Day of many firsts and Supplements = Best ride ever.

VTech

Today was a day of many firsts for me, some small, some big but they equaled to being the best cycle ride ive ever had.

Firstly, I met with a guy called Ken Tye from the Redditch Cycle Club who at 80 years old is quite simply a tank of a man with a will to cycle like no other. He was so pleasant and a true gent, he knew the roads like he had a GPS device in his head, even down to potholes etc. He took me under his wing and the result was without doubt a wonderful morning/mid afternoon.

Today I was using many firsts, including shorts, sleeveless top, fingerless gloves and drink with High5 Zero X'treme tablet and most importantly, an Ultegra 50/34 chain set.

I had purchased the clothing, including shorts, top and gloves from Dubai at believe it or not, half the price of the UK, its the first time ive used a well known brand choosing Castelli and the difference (reluctantly) is massive, I usually get a sore backside around 35k but at 60k today I was fresh as a daisy.
The idea of having my legs, arms and fingers open to the air was good but took some getting used too as I felt very cold in the driving wind even though it was hot. I soon got used to it and was much better overall.

I used a drink supplement for the first time also, choosing the High5 tablets which really did the trick, I mixed the water with blackcurrent juice first and then added the tab and the end result was a refreshing drink that really did the trick, I felt much stronger throughout the ride and it may be placebo but never the less, I felt better which is all that really counts.

Lastly, it was my first ride with the new chain set, I had changed because I was struggling with hills and was told going down a few teeth would do the trick and OMG!!! the ride was sooooo much better and comfortable, I managed all the hills with ease, some were a struggle but I never felt like getting off the bike which is great.
I managed my longest road ride ever so thats another milestone and I know I could have managed another 20-30k with ease.

http://app.strava.com/activities/57712822

elderone

nice one matey,looks a cracking ride and nice to read a positive happy report.Cycling as it should be....Fun.
Onwards and upwards.

dowtcha

I hope that octogenarian did not slow you down.

elderone

nice one matey,looks a cracking ride and nice to read a positive happy report.Cycling as it should be....Fun.
Onwards and upwards.

supermurph09

Have you got something wrong with the elevation on your garmin? Map looks very odd! Well done though.

VTech

Supermurph09 wrote:

Have you got something wrong with the elevation on your garmin? Map looks very odd! Well done though.

Not that I know of although it did play up last week.
What are you referring too ?

supermurph09

VTech wrote:

Supermurph09 wrote:

Have you got something wrong with the elevation on your garmin? Map looks very odd! Well done though.

Not that I know of although it did play up last week.
What are you referring too ?

Looking at the Strava map, around 14 miles, looks vertical.

Toe knee

Nice one, well done VTech, sounded like a great ride !

Pituophis

Nice one VTech, compact chainsets, can't beat 'em! (Not at my level anyway :oops: )

phil_smeeth

Supermurph09 wrote:

VTech wrote:

Supermurph09 wrote:

Have you got something wrong with the elevation on your garmin? Map looks very odd! Well done though.

Not that I know of although it did play up last week.
What are you referring too ?

Looking at the Strava map, around 14 miles, looks vertical.

It was when you had a break.

If you go on your ride on strava, where it tells you elevation (I think there is a question mark next to it). you should be able to click the question mark and do an elevation correction from there.

Well done on your ride. I did my first sportive today (Sussex Surrey Scramble)and am very pleased to have completed it in a 'gold' time for my distance of 75 miles.

charlie_potatoes

Dowtcha wrote:

I hope that octogenarian did not slow you down.

I hope that he wheel sucked the old boy all the way round and then crushed him in the sprint finish

pipipi

Well done VTech!

Toe knee

HiVTech,

What chain set have you changed to. .?


Thanks tony.

VTech

I went from 53/39 to 50/34 and the difference is amazing.

The guy I was with does 10,000k per year but at 80 years old is not the fastest although he would have crushed me a couple of months ago.
I was quicker but what made me chuckle was that whenever I pulled away as we climbed a hill and I slowed at the top as he came back, he was singing to himself all the time
He was a genuine character, one I can't wait to go out with again.

paul_mck

so an old peadophile drugged you, stripped you and you managed to escape half naked on your bike?

no wonder you were quick

joking of course, its amazing how much the right gear makes a difference.