 9 months ago. I hope I am forgiven the boast if it encourages other people to up their training.

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paddingtonbear1 · 04/09/2011 09:49

No real cycling for me this weekend - a group from my club are doing the Manchester 100 ride, which I did a few years ago. I can't do it this year though as I'm away on a cycling weekend next Sat.

Bettymum · 04/09/2011 09:02

ragged the Vuelta always seems to attract scant coverage for some reason. I was thrilled that Cavendish in the TdF got so much coverage in mainstream media this year, and then ended up in the green jersey. I think there's a lot more prominence given to cycling than there used to be, Victoria Pendleton seems to get quite a lot of airtime although not sure why Nicole Cooke doesn't get more. I'm really hoping we do well in the Olympics cycling events next year.

Original poster
Thistledew · 03/09/2011 22:48

This is also a great weekend for cycling. In and around London there is the Sky ride around London, the Richmond to Windsor ride and a women only ride on the Sussex Downs starting at Ditchling.

DP and I are doing the Richmond to Windsor ride. What have the rest of you got planned?

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Original poster
Thistledew · 03/09/2011 22:44

Hi ragged

I have been watching it sporadically, and am so pleased that not only is Wiggins doing so well but that Froome is as well. I hope that Froome gets the recognition he deserves not only for supporting Wiggins but for his own potential as a lead rider.

It is such a shame that cycling is not given more prominence in the UK. It is all very well promoting cycling as a form of transport, but it should not be at the expense of treating it as a serious sport.

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ragged · 03/09/2011 20:18

Good discussion here about this year's Vuelta.

ragged · 03/09/2011 20:14

Is anyone else watching the Vuelta? Bradley Wiggins is winning (yes, that Bradley Wiggins, broken collarbone and all); and I wouldn't even know about it if I didn't tune in each night to coverage (no Brit has ever won the overall in a Grand Tour stage race, BBC broadcast media can't be bothered to mention what's happening Angry).
Tomorrow's stage should be especially exciting; Wiggo will consolidate or lose his hold on red jersey on especially steep mountain climbs. Froome (another Brit, Sky teammate of Wiggins) is currently lying in 2nd place, too.

I have been cycling myself, today, too, just enough to be smelly & tired now :).