Old Git On A Bike battles with the wind (2000 miles ridden)
Comments
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bolderz wrote:Hi everyone, i just brought a 08 gt i drive xcr 5 from halfords for £730, did i get a bargin? I used to ride about 100 miles per week, 10 years ago, but had bad accident and have only just managed to get strength in back to ride again...
do you know of any good off road trails, decents/ rough terrain in around the redruth area?
cheers all.
If you delete your post above, or change the content (you're not allowed to double post), you should be able to repost in this thread or the info you're after may be in here
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12556380Racing snakes. It's not big, and it's not clever
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I have not been out on the bike for the last 2 days due to feeling ill with my stomach ulcers. I pushed myself a bit harder today to make up for it, it was all on the flat, I was just approaching the 6 mile point when I got to the bottom of the cliff road on the way back home, I tried to climb a bit further up it than I have tried before.
I was on the middle ring and the smallest cog at the back, pedalling like crazy, but suddenly, I was really out on my legs, I went to stop as I couldn't pedal any more, and as I put my foot down after braking, my leg couldn't even hold my weight, I fell sideways, luckily, there is a kerb between the path and road on the bend which is about a foot high, so I stopped myself falling by putting my hands on top of the kerb, unfortunately, the forks clattered against the kerb as I went sideways, scratched right up one side of the forks from top to bottom :evil:, and at the same time, it snapped the 2 cable ties holding my trip computer to the fork :evil:
On the good side, I only stopped for 2 short breathers today at each end of the sea wall, and I finally managed to get the average speed over 10mph
Feb 8th & 9th
No riding done.
Feb 10th:
Top speed 22.4 mph (steep road from cliff top to beach)
Avg speed = 11.1 mph
Distance = 5.97 miles
Time 32:13:8
Pulse before ride = 70 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 118 bpm's 11:40am
Pulse 10 minutes later = 106 bpm's 11:50am
Pulse 20 minutes later = 102 bpm's 12:00pm
Pulse 65 minutes later = 90 bpm's 12:45pm
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Well done 8)
Lovely weather for it too 8)
Sorry to hear you've scratched your bike already, the thing is it was going to happen at some point so best to get it out the way early I suppose.
Your leg muscles will strengthen quickly, this thread will make good reading for you in a few months time
Have you thought about setting up a blog and linking to that instead to record your progress? might just make it easer to read without the clutter of other posts (like mine :oops: )
I've used these people https://www.blogger.com/start to set up a blog to record all the servicing etc on a car I own. Very easy to use and recommended.
Cheers
Chris
Racing snakes. It's not big, and it's not clever0 -
came across your post by chance
just wanted to wish you all the best
you will get better very very quickly so just hang in there
dont be put off by rain etc
getting home after feels great
spend some time getting used to the gears and get "spinning" it is easier on those knees and you will improve your aerobic fitness, and probablt loose a bit of weight
keep posting here as it is interesting to read and all of us can remeber being newbies!
just done a long ride today, which took in the length of the cuckoo trail
if you get chance go and try it out there are loads of little villages to have a breather along the way, i would recoomend north to south if doing it one way as it seemed i was going down hill for most of it!
I am off back to the roadies side now but I will check in every now and again so take it easy and GOOD LUCK.0 -
OH
by the way
pop your bike into a local bike shop and get them to have a look at your gears.... if they have been chucked on in a factory they often dont run well
most local bike shops will do it free or pretty cheaply
once those gears are sorted you can give those knees a rest0 -
Any updates OGOAB?
Cheers
Chris Racing snakes. It's not big, and it's not clever0 -
Hi Panter and others who might be wondering where I have gone, I'm still here, but not a lot has happened riding wise since my last post, that is due to having to partly redecorate our old flat before leaving in order to make sure I get all the deposit and months rent in advance back, the decorating took quite a bit of time, then there was all the packing to do, and we moved to St Leonards on February 22nd.
Just getting things sorted out down here, only got my phone and broadband connection sorted today after there was a fault somewhere, I will be back on the bike tomorrow, I can see the cycle path out of the window on the other side of the road, it looks pretty quiet on week days, loads of numpties walking on the cycling areas over the weekend, though, putting the bell on the bike tonight.0 -
I agree with others on here that this effing PC in front of my face is part of the problem, I get my internet with Virgin and have the full TV package too, another reason to sit my arse down and not go out. Until 2004 I had no PC(and 5 channels of garbage) and used to get in after work, then look at the dismal telly choices, and go out cycling or walking regardless of weather or time of year...Sure, the PC is a godsend for choice and bargains(and Wiggle!) but a quick check of your email can turn into a whole evening surfing crap and scouring Ebay for things to put in the cupboards.
The bargain turbo trainer I bought from Wiggle and have been using religiously over the last 3 months may be my life saver, as I went out for real on saturday for a 15 miler then yesterday did a 30 miler over the Sidlaw Hills. I'm commuting on the bike again too and realise just how easy TV and the Net and general procrastination can screw you up!
I think I've had one of those "epiphany" things!!! But hell do I feel alive again! 0 -
I was back out on the bike today, but I don't know why I bothered, my legs are still sore from carrying all the furniture and heavy boxes up the stairs to our new 3rd floor flat on Friday when we moved home, it nearly bloody killed me, my ankles are still a bit swollen from it, but I thought I could jump back on the bike today and carry on where I left off last time, but I guess moving the furniture up those bloody stairs took more out of me than I thought.
The wind speed was about 20mph today, so I decided to ride in to the wind first while I was freshest, I was planning to go to the end of St leonards about 1.5 miles away, before riding back to Hastings and then back along to my flat, which I reckoned would have been about 6 miles, but I didn't get very far before my legs were hurting badly and my lungs were near bursting point, I had to stop and rest after about only 3 minutes in to the ride :oops:
I decided not to ride any further along in to the wind and turned back, with the wind behind me, I flew back down the promenade at over 18mph, got to the end of the promenade and headed back to my flat, only managed to go about a 100 yards in to the wind before I had to stop again, went down bottle alley under the promenade where there was less wind, got to the end and that was my lot for the day, just a bit over 2 miles, highly embarrassing :oops:
I just can't hack riding in windy weather, it drains me very quickly, I was planning on using bottle alley to ride back and forth along when it's raining, but as I went down it today, there are signs saying no cycling :x, so I don't think I will be using that again, too many old bill patrol along the seafront here on foot and I don't fancy getting a fine, so that f***s up that idea, I'm really pissed off about my ride today, it's like I have gone completely backwards, I just hope we get a lot of windless days until I build my strength up and get my lungs working better.
Feb 26th
Top speed 18.6 mph (flat cycle path with wind behind me)
Avg speed = 11.7 mph
Distance = 2.14 miles (pathetic)
Time 10:59:1
Pulse before ride = 72 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 104 bpm's 5:32pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 92 bpm's 5:42pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 86 bpm's 5:52pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 80 bpm's 6:32pm0 -
I have been out on the bike again for some night riding, did just slightly further than the ride earlier today, I just wanted to get a couple more miles on the clock:
Feb 26th (2nd ride of the day)
Top speed 19.4 mph (flat cycle path with wind behind me)
Avg speed = 11.6 mph
Distance = 2.41 miles
Time 12:19:6
Pulse before ride = 62 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 104 bpm's 10:35pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 88 bpm's 10:45pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 80 bpm's 10:55pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 78 bpm's 11:35pm0 -
Just got back from another ride, the weather forecast says the wind is about 9mph today, riding in to it felt the same as the 20mph wind yesterday, but I persevered with it, rode to the end of St Leonards, took a 30 second break, rode back along the seafront to Hastings and then back to my flat which is about midway between the two, 4.96 miles with only one stop for a breather, I will go out and do the same trip at 9:00pm tonight when the wind should be down to 6mph, allegedly.
Feb 27th
Top speed 16.9 mph (flat cycle path with wind behind me)
Avg speed = 11.8 mph
Distance = 4.96 miles
Time 25:11:3
Pulse before ride = 74 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 128 bpm's 3:32pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 92 bpm's 3:42pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 82 bpm's 3:52pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 80 bpm's 4:32pm0 -
Good man 8)
I must admit I hate the wind, I had the old double headwind riding to and fro work today :roll:
Even when you are making progress it feels as if you're going backwards.
Don't feel disheartened, you're making the effort and the rewards will come, it just takes a little time. Keep up the log and look back on it in a whiles time
Cheers
Chris Racing snakes. It's not big, and it's not clever0 -
Hi Panter, thanks for the encouragement, mate, I'll keep riding and logging for as long as it takes, I'll stick with around 5 miles twice per day when the weather allows at the moment, then in a week or two's time, my plan is to get out on good days and do at least 2 x 7.5 mile rides per day, basically just take it steady and do more and more.
Just got back from my second ride today, the wind was virtually nothing tonight and I enjoyed the ride, again, only one 30 second stop when I turned around at the end of the cycle path, apart from that, pedalling non stop, 9.97 miles covered today.
As soon as I get the deposit back from our old flat, I will be investing in some semi slick or slick road tyres, because no matter how much I pump these nobbly tyres up, they always seem to get soft fairly quickly and are causing too much resistence, I'm sure I can go a lot further without getting as breathless with better tyres. Not sure how much riding I'll be doing over the next few days, it's forecast a lot of rain and winds up to 34mph on one day, with winds in the 20+mph other days, so I won't be going out in that unless the weather is better than predicted.
Feb 27th (2nd ride of the day)
Top speed 17.1 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 11.7 mph
Distance = 5.01 miles
Time 25:36:3
Pulse before ride = 60 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 106 bpm's 10:44pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 88 bpm's 10:54pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 86 bpm's 11:04pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 78 bpm's 11:44pm0 -
As soon as I get the deposit back from our old flat, I will be investing in some semi slick or slick road tyres, because no matter how much I pump these nobbly tyres up, they always seem to get soft fairly quickly and are causing too much resistence, I'm sure I can go a lot further without getting as breathless with better tyres
Hmmmm,
Be VERY careful with this school of though though, its only a short, very slippery slope to a full on road race bike from here.
Before you know it, you'll be donning lycra, racing anyone that so much as even appears to be a possible challenge, entering time trials, obsessing over power outputs/efficiency graphs, the list goes on........................
Take heed of this warning, I speak from bitter experience
All the best mate,
Cheers
Chris Racing snakes. It's not big, and it's not clever0 -
If you're thinking of semi slicks I'd reccomend something like the Panaracer Mach ss, the are fast rolling, fairly light and are quite cheap at £14ish each.
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... uctID=6801
Oh and keep up the cycling!
Olly~0 -
Panther, I can sort of see your point, I had road racing bikes years ago, and it's nice to belt along at speed, but lycra, hell no , I just want a bit more speed on this bike so I don't feel so sluggish.
I was looking at slick tyres for mountain bikes on the CRC site earlier on, they have several types, but almost all are not suitable for road use, the descriptions say things like dirt, sand, hard packed etc, I'll have to ask for some advice about what tyres I would be best getting from that site.
I didn't bother going out today, it was a bit wet and miserable, but I had a ride tonight, there was virtually no wind and just a bit of mist, ideal, but I had only done 0.83 miles when my chest was telling me to stop as it felt tight and I was coughing a lot, I felt like going home and got annoyed with myself, so I shouted out a few expletives and started pedalling harder, I soon got in to a good rhythmn and the lungs eased, I did a bit further than I have been doing, could have stayed out a bit longer but there are loads of police about tonight and I have no lights on my bike, really must order some from the CRC site when I get my money.
Feb 28th
Top speed 19.2 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 12.0 mph
Distance = 6.09 miles
Time 30:27:3
Pulse before ride = 64 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 116 bpm's 10:55pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 92 bpm's 11:05pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 84 bpm's 11:15pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 74 bpm's 11:55pm
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@ OllyUK, the ones I was looking at on CRC were these below, there is a similar tyre to the one you posted a link to, any of these tyres decent?:
Schwalbe Hurricane Semi Slick £14.99
Tioga Factory XC Slick £14.99
Maxxis High Roller Semi Slick £16.99
My current tyre size is 26 x 2.30, what's the 2.30 bit, I assume that's the width across the tyre? Because a couple of those links above are smaller sizes and one is a 2.35 size.0 -
a few to consider for more road with a hint of xc,
continental town and country (some police use these)
schwalbe marathon xr (puncture proof apparently)
step away from the slicks 0 -
@ Dunker, I just need something smoothe and slick for the weekend, sir
My thinking is, better tyres will allow me to put more miles on the clock until around June, my fitness should be pretty good by that time, then stick my chunky tyres back on for doing stuff like the cuckoo trail and other trails branching off it.
I do like the write up for those Schwalbe Marathon XR £27.99:The Marathon XR is the true expedition tyre. It was conceived and built to withstand both extreme loads and uncompromising terrain. It provides unsurpassed puncture protection with TravelGuard technology. This progressive technology offers excellent puncture protection with extremely low weight. The XR is constructed with 1A rubber compound, which is extremely resistant to rolling friction for maximum mileage.
The versatile tread and application of 3M Scotchlite stripe seals the claim that Marathon XR is the only true expedition tyre.
Features:
• Withstands uncompromising terrain and extreme loads
• Provides unsurpassed puncture protection with Schwalbe Double Defence technology
• Constructed with 1A rubber compound, which is extremely resistant to rolling friction for maximum mileage
Not slicks, but if their claims are to be believed, might be worth the extra money for those, hmmm.0 -
if you get them might be a good idea to get the folding bead type which should be easier to fit and a little lighter at 790grams.
for even more puncture proofing,
http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/c2-1071-marathon-plus.html
heavier though and from what some have said a real pig to fit.0 -
In regards to tyre size, when it says 26 x 3.0 that means 26 diamerter which is the standard mtb wheel size and the 3.0 means the width.
As long as you buy a tyre that is 26 x somthing it should fit, 2.1 is sort of the medium, all rounder width and if you're getting a pair for road used 1.95 or 1.8 will be lighter and provide less rolling resistance, however they aren't as comfy over rough sections.
Also try and get your to the upper end of what is reccomended on the tyre as that also reduces rolling resistance.
As for the ones you posted the maxxis ones seem well thought of on the crc reviews.0 -
Have you tried wiggle? They normally have a deal on a pair of slicks & tubes..
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5300003751&N=Schwalbe%20City%20Jet%20Tyre%20SetCheers
Rich
A Vision of a Champion is someone who is bent over, drenched with sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when no one else is watching.0 -
I'll second last post on Schwalbe City Jets at £15 each or two for £24. Also £15 for two at the one-day sale. They come in two widths, 1.95 and 1.50. I like the fatter ones for mixing light off road and canal paths with farm lanes. Very fast compared to sticky treads.0
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Hi all, I didn't go out for the last 2 days because the winds were in the high 20's and 30's mph, the wind lessended today, only about 17mph :roll, so: I went for a ride and ventured past the end of the cycle path to see what was there, as I know that's the proposed site of the cycle path extension to Bexhill that they will be building.
As you turn the corner off the cycle path, it leads to heavily compacted sand and pebbles along the beach front, that goes on for about 1/2 a mile or so before it gets less and less compacted, to a point where you are riding on the pebble beach and the going was getting hard, so I left it there for today, I'll try and go further when it's less windy, I turned around and rode to Hastings, then back along to my flat, coming back was great, shooting along at 21mph, apart from a couple of numpties slowing me down by standing in the cycle lane, they soon move when I shout at them
I can definitely feel my legs getting a bit stronger already, same goes for my lungs, only 2 very short 20 second stops again today. The wind is due to be in the 20's again tonight, but I will go out and do a couple more miles.
Feb 29th & Mar 1st: No riding due to very high winds
Mar 2nd
Top speed 21.5 mph (flat cycle path with wind behind me)
Avg speed = 11.2 mph
Distance = 6.22 miles
Time 33:13:6
Pulse before ride = 68 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 112 bpm's 1:12pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 94 bpm's 1:22pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 90 bpm's 1:32pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 78 bpm's 2:12pm0 -
I can vouch for Continental Travel Contacts - very fast rolling on tarmac but can cope easily if you decide to ride on gravel paths/towpaths etc."Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs0
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Cheers BlackSpur, I'll have a look at those on CRC.
Just got in from another little night ride, the wind has dropped considerably, slightly breezy, but not a lot, enjoyed the ride, getting those wheels turning nicely now, would have stayed our for another couple of miles, but it just started raining.
Mar 2nd (2nd ride of the day)
Top speed 18.7 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 12.0 mph
Distance = 5.66 miles
Time 28:05:6
Pulse before ride = 72 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 112 bpm's 11:10pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 92 bpm's 11:20pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 88 bpm's 11:30pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 78 bpm's 12:10pm
Total miles today = 11.88
Total miles ridden = 46.57
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Something I wanted to ask, when I was on the bike tonight, on every revolution of the pedal, on the left side there is a sort of clunk/click sound, I remember a bike years ago making the same noise, can't remember what caused it, the pedal is tight, possibly the pedal arm slightly bent or something, maybe the crank?
When I spin the crank with my hand using the pedals, there is no noise, seems to only be when the pressure of the foot is turning the pedals.0 -
Just in from my nightly ride, I didn't go out today, so I pushed myself a bit harder tonight to make up for it, I will be so much stronger in about a months time that riding in the wind wont bother me so much, and I'll be out all the time piling the miles on each day.
Mar 3rd
Top speed 17.7 mph (flat cycle path)
Avg speed = 12.0 mph
Distance = 6.56 miles
Time 32:39:8
Pulse before ride = 62 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 120 bpm's 11:02pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 96 bpm's 11:12pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 86 bpm's 11:22pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 78 bpm's 12:02pm
Total miles ridden = 53.130 -
i might get these tyres myself next,
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProd ... spid=35760
specialized crossroads armadillo elite.
around £20 each by the looks of it, looks like they'll be good on road and dry off road which is what i ride mostly think i'll give them a go when my crossmarks get a little more worn.
i see that distance is starting to creep up oldgit you're doing very well and not every ride need be a workout, lower intensity with longer distance should be ok for you too i reckon. 0 -
Damn, picking a set of tyres is a nightmare, there are just so many of them, you think you see a nice set, then you see something you think is better, and on and on and on :?
I didn't go out at all yesterday, spent the day trying to get a poxy laptop working, and it was windy as hell last night so I left it, but in order to punish myself for not riding yesterday, I did my furthest ride yet today, and it was the hardest so far, I went beyond the end of the cycle path, past the compacted ground/beach, further along to the place where the deep pebbles live in their millions, what a nightmare, bloody strong wind in my face for 3 miles there (forecast said 6mph, yeah right :x), 2 miles of which you can hardly steer the bike because of the front wheel burying itself in the pebbels, in the lowest gear just to keep moving and doing little wheelspins, had to stop a few times to straighten the bike up, coming back was better with the wind behind me, nearly came off when I hit a deep patch I didn't see coming, all fun, though, I'll go out and do a few more miles tonight if it doesn't rain.
Mar 5th
Top speed 19.8 mph (flat cycle path with wind behind me)
Avg speed = 10.2 mph
Distance = 8.11 miles
Time 47:24:7
Pulse before ride = 72 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 104 bpm's 2:53pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 90 bpm's 3:03pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 84 bpm's 3:13pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 76 bpm's 3:53pm
Total miles ridden = 61.240 -
Just logging my nightly ride, I was a bit weary after todays harder than usual ride, but I still did my 5 miles pretty quickly tonight compared to some of my other times for around that distance.
Mar 5th (2nd ride of the day)
Top speed 17.7 mph (flat cycle path with wind behind me)
Avg speed = 12.6 mph
Distance = 5.05 miles
Time 23:58:9
Pulse before ride = 68 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 118 bpm's 10:24pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 96 bpm's 10:34pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 88 bpm's 10:44pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 80 bpm's 11:24pm
Total miles today = 13.16
Total miles ridden = 66.290 -
I did the same trip as yesterday over the damn pebbles, but I rode a bit further along to Bexhill On Sea, of course, next time I'll have to go a bit further along to see where the path goes to after that:
Mar 6th
Top speed 22.4 mph (flat cycle path with wind behind me)
Avg speed = 10.4 mph
Distance = 8.72 miles
Time 50:13:3
Pulse before ride = 76 bpm's
Pulse after ride = 98 bpm's 5:14pm
Pulse 10 minutes later = 84 bpm's 5:24pm
Pulse 20 minutes later = 82 bpm's 5:34pm
Pulse 60 minutes later = 84 bpm's 6:14pm
Total miles ridden = 75.010
