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!

No, its something that some people might not have thought of. Good tip!

um, yes. Must get round to finding the frame number on newest bike... good reminder.

Ruby, I didn't know that, thanks!

What a lovely morning! I think the mountain bikes, Bracknell Forest and some childish fun are the order of the day

It's been a lovely day for biking. I've done 20 miles this morning, longest I've ever done!

The only comment I would make about Lidl cycle clothing (don't know about Aldi) is that it is not at all very breathable and it can get so wet inside that you need to turn it inside out after a ride on broad sunshine so that it can dry out . To be fair, it's very cheap, so you can't expect much.

Hello all, I'm just getting ready to head out and do a 40 mile cycle bedore the weather breaks (Im in scotland). Furthest I've done since I was a teenager

40 miles is impressive. How far do you normally currently cycle? Is it a big jump?

40 miles does sound very impressive!

Dd and I went out for our 10 mile ride & I wanted to make it under an hour (I'm very slow!)... Did it in 1 hour & 27 seconds... quite pleased!

The most I've done so far is a 23 mile loop. It took me ages, but I didn't stop.

Does everyone alternate longer rides with short speedy ones, or just go with whatever you feel like on the day? We tend to do whatever, but I would love to go a bit faster! :)

If the weather is nice and I have the time I go for a long ride.

If the weather isn't as good then a shorter one.

Huge jump for me only made 25 miles, I crashed Glad we have a good bus service, and wonderful bus drivers who offered me a lift to the hospital haha. My pride was hurt more than anything else

Will try again next Sunday, if the weather is decent. I use the cycle path up alongside Loch Lomond, it's breathtakingly beautiful I plan to try and build myself up over the winter months and into spring so I can ultimately be fit enough to cycle some of the western isles. A huge challenge, but I would love to do it :)

Cycling the western isles would be fab. I've just bought a lightweight pack packing tent with the intention of touring next year. I think first tour is going to be Bath to London, flat along a canal. Maybe the western isles the following year!

Hope you're ok and that the bike is too.

I'm fine, so is my bike I didn't realise how much I would enjoy cycling again. What I hope to do is cycle across south uist, benbecula and north uist. Quite daunting as its so hilly. Will start looking at lightweight gear after Christmas :) Going to carry on with my mtb too, think it will be better suited to what I have planned.

There are some fab YouTube videos of people cycle touring the western isles. Check them out if you haven't seen them, they're very inspiring. Glad you're ok.

Oooh, years ago I did a mini-tour of the western isles, we got the ferry from Uig to North Uist, did a circuit of that island, then a short trip to Berneray, the most amazing ferry trip over to Harris zig-zagging between the skerries and sandbanks and then worked our way up to Tarbert and then got the ferry back to Uig. It was amazing. So many happy and quirky memories, DH and I still have many funny 'quotes' from that holiday that we trip out when appropriate. We only did about 25miles a day. Very happy memories!

I love it up there, I go every year when the kids are with their dad :) I have lots of relations up there still, and want to explore the islands properly. Instead of spending all my time in the pub!

Lucky you OhBurger. How are you feeling today after your crash?

A bit bruised but otherwise fine thanks.

I have been to Aldi for the cycling stuff - got a soft shell jacket and winter trousers both v cosy. I'm not 100% sure about the trousers, they feel quite low on my waist but I bought the men's ones cos the ladies large would have been on the tight side I think . Anyway, I'll give them a go. It was quite busy with people around the cycling stuff but there was loads of it.

RubyRubyRuby what can you recommend for building endurance (both mental and physical) in a rookie cyclist (just turned 5). Is a tagalong worth considering?

Blue I think you've just got to get them out on the bikes as often as you can to start with, on short trips to get thm used to being on the bike a lot. We go to the library a lot which is about a 2 mile round trip, and always include a park stop on the way back. We also cycle to school or nursery sometimes, even though school is about 1/4 mile away. Incentives and rewards are key IMO, for longer rides we always factor in a cafe stop or a play park or both. Dd who's just turned 4 did 8 flat miles round a loch last week but that was 4 mile to a cafe, lunch, 2 miles to a beach then a stop for throwing stones in, then the final 2 miles to a big park where she got to play. So lots of stops, lots of snacks, lots of 'things' to aim for and cake too.

We chose not to go for a tagalong because we had visions of them never pedalling. We decided to just go at their pace and distance capabilities for now although we did then get DD a Trailgator as we thought she might appreciate being hooked onto that occasionally. She was horrified by that suggestion and promptly cycled further than she ever had before, just to avoid using it!!

I've been to Aldi as well today. Also got men's winter trousers - didn't see any womens ones. They are low in the waasit but for the money I'm keeping them.

Also got arm warmers, leg warmers, a merino top and gloves!