Straining rides

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:
Meant to reply to this sooner.... Dave, I'll be on my 6 year old winter bike, that isn't well cared for... it didn't cost much more than £400 when I bought it 6 years ago... its heavy, old and slow... but its comfy!... so we can be the sad ones with the bikes no one wants to nick!

It either that, or my Tri bike, which cost a 'little'...ahem... more than that*.... but makes yer 'arris sore unless you ride real quick, so pretty unlikely!

*whispers quietly that my bike cost more than my car... but don't tell 'er indoors... :eek:
 
Sounds a great idea. I have never done this ride, but would assume that the south of the island is more exposed to the breeze than the North, and with the SW prevailing wind, I would ride counterclockwise.
 
Sounds a great idea. I have never done this ride, but would assume that the south of the island is more exposed to the breeze than the North, and with the SW prevailing wind, I would ride counterclockwise.

Good point, I always find I am either riding up-hill or into the wind except for the last five miles when it seems to be all up-hill AND into the wind.
 
I'm going out for a ride in a few mins. It is blowing a hoolie, so will not be pleasant, but I have to get some miles on the legs. i am hoping that the physio is going to start to make a difference, and I will find out this morning. Will be riding straight into the wind down the Fosse Way for 10 miles or so. Great!!!
 
I'm going out for a ride in a few mins. It is blowing a hoolie, so will not be pleasant, but I have to get some miles on the legs. i am hoping that the physio is going to start to make a difference, and I will find out this morning. Will be riding straight into the wind down the Fosse Way for 10 miles or so. Great!!!


good luck Paul, just done 13 miles in the same conditions, didn't enjoy it at all
 
good luck Paul, just done 13 miles in the same conditions, didn't enjoy it at all

Eureka! Man maths works again. Just done 22 miles in the most atrocious conditions, and what a great ride! First time out on the new Echelon, and it was fantastic. So much more comfortable than the old bike, and ave speed just under 15. Hardly any back pain, and legs felt good. Mind you,the physio might also be doing some good :D
 
ok, so i have joined the club with a road bike....

For the last three weeks i have been out three of four mornings doing 7 miles before work but have not managed to get past the 15 mph average no matter how hard i try! I have been using my 9 year old Specialized mountain bike with road tyres.

so today i stop by the local bike shop on the way down to the boat and they have a 2014 display model Giant Defy 5 at significantly below the 2015 list price so out came the card and the deal was done.

I'm hoping the move into road bike at this stage will give me enough time to get used to it and comfortable assuming u can u the training rides now its lighter in the evening.

looking for some peddles and shoes tonight and collect it tomorrow after its been PDI's by the shop.

i have to say i have spoken to a few shops and they were wildly different in approach, one i went to in southampton today told me i needed a £2k bike as minimum to make it worth while and that anything less was a waste of money, others (like the one i bought this from) were very helpful and i know i am at the budget range of the market but was still treated with a great deal of attention to make sure it was the right bike.

2014_Giant_Defy_5.jpg


hopefully my Strava account will start to catch up with some of yours now!
 
Well done Howard. Looks a nice bike. The turd who says you need to spend 2k is best ignored! You need one that fits you well, and you feel comfortable riding. Try and get them to check the your position, and check again in a couple or three weeks when you have ridden it a few times.
Giants are good bikes, probably the largest manufacturer in the world. In reality, much of the cost of the bike is the components.
 
Slogged along Lee on Solent sea front against the wind yesterday. At least there were no pedestrians on the cycle path!
I am planning to stick with the Giant hybrid bike. Back tyre already changed to a smooth high pressure road type and front one to follow shortly. Front suspension locked for road use. It seems to fit me and I'm now doing about 40 miles per week.
 
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