Cycling Thread - All Peddlers and Pedallers welcome.

[VivaLeBeaver]

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

My Evans sale order has just arrived - three Altura tops for me, one fits, one is slightly tight and the jacket (OK different style entirely) is huuuuuge, as in I need two sizes smaller.

New cycling shorts for ever growing DD .... Altura again and the 10-12 is the same size (with a tape measure not by eye) as her current pair of 7-9. I bought her a proper hi viz gilet for our trip to France - hopefully that will fit when she gets back tonight or I might as well return the whole order.

Amazing (not good amazing though) size variance makes buying online vv tricky.

lavender - hooray, another gardener and cyclist! That is really encouraging. I think I just need more practice. I am still a bit wobbly every time I push off but I am sure once I get the hang of staying upright a bit more, I will get the knack of this pedal swizzling thing.

I don't get the size variance thing. I sort of understand it in shops, but even there it's so irrational isn't it? M&S are desperate to reassure me that I am NOT fat (even though I totally am) by downsizing me a dress size or two. Meanwhile, in exclusive designery shops, they are desperate for me to feel like I'm in the company of doe-legged supermodels by shrinking all the sizes and putting me up two or three. But on sports gear? I mean come on it's made of Lycra!! It's not exactly going to be hiding bulges is it? I wish we could just have a fixed size everywhere and be done with it! Harumph, harumph.

I managed to get right out into the hills around Sheffield yesterday! And I only had to stop twice for puff instead of every half mile or so. Admittedly, I was slower than the rock cycle on the steep bits, but 'tis progress. It is interesting to hear from people like puffy who have started and improved and now don't think twice about dashing around all over. I hope I will get there one day.

Question: what gear do I need to think about for winter? Lights, obviously. I have slick racing tyres at the moment - do I need stubbly ones? What about wet wear or windproof gear? It was a bit chilly downhill yesterday! What do you guys wear when the weather is less than summery? And is there anything I need to beware on the roads that wouldn't be there in the sunshine?

Hello shove , I have a man that does so I don't have to get my hands dirty in the bike maintenance dept. Don't think DH changes his tyres in the winter though but not sure what he has got on there exactly tbh.

Good for you on your rides - I have always cycled on an old hybrid but bought an even older touring bike a couple of months ago and am now doing an extra 30 miles a week as a minimum (used to ride to my horses x 3 so 40-5 ish miles).

I have got Altura night vision tights - not sure they are meant to be waterproof but I stay dry enough, they are more than three years old. I would probably want something more if I commuted daily but I don't. I have worn my ordinary waterproof trousers over them in the past when I have been caught short.

I have got an old hi viz gilet which I wear over most things but have just bought this fetching number in yellow as I will probably join the Thursday rides when I can, even in the rain (whereas I would be less inclined to if I wasn't meeting up with a group).

www.evanscycles.com/products/altura/altura-womens-night-vision-evo-jacket-ec050174

I have got lots of outdoor, walking/horse riding clothing so I just wear that tbh - soft shell type things are more or less the same imo.

I don't really like the racing style gear for me (am a fairly classic dull dress sort generally), I would feel daft tbh. Am hoping for one of these for my birthday

www.cyclemiles.co.uk/shop/blow-the-budget/jura-merino-wool-cycling-jersey-short-sleeves-navy-cream-pink/#.Vebp8LRjd0I

quite understated I thought.

Have got overshoes for the winter which are a god send as I always have cold hands and feet and I just use my sealskin horse riding gloves when it is cold because they are fab (and not very different from DH's bike riding sealskins).

But other than the rides to my horses, which I might only manage once a week in the dead of winter, I have never cycled much from late December to March - will see if that changes now that I have got a bike I can keep up with DH on.

I have got lights, don't cycle in the dark though tbh so just use them on the flashing mode in dull weather (in fact DH took them off my old bike yesterday). They were free with one of DD's bikes, something like this but not as swish

www.evanscycles.com/products/fwe/150-lumen-front-15-lumen-rear-usb-re-chargeable-led-light-set-ec120386

Hey shove just keep getting on your bike, it's all about time in the saddle. I'm absolutely stacks fitter than I was 2 years ago, but in that time I've had some health issues, an injury and I've been battling dreadful anaemia on a daily basis, so I know I could be a lot better than I am currently! bike fitness seems to pick up really quickly. Be warned though, im a slightly smaller dress size than 2 years ago, but I'm about a stone heavier

Re winter kit, I can't help with road biking, but what I would say is layer up - get a good breathable base layer (look out for Aldi cycling deals), a cycling top and then a wind proof jacket, plus gloves and warm socks. I usually find that's more than enough. Friends are colder than me and wear those snood things that can go over your head and round your neck, and one friend swears by her over shoe things - you tend to get really wet and muddy on a mountain bike!

If I feel I need a bit of extra warmth, I dig out my ski jacket, which is quite thin so I can move in it.

Hope that helps, now get out there and pedal

By the way, I'm also a gardener (although I'm more likely to fall off my bike ogling houses, particularly colourful front doors and sash windows )

I tend to switch more to mtbing in the winter. I bought a decent altura waterproof jacket but after machine washing it several times it is no longer waterproof :(

Over shoes are great for keeping feet warm, and fleece lines leggings - I got mine from Decathalon. But for now, get some arm/leg warmers that are easy to peel off once you warm up, as it isn't that cold yet.

I tend to just run slightly lower tyre pressure in winter for grip rather than change the tyres.

I'm off on a 25 mile ride this morning with a local group. Wondering if I can keep up, feel so unfit after holidays! I was back to work on Tues, teaching kids to ride and the next morning every muscle in my body ached! Then this afternoon I have a cycle mechanics assessment - with a lot of luck I will get full accreditation but I am expecting to get 'assistant' status.

Chops, I wash all our outdoor gear with Nikwax rug wash because I buy it by the 5ltr container for my horse rugs.

They do an in wash in re-proofer as well which I have here but rarely use because even our ancient (like 20 year old) gear still repels water.

I wonder if you could rescue it by washing it in something and then spraying something on it the first time.

Normal detergent tends to ruin waterproofness.

I wore my new jacket today - cold here, 10 degrees and raining. I got a bit sweaty (not sure how breathable it is meant to be) in it, cold when I stopped to drink my coffee at my half way point. I did have another layer in my bag but it was raining so much I didn't want to get wet to put an extra layer on just while I stopped for a few mins.

Lots of riders/runners out again now the school term has started.

You an definitely get re waterproofing stuff, we use it for ski and camping gear - I will have to try and find out what DH uses, he's in charge of that kind of thing!

I shall have to try re-waterproofing it. I didn't even know there was such a thing as special detergent, so thanks for that! I shall have to get some.

My ride was good, was so nice to get out on the bike again. And I passed my mechanics accreditation! It was close, and I wasn't sure I was going to get it, but apart from struggling a bit to true a crappy wheel I was fine. They basically gave us a bike each and two hours to find all the faults and fix them.

- well done Chops, on both fronts! Latter very impressive says lavender who leaves everything but an emergency tyre change to DH

I just use these things - but only because I have them for horse rugs (costs £20 plus to have each rug washed and reproofed so really economical by the 5ltr as it lasts me years).

www.amazon.co.uk/Nikwax-Proof-Wash-In-Blanket-Proofer/dp/B0017VI3H8/ref=pd_sim_200_1/279-0345755-5766213?ie=UTF8&refRID=0V9CZ4883JDPVWPF03SB&dpSrc=sims&dpST=AC_UL320_SR226%2C320

www.amazon.co.uk/Nikwax-Wash-Non-Detergent-Equestrian-Cleaner/dp/B0016KXZ8C/ref=pd_sim_200_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1P4MCARBTJ8ACRP3RMFD&dpSrc=sims&dpST=AC_UL160_SR93%2C160

figure they are probably all very similar.

shove

Aldi normally do cycling gear in Sept. So hang on a week or two.

They do excellent winter Lycra trousers which are kind of fleecy inside. Merino wool baselayers. They also do overshoes which are my winter essential, nothing worse than cold feet! However they are a bit thin and ripped after a bit. wiggle have some decent neoprene overshoes reduced to £15 atm.

I have an Altura nightvision jacket for a waterproof. And then I use a thin fleece under that, it's just a walking fleece from Millets I think.

When I started cycling 5 miles nearly killed me. I can do 40 miles now no problem. I don't have any hills near me though!

WhoTheFuckIsSimon - where do you live that is hill free?

lavendersun - thank you, that is fab, will def order one of those - will let you know how I get on!

I have to be able to do mechanics. We have around a dozen bikes, for us and various kids bikes that I use for work, it would cost me a fortune to pay to get them fixed! And dh can't even repair a puncture unfortunately. He (rather cleverly) refuses to learn!

Chops - mine is the horse rug version because I am too tight to buy anything else.

You probably need tech wash and their wash in or spray on waterproofer - or another brand I know nothing about .

chops. Close to The Fens.

Looks like this round here

Simon - you should come over towards Norwich - small inclines that cannot be called hills because I come from Upper Wharfedale.

If I go West I only meet one hill (towards fens), if I go North or East I ride gentle rolling small inclines my legs ache a bit the next day.

Brutal wind on the Fens - we cycled from Wicken Fen the other week - wasn't even that windy!

whothefuckissimon - that looks like my idea of heaven!

I grew up in Norfolk. I can't really imagine cycling much around where I grew up though. I remember country lanes with manic drivers and the dreaded acle straight! Norwich has hills too doesn't it? Gas Hill springs to mind - my dad collided with an ambulance coming down that on a bike as a youngster!

I'm in Berkshire now. More undulating than hilly, though I have been out to Cotswolds and surrey on rides.

Chops - it is really quiet where I ride - I only saw four cars in 20 miles the other day and an army helicopter hovering above me for about 15 mins.

We never ride in Norwich as we used to live in Cambridge which is much better for family cycling in town so we drive to a park and ride near Cambridge.

Google maps tells me that my regular 16 mile ride here climbs 253 feet ... whereas the same ride where I grew up climbs 887!! Hence I don't really recognise the uphill bit as hills - but my thighs ache when I get back on the next day for a few mins.

I am going to cycle to my doctors surgery tomorrow - 17 mile round trip with a long slight uphill gradient on the way there ..... for a repeat prescription of my asthma inhalers .

I'd love to live somewhere that flat! DP climbs over 600m just on his commute. It's ridiculous around here.

Re winter kit - I have winter bib tights and a wind jacket from Rapha. Would like a merino base layer from Aldi if they have them again. DP wears a Castelli Gabba, wind proof base layer, arm & leg warmers and overshoes in the winter. He rides in anything though and I am very selective haha! He also swaps to winter tyres but we do get bad weather here.

We managed to bag a 25L container of Nikwax Tech Wash for ??40 from Amazon!! Not bad considering it's usually ??35 for 5L Then use the reproofing stuff occasionally.

I am getting a hybrid!!! I'm very excited as I don't really enjoy my road bike that much. I can't get used to the twitchyness and the rising position so I'm going to ride a hybrid for a while and then go back to the road bike. Not sure what I'm going to get yet

I fancy a hybrid. Maybe a Specialized or a Trek.

The flatness was why I took up road cycling. Such a long way for any decent Mountain biking. The killer winds can be wicked though and make you feel like you're slogging up a hill. Always seem to be head winds as well!

I have a boardman hybrid and I changed the tyres to slicks and lock out the suspension but it still feels like really hard work compared to the road bike!

I did find my road bike uncomfortable at first too though. Mine was a bit long for me so I swapped the stem for a shorter one. That does make the steering even more twitchy though.

I've had mine for almost a year now, and have had a shorter stem and various other bits and bobs done to it but I still can't get on with it. I'm not naturally athletic though and just find it a bit scary to be honest

After riding to my Drs appt my peak flow was knackered, cost me an additional prescription! Still, I was pleased with my ride. No cake or coffee involved even though I was in town!

Robe on bigger roads (rural nsl A roads) than normal for 12 miles - god some drivers are fast and close, made me wonder if the actually realise how big their cars are and how much gravel they throw up at > 60mph a foot away from a cyclist! Prefer the bigger roads in pairs!

That's why I don't really like road biking