So, first ride on my first road bike- pretty terrifying.
neil_sheehan2000
Posts: 529
So, I blagged an old road bike off my Dad (I've been a committed MTBer since I don't know when). I must say I was surprised by the apparent quality of it; it's a Ribble from about 8 years ago that has spent the past few years hooked up to his turbo trainer; carbon forks and names such as Ritchey and Campagnolo splashed around liberally, although the wheels appear to be curiously nameless
Took it for a wee 16 mile spin yesterday, but I was following my Dad, so didn't really get a chance to let rip (he's quite old). Took it out by myself today to see how fast I could go and- well- it was bloody terrifying!
Something about having my chin practicallly resting on the handlebars while doing what felt like many, many miles an hour* made me feel incredibly vulnerable, especially when every unseen/unavoidable pothole makes the bike spasm like a dying horse. Add to that the fact that the brakes haven't even been looked at since the bike took the turbo-trainer role, and that every time I looked over my shoulder I found myself drifting into the oncoming lane of the road, and you'll perhaps understand why I wasn't out on it for too long.
Then there's the toeclips (Big mistake, I know they're crap, but they were the only onon-SPD pedals my dad had lying around)- which led to me doing a slightly silly manouver at a junction and nearly getting myself run over.
Anyway, despite the teething problems, I must say that this roady lark looks like it could be quite good fun. I would like to take this opportunity to make a couple of promises to myself though. I will never, ever, under any circumstances:
+ shave my legs
+ wear my liner shorts by themselves
+ buy one of those powerhub things
Anything else I should add to the list?
* I don't have a computer at the minute, so I don't want to say '30', because it would probably turn out to be disappointingly untrue
Took it for a wee 16 mile spin yesterday, but I was following my Dad, so didn't really get a chance to let rip (he's quite old). Took it out by myself today to see how fast I could go and- well- it was bloody terrifying!
Something about having my chin practicallly resting on the handlebars while doing what felt like many, many miles an hour* made me feel incredibly vulnerable, especially when every unseen/unavoidable pothole makes the bike spasm like a dying horse. Add to that the fact that the brakes haven't even been looked at since the bike took the turbo-trainer role, and that every time I looked over my shoulder I found myself drifting into the oncoming lane of the road, and you'll perhaps understand why I wasn't out on it for too long.
Then there's the toeclips (Big mistake, I know they're crap, but they were the only onon-SPD pedals my dad had lying around)- which led to me doing a slightly silly manouver at a junction and nearly getting myself run over.
Anyway, despite the teething problems, I must say that this roady lark looks like it could be quite good fun. I would like to take this opportunity to make a couple of promises to myself though. I will never, ever, under any circumstances:
+ shave my legs
+ wear my liner shorts by themselves
+ buy one of those powerhub things
Anything else I should add to the list?
* I don't have a computer at the minute, so I don't want to say '30', because it would probably turn out to be disappointingly untrue
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Comments
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* Let it consume your life... it can be very addictive...
* Crash on to tarmac at 40 mph... skin always comes off second best to the black stuff...
* Race... leave that to the pro's...let all your saddles be comfy and all your rides less bumpy....0 -
remove that silly peak from your helmet
'dont forget lads, one evertonian is worth twenty kopites'0 -
neil_sheehan2000 wrote:+ wear my liner shorts by themselves
Well no, but obviously you need some proper lycra shorts that are designed to be worn on their own.:twisted:
Matthew0 -
MajorMantra wrote:Well no, but obviously you need some proper lycra shorts that are designed to be worn on their own.:twisted:
Matthew
Never!0 -
I'll give it a month before he's asking us which bib shorts he should buy 0
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fast as fupp wrote:remove that silly peak from your helmet
Personally I find the lack of shade to be a problem without one. I'm shortsighted and wear glasses, the peak helps keep a light rain off for a short while at least and the shading aspect is overlooked, I'm sensitive to bright light so need it when out in the sun, and wearing a hat under the helmet would just be silly.'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze....0 -
neil_sheehan2000 wrote:MajorMantra wrote:Well no, but obviously you need some proper lycra shorts that are designed to be worn on their own.:twisted:
Matthew
Never!
Do any sort of mileage and you need shorts.
When I took up road cycling (1st time around) they were the 1st thing I bought.0 -
I've just got a roadie, still wearing baggies (and still got the peak on my lid). Riding position is still strange after 2 weeks, loads faster though.0
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I've never understood baggies for riding, always worn Lycra even on the mountain bike (have only had a road bike for less than a year). I'm surprised you've never done 30mph if you've been a committed mountain biker for years, I used to get to 30 easily on downhill sections riding a hard tail with 80mm travel forks.
Enjoy the sensations, the buzz is great whateven the bike under you.0 -
