The official cycling thread

Womack · Post by **Womack** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 5:26 pm

BlackMac wrote:Serious misshap at the weekend. Went out for a 25 mile ride on a virtually empty stomach and with only a litre of water and two raisin bars. Stupidly decided to take a detour which I thought would add about 8 miles but misjudged it and it was nearer 55 miles in total and pretty hilly. The last 10 miles of which were slightly uphill into a horrific headwind. With about 4 miles to go I totally cracked and ended up sitting at the side of the road completely unable to go on, contemplating the shame of phoning my wife to come and pick me up. Eventually I managed to pull myself together and got home.

Despite a lifetime of pretty serious physical nonsense I have never felt so completely and utterly spent as I did and felt shit for hours.

Ouchie, sounds unpleasant.

I somehow managed to bonk on my 10-mile commute once

I think it was the first ride back after a bit of time off, on a freezing cold evening, straight into pissing rain and a heavy headwind - really got to the stage when I felt I couldn't go on - the only sustenance I had was my water bottle and I remember panicking when I finished the last bit as I thought it was the only thing keeping me from collapsing. Just about managed to drag myself home, hoovered down the nice dinner my wife had made in about 10 secs flat then promptly fell into a deep sleep on the sofa, waking up several hours later feeling right as rain if a little disorientated. Pretty strange episode, as I don't think I was under-nourished (it certainly seems unlikely in my case).

It's a good job I generally avoid any proper riding...

Seez · Post by **Seez** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 5:27 pm

BlackMac wrote:Serious misshap at the weekend. Went out for a 25 mile ride on a virtually empty stomach and with only a litre of water and two raisin bars. Stupidly decided to take a detour which I thought would add about 8 miles but misjudged it and it was nearer 55 miles in total and pretty hilly. The last 10 miles of which were slightly uphill into a horrific headwind. With about 4 miles to go I totally cracked and ended up sitting at the side of the road completely unable to go on, contemplating the shame of phoning my wife to come and pick me up. Eventually I managed to pull myself together and got home.

Despite a lifetime of pretty serious physical nonsense I have never felt so completely and utterly spent as I did and felt shit for hours.

Had the same mountain biking once, 45 miles without stopping for lunch after 55 miles the day before. Didn't realise I had a puncture for a couple of miles. Dragged myself to a pub to call a cab but a pint of coke sorted me out in minutes so was able to ride the last couple of miles to the station.

BlackMac · Post by **BlackMac** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:03 pm

cheese cutter wrote:Where were you riding, BlackMac?

The Revolution Cyclocross bike I bought a couple of months ago. One of Edinburgh Bicycle's own makes.

cheese cutter · Post by **cheese cutter** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:18 pm

BlackMac wrote:
cheese cutter wrote:Where were you riding, BlackMac?
The Revolution Cyclocross bike I bought a couple of months ago. One of Edinburgh Bicycle's own makes.

*ahem*
Where abouts?

I have a revolution Cuillin mtb - the Revolution range is great value for money.

I ride in the Pentlands a bit - they're a real asset for Edinburgh.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:20 pm

BlackMac wrote:Serious misshap at the weekend. Went out for a 25 mile ride on a virtually empty stomach and with only a litre of water and two raisin bars. Stupidly decided to take a detour which I thought would add about 8 miles but misjudged it and it was nearer 55 miles in total and pretty hilly. The last 10 miles of which were slightly uphill into a horrific headwind. With about 4 miles to go I totally cracked and ended up sitting at the side of the road completely unable to go on, contemplating the shame of phoning my wife to come and pick me up. Eventually I managed to pull myself together and got home.

Despite a lifetime of pretty serious physical nonsense I have never felt so completely and utterly spent as I did and felt shit for hours.

Been there. Did a 48 mile circuit a month or so ago over some hills. Nobody told me that the only shop that is the traditional stop on the route had closed for business not long prior, so I had only the one pb&j for fuel for the whole day. It was the flat valley road home into the wind that killed me in the end.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:24 pm

Seez wrote:Didn't realise I had a puncture for a couple of miles. Dragged myself to a pub to call a cab but a pint of coke sorted me out in minutes so was able to ride the last couple of miles to the station.

It's a miracle the difference a big dollop of sugar can make in such a short space of time. I've been utterly hollow on a few occasions and a mars bar has fixed me up and had me flying in no time.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:29 pm

The Mrs has seen the weight coming off me as I've been getting back on the bike the last few months and figured she'd try it out. Borrowed a pregnant mate's Fuji for her (due in January, and the bike has been used 5 times in 3 years; I knew it was available), and have got her out on some progressively longer rides.

We managed the 20-or-so very flat miles to her parents' house yesterday, which was a big step forward. And after the drive home, she was empty. Couldn't move off the couch. This morning as I was creeping to the door without waking her up, I heard a "honey..." "Yes?" "My body hurts all over..."

BlackMac · Post by **BlackMac** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:35 pm

cheese cutter wrote:
BlackMac wrote:
cheese cutter wrote:Where were you riding, BlackMac?
The Revolution Cyclocross bike I bought a couple of months ago. One of Edinburgh Bicycle's own makes.

*ahem*
Where abouts?

I have a revolution Cuillin mtb - the Revolution range is great value for money.

I ride in the Pentlands a bit - they're a real asset for Edinburgh.

Shit sorry

Down the A702 then across to Mountain Cross, f**ked about on some back roads and then across to Peebles and back up. The road from Peebles to Penicuik is murder, long straights and into the teeth of the wind all the way.

cheese cutter · Post by **cheese cutter** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 7:52 pm

^^ good effort Mac

Womack · Post by **Womack** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 2:56 pm

You'll doubtless be pleased to learn that the winter jacket crisis has been resolved by the acquisition of an Endura FS260 Pro Jetstream windproof jacket, in black:

Seems like it should do the trick, I can't imagine I'll need owt else unless it gets silly cold. Endura sizing is a bit ridonculous, I had to get XXL and it's still, ahem, quite a snug fit.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 3:24 pm

Yes. It's Endura's sizing that's the problem.

First spill in a while yesterday; fast descent, round a wide-swinging left hander, a white Nissan pickup coming up the hill somehow manages to come way over my side leaving me with about 18 inches of Tarmac at 40 miles an hour. My correction takes me right to the edge, and my front wheel's in the mud with me over the bars and onto the gravel at the edge of the road. Good size blemish on the knee and some cuts and scrapes, but other than an overwhelming desire to track down the owners of every white Nissan pickup in the zip code, Sarah Connor style, no lasting effects.

Spyglass · Post by **Spyglass** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 3:32 pm

DOB wrote:Yes. It's Endura's sizing that's the problem.

First spill in a while yesterday; fast descent, round a wide-swinging left hander, a white Nissan pickup coming up the hill somehow manages to come way over my side leaving me with about 18 inches of Tarmac at 40 miles an hour. My correction takes me right to the edge, and my front wheel's in the mud with me over the bars and onto the gravel at the edge of the road. Good size blemish on the knee and some cuts and scrapes, but other than an overwhelming desire to track down the owners of every white Nissan pickup in the zip code, Sarah Connor style, no lasting effects.

DOB - sounds like you were very fortunately to get away with scraps and bruises, a trip down the road at 40 is no joke. Stay safe out there guys, the winter combination of dark mornings/evenings and damps roads is not a good cycling cocktail. I'll stick with the boredom of my turbo-trainer during the week, Texan drivers are not very good at the best of times....

blindcider · Post by **blindcider** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 3:48 pm

Womack wrote:You'll doubtless be pleased to learn that the winter jacket crisis has been resolved by the acquisition of an Endura FS260 Pro Jetstream windproof jacket, in black:

Seems like it should do the trick, I can't imagine I'll need owt else unless it gets silly cold. Endura sizing is a bit ridonculous, I had to get XXL and it's still, ahem, quite a snug fit.

I got an Altura windproof jacket and skullcap free (worth £60) with a 6 month subscription to a Cycling magazine (£22) - cycling plus IIRC. I've already cancelled the next direct debit so reckon I've got a bargain.

waguser · Post by **waguser** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 5:31 pm

Why would anyone buy a cycling jacket in black??

Vanity over sanity

BlackMac · Post by **BlackMac** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 5:37 pm

waguser wrote:Why would anyone buy a cycling jacket in black??

Vanity over sanity

Like all the sad twats riding about in Team Sky, Garmin and other pro jerseys. I even saw some tit last week in a Team Sky Rainbow jersey.

Womack · Post by **Womack** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 5:38 pm

I'm like a ninja out there, baby

I've got a flourescent bag condom and flashing lights, and I cycle on well-lit roads. I'm also the proud possessor of a large, gleaming white face. You're right, there's a bit of vanity involved in that I don't want to look like a copper or a railway worker, but as acts of recklessness go it's a long way down the list.

Anyhoo, it's got reflective panels and shit.

waguser · Post by **waguser** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 5:42 pm

Womack wrote:I'm like a ninja out there, baby

I've got a flourescent bag condom and flashing lights, and I cycle on well-lit roads. I'm also the proud possessor of a large, gleaming white face. You're right, there's a bit of vanity involved in that I don't want to look like a copper or a railway worker, but as acts of recklessness go it's a long way down the list.

Anyhoo, it's got reflective panels and shit.

Being the sanctimonious prick I am I am going to roundly chastise you.

Those reflective panels on black jackets are nowhere near as effective as High vis yellow.

Personally I also have the high vis bag condom and lights as well as an Altura yellow high vis
but as a driver find that high vis yellow is the most effective

BlackMac · Post by **BlackMac** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 5:44 pm

Womack wrote:I'm like a ninja out there, baby

I've got a flourescent bag condom and flashing lights, and I cycle on well-lit roads. I'm also the proud possessor of a large, gleaming white face. You're right, there's a bit of vanity involved in that I don't want to look like a copper or a railway worker, but as acts of recklessness go it's a long way down the list.

Anyhoo, it's got reflective panels and shit.

Studies have actually shown that black jackets with proper reflective panels are better at night that some of the poorer yellow flourescent jobs. Our force actually purchased as high vis jacket a few years ago that more or less rendered you f**king invisible in front of cars!!

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 5:55 pm

BlackMac wrote:
Womack wrote:I'm like a ninja out there, baby

I've got a flourescent bag condom and flashing lights, and I cycle on well-lit roads. I'm also the proud possessor of a large, gleaming white face. You're right, there's a bit of vanity involved in that I don't want to look like a copper or a railway worker, but as acts of recklessness go it's a long way down the list.

Anyhoo, it's got reflective panels and shit.
Studies have actually shown that black jackets with proper reflective panels are better at night that some of the poorer yellow flourescent jobs. Our force actually purchased as high vis jacket a few years ago that more or less rendered you f**king invisible in front of cars!!

Driving home last night I was shocked to see a series of 3 tiny little red blinking lights ahead of me... and not much other indication of anything being there. As I got closer I saw they were tourers (ie, as opposed to tourists, with panniers etc) with dark coloured jackets that had some white strips, but no reflective quality to them. Busy highway, no street lighting, and only a pair of cateye LEDs for visibility makes for a bad combo.

Spyglass, I was very lucky, but thinking about it, not nearly as lucky as that pickup driver who only met a Schwinn coming round that corner and not another Nissan. Visibility wasn't an issue, it was a little after 5 pm, we're at about the same latitude as southern Spain, and clocks haven't gone back here yet; it was definitely still light-lens sunglasses conditions.

Armchair_Superstar · Post by **Armchair_Superstar** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 8:29 pm

waguser wrote:Why would anyone buy a cycling jacket in black??

Vanity over sanity

I usually have at least 2 lights on the back of the bike, 1 on the bars and 1 on the helmet. I do wear a white jacket, but I doubt its the first thing drivers notice.

fisgard792 · Post by **fisgard792** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 9:01 pm

BlackMac wrote:
cheese cutter wrote:
BlackMac wrote:
cheese cutter wrote:Where were you riding, BlackMac?
The Revolution Cyclocross bike I bought a couple of months ago. One of Edinburgh Bicycle's own makes.

*ahem*
Where abouts?

I have a revolution Cuillin mtb - the Revolution range is great value for money.

I ride in the Pentlands a bit - they're a real asset for Edinburgh.
Shit sorry

Down the A702 then across to Mountain Cross, f**ked about on some back roads and then across to Peebles and back up. The road from Peebles to Penicuik is murder, long straights and into the teeth of the wind all the way.

BM, not trying to sound smart, but when you are as big a sail as we are on a bike, the weather forecast is your friend in respect of always make sure the frickin wind is behind you on the return leg

i drive down that road a lot to inners and glentress, and it has all the hallmarks of being a bastard into the wind, you got it done though

BlackMac · Post by **BlackMac** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 10:02 pm

fisgard792 wrote:
BlackMac wrote:
cheese cutter wrote:
BlackMac wrote:
cheese cutter wrote:Where were you riding, BlackMac?
The Revolution Cyclocross bike I bought a couple of months ago. One of Edinburgh Bicycle's own makes.

*ahem*
Where abouts?

I have a revolution Cuillin mtb - the Revolution range is great value for money.

I ride in the Pentlands a bit - they're a real asset for Edinburgh.
Shit sorry

Down the A702 then across to Mountain Cross, f**ked about on some back roads and then across to Peebles and back up. The road from Peebles to Penicuik is murder, long straights and into the teeth of the wind all the way.
BM, not trying to sound smart, but when you are as big a sail as we are on a bike, the weather forecast is your friend in respect of always make sure the frickin wind is behind you on the return leg

i drive down that road a lot to inners and glentress, and it has all the hallmarks of being a bastard into the wind, you got it done though

Well if you were down that way on Friday you might have noticed the blubbering wreck sitting fecked on the grass verge on the hill up to Leadburn. It's actually quite funny seeing the real cyclists doing a double take as I pass, with a "what the fudge is he doing on a bike" look.

Nieghorn · Post by **Nieghorn** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 11:34 pm

Reading blackmac's tale reminds me how pig-headed stubborn we can be at times, but all for the sake of adventure and personal achievement. Even just having a little rest, which is entirely sensible, now and then would help but we often see it as 'for the weak'.

Did something similar twice in New Zealand, once on a long hike where my legs felt like wet noodles and yet I wouldn't let myself stop for more than a five min break in the final couple of hours. Other time was walking from one town to another after a massive flood in Northland because the bus wasn't coming that day and I wasn't patient enough to hitch (after getting only one short lift after the first 20 cars) and wouldn't succumb to phoning my next destination to ask for a pick-up or re-arrange our planned meet-up to another day. (I'd agreed to WWOOF it on a farm.)

Have yet to do that on the bike over blackmac's distances and conditions, but am not so good about bringing food so probably will. Did a 30km to rugby in the summer, stood in the sun for three hours coaching, and biked the same distance home into a slight headwind, slightly uphill. Was mostly in an urban environment, and did have my wallet on me, but refused to stop for food until I got home. Stupid. ... but what a rush when I finished!

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 11:40 pm

Nieghorn wrote:Did a 30km to rugby in the summer, stood in the sun for three hours coaching, and biked the same distance home into a slight headwind, slightly uphill. Was mostly in an urban environment, and did have my wallet on me, but refused to stop for food until I got home. Stupid. ... but what a rush when I finished!

...of blood, to your head, resulting in you fainting half-in, half-out of your front door and waking up 2 hours later not entirely sure where your trousers were?

fisgard792 · Post by **fisgard792** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 12:05 am

BM, get shot of your bike, get down to alpine at inners or glentress and pick up an ex-hire off roader, you live in the best part of the uk, europe or arguably the world for options in going off road, with the trails at glentress and the downhill at inners, plus ready access to the natural stuff in the pentlands, arthurs seat, and the rest of scotland as well, its frickin criminal to waste that access opportunity, and when you come off, (its not if, its when) you will feel like it did in yer rugby days

frillage · Post by **frillage** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 12:23 am

I suggest trying to start an Edinburgh cycling cabal or two, one road and one Glentress, once the weather improves next year (once I am fit enough not to embarass myself!)

BlackMac · Post by **BlackMac** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 12:55 am

fisgard792 wrote:BM, get shot of your bike, get down to alpine at inners or glentress and pick up an ex-hire off roader, you live in the best part of the uk, europe or arguably the world for options in going off road, with the trails at glentress and the downhill at inners, plus ready access to the natural stuff in the pentlands, arthurs seat, and the rest of scotland as well, its frickin criminal to waste that access opportunity, and when you come off, (its not if, its when) you will feel like it did in yer rugby days

Yeah, right. My back is so dodgy I have to take care stepping of a high curb nowadays. The thought of going over the handlebars of a bike scares me witless.

Spend lots of time walking the dog about those areas though.

Womack · Post by **Womack** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:45 pm

I was worried all the way home last night that I wasn't visible enough.

f**king Waguser

cheese cutter · Post by **cheese cutter** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:16 pm

frillage wrote:I suggest trying to start an Edinburgh cycling cabal or two, one road and one Glentress, once the weather improves next year (once I am fit enough not to embarass myself!)

Are you a roadie or mtb rider Frills?

blindcider · Post by **blindcider** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:03 am

blindcider wrote:Okay, think I have decided on the FELT Z85. Nice spec (Shimano 105's, Mavic wheels) a comfortable ride and £925.

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/Ro ... s/Z85.aspx

Spoiler: show

Now ordered this one from Bristol Triathlon shop as my cyclescheme voucher arrived on Friday. Delivery next week and apparently I will be the first in the South West to have one in Charcoal/Green rather than Black Red...

New Helmet and lights to round out the £1000

bealonian · Post by **bealonian** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 1:01 pm

Back on the bike commute for the first time in 6 weeks today

waguser · Post by **waguser** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 1:57 pm

Womack wrote:I was worried all the way home last night that I wasn't visible enough.

f**king Waguser

Sorry dude

Womack · Post by **Womack** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 2:35 pm

That's OK. I've invested in a brighter front light so now have two up front (one flashing, one solid), and some reflective arm thingies so that my arm signals are more visible. I think that should be OK, I'm pretty careful anyway so not too concerned, but just got a bit worried about being SMIDSYd by cars coming the other way.

Spyglass · Post by **Spyglass** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 3:37 pm

blindcider wrote:
blindcider wrote:Okay, think I have decided on the FELT Z85. Nice spec (Shimano 105's, Mavic wheels) a comfortable ride and £925.

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/Ro ... s/Z85.aspx

Spoiler: show
Now ordered this one from Bristol Triathlon shop as my cyclescheme voucher arrived on Friday. Delivery next week and apparently I will be the first in the South West to have one in Charcoal/Green rather than Black Red...

New Helmet and lights to round out the £1000

BS -
Good looking bike, you can't go wrong with the new 105 stuff. With a compact crank and a 12-32 cassette you could climb anything!

blindcider · Post by **blindcider** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 3:38 pm

Spyglass wrote:
blindcider wrote:
blindcider wrote:Okay, think I have decided on the FELT Z85. Nice spec (Shimano 105's, Mavic wheels) a comfortable ride and £925.

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/Ro ... s/Z85.aspx

Spoiler: show
Now ordered this one from Bristol Triathlon shop as my cyclescheme voucher arrived on Friday. Delivery next week and apparently I will be the first in the South West to have one in Charcoal/Green rather than Black Red...

New Helmet and lights to round out the £1000
BS -
Good looking bike, you can't go wrong with the new 105 stuff. With a compact crank and a 12-32 cassette you could climb anything!

Not with my legs

Post by **ZappaMan** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 3:40 pm

I went mountain biking yesterday in rainy conditions on the Salève. I fell and grazed my knee so badly that a little blood was emitted.

I no longer like cycling and shall stick to crochet.

DOB · Post by **DOB** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 4:28 pm

blindcider wrote:
Spyglass wrote:
blindcider wrote:
blindcider wrote:Okay, think I have decided on the FELT Z85. Nice spec (Shimano 105's, Mavic wheels) a comfortable ride and £925.

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/Ro ... s/Z85.aspx

Spoiler: show
Now ordered this one from Bristol Triathlon shop as my cyclescheme voucher arrived on Friday. Delivery next week and apparently I will be the first in the South West to have one in Charcoal/Green rather than Black Red...

New Helmet and lights to round out the £1000
BS -
Good looking bike, you can't go wrong with the new 105 stuff. With a compact crank and a 12-32 cassette you could climb anything!
Not with my legs

Anything you can't climb in a 34x32 isn't worth climbing anyway.

And Zappa, a scarf is inappropriate cycling clothing anyway, so you're probably better off.

bealonian · Post by **bealonian** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:40 pm

Just bought a truing jig, so that I can stop paying £15 a go each time I need to fit a new spoke.

Anyone got any good guidance about how to use one?

Edinburgh01 · Post by **Edinburgh01** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:50 pm

Womack wrote:You'll doubtless be pleased to learn that the winter jacket crisis has been resolved by the acquisition of an Endura FS260 Pro Jetstream windproof jacket, in black:

Seems like it should do the trick, I can't imagine I'll need owt else unless it gets silly cold. Endura sizing is a bit ridonculous, I had to get XXL and it's still, ahem, quite a snug fit.

Fine Scottish company so sizes may not suit the lardy English.

bealonian · Post by **bealonian** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 4:13 pm

Am thinking of replacing with a Shimano 105 & same BB from Chain Reaction Cycles.
Any views?