Straining rides

Bit the bullet and bought a new seat. Managed just over 8 miles on the road today followed by the same again on the turbo trainer to try and break the seat in. Still needs a bit of final adjustment but first impressions are positive.

Stepping up the training from this week both in frequency and distance.

Sounds good Paul, the weather is with us now so hopefully the rides become more enjoyable
 
Bought a new to me bike over the weekend and just gave it a go in the dark on getting back home from the boat, a short 13 miler.

https://www.strava.com/activities/265141431

Considering I slowed to dodge numerous pot holes and was a bit knackered after the weekend cleaning the boat, I'm quite happy with achieving an average of 16mph over the distance.

I am going to use this bike for the charity ride as it felt so much more comfortable than the Boardman hybrid comp I've been using. This is the model I've purchased, it's as light as a feather, unlike its rider but working on fixing that ;)

http://road.cc/content/review/11774-boardman-road-pro-carbon
 
Nice bike Gary, and good going on your ride. I got back onto my MTB this morning. Slow old ride in the rain, but it is so comfortable after the road bike.
Are we still on for tomorrow?
 
Nice bike Gary, and good going on your ride. I got back onto my MTB this morning. Slow old ride in the rain, but it is so comfortable after the road bike.
Are we still on for tomorrow?

Trying to work on the meet up Paul, busy day.. in Southwark first thing, St James' Park for 11 to meet the customer. Back to Southwark for 1pm for a 2hr meeting and then have a free afternoon... need to get some work done between travelling and meetings though. Can I give you a bell after 3pm and see how the land lies ?
 
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Trying to work on the meet up Paul, busy day.. in Southwark first thing, St James' Park for 11 to meet the customer. Back to Southwark for 1pm for a 2hr meeting and then have a free afternoon... need to get some work done between travelling and meetings though. Can I give you a bell after 3pm and see how the land lies ?
Yes, a call at 3 ish should be fine Gary.
 
Wow, nice bike.
We could raise almost the same amount of money by going to the pub and selling all our bikes! :)

lols.. not sure about that in reality, I paid £400 for it which i am led to believe is a reasonable price considering the young lad has looked after it well, it rides as new and appears to be in great condition. it's a 2010 model which I was told is better spec'd than the one in the video and also better than the newer 2104 variant as they wanted to break into the carbon frame market back in 2010 so threw a load of money at the bike development. The SRAM Force group set in the video has been upgraded to the SRAM double tap Rival group set and the Ritchey wheels have been upgraded to Mavic Askiums... what does all that mean? fooked if I know but sounds very technical so I'm convinced it must be good ;)

Drove down to Bristol Saturday morning to pick it up, nice lad but couldn't understand a word he said.. lots of yarps instead of yes
 
Yikes. Are you all going to be riding trick road bikes like that? I'm starting to feel inadequate! :rolleyes:

Do I spend £400 on a new bike or give it to BHF and carry on with the one I've got. Or buy the new one and promise that I will sell it after the event (knowing full well that I wont). :confused:
 
Yikes. Are you all going to be riding trick road bikes like that? I'm starting to feel inadequate! :rolleyes:

Do I spend £400 on a new bike or give it to BHF and carry on with the one I've got. Or buy the new one and promise that I will sell it after the event (knowing full well that I wont). :confused:

I'd go with what you have Dave, only got this thing as I was fed up having racing bikes whiz past me when training :)
 
I'd go with what you have Dave, only got this thing as I was fed up having racing bikes whiz past me when training :)

It was all going well until Kerry bought a new road bike last month and then I was left for dead on my mud plugger.

Sold a lung and mortgaged the cat and I also entered the world of road biking hence going through the pain of breaking in a new saddle.

Still being left for dead but now I blame the fact I sold one of my lungs...
 
I'd go with what you have Dave, only got this thing as I was fed up having racing bikes whiz past me when training :)
I think you're right. How much difference can the bike make when the bulk of the weight and wind resistance is me! And why give up my last excuse for being slow.
 
I think if I was going to attempt 70 miles on a MTB, I would change the tyres for something skinny, high pressure, and lo friction (that would fit on the rim).
It would look a bit odd, but would minimise the effort needed.
 
Played about with the seat position and finally think I have it about right now, managed 13 miles yesterday afternoon and a fraction under 20 miles today without too much discomfort, it is finally getting better.

Next hurdle is a 30 mile ride!
 
Good going Paul, excellent progress. I did 17 on my mountain bike this morning, too uncomfortable on the road bike at the moment. Need to decide whether I can change my riding position, or change the bike. Some man maths coming into play :)
 
Nice going guys :encouragement: a bit breezy today but managed a 28.5 mile ride averaging 15mph... knackered at the end of it as I had the wind against me on the way back. I need to check the bike setup too as my back ached alot after 18 miles or so :(
 
Nice going guys :encouragement: a bit breezy today but managed a 28.5 mile ride averaging 15mph... knackered at the end of it as I had the wind against me on the way back. I need to check the bike setup too as my back ached alot after 18 miles or so :(

18 miles is twice what I am doing before the back becomes a problem. I am going to move the saddle back a bit and look at the front stem, but I'm not sure there is sufficient adjustment on my old Dawes. I start to feel my back at 15 on the Trek, and can alleviate by standing on the pedals, but I need to sort this soon, so I can pick up the mileage. In some respects it is about muscle memory, I haven't ridden much for several years, so I have to go back through the pain barrier, and build on this. Will try for some more miles tomorrow on the Dawes if I can make the time.
 
Sorted, can't believe how far out the setup was, really should have checked it rather than jump on the bike and ride the thing near on 30 miles with it setup for the old owner.

Seat has been adjusted down by 3cm to give the correct bend in the leg fully extended, the kneecap now sits over the peddle spindle and the biggest change was moving seat forward so that I cant see the front wheel hub when looking down through the handlebars. Feels much more comfortable now. Before and after shots below as I know you guys are closet bike geeks at heart lols :) :) :)

BEFORE

10527503_10203655528128660_7471192411928286001_n.jpg


AFTER

11064753_10203655772174761_6617310348241651970_n.jpg
 
Y
Sorted, can't believe how far out the setup was, really should have checked it rather than jump on the bike and ride the thing near on 30 miles with it setup for the old owner.

Seat has been adjusted down by 3cm to give the correct bend in the leg fully extended, the kneecap now sits over the peddle spindle and the biggest change was moving seat forward so that I cant see the front wheel hub when looking down through the handlebars. Feels much more comfortable now. Before and after shots below as I know you guys are closet bike geeks at heart lols :) :) :)

BEFORE

10527503_10203655528128660_7471192411928286001_n.jpg


AFTER

11064753_10203655772174761_6617310348241651970_n.jpg
Terrific workshop Gary. It is almost like you could eat off the workbench :D
 
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