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

[Thistledew]

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!

[LadyMud]

Don't worry, no-one will think you're stupid. They're all nerds who'll happily talk about mechanical stuff until the cows come home. They're all enthusiasts who will happily help a new convert.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I'm still waiting for membership validation for that forum so can't post. Nowhere near NW but thanks for the offer.

I might have to ask on Ctc forum as they have a recumbent section.....I'm just worried I'm asking loads on there and they all think I'm stupid.

[LadyMud]

Viva, I'd ask on that Recumbent forum. There may be an enthusiast living near you, who could teach you how to set up your trike. Are you anywhere near NW England, as my DH would be willing to help?

Thanks for the new thread!

[VivaLeBeaver]

Right, have started a new thread as this one only has about 7 message spaces left and I wanted to make sure I could link to the new thread.

here

[VivaLeBeaver]

Aggh, pressed too soon.

Dh sorted the chain after the last breakage and blamed it all on my mechanical skills. I'm losing confidence in the bike. Surely it can't be the chain as its only done a couple of hundred miles?

Do I just accept that me and dh are incompetent and take it to a bike shop? Dh will want another attempt.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Bloody chain has snapped again on the trike. Thankfully just as I was getting back into the village rather than 4 miles away!

[UniS]

London Brighton is pretty good. no shame in walking some of the dreaded beacon.

Boy was racing on friday* night, so the weekend has largely been uneventful as he was knackered, just a short ride to church today and we spent saturday morning fettling bikes. DH has a new commuting bike, put the saddle up on DS hybrid and tryed him on the tandem with regular cranks to see how far he has to grow before we take the kiddy cranks off ( about another year I think) .

• he came 4th in his age group boys.
  
  I'm doing a 30 days of biking attempt, trying to get on a bike ( any bike) every day this month. JUST managed it so far, but it was a very brief scoot on the boys bike on friday. Must try for a longer ride one day this week when boy is at school.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Well done on London to Brighton. How many miles is that?

I've done 36 miles today which probably isn't a lot but its the furthest I've ever done. It included a trip up one of the official "top 100 climbs in the UK"

I must admit I had to get off and push at one point, I was literally seeing black spots. Got on again as it eased off before the top.

[93pjb]

Loving the reaction to the recumbent!

I am tired out after today's London to Brighton effort, currently hiding from the children (secretly hoping they'll put themselves to bed (5 and 2 so not likely!)). But I only pushed my bike up the very last bit of Ditchling Beacon so I am feeling quite proud! Maybe if I'd bought that new bike I'd have made it to the top!

Anyway, time for a beer and to start thinking about a short family tour at half term, inspired by the uniS family..

[VivaLeBeaver]

Ladymud, I've had that. First time I took it out down the close and into the park carpark a group of teen lads came running over, "fucking hell that is awesome, why haven't I got one, fucking hell".

Then I let them all have a spin round the carpark. The village teens think I'm so cool!

[LadyMud]

Oooh Puffy - you're a real mountain biker now! (I'll even forgive you for your iron will in the presence of chocolate ).

I'll PM you about possible routes.

[LadyMud]

Gosh, you were unlucky with that impatient woman, Viva. Generally it's the opposite, and drivers will happily wait, just to have a good stare at such a weird contraption.

It's funny riding past groups, such as teenage lads. I always expect rude comments - but get "Oh wow! Where did you get that? I want one! That's fantastic!" Always puts a smile on my face

I'm also hugely impressed at your mechanical skills!

[VivaLeBeaver]

Ok, got the chain guard off. Dh came home at this point and one of the chain links was twisted.....looks like I'd fucked the chain up when shortening it. Ooops.

Have trimmed the chain guard to size, taken the broken link out, added a few more links in.

Just done 7 miles with no problems, chains not jumping and gear changes seem smoother then before. Probably not as smooth as on my road bike but I guess as the chain is 2.5x longer than a normal bike that's maybe normal.

Anyway it feels good, goes bloody fast downhill. Some daft cow in a car had a good go at squishing me. She overtook a stationary car on her side of the road and underestimated how fast I was coming towards her!

[VivaLeBeaver]

You can all stop being in awe of my mechanical skills!

Did about 1.5 miles today before total mechanical failure. Pedals jammed, chain jammed - nothing would work.

Started pushing it home. Some nice roadies stopped to offer assistance. They reckon its my chain guard (tubing) which is getting caught - I didn't shorten this when I shortend the chain. Couldn't be fixed at the roadside so I had to carry on pushing it home.

I'm going to cut the chain guard down....but I'm not sure its right anyway - there was a lot of jumping/lurching from the pedals/chain before they got jammed up.

[VinegarDrinker]

Meant to say, in awe at Viva's mechanical skills.

And talk of touring is making me jealous! Plotting for when the kids are a bit bigger.

[VinegarDrinker]

I've been reading but not posting due to arrival of DD 9 weeks ago. I cycled up til the day before going into labour - 12 miles in 26 degree heat with a 15kg toddler on the back was my last pregnant ride at 39+5.

She's been out and about in the trailer already (with Weber infant insert) and this week we've clocked up 15 miles or so already, mostly just getting her big bro to/from nursery, trips to park etc, taking it gently of course (speed bumps are my main concern!). Feels so good to be back on two wheels! I have not enjoyed being forced onto public transport during a heatwave, urgh.

[puffylovett]

Also wondering (having finally made it through this leviathon of a thread - great reading) if you live somewhere near me ladymud? Am in east Cheshire.. Just wondering if you know of any good routes locally. I tend to use the old railway lines and canal to get on to some cross country and to ride up the cloud and mow cop? But would like to expand my horizons a little.
DPs friends tend to head over to Delamere / Cannock / llandegla occasionally. I'd like some routes I could do with my girlfriends as I never get out with do due to childcare and lack of bike transport.

[puffylovett]

Just hopping on to report my first tumble! I had a fight with some barbed wire and have a fantastic bruise on my inner thigh where the handlebar got me. I've got a ring imprint and everything. Dp is so proud!

Wow viva well done on your mechanic skills, amazing

[VivaLeBeaver]

I pulled up by some train spotters and stopped to adjust the boom. One of them shouted something about a lady mechanic and then they all came over to look at the bike.

[UniS]

well done viva. I've never shortened a chain in my life. good on you for DIY skills.

[VivaLeBeaver]

ladymud meant to say thanks for the link the other day. Useful forum.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I've finally put my trike together.....god it was difficult.

Finally got it all together but chain was dragging on the floor. Is a recumbent and I'd shortened the boom. Ordered a chain breaker and took a load of links out.

Got it back together, pedals kept jamming and chain kept coming off. Rang the bike shop for advice who advised putting it on the big ring at the front and little one at the back and spinning the pedals....

Seems to have sorted it....only problem is every now and then the chain seems to jump and the pedals lurch. Not sure if I've damaged the chain buggering aout with it.

Went for a 4 mile ride and my legs were killing. Noticeably different muscles riding a recumbent compared to a normal bike.

[Likeaninjanow]

New lesson learned. Never (!) buy cycling shorts with a vertical stripe up the front of each leg. They will bend, and I will look fat.

[puffylovett]

packed lunch size kit kats

[LadyMud]

"Half a Kit-Kat" . . . . this is getting even worse!
You ate half, and left the rest?