2012 Cycling thread.

[Cee Jay]

Originally Posted by monkeytassle

Totally right about needing to ride with someone else. Unfortunately the club I want to join meet on a Saturday morning which would really interfere with my drinking schedule

I tagged onto a guy yesterday for a few km and we took turns leading which is the first time I’ve really done that but he had to peel off a after a few miles. It did make a difference.

This weekend if the conditions are favourable I’m planning to reach Brighton. 108km which is the longest I’ll have been out but seems manageable and I have all day to do it. I’d need to be self-sufficient which means a rucksack.

What do you plan on carrying ?

I use saddle bag for tube/gas cartridge/levers
and then carry two bottles( one with a fuel type drink) carry a gel or a few energy bars and manage long rides with that.
Oh and a packable rainproof

[Manchester Black Cat]

Originally Posted by monkeytassle

Totally right about needing to ride with someone else. Unfortunately the club I want to join meet on a Saturday morning which would really interfere with my drinking schedule

I tagged onto a guy yesterday for a few km and we took turns leading which is the first time I’ve really done that but he had to peel off a after a few miles. It did make a difference.

This weekend if the conditions are favourable I’m planning to reach Brighton. 108km which is the longest I’ll have been out but seems manageable and I have all day to do it. I’d need to be self-sufficient which means a rucksack.

If you end up doing this let me know your route. I'm doing the Haywards Heath sportive 1st April and am going to cycle to my GFs in Brighton on the Friday 30th to prepare for it after work. Leaving from Canary Wharf I reckon it will take about 3.5 - 4 hours.

If I ever end up moving to the smoke I think it's going to be the Greenwich, Blackheath, Canada Water, Bermondsey sort of areas, so I'd be up for riding with you now and then.

Originally Posted by Cee Jay

I know it's considered a big no no...but I take ipod with me on longer rides.
Don't have it too loud and can still easily hear traffic, but does break the drudge of longer harder rides.

Otherwise sounds like you need a cycling buddy or a club to join


if you think lycra is bad...skin suits and aero shoe covers really top it off.

I used to ride with music all the time on my commute I only had one bud in and my logic was if my hearing is impaired 50% it just makes me look around more and so infact makes me safer as I was looking behind me every 100ms or so. The downside was I got carried away once singing a long thinking I was alone. When I looked behind me I had 2 guys on my wheel pissing themselves laughing.

BTW Monkey I have this:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/carradice-ba...tm_campaign=uk

Which hangs off your saddle and I have this :

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/carradice-ca...lap_Saddle_Bag

Which sits on the support for when I do touring and very long distance rides. That bag is a larger one for long rides of several days, but you can get smaller ones which would save you having to wear a rucksack. I hate rucksacks personally on my back.

This is what it looks like on the bike:



It looks like it's touching the wheel but it's not. Might suit what you want.

Also if your saddle has saddle loops you don't need the support.

[Al]

Originally Posted by monkeytassle

This weekend if the conditions are favourable I’m planning to reach Brighton. 108km which is the longest I’ll have been out but seems manageable and I have all day to do it. I’d need to be self-sufficient which means a rucksack.

If you can't fit it in your back pockets you don't need it.

small pack with multi-tool & puncture repair kit
spare inner tube (maybe 2)
bit scran - couple of energy bars, etc
phone
money
possibly a wind/waterproof jacket, depending on weather

You don't need anything else.

[Cee Jay]

Originally Posted by Al

If you can't fit it in your back pockets you don't need it.

small pack with multi-tool & puncture repair kit
spare inner tube (maybe 2)
bit scran - couple of energy bars, etc
phone
money
possibly a wind/waterproof jacket, depending on weather

You don't need anything else.

This......
Never taken a rucksack. Saddle bag and stuff everything else in jersey or jacket pockets.

[monkeytassle]

blimey, i won't take a rucksack then cheers for advice all.

this looks like a decent route

http://www.cycle-route.com/routes/To...Route-183.html

i'll ahve to skirt around to croydon and cut south but otehrwise looking at a route through edenbrige and wind across. also unsure whether to avoid ditchling beacon if i can. anyone been up that? i hear it's a killer

or there is this one which is slightly more friendly:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...t-to-Sea-front

i'm already getting excited about this.

[Manchester Black Cat]

Originally Posted by monkeytassle

blimey, i won't take a rucksack then cheers for advice all.

this looks like a decent route

http://www.cycle-route.com/routes/To...Route-183.html

i'll ahve to skirt around to croydon and cut south but otehrwise looking at a route through edenbrige and wind across. also unsure whether to avoid ditchling beacon if i can. anyone been up that? i hear it's a killer

or there is this one which is slightly more friendly:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...t-to-Sea-front

i'm already getting excited about this.

Ive been up it alot in a car. Its pretty steep and twisty sort of like a mini alpine climb. Looks good fun though and im eager to attempt it.. Tho towards the end of a.log ride im sure it will be carnage to the legs!

Its on the london-brighton sportive right at the end. Its listed as dangerous on strava so they dont do koms on it. But i dnt really agree with that.

You should do it. The view at the top will be worth the pain.

[Al]

Originally Posted by monkeytassle

i'll ahve to skirt around to croydon and cut south but otehrwise looking at a route through edenbrige and wind across. also unsure whether to avoid ditchling beacon if i can. anyone been up that? i hear it's a killer

.

I think it was last year, in a London - Brighton ride some bloke pegged it half way up Ditchling Beacon.

[Rep of Seaburn]

Originally Posted by Jon Snow

Is there a Clarion ride next Sunday?

Aye there is on the 4th to Woolsingham I think, I wont be there as will be at the match. Sometimes it changes later in the week but will let you know. Would be great to see some new faces from the SMB like.

Originally Posted by Al

I think it was last year, in a London - Brighton ride some bloke pegged it half way up Ditchling Beacon.

Did a ride last year with a mate from London Bridge to Brighton Via Guildford, mostly on South Downs way. Took a while like, had a few pints on jumped one train back. Very pleasant

Originally Posted by Jon Snow

This whole lycra thing is pretty gay like

Agreed, look like badly packaged sausage in mine like.

Originally Posted by Cee Jay

Aye about that time...the last two mornings I've done reps along Seaburn to Shields on TT bike, so sure I've seen you, gave a nod or wave to everyone( roadie/MTB/hybrid ) I saw....

If you saw a female on a TT bike around the same time that would have been the missus

I was in the car behind at the morrisons round about, chased you for about 1/2 a mile down onto the sea front. Like your night vision gear don't ya ;)

[Jon Snow]

Originally Posted by Rep of Seaburn

Aye there is on the 4th to Woolsingham I think, I wont be there as will be at the match. Sometimes it changes later in the week but will let you know. Would be great to see some new faces from the SMB like.

Agreed, look like badly packaged sausage in mine like.

My problem is I look like they've forgotten to pack the sausage...

Cool. Will try and get out, just meet at the Co-op at Shiney?

Right, these here Garmins. I fancy a 800.

The maps though, what are they like? Standard OS thingys?

[Rep of Seaburn]

Originally Posted by Jon Snow

My problem is I look like they've forgotten to pack the sausage...

Cool. Will try and get out, just meet at the Co-op at Shiney?

Right, these here Garmins. I fancy a 800.

The maps though, what are they like? Standard OS thingys?

Aye, should be 0900, DM me your name and I will make sure some introduces themselves and makes you welcome. Will pop something on the clarion forum so they keep an eye out for you.

I have a Garmin 500, more than enough stats on that, if I get lost or need a map, I use google maps on my phone.