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RE: Cycling

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RE: Cycling - 30/3/2011 8:15:54 PM   
mad_looney


Posts: 1615
Joined: 6/10/2005
From: The Fridge
 Decided to get back into cycling and since my old bike decided to eat its own chain bought this beauty last year http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/scott/sportster-p5-2009 i love it but havnt been out on it as much as i would like because i live in a really urban area that, well, boring and i dont have the stamina to ride to the shore. Any suggestions for a decent bike rack that would fit a small car? kinda need it soonish becasue i signed up to the liverpool chester bike ride in july and i have done very little on the road cycling so no idea how far i can go at the minute.
EDIT: a bike rack that can be set up by one person as my uncle lent me one and two of us couldnt get the damn thing to open!


< Message edited by mad_looney -- 30/3/2011 8:41:40 PM >

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Post #: 31
RE: Cycling - 30/3/2011 11:00:02 PM   
BishopQuaker


Posts: 4667
Joined: 29/6/2007
From: Manchester
quote:

ORIGINAL: Hobbitonlass

quote:

ORIGINAL: gingerdaniel


quote:

ORIGINAL: BishopQuaker

Any of you fancy taking part in PEAK 100?
www.peak100.co.uk

It's out 105km cycle sportive on Sunday 10th April.



Looks like a fun event, but it's about 4 hours away from me. Living as south as possible has it's problems!

That was my issue as well

It was bad enough doing a 54 miler in the New Forest last year, travelling and hour and a quarter.   I like the local ones    Does look good though!


WE've got people coming from Lodon to do it!


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Post #: 32
RE: Cycling - 30/3/2011 11:04:31 PM   
Hobbitonlass


Posts: 11495
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Westeros
quote:

ORIGINAL: BishopQuaker

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hobbitonlass

quote:

ORIGINAL: gingerdaniel


quote:

ORIGINAL: BishopQuaker

Any of you fancy taking part in PEAK 100?
www.peak100.co.uk

It's out 105km cycle sportive on Sunday 10th April.



Looks like a fun event, but it's about 4 hours away from me. Living as south as possible has it's problems!

That was my issue as well

It was bad enough doing a 54 miler in the New Forest last year, travelling and hour and a quarter.   I like the local ones    Does look good though!


WE've got people coming from Lodon to do it!


Lodon? Where's that? Somewhere oop north?

Edit: Nice bike Loon


< Message edited by Hobbitonlass -- 30/3/2011 11:05:23 PM >

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Post #: 33
RE: Cycling - 31/3/2011 9:15:23 AM   
BishopQuaker


Posts: 4667
Joined: 29/6/2007
From: Manchester
 Balls.

LONDON dammit!


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Post #: 34
RE: Cycling - 13/4/2011 10:25:07 PM   
gingerdaniel


Posts: 2125
Joined: 27/5/2006
From: Usually the couch
 Haha, Brilliant http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13040607

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Post #: 35
RE: Cycling - 22/4/2011 7:52:20 PM   
Super Hans


Posts: 2291
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Watford
 I used to love riding bikes when I was younger and bought myslef a cheap bike last year since I hadn't had one in the 3 years I'd been in London at that point.  After riding to work a few times (and stopping after some arsewipe kindly opened his car door in time for me to blunder into it!), I hadn't really used it much but since moving to Watford in January I've been using it more again.  It's quite good here - cycle paths and parks connecting local areas and the like.  I've decided to start riding to work again to get fit and save some money.  I work in Harrow so it's only 6 miles or so each way, going to have a couple of goes over the Easter break to suss out the route.

I wouldn't mind a better bike at some point.  I currently have a cheapie Apollo Slant (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_762051_langId_-1_categoryId_165499) which I might buy some slick tyres for to ease the commute but if I continue to cycle a fair bit, I wouldn't mind a decent (but not overly pricey) racer or hybrid.  I have been bidding on a couple of cheap old school racers which kind of appeal!

Anyone got any recomendations for a decent cycle route round and about Watford/north West London?




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Post #: 36
RE: Cycling - 22/4/2011 9:24:30 PM   
Hobbitonlass


Posts: 11495
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Westeros
quote:

ORIGINAL: Super Hans
but since moving to Watford in January I've been using it more again. 

Completely off topic for this thread but I'm doing the Watford 10k on 2nd May :D

I cycle along the Grand Union canal a fair bit and made it out Watford way a couple of times but once you get past Rickmansworth it gets a bit thin on the path and overgrown (or it was last year so don't know if they have cut it back). Lovely ride

Cycle route 6 goes all the way from Watford to Keswick - http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network/route-numbering-system/route-6#cmsanchormap


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Post #: 37
RE: Cycling - 23/4/2011 4:56:34 PM   
Super Hans


Posts: 2291
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Watford
quote:

ORIGINAL: Hobbitonlass


quote:

ORIGINAL: Super Hans
but since moving to Watford in January I've been using it more again. 

Completely off topic for this thread but I'm doing the Watford 10k on 2nd May :D

I cycle along the Grand Union canal a fair bit and made it out Watford way a couple of times but once you get past Rickmansworth it gets a bit thin on the path and overgrown (or it was last year so don't know if they have cut it back). Lovely ride

Cycle route 6 goes all the way from Watford to Keswick - http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network/route-numbering-system/route-6#cmsanchormap



Nice one - is that the one in Cassiobury Park?  Best of luck!

I've been along the canal path a couple of times, although you're right, it's quie narrow between Rickmansworth and Watford - can make for slow progress when there are a lot of people out and about.  I quite like the Esbury Way cycle path too.  Do you have any other recommendations for local routes?

Well, I had a go at cycling what will be my route to work and it's not too bad - bit hilly in places so it should help me shift some of my 15 stone before my holiday in September!

It has made me realise that my hefty Apollo 'mountain bike' makes it quite hard work (especially in terms of the weight and shit gear changes) , so I've decided I'm going to take up my employer's 'Ride to Work' scheme at the end of the month!  I reckon I'll go for a £500 option, as the £23 a month payment is quite affordable and Evans, who run the scheme, seem to have quite a lot of hybrid bikes in that price range.

Anyone got any advice on the best makes to go for?  Not sure I can stretch to something like a Bianchi but there seem to be a lot of Kona, Specialized, Ridgeback, Pinnacle, Trek etc (and even a Canondale in the sale they have on at the mo) bikes in my price range - they're all tons better than what I have at the moment but any advice is appreciated.  Of course I'll be trying them out at the shop anyway but the more forearmed I am the better!



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Post #: 38
RE: Cycling - 25/4/2011 2:08:03 PM   
gingerdaniel


Posts: 2125
Joined: 27/5/2006
From: Usually the couch
 Just been for a blast over the new forest on the road bike, 50km, feel pretty tired now, but at least Muppets Treasure Island is on tv!

Route stats HERE

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Post #: 39
RE: Cycling - 25/4/2011 5:56:34 PM   
Super Hans


Posts: 2291
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Watford
 Went for a ride from Watford to St Albans earlier, 20 mile round trip and a mixture of cycle paths & roads (think it's National Cycle Network route 6 - Colne Valley route).  Good fun!

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Post #: 40
RE: Cycling - 25/4/2011 6:02:11 PM   
Hobbitonlass


Posts: 11495
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Westeros
quote:

ORIGINAL: Super Hans

Went for a ride from Watford to St Albans earlier, 20 mile round trip and a mixture of cycle paths & roads (think it's National Cycle Network route 6 - Colne Valley route).  Good fun!

It certainly is


quote:

ORIGINAL: Hobbitonlass

Cycle route 6 goes all the way from Watford to Keswick - http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network/route-numbering-system/route-6#cmsanchormap



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Post #: 41
RE: Cycling - 25/4/2011 9:51:04 PM   
Super Hans


Posts: 2291
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Watford
quote:

ORIGINAL: Hobbitonlass


quote:

ORIGINAL: Super Hans

Went for a ride from Watford to St Albans earlier, 20 mile round trip and a mixture of cycle paths & roads (think it's National Cycle Network route 6 - Colne Valley route).  Good fun!

It certainly is


quote:

ORIGINAL: Hobbitonlass

Cycle route 6 goes all the way from Watford to Keswick - http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network/route-numbering-system/route-6#cmsanchormap




That's a serious bike ride!

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Post #: 42
RE: Cycling - 26/4/2011 5:01:31 PM   
gingerdaniel


Posts: 2125
Joined: 27/5/2006
From: Usually the couch
 Just been out over The New Forest again for a 30km ride, then as soon as we got home went for a 5km run.

Due to the hills and the sun and the fairly decent times, i'm looking forward to the triathlon i'm doing in July, big confidence boost today. Just gotta fit a 800m lake swim in somehow...

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Post #: 43
RE: Cycling - 27/4/2011 12:26:17 PM   
mad_looney


Posts: 1615
Joined: 6/10/2005
From: The Fridge
 Just ordered a bike rack, and bought some basic lights and a computer. Happy days now i'll be able to go to the shore and really know how far I go 

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Post #: 44
RE: Cycling - 5/5/2011 10:12:48 PM   
Super Hans


Posts: 2291
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Watford
 Does anyone here own/ever used a single speed bike?  I'm getting a new bike through my work's Ride to Work scheme and I've been browsing the cycle shop site and keep getting drawn towards the single speeds.

My head says a hybrid will be best for my commute - road bike wheels, slick tyres, lighter than an MTB but with all the benefits of 24 or so gears.  However, liking retro stuff, I do like the look of the single speeds, like the idea of such a low maintenance bike and know that they are very light.  It also avoids the complications of picking out the best drivetrain components I can get for the price (I will have £550 to spend, although I'll probably need to get a good lock with that too).

My ride to work is about 6.5 miles each way, all road and fairly up-and-down.  Would single speed be sensible or just a daft whim I'd regret?  I know it probably varies depending on sprocket size, but does anyone know roughly what kind of gear a single speed would be comparable to (in the context of, say the 18 speed bike I currently ride)?


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Post #: 45
RE: Cycling - 5/5/2011 10:35:08 PM   
gingerdaniel


Posts: 2125
Joined: 27/5/2006
From: Usually the couch
 Sounds reasonable enough for commuting, it'll be just like the 2nd front ring on a normal mountain bike, wouldn't be able to go too fast, but at the same time won't struggle on the hills.

Most bike shops will let you have a go, ask to arrange a test drive! See if you feel the gear range is something you'll use. Everyone's different on gear settings, depending on your fitness!

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Post #: 46
RE: Cycling - 9/5/2011 1:19:44 AM   
frankspencer1

 

Posts: 4
Joined: 9/5/2011
Really wish I cycled more, just can't get into it.

How is the best way to fully get stuck in?

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Post #: 47
RE: Cycling - 9/5/2011 4:13:26 PM   
Chief


Posts: 7008
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: The Kingdom, Scotland
 After dithering about for a bit, I've decided to get a new bike. My birthday on Saturday and any coin I get will go towards this fella:

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B3870.html

Really only because I like the look of it. It's entry level and my budget is about £150.00. Thoughts? Any others I should be looking at?

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Post #: 48
RE: Cycling - 9/5/2011 10:50:26 PM   
gingerdaniel


Posts: 2125
Joined: 27/5/2006
From: Usually the couch
quote:

ORIGINAL: frankspencer1

Really wish I cycled more, just can't get into it.

How is the best way to fully get stuck in?



Depends what kind of riding you're into, BMX, XC, CycloCross, DH, UH, Road Racing...

Do you want to ride around in the woods? On the road/tracks? To work and back? Have you got a bike?

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Post #: 49
RE: Cycling - 9/5/2011 10:58:36 PM   
gingerdaniel


Posts: 2125
Joined: 27/5/2006
From: Usually the couch
quote:

ORIGINAL: Chief

After dithering about for a bit, I've decided to get a new bike. My birthday on Saturday and any coin I get will go towards this fella:

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B3870.html

Really only because I like the look of it. It's entry level and my budget is about £150.00. Thoughts? Any others I should be looking at?


Depends what kind of riding you're into, BMX, XC, CycloCross, DH, UH, Road Racing...

Yea looks like a good unit for the price, be ok for tearing up the roads! I get annoyed with my friend cruising on her hybrid as it keeps the speed really well.

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Post #: 50
RE: Cycling - 10/5/2011 8:47:27 AM   
Chief


Posts: 7008
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: The Kingdom, Scotland
quote:

ORIGINAL: gingerdaniel


quote:

ORIGINAL: Chief

After dithering about for a bit, I've decided to get a new bike. My birthday on Saturday and any coin I get will go towards this fella:

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B3870.html

Really only because I like the look of it. It's entry level and my budget is about £150.00. Thoughts? Any others I should be looking at?


Depends what kind of riding you're into, BMX, XC, CycloCross, DH, UH, Road Racing...

Yea looks like a good unit for the price, be ok for tearing up the roads! I get annoyed with my friend cruising on her hybrid as it keeps the speed really well.


Sound, probably will get it this weekend. Going to use it mainly for getting to work and there's a 20 mile circuit I used to cycle that's mainly road and cycle paths.

Edit: Might stick my name down for this: http://www.twocapitals.org/

Edit2: Bike on it's way and charity cycle entered!

< Message edited by Chief -- 18/5/2011 12:42:53 PM >

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Post #: 51
RE: Cycling - 20/5/2011 8:47:55 AM   
Chief


Posts: 7008
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: The Kingdom, Scotland
 Christened my new bike this morning with a cycle to work. Left the house in a T-shirt, got half way up the road and the heavens opened.

Fucking drenched.


But it was still good.

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Post #: 52
RE: Cycling - 20/5/2011 6:37:47 PM   
gingerdaniel


Posts: 2125
Joined: 27/5/2006
From: Usually the couch
quote:

ORIGINAL: Chief

Christened my new bike this morning with a cycle to work. Left the house in a T-shirt, got half way up the road and the heavens opened.

Fucking drenched.


But it was still good.


Yea, get used to that!

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Post #: 53
RE: Cycling - 21/5/2011 9:00:05 AM   
jonson


Posts: 8057
Joined: 30/9/2005
Embarassingly, I'm taking my bike out this afternoon - for the first time this year
I've psen tevrey wekeend workign on my hosue or playing golf, and keep looking at my bike, knowing I've put half a stone on since Christmas but putting off the struggle I know I'm in for this afternoon. The annoying thing is I know that 3 or 4 rides in the space of a couple of weeks will make me feel so good, that absolute buzz you get when your legs are shaking and your heart pounding.
If I survive I'll report back on Monday

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Post #: 54
RE: Cycling - 21/5/2011 10:39:09 AM   
Hobbitonlass


Posts: 11495
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Westeros
 Good luck!

I need to get back on mine properly as well. Been out a couple of times but got the 54 mile Bikeathon on 26th June!!

Problem is, since I've got into running more the bike has taken a back seat as last year I was cycling to work but this year as I'm in the works running club we go out at lunchtime so think cycling in and then running at lunchtime might be overkill

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Post #: 55
RE: Cycling - 21/5/2011 2:24:23 PM   
great_badir


Posts: 4172
Joined: 6/10/2005
From: A breaking rope bridge in the middle of the jungle
quote:

ORIGINAL: jonson
I've psen tevrey wekeend workign on my hosue


Few bevvies there Jonson?

I've been cycling part of my 8 mile commute to work for four years now - I park up 3 miles outside of Bath centre and then cycle the rest, so 6 miles a day, 5 days a week.  All downhill on the way in, but on the way back it's all punishing San Francisco style hills, so a really good workout (I don't think I'm capable of doing the remaining 5 miles to home because of the three further enormous hills involved and also a couple of "fast" main roads which would terrify me on two wheels) - it's helped me lose 4 1/2 stone in weight in total (along with cutting back on the shit food, of course).  I also do the occasional bit of weekend pleasure riding along a local cycle path, when little lady Badir Junior allows it.

My current machine is a mid-range Cube hybrid (I was saving up for a new car but, in the end, realised I didn't really need a new car so instead of spending £7-8000 on a car, I spent £750 on the Cube and banked the rest - a bargain when you look at it in that way, even though it's not a "cheap" bike), but prior to that I used to always buy shitty Apollos from Halfords.  They get a lot of stick and, admittedly, they don't last an age if used regularly, but they do the job for a while and for way less then £100 I never had any complaints.  They're also the last target for bike thieves - I forgot to lock mine up once and it was left by a busy pavement for about 5 hours.  It was still there when I got back to it and it looked like it hadn't even moved.  Anything else probably wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes.

I am also currently sporting a bit of bicycle-penfifteen envy over someone else at work with a rather sexy looking Whyte hybrid.

Oh, and Hobbitonlass - I tried mixing the biking commute with running last summer.  I was very sensible about it and got some proper running shoes fitted for me, started slow and steady and made sure I either only ran on level ground, or kept changing sides of the road.  Unfortunately, three weeks in I tore the ligaments in both knees and was reduced to hobbling like an old man for about two months.  Later on the same summer I went to a mate's wedding and got chatting to one of his friends who is what I would describe as a professional athlete - he doesn't do the olympics or anything like that, but his job is basically to run loads of races and marathons and be an effective moving advertisement for various sporting goods manufacturers.  Anyway, I explained to him about my knee troubles and he said "some people just shouldn't run".  And he wasn't taking the piss, he meant it.  So that's me never running again


< Message edited by great_badir -- 21/5/2011 2:29:42 PM >

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Post #: 56
RE: Cycling - 21/5/2011 7:13:30 PM   
Super Hans


Posts: 2291
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Watford
quote:

ORIGINAL: Chief

Christened my new bike this morning with a cycle to work. Left the house in a T-shirt, got half way up the road and the heavens opened.

Fucking drenched.


But it was still good.


 Exactly the same thing happened to me the first time I tried riding to work last year, the enthusiasm took over and I didn't check the weather forecast.  Was OK in the morning but I was like a drowned rat when I got home in the evening.  my clothes were sodden, right through to my underpants!

Bought my new bike through the Ride2Work scheme today: http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/trek/7-3-fx-2011.  Love it!  Looking forward to the commute more now I've got a lighter, smoother bike.  I've had a quick go on it this afternoon, it's so quiet compared to my Apollo.



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Post #: 57
RE: Cycling - 30/5/2011 10:59:56 AM   
Chief


Posts: 7008
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: The Kingdom, Scotland
 Out on Saturday morning for 14.5 miles. 3 miles in and it started pissing down AGAIN! Real heavy rain, I had to dive into a bus shelter for 10 minutes until it calmed down, I was soaked.

15 minutes later I was in brilliant sunshine.

Scottish weather, you can't beat it.

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Post #: 58
RE: Cycling - 22/6/2011 12:43:52 PM   
Chief


Posts: 7008
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: The Kingdom, Scotland
 Finished the 22 miles in under 2 hours in full Buzz Lightyear regalia.


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Post #: 59
RE: Cycling - 22/6/2011 12:49:20 PM   
Hobbitonlass


Posts: 11495
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Westeros
  Nice one Chief!   Guessing that was an event and not part of your normal commute to work?

I've got the London Bikeathon this weekend, 54 miles round London.  Just hope the weather picks up for it.  Change from last year when we did it on the hottest day of the year.......  Don't mind if it's not hot, just not wet and windy....

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Post #: 60
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