Cycling Thread - All Peddlers and Pedallers welcome.

[VivaLeBeaver]

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

Phoebe, DH was the one that got to do RL as someone had to look after ds. He did a lot of training for it, doing between 100 and 150 miles a week all this year, going out on the club rides of 60-70 miles, and did an 85 mile sportive to check he could really keep up the speed he wanted to without a stop. He didn't find the crowds a problem till the hills, and ended up walking on Leith as someone stopped in front of him and then couldn't get going again.
He says the one thing he'd say to people is that you really need to put in time riding in close groups with other people, and you need to do the hill work. He loved it, but it was hard.

Can you get in open water before the tri? It really is very different, and can be quite freaky. Sighting is a whole art of its own

I have had the most wonderful surprise! DH has bought me a bike! It's just a cheapy one from Decathlon (Triban 520) - which is a racing bike (I think) but it has a frame that will apparently take a bit of punishment.

I have wanted one for ages and have been looking jealously at his new one!

I haven't cycled in eons, though. I rented an extremely heavy steel bike for a very flat pedal around a nature reserve about a month ago, but apart from that I've been out of the saddle since I was a teenager (nearly 20 years ago!). I don't have a clue what to take with me, how far to go, what to attempt...

I am really unfit! But dead enthusiastic to give it a go. Advice?

That bike may be inexpensive but comes with excellent reviews.

Advice? Keep it fun, and no need to compete with anyone. Your bum will be sore at first but this will go away. Get some good anti-rain stuff to wear and mudguards for your bike - nothing worse than a wet arse and soaked feet, plus all of the crud that will get onto your chain rings.

but mainly enjoy it! Expect buns of steel!!

Can I come in? I have cake!

I think I was on one of these threads years ago, but I must have lost track of it.

eliphant, fold up bikes are pretty hard to ride. And £75 is very expensive! I only charge £20 an hour, and I provide bike hire if needed. I'd have a look around and see if you can find someone else - there must be more people around somewhere. Since you can already ride a bike, you really want level 2 rather than beginner stuff too x

I did Ride London - it was ace when it was flowing, but so many crashes! And I got stuck on leith Hill for an hour and half in the gridlock. I said never again, but I do want another go for a better time.

I work in cycling, and I mtb and road bike.

Good lukc with the tri PhoebeMcPeePee! I've done a few, they are absolutely awesome. Much friendlier crowd than running races, or sportives ime. I've only ever done pool based tris so far, but I went for my first open water swim at the weekend. It took a little while to pluck up the courage to strike out away from the shore, but once I was out there it was utterly awesome. Hoping to do an olympic distance tri next year.

I don't really get the sighting thing. I keep looking, and the buoy seems to be in front of me but I'm sure I am still zigzagging!

Hooray! Hooray! I'm glad it's a good bike. I will get some mudguards and fit them asap. I have a very light but sealed sports mac thing - do I need waterproof trousers, or do you guys just tough out wet knickers?! Also, do I need special shorts because after just 10 miles on that steel bike, my bum was getting really sore!?! (I am keen to avoid the lycra stuff as I will look ridiculous wearing Sky gear like I am Chris Froome while travelling at 2 mph. I also feel it is not a look that should be inflicted on the rest of the world for the sake of the public's eyes).

I live in a Sheffield and there are loads of very speedy cyclists who zip along at 100mph looking tough and a bit intimidating. So I will definitely not be competing with them any time soon! I cannot avoid hills - there are steep ones in literally every direction from my house - so is there anything I should know about cycling up them, other than that it's really hard work? (I am by no means too proud to get off and push!!)

Buns of steel sounds good!!

Def get padded cycling shorts Holly - life changing

I'm part of a local cycling group called Belkes on bikes - worth googling to see if there's a group local to you. It's a fun casual way of exploring your local area.

Holly my DP started on a Triban. They are very great bikes for the money. You really will need some padded shorts - you could wear some looser ones over the top if you're not that keen on the whole Lycra thing.

The fact the Triban has a triple chain ring at the front will help with all of those hills. I live in Glossop on t'other side of Snake Pass so know exactly what you mean.

Hills - take your time. The really important thing is to NOT 'burn all your matches' at the start of a climb. Find a nice pedal stroke (cadance) that you will be able to keep up comfortably without being knackered, sit back and let your mind wander.
After a bit of practice you'll be able to get out of the saddle and 'dance on the pedals' just to break up the possible monotony at least.

Hi Phoebe, pretty much as CMot says, try and keep your training regular and I would also recommend a few longer runs of 75/ 85 miles to give you confidence ( I did the Tour of Cambridgeshire, Velothon Wales and Fat Lad at the Back during the couple of months before RL, the first two were closed roads, so really gives you a taster!)
Try to get some group riding if you can, but don't overly stress about it - just entering a few local sportive sand definitely doing Breeze/ Sky rides will help.
RL is a fairly fast route, the surfaces are mostly good and of course closed roads adds to this. There are more than enough feed stations/ hubs for you to stop at if you want to break the ride up and you won't go wrong! There's plenty of riders out there to follow! I'd enter the ballot before your tri, you don't have to pay at the time, just deselect the " I want to donate my entry fee" option and you'll still be able to enter the ballot.
By the way, very good luck in your forthcoming tri!

Shove and Chops, hello and welcome!

I JUST GOT BACK FROM MY FIRST RIDE!!!

I did 15.5 miles. I am SO PROUD (I realise this is peanuts to many of you, but for me it is huge).

The hills, though! Oh. My. God. I thought my legs were going to fall off!!! I had to do a minute of riding then a minute of pathetic panting and resting, and then another minute of riding... it took forever!

I did 1370 feet of ascent in total, which doesn't even sound like that much - it's like climbing a small hill really. But my legs were really shaking by the end and I couldn't have done much more. It wasn't so much that I was out of puff as that my legs just wouldn't turn any more. At one point I was turning the pedals, but starting to go backwards!!

I had so much fun, though. It was BRILLIANT!

Holly that's brilliant! Well done

That's a decent rude if you haven't been out for a while well done

Holly that's fab! And quite some climbing over 15 miles, well done!

I'd get the padded shorts too, and some chamois cream. I have mtb shorts for off road riding and casual riding that have lycra padded shorts and then baggy overshorts - you could look for something like that even.

I have now done 3 rides, all 12-15 miles. I am loving it! Though still struggling desperately on the hills. On the flat, I feel like I could go further - but there aren't many routes that are level near me so I think I'm going to keep it short for a bit until I build up some more strength. I did a ride yesterday that was about 900ft up, but it went a bit more gently rather than plunging up and then plunging down and I coped a little better with that. My legs just get really tired to the point that I have to stop and rest for a bit, then get back on. (Yes, I am that unfit!!)

I am DEFINITELY now in need of padded shorts!! Great idea about the overshorts, chops - I'm going to do that!

I've been road cycling for around 4 years now and am looking to upgrade my bike for something a bit lighter. My current bike is an older version of the Specialized Allez
www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-2015-road-bike-ec070568

It's been fine for a first bike and was not too expensive but now I am ready to move on - DH thinks I will find the hills much easier with a lighter bike

Does anyone have any recommendations? Am quite tall so does not need to be a women's bike specifically.

How much do I need to spend to get something noticeably lighter than my current bike?

Thanks

I have a Cannondale Synapse Alloy which was just under the 1k mark which I'm v pleased with. Mine is mens geometry.
If I was going to upgrade, I'd probably go for the full carbon Synapse which starts at £1500 I think. It gets very good reviews.

Yesterday ds and I went out with a local social ride, and did 30 miles. It was lovely to talk to other adults while riding and be able to see him having fun.
I've now worn in my anniversary present bib shorts which are the new dhb halter neck ones. Incredibly comfortable, very flattering, the they deliver on the toilet stop convenience promises. I'll be getting some more!

"they deliver on the toilet stop convenience promises"

This is an issue I had not even thought about. It is a whole new world!

Sorry not posted for ages. Meant to post a while ago to say thanks for the advice re my hurty toes. I've put it down to the heat. Did over 170 miles this weekend and not a sore toe in site. I'll be glad when my LEJOG challenge is over - it's completely taking over my life.
Have also tried the DHB halter neck bib shorts and can vouch for them. Make stopping for the loo a doddle on long rides and are dead comfy

Can I ask a stupid, newbie question?

My bike has these strap things on the pedals. I do not know the proper name. You are supposed to put your toes in them to pedal (with shoes on, obvs).

But how am I supposed to get both shoes in? When I am standing on the pavement ready to push off, I can get one lot of toes in. But then I have to press on the other pedal really quickly and I can't get my other foot in! And then I need to look at the road for potholes etc. and I never get the other foot in.

I would like to get the hang of this, because they seem to make pedalling a bit easier.

i am at 170 miles in a weekend! Wow! You ladies are fit.

shovetheholly - they are called toeclips and tbh I think they are a bit of a nightmare. Practice with them loose to start with, or even jsut with the cage bit and then put the straps back on later. You have to get the hang of flipping the pedal round with your toe and then sliding your foot into them. Then you can easily pull the strap tighter.

I'm not a fan because they can be hard to get your foot back out of when you stop. Clipless pedals which are used with special cycling shoes are far easier to get out of again once you are clipped in. (the name is a bit misleading,a s you do still clip in!) They have the same advantage as clipped pedals in that you can pull as well as push. The spd shoes tend to have a fairly tough sole too, for maximum power transfer to the pedal.

Normal pedals are called flat pedals.

I'd probably swap to flat pedals instead of toe clips if you're struggling. Or try clipless as you'll find it easier to get used to.

We are off to the lakes for a week tomorrow so hoping to get a ride in. Hopefully we can try out dd's new child seat on the back of DP's bike! that's if I can get her to wear the helmet...

Thank you so much! They are actually quite loose (I can get my foot out really easily). I just don't have the hang of spinning the pedal - they seem to always come out on the bottom if I try . So I am riding with one foot in and the other on the pedal upsidedown!

shove, I have toe clips and love them, I have no desire to switch to cleats. Had my cycling shoes for years and haven't ever taken the rubber thing off that covers the cleat things.

It took me a few rides to be able to get my foot in on the first revolution, basically I learned that if I pushed off fairly hard it gave me enough momentum to be able to flip the pedal with the other foot and get my foot in sharpish before I needed to use that pedal.

p.s perennials looking good here after all the rain .

Hello hello! Just wondering if I can hop back on this thread occasionally, I haven't posted in a couple of years and it's REALLY interesting to see how far I've come in that time! Have just read my original posts where I could barely manage it up our local hills, now we think nothing of flying around the Reds at as many trail centres as we can get to, as fast as we can. I've just spent the day with my 9 year old at A jump track, and all my boys are now bmx and mountain bike fiends...
Interesting how my equipment has changed in that time too!