The Cycling Thread

[Ricardo]

Ordered a pair of winter cycling socks from a company called Pongo decent reviews, Merino wool should keep the toes nice and toasty.

Hi-Vis Yellow Merino 2.0 - Winter Cycling Socks

Our Merino Wool Cycling socks were listed as the top 10 best winter cycling socks for winter riding. Winter cycling socks are a must have winter cycling kit garment. Keep your feet warm when cycling and pull up our Italian winter cycling socks perfect for men and women.

www.pongolondon.cc

Matches the bike too


Decided to challenge myself and up the ante in the mileage stakes, I'm going to dedicate a whole day to see how far I can actually ride. Start super early, and just keep riding. I'm just in the middle of route planning with support en route.

 

[Norwich Nick]

Decided to challenge myself and up the ante in the mileage stakes, I'm going to dedicate a whole day to see how far I can actually ride. Start super early, and just keep riding. I'm just in the middle of route planning with support en route.

I’m not brave enough to do that, I think it’s something I’d like to try though but I never push myself to go too far as I’m always weary of the fact I’ve got to turn around and come back again.
The furthest I’ve been is around 25 miles one way on a bike that was too big and not all the gears would engage! The bike was brought back in a lorry though.

It’s a great idea and good luck with it, you’ll probably find you can go a lot further than you think once you get going

 

[DaveL485]

Decided to challenge myself and up the ante in the mileage stakes, I'm going to dedicate a whole day to see how far I can actually ride. Start super early, and just keep riding. I'm just in the middle of route planning with support en route.

Brave!

Furthest I have done is 100km for a charity bike ride, last year not long after I started riding again. I was goosed afterwards but then my average ride was 15-20km then. I think I only made the distance as I was riding in a peloton (I normally ride solo), I was amazed the difference it makes. I probably only led for 10% distance. We did 65km before stopping for lunch, that alone was the furthest i'd ridden. I don't really have the desire to do any further than that TBH and I do about 80-90km a week usually in 2 rides.

Weather has turned now anyway, so i'm back in the pool. 80 lengths (2km) last night in about 55 mins. Last Friday was a few hours skiing at the snowdome which also defo classes as a workout! Bit of variety never hurt

 

[Ricardo]

Indeed being part of a Peloton can save the rider up to 30%, however I've done all my rides solo and kinda used to it now. I've not joined any riding groups either, I'm motivated by the personal challeng mentally and physically.

Hopefully, checking the long range forecast it should still be warm enough to do starting with a low of 9 and hitting 12-13 degrees. I'm not a fan of riding in the dark but this is something different, as long as it doesn't piss down all day then I'll go. I'll hover around my average to keep it steady, the main thing is fuel, nutrition, fluids.

Basically, the idea is the right until I'm absolutely battered!... And achieve a decent mileage count

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Ordered a pair of winter cycling socks from a company called Pongo decent reviews, Merino wool should keep the toes nice and toasty.

Funny you posted this! I had my first outing with a pair of Merino Wool socks this morning on my daily ride. Did notice a different and my toes definitely felt warmer towards the end of the ride.

Fair play to you @Ricardo for going out to see how far you can get. I've done a couple of "long" rides but only as far as circa 30 miles or so, so far.

 

[markg]

The key to long distance is to eat properly. I never did and would bonk after a few hours. Now I actually think about eating before I'm hungry, general crap like gels and Mars bars etc.

 

[Ricardo]

The key to long distance is to eat properly. I never did and would bonk after a few hours. Now I actually think about eating before I'm hungry, general crap like gels and Mars bars etc.

Agreed, that seems to be the number one point mentioned in a few YouTube videos I've watched over the last few months.

 

[Ricardo]

Been a while, not been out as much as I'd like. The weather's played a bit part in that so I treated myself to something a bit different, a gravel bike. I'm loving the road riding and that will continue but I wanted to explore the routes off-road as well
2021 Cannondale Topstone 2


Also bought some waterproof winter gloves and some neoprene over shoes


A couple of winter rides

 

[Ricardo]

And ordered new Shimano MTB shoes, SPD pedals and cleats

 

[andybond]

Those shoes and cleats look a bit Gucci!

 

[Ricardo]

Those shoes and cleats look a bit Gucci!

And at the lower end of the price range! I was looking at shoes another £50 more but decided on these. They'll do the job

 

[DaveL485]

Been considering one myself as well. Quite fancy a bit of off road shenanigans.

 

[Ricardo]

Treated the bike to 2 of these, next on the list is a midloader frame bag.

 

[DaveL485]

I havent ridden properly for so long i'm wondering if my legs might fall off when I get back in the saddle! I did one 26km ride in Jan in some opportune weather, other than that it's October last time I did any distance.

I've been walking as I can't swim either with the lockdown/pool closed, about 5 miles twice a week.

 

[Ricardo]

If I can't get out on the bike I'll walk the seafront at least twice a week at 10k a time, I need to be doing something.

 

[Ricardo]

Bloody shoes aren't in stock, thanks for letting me know 2 days later refund incoming. The demand out there for bikes and everything that comes with it is unreal

 

[andybond]

Bloody shoes aren't in stock, thanks for letting me know 2 days later refund incoming. The demand out there for bikes and everything that comes with it is unreal

Its wrong of retailers stating things are available then letting you down. Had it a few times recently.

 

[DaveL485]

Bloody shoes aren't in stock, thanks for letting me know 2 days later refund incoming. The demand out there for bikes and everything that comes with it is unreal

Never seen my local bike shop so empty, they have been hammered.

 

[Ricardo]

Its wrong of retailers stating things are available then letting you down. Had it a few times recently.

First time it's happened, was with Sports Direct online, 3-4 days ago I ordered but decide to tell me 2 days after that they're temporarily out of stock. Oh and the refund will take up to 5 days to show back in the account, thanks.

The pedals and cleats were on a separate order, and for some reason they've sent the cleats out on their own and the pedals to follow so with that I took the pedals off my road bike after work just so I could give the gravel bike a ride out.

 

[Sam Fish]

Talking of bikes, I've started building my own frames recently. I wouldn't say it's easy, but it isn't rocket science, practice and practice. This is my second one, which I also sprayed
There are a few places that run courses, allowing complete metal-notices a chance to come away with a custom bike frame in 5 days! I didn't go down that route, but I did their master fillet-brazing course.