Ride Reports

stuaff

essexian wrote:

Went out for my first ride on my new bike “Jordan” yesterday and, er…how do I say this…wasn’t as impressed as I thought I would be....Overall, perhaps I was expecting too much from the bike. After all, it’s still carrying a fat unfit bloke around on its saddle.

It'll still get more out of your efforts than the old bike would. It won't be night and day by any means, regardless of the impression you might get from some posts on here (my Viner feels quicker than the other two bikes, it is 3 or 4 kilos lighter, but not that much quicker). Unfortunately, the biggest impediment to a bike's speed remains the rider....
Gearing might well need a tune-up. You won't get 27 useable gears anyway- you want to avoid running the chain at weird angles, you get more wear and lower efficiency.
Stick with it and you'll get faster, no matter what you're riding!

Kieran_Burns

StuAff wrote:

essexian wrote:

Went out for my first ride on my new bike “Jordan” yesterday and, er…how do I say this…wasn’t as impressed as I thought I would be....Overall, perhaps I was expecting too much from the bike. After all, it’s still carrying a fat unfit bloke around on its saddle.

It'll still get more out of your efforts than the old bike would. It won't be night and day by any means, regardless of the impression you might get from some posts on here (my Viner feels quicker than the other two bikes, it is 3 or 4 kilos lighter, but not that much quicker). Unfortunately, the biggest impediment to a bike's speed remains the rider....
Gearing might well need a tune-up. You won't get 27 useable gears anyway- you want to avoid running the chain at weird angles, you get more wear and lower efficiency.
Stick with it and you'll get faster, no matter what you're riding!

+1

My trek is half the weight of my Tricross and without all the commuting gear on, even less than that - but I was only really a couple of mph faster overall - however, the bike itself is just better for long runs on the road (the Tricross still perfect for my commute). I figure the fact that I can just hop on the Madone (now called Intrepid - see if any one can work out why!) means I get more leisure miles in.

Roastie

Moments after getting the old seized seatpost out of the pig and the new post installed I discovered that my darling missus was a little optimistic regarding how much stuff we could carry on our bikes for her birthday picnic, so the trailer loaded and hitched up.

This was basically my first ride on The Pig. It was still running ancient knobblies and the gears were a mess, but it soldiered on pulling the load. Then, on realising how late we were, Mrs Roastie decided that it was time to put the hammer down. Trying to chase her through South Ken to Hyde Park with loaded trailer and with only the middle ring and a skipping chain was a nightmare! Fortunately I managed to get into a nice (spinny) rhythm along Rotten Row and made up some ground.

The picnic was a blast, and The Pig, the perfect companion for the trip home. I managed to find a gear that didn't skip or clatter and it was spot on for the chilled out pootle home.

itboffin

Roastie wrote:

Moments after getting the old seized seatpost out of the pig and the new post installed I discovered that my darling missus was a little optimistic regarding how much stuff we could carry on our bikes for her birthday picnic, so the trailer loaded and hitched up.

This was basically my first ride on The Pig. It was still running ancient knobblies and the gears were a mess, but it soldiered on pulling the load. Then, on realising how late we were, Mrs Roastie decided that it was time to put the hammer down. Trying to chase her through South Ken to Hyde Park with loaded trailer and with only the middle ring and a skipping chain was a nightmare! Fortunately I managed to get into a nice (spinny) rhythm along Rotten Row and made up some ground.

The picnic was a blast, and The Pig, the perfect companion for the trip home. I managed to find a gear that didn't skip or clatter and it was spot on for the chilled out pootle home.

So already you've gone single speed eh, first it was CX now a BSO SS what next.... :P

Roastie

itboffin wrote:

So already you've gone single speed eh, first it was CX now a BSO SS what next.... :P

Full sus!! Have my eye on an Apollo!

risi

Wessex 100 (miles) charity ride for me yesterday, from Bath to Salisbury to Devizes back to Bath (this is pretty accurate).

For the first part, ended up riding with a group from Kingswood Tri club (hello) which pushed the pace along nicely.
After a break in Salisbury I rode the last 50 miles on my own though (eventually passed the Kingswood lot, but only because they had stopped. It looked like one of them had damaged a wheel in a pothole). Felt what could have been the first signs of cramp just before the final climb up Brassknocker hill, but it held off & I finished in 5:34.
Which I was quite impressed with - I was reckoning on 6 - 6:30.

I signed up for the Exmoor Beast last night; a different kettle of fish, but at least I will have a riding partner for it.

Agent57

I rode the Whitehaven to Sunderland coast-to-coast (C2C) route this weekend. Old Coach Road was unrideable in parts, but apart from that I pedalled the whole thing. I was very glad that my Rockhopper has some very low gears.

I was in a group of 5 riders, with a mixture of abilities. At the top end was a guy who's a Cat 2 road racer at the moment, and can do a 2 hour 50, so he's quite fit. At the other end was a guy who had a £150 BSO which weighed a tonne. He did a lot of pushing. I was in the middle.

On the first day, we had our first puncture after 3.2 miles. On the second day, we had our first puncture after 357 feet. Both times it was the same guy - the one on the BSO. By the end of the 130 or so miles, his crank was so loose it was almost falling off. He had to keep stopping to hand-tighten it, because none of us carry a socket set on the bike.





Was damn hard work in places. At the top of Hartside Pass the rear of my thighs were really tight (adductors?), but that wasn't the worst of the climbing. I managed to average 5mph up Hartside, but was barely doing 3mph later in the day.

Still, it was a worthy challenge. Maybe next time I'll be fitter, and try to do it on a road bike. Not sure I'll get up the hills without a granny ring though. Will have to lose a few stone before I can even think about it.

We did it over 3 days, but my actual riding time was about 15 hours. Lots of rests while waiting for the slowest guy to catch us up.

Christophe3967

Reading these reports, clearly everyone's been having lots of fun over the summer. Italy, Wales, France, Dagenham - I know which I'd prefer However, I doubt that many of you were able to experience a day at the Camelford and District Agricultural Association show, watching pig racing (quite hard to see though the mist). You don't find that sort of quality entertainment on the continent :? We even entered a dog for the "dog you'd most like to take home" section of the dog show. Sadly the judge was not only blind, but completely biased against London dogs...

I managed to sneak in a few Cornish rides over the hols to compensate for other less healthy activities :oops: . Riding (or walking) along the north coast of Cornwall is a hard slog ( I won't complain about the Surrey hills again) but it didn't quite prepare me for the Southern Sportive last weekend.

After the Dragon Ride in June, I thought 100 odd miles over the South Downs would be a breeze, but too many long lunches, cream teas, and alcohol-fuelled barbeques told a different story :oops: Only taking my road bike on holiday meant that my poor Michelin Pro 3s had to cope with all sorts of terrain for which they weren't intended, and as a result they are pretty shredded, with one a write off. Ordered a new one as soon as I got back but it failed to arrive in time. :evil: With the benefit of hindsight I should have swapped the other one over but I left it on, and it rewarded me with two PF visits on the day. :evil:

Finished in 6.40 but spent almost 40 minutes changing my own tyres and helping other riders (much easier to do once you realise you're not going to get a decent time yourself...)

Apart from that the day was noticeable for the wind - allthough the temperature gauge said 17C, it was freezing - this was my 4th sportive this year and each has been characterised by different weather - I've had snow, rain, sun and now wind. I prefer sun. 8)

cjcp

risi wrote:

Wessex 100 (miles) charity ride for me yesterday, from Bath to Salisbury to Devizes back to Bath (this is pretty accurate).

For the first part, ended up riding with a group from Kingswood Tri club (hello) which pushed the pace along nicely.
After a break in Salisbury I rode the last 50 miles on my own though (eventually passed the Kingswood lot, but only because they had stopped. It looked like one of them had damaged a wheel in a pothole). Felt what could have been the first signs of cramp just before the final climb up Brassknocker hill, but it held off & I finished in 5:34.
Which I was quite impressed with - I was reckoning on 6 - 6:30.

I signed up for the Exmoor Beast last night; a different kettle of fish, but at least I will have a riding partner for it.

Good time indeed.

cjcp

Christophe3967 wrote:

I managed to sneak in a few Cornish rides over the hols to compensate for other less healthy activities :oops: . Riding (or walking) along the north coast of Cornwall is a hard slog ( I won't complain about the Surrey hills again) but it didn't quite prepare me for the Southern Sportive last weekend.

It's a bit lumpy around there, eh? Some really sharp, nasty climbs along the coast, in particular.

jpm5555

http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=20565

Just tried my first proper hilly ride in the Chilterns north of Reading. Glad to have completed it, but need much more hill climbing practice (that and loosing my beer belly ).

I conquered Streatley Hill which is about 1 km long and ata guess upto 12% - I did use a 3 stop strategy though - and that was on a triple. I think I'll be back next weekend to try again.

Roastie

Nice pedal out to RP for an interval session. The last 6 weeks of not being quite 100% well has left me feeling quite a bit slower than before.

Nice to bump into Christophe outside Prologue.

jpm5555 wrote:

I conquered Streatley Hill which is about 1 km long and ata guess upto 12% - I did use a 3 stop strategy though - and that was on a triple. I think I'll be back next weekend to try again.

Streatley used to feature in my training when I lived in Reading. It is mad, well done! I'm sure it is steeper than 12% at the worst - it is certainly one of the most vicious climbs I've ridden.

Fireblade96

Roastie wrote:

jpm5555 wrote:

I conquered Streatley Hill which is about 1 km long and ata guess upto 12% - I did use a 3 stop strategy though - and that was on a triple. I think I'll be back next weekend to try again.

Streatley used to feature in my training when I lived in Reading. It is mad, well done! I'm sure it is steeper than 12% at the worst - it is certainly one of the most vicious climbs I've ridden.

Streatley hill is scarey - I've ridden *down* it on the MTB, sadly I didn't have a speedo fitted at the time. Getting up it is another thing entirely, serious respect for managing that !

Mutter....gonna have to go try it now....think I can manage it on the MTB, not sure on the roadie...

itboffin

Just back from the IOW where I did 0 riding and it was fab, made even more so by the cyclist festival taking place including a rather energetic looking Triathlon, most enjoyable from the pub garden

I have promised to return with a bike, perhaps

Christophe3967

Roastie wrote:

Nice pedal out to RP for an interval session. The last 6 weeks of not being quite 100% well has left me feeling quite a bit slower than before.

Nice to bump into Christophe outside Prologue.

Likewise - forgot to ask how many visits from the PF you've had after the new Sawyers Hill beach

Note to self: must stop going to Prologue - my bank manager is starting to notice.... Tried on a few pairs of Oakley Radars - I am getting my eyes tested on Tuesday, so I will soon be able to sse where I'm going Now I just need to decide on what colour frame, lens.... 8)

Christophe3967

cjcp wrote:

Christophe3967 wrote:

I managed to sneak in a few Cornish rides over the hols to compensate for other less healthy activities :oops: . Riding (or walking) along the north coast of Cornwall is a hard slog ( I won't complain about the Surrey hills again) but it didn't quite prepare me for the Southern Sportive last weekend.

It's a bit lumpy around there, eh? Some really sharp, nasty climbs along the coast, in particular.

Port Issac to Newquay along the coast is a switchback :shock: . Decided against returning that way :oops:

Roastie

Christophe3967 wrote:

Roastie wrote:

Nice pedal out to RP for an interval session. The last 6 weeks of not being quite 100% well has left me feeling quite a bit slower than before.

Nice to bump into Christophe outside Prologue.

Likewise - forgot to ask how many visits from the PF you've had after the new Sawyers Hill beach

Note to self: must stop going to Prologue - my bank manager is starting to notice.... Tried on a few pairs of Oakley Radars - I am getting my eyes tested on Tuesday, so I will soon be able to sse where I'm going Now I just need to decide on what colour frame, lens.... 8)

Surprisingly my tyres remained inflated despite being forced through the worst of it, but there were amny victims.

I thought about teasing you for satisfying your bike habit vicariously through your son... I decided not to head back there later. Enough new bikes bits. For one weekend anyway...

benno68

Nice day for it today. Went out to Llanwit Major, Cowbridge, Llantrissant to Treforrest and home. Got a bit paranoid when I checked my stop watch at 34 miles and it was showing 2hrs 50 odd - couldn't be surely, could it? I know I'm slow - but I can't be that slow.

Anyway got to my LBS on 48 miles and remembered that I'd started the stopwatch, then realised my mudguards were rubbing badly so I removed them before setting off, stupidly forgetting to clear and restart the stopwatch when I actually left - well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

It's time to bin those Defy Mudguards and get some Cruds I think.

cjcp

Benno - which way did you ride out?

Bassjunkieuk

Had a fun ride yesterday around the car free roads in London in the Skyride :-) Only 1 lap as the eldest hasn't quite got the cycling legs that her father has (yet!) but it did make a nice (if sometimes painful from an SCR point) change to take things easy for a change.

Route was pretty much the same as the last couple of years except for the excursion out round St. Pauls which was surprisingly quiet after the bunched up mess that was the Embankment - I think quite a few people where opting to miss it and instead hoped over the divide to get to the Loud Zone aka Blackfriars Tunnel :-D

Spent a good while looking around at the main hub once we got back and I managed to spot a couple of famous faces......Boris Johnson and SIR CHRIS HOY!!! Sadly both where holed up in the VIP area but I have to say BoJo is a bit shorter then I expected ;-)

benno68

cjcp wrote:

Benno - which way did you ride out?

Went up the lanes through Dinas to Wenvoe, Rhoose, Aberthaw then cut left through Llantwit and had a little pootle round, through Llandow onto A48 and then into Cowbridge.

Onto the A4222 through Aberthin, Pontyclun and the road brings you out to Leekes in Talbot Green. A473 through Llantwit Fadre and down into Treforest and home via the LBS.

The hill down into Treforest has got 50mph in it I, although quite a nasty bend and change of road surface half way down that would keep you on your toes at that speed! Unfortunately traffic slowed me down so I only hit 40ish.

I need to do a few 50 milers and then try to build up a bit. Having the time is the problem.

The Running Man

Morning all. Good ride on Sunday. Only a 40 miler (SWMBO had an afternoon of shopping planned) but a hilly one. From Calne up to Bushton then up the hill at Clyffe Pyppard. It's probably no more than a half mile climb but it really comes up in your face in the last 100 yards or so - evil. Then straight up Hackpen Hill as well, but was rewarded with a long fast downhill section for a couple of miles before the drag up to Marlborough golf club.

Shot through the town and then off the A4 and into the lanes up to the edge of the scarp slope overlooking Alton Priors. Another lovely fast downhill 40mph+ and then a turn back out of Devizes and a long drag back up to N Wilts Golf Club with another cracking 40mph+ descent to home.

My pennance was buying and then moving furniture all afternoon :

That sounds a corking ride Benno. Originally from Caerphilly so I know that area really well and there are some decent climbs in that as well.

the article don

A 2 day ride from Glasgow to Skye, via Helensburgh, Arrochar, Inveraray, Glenlonan, Oban, Mull, Lochaline, Lochailort and Mallaig, total 180 miles. On a Tricross Sport, with a very small Camelbak. Beat my previous long ride of 57 miles by quite a bit ( although I have done a couple of Mountain Bike Rides of 5 - 7 hours)

Day 1 Disatance 106 miles, 7hr 12 mins plus 1 hr 12 min of stops. Ascent 5100ft

Day 2 Distance 69 miles, 4hr 54 mins plus 38 min of stops., Ascent 5100ft ( there was also 5 miles on Mull going between Ferry terminals)

See here for full route:

www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=18629
and

www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=18630


Roads: quiet. Weather: delightful. 4 Budweiser and family bag of Doritos afterwards: heavenly.

Pleased with myself, sore and looking forward to doing something of similar length again.

benno68

The Running Man wrote:

That sounds a corking ride Benno. Originally from Caerphilly so I know that area really well and there are some decent climbs in that as well.

Nice one running man. It wasn't bad really, I went the easy way around - don't fancy going up the hill from Treforest (Tonteg Road I think), it looks like a beast!

I bet you like your climbs being from Caerphilly! I usually go up the mountain via Castell Coch but did go up from Thornhill once which nearly killed me.

cjcp

Benno68 wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Benno - which way did you ride out?

Went up the lanes through Dinas to Wenvoe, Rhoose, Aberthaw then cut left through Llantwit and had a little pootle round, through Llandow onto A48 and then into Cowbridge.

I like that route .

benno68

cjcp wrote:

Benno68 wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Benno - which way did you ride out?

Went up the lanes through Dinas to Wenvoe, Rhoose, Aberthaw then cut left through Llantwit and had a little pootle round, through Llandow onto A48 and then into Cowbridge.

I like that route .

Ye it was nice, put a small slice in my rear tyre though (only had the Krylion Carbon a short while too :twisted:), suppose I should think myself lucky that it was a very slow puncture so I made it home without having to fix it. Think I need a new tyre now, any suggestions on a more robust tyre to suit a fatty like me?

cjcp

Benno68 wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Benno68 wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Benno - which way did you ride out?

Went up the lanes through Dinas to Wenvoe, Rhoose, Aberthaw then cut left through Llantwit and had a little pootle round, through Llandow onto A48 and then into Cowbridge.

I like that route .

Ye it was nice, put a small slice in my rear tyre though (only had the Krylion Carbon a short while too :twisted:), suppose I should think myself lucky that it was a very slow puncture so I made it home without having to fix it. Think I need a new tyre now, any suggestions on a more robust tyre to suit a fatty like me?

Redddragon to thread, Redddragon to thread...

Is it a slice you can repair with wetsuit glue?

The Running Man

Hi Benno.

Funnily enough SWMBO visited her folks in Cardiff recently so I cycled up to Caerphilly to see my Mum & Dad - straight up the mountain from Thornhill past the Travellers Rest and down the other side.

That wasn't so bad - the evil bit was going back the same way. A pal of mine used to live in Cwmwbwb a big house about half way up the mountain on the right hand side and that's approximately where I was convinced I was going to be sick!!

benno68

The Running Man wrote:

Hi Benno.

Funnily enough SWMBO visited her folks in Cardiff recently so I cycled up to Caerphilly to see my Mum & Dad - straight up the mountain from Thornhill past the Travellers Rest and down the other side.

That wasn't so bad - the evil bit was going back the same way. A pal of mine used to live in Cwmwbwb a big house about half way up the mountain on the right hand side and that's approximately where I was convinced I was going to be sick!!

I thought I was going to die at the Travellers Rest - not too bad you say, jeez.

What way did you go back? Through the town and up??

The Running Man

My folks live off Mountain Road so I came out at the crossroads by the train station (King Edward Avenue) and turned left up the hill with St Martins Church on my right and proceeded in a mostly upwards direction thereafter til I reckon most of the lining of my lungs was left on the tarmac ......

Apart from the little climb back up to the Travellers Rest on the other side the pay off was pretty much freewheeling all the way down past the crematorium and down to the flyover at Western Avenue at which point i think I started breathing again without sounding like a pair of ancient bellows ......