Preliminary whizzing - I like it a lot...
coombsfh
Posts: 186
I have just bought a 2011 Specialized Allez Elite.
I am still recovering from meningitis and have lost 2st now and I wasn't fat to start with (14st 2lb now)! Muscle loss is pretty easy to see and feel...
However, I went out whizzing and I absolutely LOVED it. Having ridden a hybrid for 4 years I thought that was relatively swift and easy to use and maybe it was. However, this new bike feels like it goes at Mach 3!
Not exercising for a long time meant I was full of enthusiasm and went absolutely wild. 100% effort was perhaps not the best idea as I threw up a couple of times (not fixed from meningitis) and had jelly legs by the end.
I then went out later on in the morning around 0800 just because I liked the early morning blast so much. I just like how much of the effort you invest in trying to go fast is turned into you going fast, especially when compared to a frankly leaden and slow hybrid.
I can't wait to be completely fixed and back to "normal" weight and muscle levels but for a preliminary pootle I absolutely loved it. I also like how much of the road surface you can feel. So far, so good. Just need lycra, clippy shoes, water bottles and cages and a bike computer.
Merry Tuesday,
Fred
I am still recovering from meningitis and have lost 2st now and I wasn't fat to start with (14st 2lb now)! Muscle loss is pretty easy to see and feel...
However, I went out whizzing and I absolutely LOVED it. Having ridden a hybrid for 4 years I thought that was relatively swift and easy to use and maybe it was. However, this new bike feels like it goes at Mach 3!
Not exercising for a long time meant I was full of enthusiasm and went absolutely wild. 100% effort was perhaps not the best idea as I threw up a couple of times (not fixed from meningitis) and had jelly legs by the end.
I then went out later on in the morning around 0800 just because I liked the early morning blast so much. I just like how much of the effort you invest in trying to go fast is turned into you going fast, especially when compared to a frankly leaden and slow hybrid.
I can't wait to be completely fixed and back to "normal" weight and muscle levels but for a preliminary pootle I absolutely loved it. I also like how much of the road surface you can feel. So far, so good. Just need lycra, clippy shoes, water bottles and cages and a bike computer.
Merry Tuesday,
Fred
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Comments
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Great news Fred! Good to hear you are recovering.
I can't wait to have (hopefully) 10 minutes on the turbo today.0 -
To be honest, despite the vomiting I just feel great to have done even a little exercise as I am ususally so active...
Good job it is raining or I would probably be sneaking off out again! Pleasingly a bit of exercise has somewhat revived my desire to eat; had soup and toast when I got back then 3 poached eggs on toast and some yoghurt and fruit. My default setting is to eat like a horse (4 meals a day and protein suppliment after weights) so once that has been re-established I should be able to learn how to ride a road bike properly.
What features should I look for in a bike computer and which data generated are the most indicatived of "good" riding - whihc are the best to watch for imrovements too? If you can name particular models I would be most grateful.
Best wishes,
Fred.0 -
Just Google "HRM cycle computer" and you'll find there are several of them. There are none that are specifically for "good riding" but those with HRM, heart rate monitoring, average heart rate monitoring, average speed,cadence, clock, altimeter, wireless, down loadable may help. Don't know whether you'll find one with everything on it but you'll have fun looking.
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If you want to be a strong rider you have to do strong things.
However if you train like a cart horse you'll race like one.0 -
Hi Fred,
Glad to hear that you're on the mend.
I think most people would argue that power meters are the best training computer, but those are serious £££'s
Personally I would try and get something with a HRM so you can atl least measure the intensity you are training at. These are a lot cheaper than power meters. All cycling computers will give you your basic data like Av speed, distance, etc.
What's your budget???0 -
Just got back from even more whizzing...
It rained and I have now learned that drain covers in the middle of corners are my enemy; didnt come off but gently browned myself as I seem to only have one spee today - Hell for leather.
Also realising that either my seat position, actual saddle or posterior are just plain wrong. My bum is marmalised! I am sure some of it is a lack of riding on knives, some of it is being a wuss but I feel two hotspots in line with my thigh bones between by balls and arsehole.
For cleaning and drying my new steed I used a white teatowel belonging to one of the girls on my course...she didn't notice
Should I be cleanng the chain or lubing anything after every ride etc?
Finally, budget I have no idea about: is £50 anything like good enough?
Best wishes and thanks for all the help.
Fred0 -
I'd scour the classifieds on here for a 2nd hand one as people often sell when upgrading...0
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I'd scour the classifieds on here for a 2nd hand one as people often sell when upgrading...
Any cleaning advice as I have had a look on here and all I have found so far is "don't use a pressure washer, they are too forceful and whomp all of the grease out and frig the bike up in 10 seconds flat..."
Dried each spoke and made sure no mud etc was on it...
Fred0 -
If it's mucky I spray with a mild cleaner and use a normal hose and cloth.
If it's a quick spruce I use baby wipes. They are amazing for cleaning bikes (and pretty much anything else!) and it makes me a little worried about what it's doing to my baby's backside!
For the chain I spray wd40 on a cloth and run the chain through the cloth by pedalling backwards with my other hand. Just relube once a week in summer.
Every once in a while I'll strip the drivetrain and give it a thorough going over...
Hope this helps!0 -
Try and find a garmin forerunner 305 on eBay.
You can then upload your rides and keep track of all kinds of stuff.
Here's my ride today ( yes I know I was slow, wind etc etc blah blah)
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/908003310 -
WOW...
That Garmin job seems absolutely ace. 37 mph is faaaast. Also, 179 cadence seems drastically fast. I was whomping around and practising spinning as fast as I can and 179rpm seems incredible fast to me, 3 revolutions per second - nice!
Also, thanks for the cleaning advice napoleonD. The SPD's arrived and I cleaned them off with a toothbrush I "found" in our communal bathroom
As for chain lube, I have some motorbike chain lube that I can spray onto a cloth and run onto the chain (did this on hybrid). Is this ok or should I get a bike specific one?
Bike is now dry and shiny as the tarmac I used was clean so wiping with an appropriated teatowel was enough.
Tomorrow's morning ride will include: clippy pedals, padded shorts, hopefully dry weather, and NO VOMITING!!!
Cheers for all the advice guys,
Fred.0 -
Think that 179 was prob a glitch, think my legs might have flown off haha.
but then again it might have been right.
It's great device you can set goals, see all your rides on a calendar, total distance etc etc.
Get one as soon as possible so you can track your rides from when first started riding.
In fact I might sell mine so I can buy a mapping version for a trip I'm planning.0 -
Ah, praps we can strike a deal.... Really wanna cycle to dinner but I have to take a butt load of ingredients and 3 pans!! Car job fo-sho.
I have said I will go whizzing with a pal tomorrow...just hope my rectum is up to the task!
Spiced lamb burgers for dinner, with home made flatbreads and spiced yoghurt. I need to eat like a pig and exercise again or I will go stir crazy!!0 -
Changed my seat for a brooks and is so much better than the plastic seats I have tried,
Then again I am a big lad
The 305 seems to go for around £100, if interested I will start looking for a 7050 -
Sorry for slow reply, I have been sleeping and also looking out of the window, willing it to be nice weather: not sure I wanna take it out in the rain all the time till i have correct lubes etc...
As much of a tech magpie as I am and as as cool as the data generated is, I don't know if I can stretch to £100 is the cadence counter included?
I want to do more whizzing today, especially as I have padded shorts. Just need the weather to clear now.
Any advice for "new" things to try, training wise?
Fred0 -
Just bought the cadence sensor but depends on what comes with what I might buy.
You saved enough money on the bike 0 -
I was going to say it's nothing special, just another daily tak for me, then I realised the thread wasn't about having a pee before you go for a ride. Purveyor of "up"0
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If you read my first ever post you will learn that I would be best of preliminary whizzing (bloody ticks).
Just been for a very short blast and have realised that I am incapable of doing anything but going as fast as I can. Particularly like going up hills as fast as poss. I am probably doing it all wrong, my technique is probably terrible, my bike is probably set up all wrong BUT I absolutely love this bike and riding it.
Added bonus it that I have not once been sick today so think the residual illness from meningitis is being removed. Just the headache to shift from the lumbarpuncture now.
Off out riding again in a bit
Fred0 -
Take it easy Fred, could do yourself some harm and then could be off the bike which you clearly don't want 0
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4-5 rides per day might be a bit too much man. How far are you going each time? Also the cadence seems way too high, need to slow it down a bit if it isn't a glitch.0
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It is ok. I am only doing about 5 miles at a go but can't resist gunning it. Just been raining HARD (thunder and lightning) so won't go out till this evening now. I just need to break myself in slowly and get some miles down. The best bit about exercise is that my apetite is back 8) and I feel like I have a butt-load more energy.
Tried an on-one pomphetamine (fixie) today and besides being heavy as a pig it had a very comfy brooks saddle (B17) whihc may be nicer than the specialized rectum-wrecker I have atm.
Once june ends I will be in Wiltshire and have hills and all sorts to play on...Can't wait.
Fred
PS I know I shouldn't be whomping around as much as I am but you know...new bike and all that.0
