Cycling Thread - All Peddlers and Pedallers welcome.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Have started a new thread as the other one is very nearly full.

I have a choice - bike in the draughty barn (think Cold Comfort Farm), or cross trainer in the conservatory, not heated unless I switch it on but I don't need to wear my musto snug jodphurs.

It is lovely when you can all do it together - we had a dutch seat on the back of my husband's bike for in town until last year but we are now a little 3 bike convoy - it is fantastic.

Anyone out cycling tomorrow?
Am aiming to do my 25 mile ride again, but faster than last weekend

Sounds good! We have horrible wind and rain here which is expected to last over the weekend so no cycling here. I'm going to try and get on the turbo though. I've started a low carb diet this week and my energy levels have plummeted only managed 13 minutes on the turbo the other night! Trying again tonight and hopefully will last longer.

I'm going to buy some bib tights and a jacket and actually get out on the road at some point soon. I don't dare leave the house in my shorts but long tights will make me look slightly less horrific I need a helmet though!!

I managed 12 miles today to the pub for a sandwich. It was harder on the way there - uphill with the wind against us (vv cold), but almost half the time on the way home.

We are going to a local NT place tomorrow with an 8 mile loop, hoping our daughter manages it without too much moaning (another pub at the end of it!).

Our local NT place have just cancelled tomorrow's park run due to 50 odd mph winds forecast so no bike ride for us!

Lavender where abouts are you? The wind here is scary! I'm on the yorkshire moors.

Looks like no cycling for us either this weekend, snow and high wind forecast here in Fife.
Had to cancel my planned trip looking for cycling gear today as all the public transport was disrupted this morning due to high winds overnight .

I think I'll be spending tomorrow chain sawing logs for the fire.

Eek Elliptic I've seen its bad in scotland! My sister lives in Oban right on the sea front and keeps sending me videos of the waves from her living room window

Felix - in Norfolk, we were going to Blickling. Very envious of you being in Yorkshire, I grew up there and plan on moving back at some point (dales though).

It's very windy in Devon too so not sure if any cycling will happen this weekend. I haven't set up our turbo trainer yet....it's just too depressing in a cold shed I preferred dragging my weary arse out at 6am in pitch black and pouring rain instead on Thursday I got soaked legs but luckily dried most stuff out on the rads at work and had a lovely ride home as the sun was setting and no head wind. I'm trying to keep my work commute going through the winter this year. Normally I stop dec-feb but my hubbie is still cycling twice a week to work so I have to keep up . Cycling was always my thing but he started this year and has dropped a stone and is mega fit now...alas I've gained a stone and still potting along at 12mph I just can't get fastest just seem to go further. Someone asked about jackets up thread. I bought an altura one this year after trying lots as I too have large bust but eventually got one in halfords! I'd tried several cycle shops but it's been brill £50 spent as my top half has stayed dry and warm in horrid conditions. That and my Aldi shoe covers keep my toes warm are my best buys recently.

ssmile - my husband does 100-150 miles per week for fun (has done as a minimum for 30 odd years, used to run marathons too until last year and is/always has been mega fit).

Cycling at my pace yesterday, albeit on his hybrid, nearly killed him, I could see he was quite bored at one point but he is nice enough not to mind, even if he does make fun of me.

I have always been reasonably fit but am not so much at present after 18 months of health issues, thankfully, sort of resolved. Hopefully this year I can get back to the level of fitness I need for me.

We have a concept 2 rower and decent cross trainer as well as DH's turbo trainer so I have no excuse now I am up to it.

Hope you can build your fitness back up Lavender it's SO frustrating when your body won't do what you want it to do. I got into cycling post first DD after I'd had severe back problem it was my saviour as I had to stop swimming and could hardly walk but with a higher stem on my bars I could cycle with min pain .
I did 20miles today which was good run for me

Didn't get out cycling in the end last weekend due to strong winds - will try again this Saturday!

Gave up on the weather and just went to the local bike shop, got some summer weight padded capris to use for spin, and cycling when the weather improves. Saw some trainers with clips / cleats in their sale and splashed out on those as well, I thought that I can get used to them in spin and then maybe change the pedals on my bike and use them out if I'm brave enough.
Hoping to get out on the cycle paths for a couple of hours this weekend but there has been some flurries of snow in the last hour so I'm not holding my breath.

Managed to get out on the bike today for 14 miles, had to stick to the roads as we have snow and the cycle paths we tried were treacherous. My legs are still freezing after an hour in front of the fire, even my winter cycle trousers couldn't stop the icy wind.
Mind you I feel loads better for getting out .

Haven't managed to get out due to weather and work. Really must get some gloves - any recommendations?

My gloves were 50p from a boot fair, I bought them for walking the dog but decided to use them for cycling instead. They've been brilliant and keep my hands warmer than some expensive ones DH has.

Awful snow here, I haven't even bothered myself to trudge through the garden to the garage for the turbo trainer. We are going up to DP's parents this weekend so hoping they don't get snow as they can look after dd for a couple of hours and we can go for a ride at some point. I'm so worried about clipping in and out though!!

Bought some winter bib tights and a wind jacket from Rapha which arrived today. The tights are fleece lined and so comfy, I want to wear them forever

DP has his first ever race at the end of March so he's trying to train for that, but the weather is really messing things up for him. Apparently the turbo just doesn't cut it!

Crafty I need gloves too. I can't borrow any of DP's as he has gigantic hands and mine are tiny. I'm considering just wearing normal stretchy gloves for now but they won't be waterproof.

I must try to keep up with this thread!

I haven't been out for ages because of the snow and ice. Started running again instead though so enjoying that :)

Hi Felix, try Planet X for decent gloves, loads with good discount at the moment and it's important they fit you well, not only to keep you warm but also safety wise so you're able to use your gears/ brakes properly.
I'm also with your OH on the turbo, we've got one, but it's just not the same!
Slightly off kit topic, but still on cycling topic, anyone fancy trying time trialling this year or already have experience of it? Would love to hear from you if you have, I'm going to enter our local women's league this year over 10mile distance, will be interesting to see how training goes for that as will try and stick to a plan as opposed to just putting the miles in over longer distance

Thanks pipkin I'll have a look. I kind of need some for this weekend (weather dependent) so might have to go to the local bike shop and see what they have. Although I don't have a helmet yet so that might be my biggest priority

Ooh does this mean you can get a tt bike? My DP is desperate for one, but he's compromised with some bars that clip on to his existing bike instead. He also NEEDS a cyclocross bike apparently, and then a track bike Sounds like a good challenge though, I'll be interested in seeing how your training goes.

No TT bike! But will use my carbon one which has carbon wheels (spring/ summer use only!) but no other TT kit. The local women's league I've found runs a couple of novice events over the same TT course and those are simply to provide a taster - no extended bars, aero wheels, helmet etc allowed. You can use them for the non novice events, but I'll just see how I get on for a start!
Training wise it has made me rethink, I tend to just get out and put miles in but will now start doing a couple of shorter routes ( have a nice, fairly flat circular route of about 12ish miles that I'll start incorporating - will try and keep the pace up and see what sort of averages I can work on)
Your OH sounds slightly addicted! ( sort of understand that!)
Hope you get your bits of kit sorted!

Addicted is not the word

Sounds fab!! And it's good that you can use your existing bike for it too.

Anothe bug put paid to my cycling this week but my DH left the house Friday when -4c brrrr I was more worried about him hitting an icy patch but he texted to say he got to work ok but had seriously numb sore fingers despite his newish gloves so he has pulled out the ski gloves I will have to remind him to check he can still operate gears brakes ok hopefully this bloomin bug will clear and I can get back on the bike next week
I do want to get some clear Lens glasses have any of you found some ladies ones that not too costly? My DH bought me some dhb ones for Christmas but they don't fit my face. I've had a couple near misses with grit flying up whilst I cycle this winter and sunglasses are too dark.