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!

Thanks for the answers. Will get some lube.

The tyre itself should have the recommended pressure on it.

I'm trying to teach 12 year old ds (who is getting in to road crit races as well as starting to do track racing in our fancy new velodrome) to take care of his own maintenance mainly because I don't know how to do it myself At least the track bike (currently borrowed from his club) doesn't need too much maintenance while being used in the nice clean shiny velodrome.

Did I mention we have a nice new velodrome?

Most tyres do not have a recommended pressure on it! They have minimum and maximum pressures on them, it's pretty unlikely that you'll be wanting to put it to either end. How much to inflate your tyres would depend on how much you weigh mostly - although also the surface.

Read Sheldon, with 35mm tyres and 65kg (weight of you and the bike and everything else) then you probably only want about 60psi in your tyres, which I would say is slightly less than "not squeezable any more", although it depends on how hard you squeeze. It will depend on lots of things though. Don't think harder is better though, a bit of squiahiness makes it safer, faster and more comfortable.

I disagree with Fred on the 'harder is better issue' . A harder tyre will be faster, and is safer than a soft, under-inflated tyre. I inflate my 23mm tyres on my road bike to 100 psi, and my 25s on my Tricross to just a little under that. I had let the tyres get rather soft on my Tricross recently, and really noticed the improvement in terms of effort and speed when I got them up to pressure again.

My Tricross came with 32mm borough tyres (which have a slick section down the middle and knobbles on the side, so provide more grip on an uneven surface and when cornering), which I will put back on for commuting if the weather turns consistently wet or if there is any danger of ice. I am actually considering putting them on now because there are so many leaves on the road for the first part of my commute. I had these at around 80 psi.

Re the safety issue. I agree that an over-inflated tyre is as dangerous as an under-inflated one in terms of the likelihood of punctures, but a soft tyre is more likely to deform and become unstable when cornering at speed, so cancelling out any benefit of the increased road contact.

Thistledew no, on the road a harder tyre will not be faster, it will cause the tyre to jump on every little bump on the road. 100psi on 23mm typres will be about right for most tyres for a total weight of ~85kg so I think a little high for you maybe. However not much and it could be preference and it would rol better on the smoothests of Surrey's roads - but not the typical ones you cycle on.

The tyre you have probably has 120 or 140 written on it though and that would be way too much. Read Sheldon though, he's written a lot more.

Oh and the nobbly tyres provide less grip when cornering on the road - not more, the most grip comes from a completely slick profile unless there's mud etc. to dig through.

I have a fancy pump in the shed that tells you the psi so I'll see what it is at the weekend. Hopefully it won't be much lower at the minute than when I got it.

Just goes to show how little I know - I thought the figure on the tyre was what was recommended.

Ds has learnt the hard way that he should check his tyres regularly. He has had a number of "pinch" punctures - which dh then has to fix for him, grumbling all the time and often destroying the inner tube in the process (or, on one occasion when ds and I were out for a ride in the country, my dad, who came to the rescue).

We've got a track pump which tells us the pressure. The coaches from the cycling club are always encouraging us to pump up the tyres, both for the crit races and on the track (have I mentioned that we've got a shiny new velodrome?)

prettybird yes I do think you did mention it now you say . Maybe I should take up track cycling maybe I could manage the maintenance, no brakes, no gears, easy peasy!

I think what is says on the tyre IS the range that's recommended, i guess what fred was just saying it doesn't tell you the exact pressure to put it at. I guess the range is what is safe rather than necessarily sensible? My road bike tyres say up to 120 and I usually have them at 100. My mountain bike tyres at about 35 for rocky more technical stuff, or 40 for round here. I definitely find tyres roll fast the higher the pressure, but especially mountain biking you ping around everywhere on the slightest rock so got to be a compromise.

Just managed to get my cheaper mountain bike in a rideable state after the race (new chain, cassette and brake pads, joy), and I think my knee may be happy enough for a proper ride tomorrow night! Hurrah!

Has anyone done any exciting riding lately?? Come on lets stop talking about tyre pressures and talk about riding...

oh everyday riding brings a sense of adventure for me! How to negotiate arterial road traffic, how to cross a motorway intersection and stay alive, when to dominate lanes and when to seek the discipline of yellow lines. Such a buzz.

Velodrome? Nope. Don't recognise that one....

Ha I used to ride in London every day so can relate to that... But I have to say now it scares me riding in l

Ooops meant to say in London. I do ride city traffic here but it is not so hairy.

Would love to ride velodrome. Was down to go once years ago with local road club but it got cancelled. Took a roadie friend to the peak district instead and converted her to mountain biking so it wasn't a complete write off! Still want to try the velodrome one day even though the no freewheel and brakes scares me!

...that and the 45 degree banking! That's one in two !! You truly don't get a sense of how steep it is until you're right beside it. It is truly scary.

Ds is now "accredited" so can visit any velodrome and go to a drop in session. :)

Hi Can i join you?

I'm a granny on a bike :) here's a posting i put further up before i noticed this thead:

Let me tell you about me and my bike. Yep i'm a granny and i'm retired. I have ridden bikes since i was a child - i'm of that generations that remembers swarms of men coming out of the factories on their bikes everyday- we cycled to school and college and work. I stopped cycling because of work and families etc.
Then, 12 years ago I bought my self a cheap halfords bike and used it spasmodically until recently when we started motorhoming and taking our bikes with us and i realised how much i enjoy cycling. While in europe i fell off my bike getting my foot caught in the the frame getting off my halfords apollo and got a badly swollen and bruised elbow and knee, i decided it was time to get myself a decent bike. I've noticed that the european bikes are often configurated differently - higher, different ride position, low step etc After much searching and trying out bikes, I googled german style bikes and found kettlers uk site with 30% off their bikes and i got this one www.kettler.co.uk/product/glider-pro-womens/

I love it - its a good shape for me - i'm tall with long legs and often find british bikes not big enough and my knees get knocked on the frame.

I'm hoping i can use cycling to increase my fitness levels - i'm also a fairly keen walker and with 2 black labradors to walk. I now try to cycle 4- 5 times a week - i've been building my distances up as my fitness increases. I also tootle around taking pictures as i cycle (not when pedalling lol)

i'm hoping to chat and get tips on gear, clothing and helmets etc
Where do people find their cycle routes from?
I wonder if there's a website for plotting out cycle rides?

Evening all. Glad to hear everyone is still cycling (or at least thinking alot about it )
I have had a busy cycling year. Gone from occaissional rider to regular rides, completed my first spotive (Cycletta 40K) in september, and have just trained as a cycle coach for kids! See what happens when you start cycling again!
Now looking at nice road bikes for next years challenges!!!

In the meantime, I thought you might like to know that there are some lovely Ana Nichoola (she of Cycle Show fame for any that watch it) design cycle clothes at mega discount on the Sportpursuit website right now. They would make lovely Christmas presants for anyone who likes cycling - or you can just buy them yourself Theres other cycle stuff there too, link below.

www.sportpursuit.com/join/firstname_lastname_124662

Christ I seem to have killed the thread !
Anyhow, what are folks riding plans this weekend? I was looking forward to my regular ride with the girls this Sunday but my phone pinging has just reminded me I have Choir practice- as we are doing Carols at the local Hospice next weekend I cant exactly skive off as I wont know where to stand?!

Coaching kids tomorrow though - not like the weather forecast for standing in a school playing field for 2 hours eek!

Gd luck with your coaching dobby not much cycling going on ere in Devon. My DH was forced to cycle wed into work as roads flooded but then the cycle path&road was flooded on his way home but Luckly he could squeeze on the train with about another 15cyclists he said! They only 2-3carriage trains as its little branch line!

DH has to work sat morn :( its normally the time I get an hour to myself to go for a blast on my bike "me time" not easy to get with two little girls.

Welcome lifetooshort my parents are 69&74 and still ride their bikes on our local paths aebit flat ones now. A few of the older generation at work have these hybrid electric bikes to help them commute the 10-20miles to work they sound great. I'd really like to go with my family to France or Holland for cycle holiday. My brother is extensive rider said how good family trails were in Brittany. Has anyone got any gd recommendations? I'm looking at next yrs school hols for 6yr rides own bike &2 yr in seat.

Hallo all,

I am feeling fixed now longish ride tomorrow planned though I think it's gonna rain.
Signed up to a guided coached ride round the Olympic xc mountain bike course (it's not open for general riding at the mo) so very excited about that. I actually think it looks quite difficult so a little bit nervous.

Hello lifestooshort nice to hear from you. Bike websites - try strava or endomondo for routes? Local road club used to use bikely not sure if they do any more? I tend to just follow others though.

Hi dobby tell me more about teaching kids cycling - what quals do you have to get? I am thinking of investigating as went to ds's new school (starting school next year) and they had an Olympic display With loads of hem saying they wanted to try mountain biking so I thought it would be great to be able to take a group to the local biking forest

Brr,thank god I bought those waterproof trousers at Aldi when they did bike week. They have weird velcro straps but at least they kept me dry this morning!
British Cycling do coaching courses and if you coach for a BC affiliated club for a minimum of 4 hours a year they will pay for your CRB check and can sort out cheap first aid in sport training if you are lucky (our local rep knew someone who did this) . The cost of the course varies depending on the level that you go for - you dont have to do level 1 before level 2 but level 2 takes longer. I opted just to do level 1 as I wont be coaching all the time and my real interest lies in Breeze rider leader training as I have a passion for getting women back on their bikes - thats what happened to me, but thats a story for another time I had my course paid for by the club, but British Cycling have schemes to help with funding if you commit to putting some hours in at a club.

If the school have not already got one, look into Go ride cycling clubs. We set one up at our primary school four years ago with a total member ship of about 20 kids-average of 10-15 coming each week (on a day like today more like 5!) we now have just under 100 members with average of 40-50 every week. Even today with constant rain and the distraction of a school fair we still had 20 odd British Cycling offer alot of support and resources to set up Go ride clubs as they see this as a way of encouraging youngsters into cycling and hopefully a path for spotting future olympians.
Here more information about them www.britishcycling.org.uk/go-ride/article/goridest-What-is-Go-Ride

hi everyone, thanks for the welcome. Summer i'll look up the sites you mention. *SSmile i did think about an electric bike but i like the idea that i'm making an effort and getting my heart n lungs and legs working when i'm cycling. Even after riding 3 /4 days a week for about 6 weeks i notice i'm finding it easier and don't get so puffed.

I have a question which some of you may be able to enlighten me on: i have noticed some women wearing a scarf under their helmet over their hair. Is there a reason? is it to stop the insects biting? the wind getting through the helmet slats, to protect hairstyles??? Any answers??

I have recently started wearing one of these www.millets.co.uk/browse/chute.html

as it keeps me warmer when I am out on cold days. It also covers my ears which the helmet doesnt. If my head gets hot I can slide it down to my neck as a scarf or use if to cover my mouth /nose when riding if its chiily ( or I want to look like Dick Turpin )

Have a couple of them as I find them really versatile. You can even use them as hairnads if ,when you stop for a cuppa, you realise you have dreadful "helmet hair" lol

thats Hairbands obviously

of course :)

Tricross quiche! I have taken mine in for it's post-sale service and the good news is the brakes are now much improved! No more judder. The bad news is I don't know what they did!! However - they did mention changing the front brake hanger (?I think?) but they didn't have one in stock so it's going back next week for that. I shall update further once that is done.

Hurrah for brakes piffpaff.

I am going mountain biking tomorrow. On my fancy bike. It's in the kitchen for minor fettling and I am just looking at how pretty it is :-). I would never have thought I would be so shallow as to like a bike for being pretty..though I wouldn't like it if it wasn't awesome to ride too...