Calling all mountian bikers and cyclists!

[chapsmum]

I love moutain bikin and want to chat about it anyone for joining me?????

Hi Chapsmum, snowboarding was fantastic and this time I really got my nerve back!
I did only go 3 times though as DS was ill with V & D the whole week and was miserable so I wasn't too keen to leave him, and a couple of days it rained in the village and on the lower slopes so I wasnt too tempted. Then we had loads and loads of snow, fantastic off-piste powder and the sun even came out on sunday! I still find deep powder hard work and I'm not that good at it so it was really fantastic to have so much to play in :)!

How far away are you from the pistes? How old is chap? Can't wait until DS is old enough to put skiis on :o!

Right, that's it winter can really disappear now, its time to get my bikes out :)!

MTB is fab!!!!!! was out today, and though there was snow on the ground and i was 1.5 degrees when we left the car I had such a good time. Totally got my nerve back, just need to work on my fitness but am ggetting there. Am getting dp to look at that link, he is being secretive about our honeymoon location! I would so love to do some serious biking. Have you heard of the trans rockies? We're thinking about doing that providing I'm not pregnant next year!!

Sorry the wee chap is 8 months, but walking so it wont be long before we strap a pair of skis on. definately by next year. We have a snow dome opening up next to us and my friend is manager so we will get his confidence up indoors!!
ATM we are looking at bike seats for him, though I dont think our trails would be suitable for him!! we have been taking it turn about, me first round the dp. Its working so far...

where have you lot all gone? no commintmnt to the cause! would you come back if i get a picture onf jonny depp wearing lycra?? can be done.....

Hi Chapsmum, I'm still here. Just trying to swallow my disappointment. We took my bike to the bike shop yesterday. The guy agreed that the forks are not right for the bike and because the bike is already slightly big for me the new forks will make it really uncomfortable to ride. We are now contemplating either buying a new bike (not suomething we hadn't budgeted for) as we are not sure about buying another set of new forks for my bike as its already quite old. Or dh is going to ride his old bike when we go out together and I will ride his. Just got to have a look and see how big it is and if I can ride it.

Secretly I fancy the idea of a new bike :o!

So still no biking to report on :(!

I was out at the weekend and met this old guy on a shop bought frame with a pair of marzocci triple clamp forks on
It looked like an old chopper!!!
Anyway he said his dr had told him to get fit so he took up moutain biking, but he kept coming over the bars on the black roots so he bought the biggest set of forks he could find and attached them to his medevil raliegh!!!

It was the funniest thing I has ever seen!

the most post ever on a sports thread, unless I am mistaken...

LOL at the old marzocci guy!

Hmmm, are you trying to tell me that I should stick with my bike and oversized forks!!!!

Still not been out on my bike, am going to get my race bike out this evening, if its all OK I will go out on it yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah!

yep, lets keep the thread going even if it is slow!!!!

Meant to say I am impressed with chap walking at 8 months!!! ds started at 10 months and I thought that was early!

although there is the runners thread in health which I think should be in sport and that is very looooooooooooong!

did anyone watch the tour of flanders at the weekend? boonan won it-all very exciting stuff!

no, I dont watch tv at all - just checked out the race on the internet though.

Am reading Armstrong's book at the moment which is really good. I have pushed myself to levels of exhaustion that I think are extreme, can't imagine how these professional cyclists do it day in day out for weeks on end! Amazing stuff amazing people.

fabulous race!
I had an X who was a road biker untill he was out training in the rain one day and someone overtook him on a motor bike. he now is a professional motor bike racer!
LOL

Hello cyclists can I ask your advice? I usually cycle to work, which is 3 days p/week, in London, and use it to get around locally. Have a fairly basic hybrid raleigh bike, and am wondering whether the bike or relative position of handlebars/seat are giving me backache. I am prone to lower back trouble, which come s on ffrom time to time. I have gone into a couple of bike shops but not met any useful advice. maybe I need a new bike but would really like some good advice about type of bike etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions/know a bike shop in South or central London that wd be good? I am desperate to ride to work again but did it once last week and felt a bit sore after so got back on the bus next day...

Thanks!

There's a new bike shop opened in Wimbledon, called Tri and Run, selling what looks like professional bikes. They might have advice. If you want, I can ask on Tuesday if they do.

Thanks Cristina Its a bit out of my way but wd be worth it for some good advice. Have had Brixton Cycles recommended to me too.

Soyabean - I've made a note in my diary to ask on Tuesday morning. I won't forget. I'll post back on this thread or CAT you (I need to register first).

SOybean, also cycle in London 3 days to work and back - also prone to back problems. Ended up having to see osteopath after a flare up, and was asked if handlebars were maybe too low. In my case handlebars can't be raised, so am looking at having to buy a new bike. Am in East London and am hoping local bike shop will be able to advise. But you are right to look at your alignment. Want to avoid too much pressure going up arms into pecs - as well as strain on neck from jutting chin out and compressing vertebrae in back of neck (IYSWIM).

Thanks Cristina and Merrygoround.
Merrygoround, I raised my handlebars a while back as I had the same thing suggested to me. but recently my brother who cycles a lot but hasnt inherited the back problem, saw the bike and thought the bars were too high. He said I should try to get some of the weight onto my arms rather than all on my back/legs... Both ideas make sense so I am confused!

I also wonder if a better bike with really good suspension woudl stop some of the jarring and juddering you get with potholes and speedbumps. I'm really keen to cycle every day again but just feel a bit nervous as my back has been fine recently but definitely felt it when I rode bike again

I appreciate your responses, thanks

Soyabean - I enquired at the Tri & Run shop (Wimbledon, 020 8500 4841). They have some measuring device against a wall and can measure you up and the bike. It costs £40 and in this is included the price of adjusting anything needed for the bike. They can do it on the spot or might need to send the bike to their workshop if it's anything more complicated. This is a running & triathlon specialist shop, open 10 am - 6 pm Mon-Sat, except Wednesdays when they're closeed.

Soyabean, it may be the distance between your seat and handlebars that is putting pressure on your back, raising and lowering them won't help. As Cristina says its definitely worth going somewhere to get measured up to see if the frame and set up is right for you or not.

Also chekc the weight of you back pak, it should be a harness with waist and chest stap. consider buying panniers...

aka chapsmum

Hi thanks so much Cristina, that was kind of you. Sounds like just what I need but had never seen in any bike shops. Will go and visit after Easter.
Leogaela, Florrie, thansk also for your ideas. I dont use a backpack, always tie stuff on the back, but I do think that there is something wrong with the size/proportions of my bike.
Thanks all and happy easter

you could look at investin in a specialized body geomitry saddell, theay are built so as not to create pressure points.

additionally you could have side bars added so that you are up right holding on the the side handles rthere than the handel bar.
Make sure your saddel is at the right height, you should have a slight bend in you knee when pedelling.
Consider making the switch to SPD peddals they take the strain off the quads and allow you to pull and push.
Additionlly make sure your gear selection is right, you should be in a gear where if poss you should pedal at 80-100 revoutions per minute. so generally it should always be a t areletively low resistance.

HTH