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!

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?

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!

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...

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?

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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?

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??????

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

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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....

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!

Picked up my bike today (to cut a long story short) and really pleased with it. Had a quick ride round back with ds to get going again. It's been literally years since I rode a bike and it was really good to find myself getting more confident, even after only ten minutes or so. Ds was still riding rings round me though! It's going to be so handy for little trips as well as getting into some more serious riding.Its a really good physical activity where I wont be restricted by whether ds is at school or not. Hoping for some sunny weather now.

Bike is now in San Francisco, I fly up the coast today, tomorrow is Orientation then we ride out Sunday, 2pm UK time

Refit hopefully helped the toe issue, took it out for a short 25miles immediately after and it felt like a different bike. But going to make sure I take my shoes off at every rest stop and have packed lots of ibruprofen too

Wish me luck!

hello, I haven't read the whole post, but wanted to ask have any of you been on a breeze ride through british cycling? and if you have what is it like?

Hello, Ivykaty . . . I've been on a few Breeze rides, when they first started. They're very friendly and relaxed, and a good way to meet other ladies.

However, some of the more established groups have started to do longer road rides, still under the Breeze banner. That's absolutely fine, although a bit confusing, as it's not the traditional "pootle in the park" of the original Breeze rides. So you need to check exactly what you're signing up for.

Which area do you live? Someone on here might be able to give more specific advice.

Hi Ladymud, I am in the midlands and there seems to be a few ride around where I live of different lengths, I can go further but not to fast iyswim - I average about 12/13 mph and don't want to feel pressured to go faster

Hi again everyone. Sun is shining and I'm doing more cycling. Did 23 miles yesterday, my legs are killing me today!

Dh has fitted my rear pannier rack to my bike today so I'm hoping I may be blue to start biking to work some days. 9.5 miles each way though.

I've order the maps for the trans pennine trail today. I'm determined to do a multi day tour at some point.