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Your cycling
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| Ste117 |
Posted on 27-07-2012 14:59
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Classics Specialist
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I am looking to go across to the Isle of Man for a few days on Thursday, does anyone know of any good hotels, B & B's that will cater for cyclists over there. Thanks 
MG Team manager Team Ticos Air Costa Rica
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| Mordekaiser |
Posted on 29-07-2012 19:14
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Stagiare
Posts: 205
Joined: 17-06-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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I went to the ISle of MAn for a race (was 9th of 36 in a national youth series when I crashed and finished last on the last day putting me in 29th overall) great fun but I'm afraid I can't remember where I stayed.
Winner: Conquer the World with your PCM - Edition 1 |
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| tonymcf |
Posted on 10-08-2012 20:35
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Stagiare
Posts: 215
Joined: 30-11-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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After my last operation (in 2009), I gave up my old bike and turbo trainer as I believed I wouldn't cycle again (balance issues and only did an exercise bike in physiotherapy). While I still have balance issues, I came to the realisation that my old bike was too big for me (I'm like 5 foot 5 inches). So earlier this year I looked at size guides and decided to invest in a new bike (51 cms frame)
My brother (who had my old bike and turbo trainer) returned the trainer to me. First though I invested in a shed, it's my shed and anything in it belongs to me 
Here are some pics of the set up with my Flanders and Basque flags.
https://i32.photob...anders.jpg
https://i32.photob...basque.jpg
For now I'm focused on cycling for fitness. I do want to venture outdoors but because of my balance issues, I will need to invest in stabilisers. Also I'm going to spend the next few months getting equipment etc so it won't be until next spring or summer that I do venture out.
I started properly on Saturday so here's a run down.
Saturday - 2 x 10 minute rides (I was initially only going to do ten but "the itch" got me again later in the evening
Sunday - 1 - 15 minute ride
Monday - An attempt to break the 20 minute mark. I did 27 minutes.
Tuesday - An attempt to break the 30 minute mark. I did 43 minutes
Wednesday - 40 minutes
Thursday - Terrible leg cramp that woke me from my sleep twice. Decided to rest and see how it went.
Today - 2 x 30 minute rides. Legs felt a bit tired on the 2nd ride but good nonetheless.
I did have problems with pain in my left leg at the start of it but it has subsided as the week has progressed. |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 10-08-2012 20:51
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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It's nice to see that you are still able to cycle, Tony. 
Some thoughts, after having a look at the pictures :
- you need something under your front wheel, otherwise the bike is not balanced. I used old phone books before getting an appropriate wheel blocker.
- no idea if it's normal, but the difficulty controller should be tied to your handle bar, not laying on the floor. No matter how you ride on your trainer, you need to be able to use it without stepping off the bike.
- your brake levers look too high, you should probably rotate your handle bar a little to have them a little lower
- I can't see your saddle, which is worrying given your handle bar and stem seem quite "high". Normally saddles are slightly above the height of the stem (to give you an idea).
- Even with an open door, and even though it's Northern Ireland, you must sweat like hell in there. 
- Do you just ride on your trainer, or do you switch difficulties ? I've always found trainer pretty dull (though I'm reaching the 33 h mark for 2012), so I do a proper warm up (and later warm down), then I do things like increasing gear and pace and sustaining it for one minute, then one minute rest, five times in a row, then sprints or longer intervals, etc. That makes it much less boring, IMO. |
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| tonymcf |
Posted on 10-08-2012 21:10
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Stagiare
Posts: 215
Joined: 30-11-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Thanks 
I never knew about wheel blockers I just checked Amazon UK and saw they're cheap enough so I'm going to put that at the top of my list of things to invest in.
The difficulty controller. I attach it to the handlebars all the time but it falls off I'm going to keep trying and maybe keep a hold on it so if it does disconnect and come loose I'll still have it accessible.
I'll definitely look into the brake levers.
The saddle is low for now but as I've had no problems getting onto the bike. I'll look at hiring it. I have to be careful though, I have tumours in my right leg and if the saddle is too high, it will stretch my leg so much that the tumours will strain.
Today was very warm indeed and the last few days I've felt my back begin to sweat. I try and let some air into the shed so I open it for at least 6 hours a day, usually first thing in the morning,
I haven't done in the interval type of training as yet. I did a little sprint today and started moving the gear around (medium level). Like an idiot I did have it on 7 last weekend (gears are 1-7)
I'm going to take your advice and will work on the bike itself and my training. Thank you Aquarius  |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 11-08-2012 00:14
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Mordekaiser wrote:
I went to the ISle of MAn for a race (was 9th of 36 in a national youth series when I crashed and finished last on the last day putting me in 29th overall) great fun but I'm afraid I can't remember where I stayed.
That was a hospital not a hotel he he  |
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| SweatyViking |
Posted on 23-08-2012 15:04
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1040
Joined: 19-06-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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I've been doing football for some years (i was a central midfielder with good physical abilities, but limited technically), but I quit last year. I've been going to the gym regularly and my stamina and strength are as good, maybe even better now.
I discovered cycling during last years TDF only, and I've been thinking about starting up maybe next year. The problem is that I'm 16 already and a good bike is expensive...
I can see myself as a good TT/cobbles specialist. I'm no climber (too much muscles) and no sprinter (my PE teacher said I didn't have the fast twitching muscles)... |
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| Adomluka |
Posted on 24-08-2012 01:07
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Junior Rider
Posts: 49
Joined: 26-02-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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SweatyViking wrote:
I discovered cycling during last years TDF only, and I've been thinking about starting up maybe next year. The problem is that I'm 16 already and a good bike is expensive...
It's never too late to start up, didn't Alberto Contador only start riding his bike at the age of 15 or 16? You can get a good used bike for cheap if you know where to look. It depends where you live, I use pinkbike.com for my bikes, it'll probably have a really good selection in North America and the UK but does have a few bikes up in buy/sell for other European countries aswell. |
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| Mr_Monk |
Posted on 24-08-2012 01:17
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Domestique
Posts: 718
Joined: 02-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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I was 13 when I started cycling, but my parents said they wouldn't buy my bike for me. So I mowed lawns for a year. I ended up earning just enough money to buy a $1200 (it was on sale for $999 though) 2011 Trek 2.1.
Now i'm really glad that I worked hard enough to buy my bike because I love riding/racing it. So if you really want to get into cycling then invensting in a new bike. It is deffinently worth it. At least for me is was |
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| jph27 |
Posted on 29-08-2012 15:12
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Team Leader
Posts: 7339
Joined: 20-03-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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So I did the Great North Bike Ride, 57 miles for charity over up and down terrain, not really hilly but windy enough for it to be difficult. It took me bang on four hours, but I did stop for lunch during that so I could have gone a bit quicker. To any of the British members, I'd definitely recommend it. |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 29-08-2012 17:47
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Where did it take place |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 18:41
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 29-08-2012 18:53
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
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Congrats on that jph.
Had my worst ride ever today. A puncture in torrential rain left me like Ullrich on Les Deux Alpes. Just couldn't get warm again and slaved the whole way round. I wouldn't recommend it.
Edited by wackojackohighcliffe on 29-08-2012 18:53
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| felix_29 |
Posted on 29-08-2012 18:59
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3054
Joined: 08-08-2009
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wackojackohighcliffe wrote:
Congrats on that jph.
Had my worst ride ever today. A puncture in torrential rain left me like Ullrich on Les Deux Alpes. Just couldn't get warm again and slaved the whole way round. I wouldn't recommend it.
I only had a flat in the rain once. But i had a great timing as it was only 2km from my home. Plus i called my mum to pick me up.
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 29-08-2012 19:52
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
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With 2 km to go ? Shame on you. Do you only think of the effect it had on climate ?
Usually you puncture more in the rain than on dry roads. I'm not sure why, but the explanation I was given once, was that the rain cleaned the road and made any bit of gravel sharper (surely dust makes it smoother ?!).
I never really liked cycling in the rain, and racing was even worst. Brake pads would melt in 60 km. Plus you never know whether you should be wearing your kway or not, as you might get even wetter if you wear it (because of the extra sweat). |
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| solano |
Posted on 29-08-2012 20:17
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Stagiare
Posts: 181
Joined: 06-07-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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jph27 wrote:
So I did the Great North Bike Ride, 57 miles for charity over up and down terrain, not really hilly but windy enough for it to be difficult. It took me bang on four hours, but I did stop for lunch during that so I could have gone a bit quicker. To any of the British members, I'd definitely recommend it.
A good ride and for a good cause too.
I lived in Blyth for 5 years. I never did that route, but I regularly rode down to Tynemouth. There was nearly always a crosswind.
For longer rides I'd head inland to Wallington or up to Rothbury. Generally it would be much calmer and a few degrees warmer too. |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 29-08-2012 21:17
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Aquarius wrote:
With 2 km to go ? Shame on you. Do you only think of the effect it had on climate ?
Usually you puncture more in the rain than on dry roads. I'm not sure why, but the explanation I was given once, was that the rain cleaned the road and made any bit of gravel sharper (surely dust makes it smoother ?!).
I never really liked cycling in the rain, and racing was even worst. Brake pads would melt in 60 km. Plus you never know whether you should be wearing your kway or not, as you might get even wetter if you wear it (because of the extra sweat).
I thought it was just that rain washes dirt from verges and pathways etc. into the road.
I wouldn't have gone if I'd known it was gonna be that bad. Means I have to clean my nice white bike again - never get a white bike. |
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| jph27 |
Posted on 29-08-2012 21:18
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Team Leader
Posts: 7339
Joined: 20-03-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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wackojackohighcliffe wrote:
Aquarius wrote:
With 2 km to go ? Shame on you. Do you only think of the effect it had on climate ?
Usually you puncture more in the rain than on dry roads. I'm not sure why, but the explanation I was given once, was that the rain cleaned the road and made any bit of gravel sharper (surely dust makes it smoother ?!).
I never really liked cycling in the rain, and racing was even worst. Brake pads would melt in 60 km. Plus you never know whether you should be wearing your kway or not, as you might get even wetter if you wear it (because of the extra sweat).
I thought it was just that rain washes dirt from verges and pathways etc. into the road.
I wouldn't have gone if I'd known it was gonna be that bad. Means I have to clean my nice white bike again - never get a white bike.
I have a white bike and use it for 'Cross. |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 29-08-2012 21:26
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Oh yeah, I had forgotten about the bike cleaning. I remember spending one hour or two almost every Sunday afternoon to clean my then white bike after a whole morning in the rain.
Good thing when you're not a racer any more (not on the bike at least), is that you can afford to stay at home or do something else when it rains. I can't remind riding in the rain (heavy one that is) for years. The last time was probably in 2007, in the Pyrénées.
Plus my bike is dark grey nowadays.
Plus cleaning race bikes only gets worst once the frame painting is scuffed. |
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| felix_29 |
Posted on 29-08-2012 23:00
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3054
Joined: 08-08-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Aquarius wrote:
With 2 km to go ? Shame on you. Do you only think of the effect it had on climate ?
Usually you puncture more in the rain than on dry roads. I'm not sure why, but the explanation I was given once, was that the rain cleaned the road and made any bit of gravel sharper (surely dust makes it smoother ?!).
I never really liked cycling in the rain, and racing was even worst. Brake pads would melt in 60 km. Plus you never know whether you should be wearing your kway or not, as you might get even wetter if you wear it (because of the extra sweat).
For my defense, 2km and 50m of uphill.
Cleaning bikes after a rainy ride really sucks, it´s like 2 hours of riding and 2 hours of preparing, cleaning etc.
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 30-08-2012 02:46
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4505
Joined: 05-10-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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How often do people have punctures? I've had my bike since late 2010 and havent had a single one.
Edited by Eden95 on 30-08-2012 04:27
Indosat - ANZ HQ
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