Cycling Thread - All Peddlers and Pedallers welcome.

[VivaLeBeaver]

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

Thanks CMOTDibbler for your response. I've got the x2 lady flow gel saddle. Bob shorts are Le Chapeau so good quality, although one pair has a green bit inside, the other red. I'm doing 60-65 miles next week so I'll see how that goes. Just really not sure if I'm supposed to hurt a bit anyway doing that sort of mileage, or if it's wrong. And with it being so personal to discuss don't want to go and try to explain to a bloke!

Looking at their website, the green is supposed to be their endurance pad, so maybe try wearing those for your long ride. Or if theres budget for another pair, maybe the DHB halterneck ones might be a different fit - each pad type is different, and the exact way you sit changes how that works.
I have one pair of shorts that have a proper shaped pad that manages to be less comfortable than the teeny bit of fleece that passes for a pad in my tri suit.

For the other bits, you could try a different chamois cream as well - I prefer body glide stick to a cream, and it needs liberal application on any bits that might rub together.

Ah thanks CMOT! I've not really used any creams yet (might be the issue!). Funnily enough the RAB medical advice for women is to use Sudocreme so as I've got lots due to DS being in nappies I'm going to give that a go. I see the glide stick is recommended for wet suits, but you recommend for cycling too? I think it's going to be a bit of trial and a lot of error for me

Well, I am converted to this new (20 year old) Dawes Galaxy.

I rode to my horses yesterday (12 mile return trip) and was 15 minutes faster and much more comfortable than on my hybrid.

Still needs another clean, have ordered new brake levers, gear levers, something I am not sure of the name of - sprocket?, bar tape and another Brooks saddle which should do me until the winter when we will send it off for a respray and adding a new groupset (of DH's choice as I am still clueless).

Really pleased with it.

Buffers, if you haven't been using a chamois cream, then your life will be a lot happier with it! I know some people use Sudocreme, but it is a beggar to wash out of your shorts, and I think the specialist stuff is more effective at the job in hand. DH likes the udderley smooth or Assos creams - beware that some contain menthol, which is not good for ladies
The glide stick works anywhere you need chafing not to happen - I also use it between my toes for long runs, or on the tops of my feet for tri where I get on the bike with wet feet and no socks. I'd recommend some!

Hi all, first post on this thread. I am a regular commuter on an old ridgeback hybrid, love it! I have recently been gifted this bike www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=16275&O_ID=1 and am seriously struggling to adjust. I need some tips and encouragement that I will get used to it? My friend (a cycling expert ) is on hols so will ask him to help me set it up right when he returns, I feel that even when my hands are on the hoods I cannot easily access the brakes??? I have only been on it a couple of times though.

I suppose I was hoping for some motivation from others who have been through the transition to a road bike!

Just dropping into the thread to mention that my local TK Maxx has a lot of Gore bike wear at the minute in a range of sizes, I've just got new bib shorts and a jacket for about £40 each.

MissDuke - I went from a upright to a roadbike and it took a while to get used to it, it was so responsive I wobbled everywhere for a while. Now, I love it and I'm seriously considering swapping my upright for a cyclecross bike for my commute. Good padded shorts and gloves made it much more comfortable, but it was just lots of practice until I got used to it really! How are you finding the reach? I'm short and had to swap out the bar stem for a shorter version on one of my bikes.

MissDuke - I have just switched from a hybrid to a tourer - I am fairly clueless about bikes but my bike has these

www.sjscycles.co.uk/dia-compe-dc165-extension-lever-black-silver-prod38004/

We have just ordered that exact set to replace the old ones on it as they are a bit rattly/don't tighten and the hoods are old and sticky rubber and we couldn't find replacement hoods.

Perhaps your friend could swap the brakes for a different style if you can't get on with them.

I expected to find the switch harder but haven't, I broke my neck years ago and have always avoided road bike style bikes because I feared that I would scrunch up my neck and make it hurt but that hasn't happened yet.

I find it much more efficient, have ridden 12 miles a day since DH sorted it out for me on Saturday afternoon (48 miles in 4 days is a record for me tbh). I am going on a 34 mile ride with him this week, wouldn't have done that before on my hybrid as I found it tough going after 8 miles, great for the 5 miles into and around Cambridge though.

Thank you so much for the replies and the encouragement! It is really windy and rainy today so have stuck to my trusty hybrid but hopefully will get out tomorrow on it. Will focus on checking if the reach seems ok. I was that busy clinging on for dear life that I didn't really give thought to whether the fit seemed ok. It was my sister's bike and we are about the same size, so hoping it will be ok. Thanks again!

Thanks CMOT. I saw the Assos chamois cream on wiggle with rave reviews. Off tomorrow to do 65miles so in the absence of anything else will slap on the Sudocreme and hope some biological washing powder can sort it out afterwards! I'll try the glide stick too - good point about menthol! Thx!!

bikeandrun I did fancy the Isla Bike - it was recommended but read the top weight is 60kg for rider + luggage for the size I think I'd need. 60kg I can manage without luggage okay I am a small, stocky person who likes pies so I figured t was out of the question.

I gave in a bought the alloy version of my road bike to commute.

buffers Apols if missed upthread, but if you're putting in the miles, check your shorts. I was merrily (well not merrily, to be frank) buggering off on 3-4 hour rides and getting very uncomfortable in my Gore shorts....until I was shopping for more and realised they were commuter shorts up to 2hrs. I have now purchased some far more firm bib-shorts for the serious runs. Oh and chamois cream always for the long runs.

My ds is 9 went on the sky go ride on Sunday, absolutely loved it, went out after school with him to do a little road circuit with him, he is also doing circuits of the lawn. Any tips for kids who want to ride on the road/ race in a safe environment. He wants to be vicenzo nibali, doesn't rate froomes bike handling!

bikeandrun How about a cycle club with a youth wing? A couple of clubs locally to me have youth sections and run rides specially for children and support them in competitions.

I will look into that, I have never seen him so keen on any sport, I think there maybe a cycle speedway club nearby

My ds is 9, and we road cycle as a family a lot. It is nerve wracking at first, but he's got so much more road craft now. We do sportives/cycle events together which he loves, and gives a reward without having to be selected for a team or anything.
Unfortunatly there aren't any youth cycle groups near us, but I know someone whose son is in one and does a lot of cyclocross

Sore bottom after my 65 miler with Sudocrem. Off to try a different saddle tomorrow.
Apologies that posts about my bottom are appearing in the middle of other far more pleasant ones

We are doing a low key sportive called RideForEric on Sunday,its a great event in Sheffield in memory of a local guy who was killed by a drunk driver, I am doing the 50k whilst dh is looking after ds on the 15k. Ds was very keen to the 50k but its in the peak district so lots of climb and we want to leave wanting more rather than over facing him. He has ridden that distance before but on flat trails. If anyone is in the Sheffield area take a look at this event looks really good, a few places still left ( you will have to google as I cant link from my phone, it is also on British cycling website) there is 5k for little kids too.

Please bear in mind that I am not really a cyclist .... but I have managed 115 miles since Saturday - really pleased with myself although my legs did ache today after 30 odd miles yesterday.

DH is impressed (has always wanted to do more cycling together but I have never wanted a road bike, not my style). I have always said that I am a horse rider who cycles a bit for fitness not a bike rider. He said he was pushing on yesterday to keep up with me - I was more than slightly worried at how quickly I was going. He doesn't get how I am not remotely scared flying round a x country course on a horse and a bit scared going fast round a bend on a bike!

I bought another brooks saddle for this bike, just a B17S rather than the cut out one. Before I switched a couple of months ago I used to be in agony after 15 miles (which was my longest distance tbh), ended up having to use Canestan more than a few times. The only thing that slightly aches is my seat bones when I sit on the saddle rather than my whole underneath. I am wearing less padding now as well - I didn't believe DH when he said brooks was the answer many years ago.

I had decided that I wanted a Ridgeback World series bike and DH said I should hire one to see if I liked the style, so I bought this used bike instead - absolutely love it, can't see the point in buying a new one and my current plan is to completely refurb this in the winter.

A couple of days off before we do 35 miles on Monday in North Norfolk - half way stop is the Victoria at Holkham for some lovely food and probably a lie down.

Off for some well deserved poached eggs on toast!

You never know I could turn into a cyclist one day.

Hi everyone, can I join? Did 35 miles yesterday. I have no special equipment: some fingerless gloves from Aldi - sweaty, awful, a specialized Vita hybrid bike about 7 years old, find the flat handlebar and grips that twist round very uncomfortable. Need to get some better equipment so I'd like to learn from you guys.

I did a 50 k sportive today 20 min faster when I did the same route last year, I would like to think it was down to massive improvement in in fitness but it mainly down to better bike!

We had planned a long ride today but the weather was very rubbish so we did a shorter one .... 18 miles to Waitrose, uphill on the way there, thankfully downhill on the way back as I was carrying half a week's shopping .... with DH on his road bike, his only load being two bottles of wine in his saddlebag .

The storms on the way home were awful, horizontal rain and thunder/lightening.

Got my first 100 miler on Sunday. Not sure what I'm dreading the most, the fact I've just changed my saddle (having no luck, this is #3) or the fact hubby's away and when I finish I'm going to have to get 3 DC aged 6,4,2 fed and in bed all by myself. Wish me luck!

I think the latter sounds quite formidable buffers, three children to look after post 100 miles .

Shame about your saddle issues - I only found one that works recently, now I have them on both my bikes.

Thanks Lavender. It's also forecast to rain on Sunday now. Yuk. Tried the new saddle briefly yesterday and it felt alright.... Fingers crossed!