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

What is the new bike like Babe? Are you pleased with it?

Did your bike go west ATB? How was it with the refit?

I did my first (fun) race yesterday. It was really hard and I could taste blood afterwards. I thought my chest would burst! But I stayed in front of a couple of people and enjoyed the crowds cheering!

Yay Babe so excited for you!

Lemon funnily enough I went to my local shop too to ask them about the pain in my toes (oh and the fact that the numbness in my fingers is now lasting for 5/6days post ride, eek!) and they spent 1.5hours doing a full refit, padding the bars, readjusting the cleats, new stem, it's like having a brand new bike! Taking her out on Sunday to road test the changes then she gets shipped to San Francisco on Monday and the next time I see her will be at Orientation Day before we ride our for LA next Sunday....

So I took your advice and went to my local shop. He's a really nice guy he fixed ds's bike when I ballsed up taking the stabilisers off. He's getting a delivery today and has earmarked me a £190 gt hybrid. Picking it up around 11ish and very excited! I'm going to get a helmet today and pick up all the different bits of gear as I go along. Downloaded the strava app to keep a check on my progress so I'll let you know how I get along.

Thanks Brow I am the tortoise of cycling! I go on and on and on all night if needed!

I have been using SPD cleats since January and they help a lot although I am getting pain in the back of my knees. I was in my favourite bike shop today and the owner offered to check my riding position to see if it was causing the knee problem. (You don't get that in Halfords)
He also measured up my DD for a new bike, let her ride two round the car park, and GAVE me a metal stand to put my bike on for cleaning.

Absolutely agree head to an independent place, thy won't be any more pricey and you should get really good, knowledgeable service (and often a loyalty rewards if you continue to use them for servicing etc), they'll probably fit you to your bike and give you tips as a "first time rider" or at lest someone getting back into the saddle

LemonDrizzled I'm not particularly fast (who the hell can keep up with people who are out 4 days a week when we only manage once a fortnight anyway?!) but it's made a massive difference getting a road bike with clip in pedals - forgive me if you already have this! But the fact that you already regularly
Do huge distances makes me in awe of you!

I've seriously upped my overall fitness in the last 6months as well though, and lost the baby weight, which has probably helped!

Hi Babe I have to say I tried quite hard to buy a bike from Halfords and they were so useless I ended up going to a small business and got excellent service. The Halfords guys were either sixteen and knew nothing or SO important they were too busy to speak to me, even AFTER I had paid £500 down for a bike they were going to get in from another branch. Seriously - they may drive you crazy. I think it was probably sexism - middle aged woman isn't worth their time??
You should be able to get a nice entry level Trek or Giant, and if you are happy with last years model you can get some good discounts. Make sure it is the right size frame for your height and arm length.

America your ride sounds amazing! I am trying so hard to get quicker as DP gets frustrated with how slow I am. I can do 100+ miles at my own pace but can't keep up with the pensioners in my CTC who go out four days a week. If only I could lose a stone I would be quicker up hills, but I weaken every time we stop for cake!

Hello everyone. Was pointed in this direction after posting a thread in chat. I'm off to buy myself a bike this week, I've got a budget of around £200 and I'm looking at getting a hybrid. I'm wanting to lose some weight so was thinking about half hour rides round the streets where I live to get me started. There's a halfords nearby so probably going to get my bike from there. Any tips about bike brands or ones to avoid? Ds (6) absolutely loves his bike and has recently got his stabilisers off so I'm hoping for a cycling filled summer.

seriously...before Christmas I was nearly sick at the thought of 25miles, then completed my first century 2 months ago and it's only now I think "ugh, only 50miles?"....it doesn't get easier, you just go faster (and further)

There are people doing this mega ride with me who have only managed 40odd miles in one go so far, it's been a good lesson for me about setting my own pace and not worrying about others around me going faster or further

All these people going on about huge distances.....eeeeek!!! Wish I was that fit! I've just got back into cycling after a break of about 7 years...not a road cyclist though, I enjoy taking my mountain bike through some forest trails. Only managing about 3 miles at the mo due to time constraints and lack of puff and when we cycle as a family its at DD's pace (she's only 5 and very, very little). I go for a blast myself twice a week round the local woods....tell me it does get easier and I will be able to go further??????

thanks Pedallieur I'll go to my local bike shop today and talk to them, I leave for the ride in just over 2 weeks and seriously need to get it sorted. The shoes are really comfortable and fit well so I don't know?

Sounds like a shoe/pedal problem. Is the shoe too tight? loosen the buckle/strap slightly. You might benefit from specific insoles. Specialized or Fizik offer various models or you can get them custom made.

Hi all

Yup it should be immense - there will be about 2000 riders and 800roadies, the ride's been going for a good 15years and so far even the training rides have been really humbling and full of amazing people. I'm excited and terrified!

I need to get this issue with my toes sorted though, moving the clips doesn't seem to have worked, any ideas?!

It's my 30th today and have set the challenge to try to get 30 donations of $30 each (you can spread payments) so if anyone's interested:
Http://tofighthiv.org/goto/feloy

"Americas* - sounds a dreamy ride. Is there a big bunch doing it?

New bike, gin! Great isn't it?

I'm still riding the 13 miles into work, and back, tho' it's much nicer than the cold dark wet miserable times over winter. Most mornings now it's just fab. Like it will be in tomorrow's sunshine!

I'm back cycling after not doing much over the winter.

Did 12 miles on Saturday and 9 miles today. Most I've done in one go before is 20 miles so definitly want to get up to that and then some!

Have ordered some better padded 3/4 tights today as my cheapo Sports Direct ones gave me a sore arse today.

Squee!! my I collected my new road bike today. Thank you work for doing the cycle to work scheme.
I now have SPD pedals and the falling off worry.
I've been trying in my kitchen with Mr gin supporting me.

How far is everyone cycling? Does anyone cycle with a club?

Oh yeah totally forgot to actually saw what it is! It's a charity bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. 545miles in 7 days. Eeeeek!!

I'm in Southern California so it's not the cold...

Hello ATB what is your challenge? A long distance trip? or a charity ride?

I am new to clips too and have fallen off quite a few times recently through forgetting to unclip at junctions. I used to find my feet went numb after a while, but if I keep warm they seem better. Is it cold where you are?

Pregnant I share your hill pain. I live in a very hilly place and sometimes I despair of ever being able to manage the steep ones. After a year of going out with friends I can get up most of them without walking or retching into the hedge at the top but I am still the slowest cyclist in the pack... I think it is all the cake we eat at the cafe afterwards. But I have to remember how far I have come and that if I keep going in another year I will be better again. and some new people have come along this year and are SLOWER THAN ME!! Woo!

hello all - I posted on this thread eons ago but lost it and now gearing up to the biggest physical challenge of my life, thought I'd hunt you all down for some group support

Bought my first road bike a few weeks ago and been training every weekend, though only manage to get out one day a week due to DC. First century completed a few weeks ago followed by a much more challenging 75miles, just very scared of doing so much cycling over the course of a week.

Clip ins are new too and quick question - my left toes go numb then painful after 20/25miles, had the clip adjusted as it wasn't quite under the ball of my foot, so hoping that works, but any other suggestions?

Spring/summer is in the air, the snow in the valley has melted and it is bike riding time again! So nice to get out again with my bike riding friend. I really noticed a difference in my fitness and body shape two summers ago when we went out regularly, last year I changed my bike to a drop handled road bike and due to some health issues didn't do as much as I should and have gained some weight but this year I am determined to go out at least three times a week. Still get a bit mixed up when changing gears on this bike though.

pregnantpause make sure you have decent padded shorts, descent saddle and then each time you go out set yourself a new target, eg, I will ride up that hill to the sign post and if you can still breathe, cycle on a bit further and even get to the top. Make sure you are in the easiest gears and have changed down at the beginning of the hill not when it becomes hard, cycle slowly and steadily and remember to breathe. Each time you go out add another 5km to your distance and before you know it you'll easily be able to do 40km. I live in the mountains and it is hard. Also think about what type of bike you have. All my friends have upgraded to very expensive road bikes and I know I will have problems keeping up with them.

thanks lady. That blog is inspirational I was grumpy yesterday, shouldn't have posted. Looking back on it in a 25min cycle at least ten were uphill. My training pack suggests 8 mins uphill in two bursts, so I was expecting too much of myself. It's very hard where I live not to be able to ride hills, as it's a mountain really. Onwards and upwards.

pregnantpause, there is no such thing as being "too fat to take up cycling". Just take a look at 39 stone Cyclist. Unless you are over 40 stone you are NOT TOO FAT!

I think you need to find a way to monitor tiny improvements in your fitness. It's too big a chunk to go from "can't ride hills" to "whizzing easily up hills". How about picking a local hill, and seeing how far up you can get each time? Or how far you can get in 5 minutes? Or how long it takes to complete a short loop?

And remember, "too posh to push" doesn't apply to cycling .

Good luck x

I'm still struggling with hills anyone got any tips for technique? I'm starting to think I'm too fat to really take up cycling, as a quick google seems to suggest that hills are for people with less fat than me.
I'm cycling three times a week and practising on my exercise bike but feel very demotivated when I go out and have to walk my bike after half a hill.

Aldi cycle gear from the 2nd May!!

I thought of a Gator bar, but I am pretty sure she'll take it as a new seat at the back of mummy's bike! She does know what she wants - and even better what she doesn't - but she was the same at 2 yo.

I think I am going to persevere for a bit longer with the balance bike, I have high hopes for this summer. We'll be outdoors more often and perhaps she'll finally get it. If by the end of the summer there is no change, we may have to go for a pedal bike & stabilisers. Shame, because I'd have like to cycle together to the local part, instead of using the child seat, which may have to come off pretty soon as she's so heavy.