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!

Hi,
Great discussion going on here :)

If any of you are from the East Midlands a cycling group is thinking of putting on some beginner races at Mallory Park in Leicestershire. They will begin with some coaching and end with short races, building up as the weeks go on to longer races with the option for those who really take to it to entering further races at Mallory Park.

Please let me know if this is something you would be interested in.

I cycle a 3 mile round trip to work twice and I'm now feeling a bit inadequate

I haven't posted on here for ages, so thought it was time for an update.

I have had a good few months training- I am slowly starting to believe that a change in my asthma medication has actually worked. I did my normal circuit a few weeks ago and found to my surprise that there was no change to my peak flow even at the top of the hills. I still sound like I am doing my best impression of Darth Vader but am starting to believe that I am just normally out of breath, not wheezing. . In fact, I am having to learn to regulate my breathing again to trust that I am getting oxygen in and not to hyperventilate as soon as I feel the exertion.

So, I have been working on my hill climbing, which was the thing that always really hard for me breathing wise.

I have been doing drills to get out of the saddle more so that I can keep my cadence and momentum up without changing down gears.

Someone suggested to me to try getting out of the saddle without changing up any gears to keep my cadence high, rather than changing up and trying to power up. This has really worked for me: I have been doing a drill of ten revolutions out of the saddle, then ten seated, then ten standing etc until I reach the top of the hill or my thighs start screaming too much.

It has really improved my ability and confidence that I can get out of the saddle to increase power for a bit without working at maximum capacity and collapsing in a heap when I sit back down again. I am now starting to increase the number of revolutions out of the saddle, and it has been great to see some progress.

Anyway, enough of my wittering on. How is everyone else doing?

What about the people who commute? How are you doing now that it is getting darker and colder. I am pleased to report that I am doing my 24 mile round trip a couple of times a week now, and haven't yet been put off by the weather.

Elainak - sounds good. It is a bit far for me unfortunately. Do you not need a race licence if the race is not being held on a public road?

Josephine - no need to feel inadequate. A little cycling is better than none! A year ago I was cycling exactly 0 miles a week, and if I can make the improvements to my fitness and stamina that I have done over this year, anyone can!

Hi all-can I join you please?

I'm currently running with friends 2-3 times a week but want to start cycling as a way of cross training. It's my 40th birthday in January and DH is going to buy me a bike as my prezzie.

At the moment all I know is that I'll need a hybrid bike (as I'll be riding on roads and canal toe paths) and that give my height I'll need a 15"-16" bike. Other than that I haven't got a clue how to start looking for a bike. Can you ladies help please?

I don't want DH spending a fortune as its my first bike and I may not take to it. I'm guessing at a budget of £200-£250 but I'm not sure whether that's too low? What are the reputable brands I should be looking at? Is there any particular clothing or equipment I should need (obviously other than a helmet!)

All advice gratefully received!!

Hi footballmum,

I'd go and have a chat in a local independent bike shop for the best advice re. frame size, model, brand etc. I've bought my last two bikes second hand from local bike shops and got really great bikes, virtually unused for my budget.

Re. clothes, it depends what you'll be doing - or more specifically where, when and for how long - and if what you look like matters to you. Lightweight but warm layers tend to be the way to dress. You may want to get some padded shorts but that depends to some extent on what saddle you have, and gloves are a must now it's chilly!

Footwear is important too as you don't want to be wearing trainers/shoes that don't sit well on the pedals.

Thanks Keynesian. I am planning on buying from a proper bike shop so I'll ask. Had thought about padded shorts but hadn't even considered footwear-I thought my trainers would suffice

Hi footballmum I would second the suggestion to go to your local specialist bike store for advice, but this thread on bikeradar may give you some ideas.

Trainers are fine to cycle in as a beginner, but you would be better with ones that have a firm sole and a good grip. When cycling, you don't want your foot to flex, as it wastes energy and would become uncomfortable on a long ride.

Apart from that, a helmet and padded shorts are all that you really need to start off with. It all depends how hard you are planning on working. I find that I work harder and get more hot and sweaty than I would when I tried to run, so having decent wicking layers makes everything more comfortable.

I would also recommend buying a pair of cycle gloves that are designed for the style of handlebar you will be using. I tried riding my drop handlebar bike in gloves designed for mountain biking for a while and ended up with pain in my wrists, which quickly cleared up when I swapped gloves.

I went out with my local cycling club yesterday- it seems I still have a lot more work to do on my strength and fitness. I was fine keeping up with them on the flat but got dropped pretty spectacularly as soon as we hit any sort of incline .

Still, they are a friendly bunch and very encouraging, so I hope I can keep at it.

How is everyone else getting on with winter riding?

Hi Can I join this?

I love cycling.

I cycle 15 miles round trip to work 2/3 times a week

Weekends - go out on bikes as much as possible.

Have got 9 year DS and am encouraging him in cycling.

Hello, can I join too please?

I've been cycling (not seriously though) for a while now. Most of my cycling has been holiday touring with DH who is a very keen cyclist. I did a lot of my touring on my Dawes hybrid until we bought a Dawes tandem which is fabulous but is now sadly languishing in the garage. Up until this summer, I hadn't really cycled for nearly 6 years since before the birth of DD1 who is now 5.

Then, this summer DH won a competition to cycle the Manchester Velodrome and meet some of the GB cycling team and he took me with him (this will seriously out me in RL as I have bored everyone senseless with the story). I was really nervous not having done any proper exercise for a good few years and never having ridden a bike with drop handlebars, let alone one with no freewheel, gears or brakes! But, it was the most exciting thing I have ever done, and I got to cycle the track with Victoria Pendleton (who is utterly lovely - big fan here ).

So in a fit of complete inspiration, I bought my first proper road bike at the end of the summer - a Giant Avail. I've only managed to get out a few times but I've just agreed with a friend that we're going to do the DIVA100 in Warwickshire next June (which someone else mentioned further up the thread).

So, anyone got any suggestions on where I can find good training tips on how to get fit enough to manage it?!

Hi,

Sorry not been on here for a while - Thistledew asked about a licence and racing.
Yes you do need a licence if you are racing on the road as well as on a closed road circuit. The race licence ensure that you have some insurance, just in case of an accident. If you are new to racing then closed road circuit events are the best way to give it a go. If you need a licence then you can buy one when you sign up to the event at the venue. Why not take a look at the British Cycling website for more details or just ask and I'll try to help.

Nother cyclist here. Was a serious tourer in the 1980s but 5 kids came alone from 1989 onwards, and combined with living in the most bike unfriendly place imaginable, (Birmingham) I stopped cycling. It seemed top dangerous and not something I could do with the kids (apart from them pootling around parks). Now I am back home on the Vale of York - sea level and flat as a pancake - and my kids are older, so last year we returned to cylcing. I have a Cannondale Quick CX4 and a Pashley Poppy, but also am doing up a 1990s Raleigh and a 1970 Raleigh Twenty. I've never ridden road bikes, and my back wouldn;t cope with drops. My two youngest kids (9 and 11) have Ridgebacks - the 9 year old's will be a surprise, on Sunday!). We live close to the Transpennine Sustrans track. I stopped cycling for a couple of months and tried to get back on this week - seriously unfit again, already! So hoping to build back up the miles, over the winter, so am ready to fly in spring.

Nice to chat to other cyclists - esp those with kids in tow. This is a whole new game for me! We have an autistic 18 yr old, who we are about to teach to ride - just got him a reconditioned 1980s Raleigh Richmond to learn on. Any tips on teaching a young adult to ride a bike would be most welcome!

I received a bike trainer for xmas. Does anyone else have one? Any tips for working out? Too much snow here to go outside cycling so I'm going to try indoors. Did 6km yesterday so need to build up those km's!

Hi guys! I just went on first post baby bike ride! Lovely and sunny but blooming freezing, and blooming hard work. Was commuting to work and cycling at weekend. Pre pregnancy was riding about 30-40 miles in peak district on Saturday, and commuting by bike and train to work, bout 6 miles round trip normally, then once or twice a week get off train early to make it bout 13 miles for that day. Managed to cycle all through pregnancy, scaling down on distance and hills.

On maternity leave now, weirdly missing the commute. Baby DD 8 weeks now. Need to dig my turbo trainer out, given small windows of training opportunity!

Mountain girl for easy sessions on turbo trainer watch an episode of a tv programme (half hour to hour or long as you want). If you have heart rate monitor and want to get technical you can target your arrobic heart rate range and try keep within it.

For harder interval session I recommend sufferfest video downloads, they cost about 7 quid and you get to download to keep a hour video structured work out, which will include warm up, intervals (different efforts of pedalling hard interspersed with rests or easier intervals), the efforts are defined as effort out of 10 so you don't need a heart rate monitor. During the work out there is cool footage of bike rides and generally ok music.

Wow that was epic typing on phone!

Am bumping this as I want to get back on my bike and start to plan a holiday next Spring cycling around Holland with dh. He's a keen cyclist and I'm keen, but unfit.

Live in the country's hilliest place though so training will be a killer.

Frustrated cyclist here! Used to do 85 miles a week (work commute) and did quite well with DS1 on the back for 18 months. Along came DS2 and we did 1000 miles with a trailer last summer.

Bike now in to have back block replaced and gearing lowered in hope of more trailering this summer before DS1 outgrows it. However, 2 kids+trailer+kit=my body weight (or very nearly), so my one hill is going to be a real challenge!

Other challenge it to teach DS1 to ride his bike this summer.

Hello. We are a cycling family- currently 12 bikes in garage for a family f 4.....
I have just ordered newroad bike, a ribble. Am managing about 80- 100k per week at the moment. Training for my first triathlon. Nice to see a cycling thread.

mountaingirl I second the sufferfest videos they are knackering but good fun.

Done it! Dug out the trailer and the kids had a picnic breakfast in it en route. Couldn't manage all of 200' climb - got DS1 out to walk with me.

Have moved house so commute is slightly shorter - 15 mile round trip!

I've got a rather aged breathable one. Rather depends on your budget.

Very light dabbler in cycling. Have had a freebie ancient raleigh bike for five years and ridden it to and from work and also to the park with toddler on the back. Bike now gone to rest...so am currently looking at upright styles whoch don't break the bank.
Very cheap ones like Ammaco are heavy. Dawes Duchess 2011 currently in the sale locally. Bobbin Birdie has scary colours but looks interesting. Ebay is exciting but I know I should try before I buy.
Any advice/experience of brands welcome.