[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[Marty McFly]

Nothing specific just some Zwift and some local rides. What does concern me a bit is I normally on out on my Ribble road bike but went out yesterday on my Salsa Vaya touring. Knackered after as it is much heavier. That's without all the extra load I need to take.

Interesting to hear that about the Salsa. Is this your first from them?

I nearly went with a Salsa Mukluk before committing to a Borealis Flume. Very happy with the choice, as my Borealis came in lighter and with more favourable standard gearing. Really helps as I live near the top of many converging long up-hills.

 

[Stat Brother]

Good morning [MENTION=19321]Pogue Mahone[/MENTION]

[tweet]1553713110472482816[/tweet]

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Anyone else lacking motivation to ride at the moment?

Only been out "properly" two or three times since mid June, bored of the same old roads & trails at lunchtimes (so limited with routes in the Peacehaven area) & not watched any cycling for weeks on TV, despite the "best ever" coverage from GCN+/ Eurosport etc.

What have people found is the best way to get out of a huge riding funk??

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Anyone else lacking motivation to ride at the moment?

Only been out "properly" two or three times since mid June, bored of the same old roads & trails at lunchtimes (so limited with routes in the Peacehaven area) & not watched any cycling for weeks on TV, despite the "best ever" coverage from GCN+/ Eurosport etc.

What have people found is the best way to get out of a huge riding funk??

I definitely get where you are coming from. I am spending an extended period down here in the Pyrenees, and it has reminded me that I love cycling - I'm so bored of riding in Sussex.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Good morning [MENTION=19321]Pogue Mahone[/MENTION]

[tweet]1553713110472482816[/tweet]

FFS...these people don't care if they live or die, do they?

 

[hampshirebrightonboy]

Interesting to hear that about the Salsa. Is this your first from them?

I nearly went with a Salsa Mukluk before committing to a Borealis Flume. Very happy with the choice, as my Borealis came in lighter and with more favourable standard gearing. Really helps as I live near the top of many converging long up-hills.

Yes my first. Used it for commuting for a number of years. Beautiful bike - love it. Can pretty much ride it anywhere and looks almost as good now as the day I bought it.

 

[Stat Brother]

Anyone else lacking motivation to ride at the moment?

Only been out "properly" two or three times since mid June, bored of the same old roads & trails at lunchtimes (so limited with routes in the Peacehaven area) & not watched any cycling for weeks on TV, despite the "best ever" coverage from GCN+/ Eurosport etc.

What have people found is the best way to get out of a huge riding funk??

Deffo would probably be an annual thing.

I'd either set myself an event that required me to 'train' for, or I'd mix up my rides.

Try riding a few 10TT's, it'll blow away some cobwebs and is only a 25 minute commitment.

I got quite good and my already decent road skills went through the roof as I was fighting average speed as well as Honda Jazz'.

The last cure I have isn't possible at the moment.
Go out in some awful weather real 'me and my bike v God' weather, you'll come back smiling!

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Deffo would probably be an annual thing.

I'd either set myself an event that required me to 'train' for, or I'd mix up my rides.

Try riding a few 10TT's, it'll blow away some cobwebs and is only a 25 minute commitment.

I got quite good and my already decent road skills went through the roof as I was fighting average speed as well as Honda Jazz'.

The last cure I have isn't possible at the moment.
Go out in some awful weather real 'me and my bike v God' weather, you'll come back smiling!

1 - HATE TT's with a passion. Always found them incredibly boring, so thats out!
2 - Tried mixing it up regularly (gravel / road / MTB) but I've ridden the same old roads/trails round here SO many times.
3 - Just not had opportunities to ride "events" as family life is always front & centre (plus the wife works most weekends in A&E so I have to be "Dads Taxi")
4 - Bad weather + FP dont mix....I start to hibernate as soon as that stuff rolls around!

I considered joining a club as well, wondering if that might spark something...but I quickly realised I just wouldn't have the time to go on regular club rides etc.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

I definitely get where you are coming from. I am spending an extended period down here in the Pyrenees, and it has reminded me that I love cycling - I'm so bored of riding in Sussex.

I love our county Pogue, but I totally agree...Im just so bored of riding it & have done it to death!

Grabbed the chance to ride down at the Witterings for the first time last weekend which was great - but chances like that are so few and far between these days. I went out Saturday over the Dyke and up to Bolney - but I didn't enjoy it that much and felt like I was just going through the motions.

Being based where we are there are such limited "roadie" routes too - basically just one road East to Seaford, one road North to Lewes, or one road West to Worthing. Same with the off road trails too...*sigh*

 

[Marty McFly]

I love our county Pogue, but I totally agree...Im just so bored of riding it & have done it to death!

Grabbed the chance to ride down at the Witterings for the first time last weekend which was great - but chances like that are so few and far between these days. I went out Saturday over the Dyke and up to Bolney - but I didn't enjoy it that much and felt like I was just going through the motions.

Being based where we are there are such limited "roadie" routes too - basically just one road East to Seaford, one road North to Lewes, or one road West to Worthing. Same with the off road trails too...*sigh*

Cycling holiday time...

 

[Stat Brother]

1 - HATE TT's with a passion. Always found them incredibly boring, so thats out!
2 - Tried mixing it up regularly (gravel / road / MTB) but I've ridden the same old roads/trails round here SO many times.
3 - Just not had opportunities to ride "events" as family life is always front & centre (plus the wife works most weekends in A&E so I have to be "Dads Taxi")
4 - Bad weather + FP dont mix....I start to hibernate as soon as that stuff rolls around!

I considered joining a club as well, wondering if that might spark something...but I quickly realised I just wouldn't have the time to go on regular club rides etc.

Oh yeah all makes sense, esp club rides - I really don't see the point.
(I didn't come here for a lecture in communism)

Re TT's I don't mean anything official, just go out for a 'blast' of a ride 30 mins tops come back blowing out your arse, get the blood, legs and endorphins pumping.
I was able to roll that into my own 10 mile TT.

 

[ANdy1]

Anyone else lacking motivation to ride at the moment?

Only been out "properly" two or three times since mid June, bored of the same old roads & trails at lunchtimes (so limited with routes in the Peacehaven area) & not watched any cycling for weeks on TV, despite the "best ever" coverage from GCN+/ Eurosport etc.

What have people found is the best way to get out of a huge riding funk??

Oh, that is a real problem that you are tired of riding near home - new routes is one of the best things in cycling. When I had it, I was extremely happy for the first months, I enjoyed riding it anywhere. Then I had a motorbike and lost interest to ride in my town after few weeks...

Still looking for the ways for to deal with it. Probably I should find somebody to ride with me and we may have little comptetitions with each other

 

[Stat Brother]

Can we all please make a pact NOT to show this to [MENTION=19321]Pogue Mahone[/MENTION]

[tweet]1554477765512101891[/tweet]


Remember

#DontShowPogue.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Can we all please make a pact NOT to show this to [MENTION=19321]Pogue Mahone[/MENTION]

[tweet]1554477765512101891[/tweet]


Remember

#DontShowPogue.

My testicles have risen into my throat region.

I feel physically sick.

 

[Weststander]

Please may I have some advice from nsc's cycling experts

I ride a Trek FX4 hybrid, I love it and for the first time ever I want to try clip-in pedals and shoes.

FWIW I'm a fairly 'big unit', have size 11 feet and my riding is all fitness rides on roads including steep hills.

Any recommendations of suitable pedals and shoes?

 

[Stat Brother]

Please may I have some advice from nsc's cycling experts

I ride a Trek FX4 hybrid, I love it and for the first time ever I want to try clip-in pedals and shoes.

FWIW I'm a fairly 'big unit', have size 11 feet and my riding is all fitness rides on roads including steep hills.

Any recommendations of suitable pedals and shoes?

You only really have 2 choices Shimano and Look.
Which basically means you only have one choice Look Keo.


If you're anticipating staying on your bike then Keo or Shimano SLP (?) is the system you want.
Obvs feet are funny buggers so you might find the shoes come up too small, bearing in mind yours might also expand when exercising, while the shoes can be unforgiving, what with the hard sole.

Shimano also do a half and half smaller clip in, used by mountain bikers as it gives them greater mobility when pointing.

Would suggest you start basic and see how you get on.

I'll dig out some links in a moment.

These appear to be Shimano knock off's but it's everything you need for less than £100.

https://m.lightinthebox.com/p/sd001...TMNwFGCZhT5PgmFlPEaAhCSEALw_wcB#header_anchor

I've used Exustar before as a 'cheap' pedal/cleat Look Compatible option and they were good - Amazon £30.

Don't know what's available in the shoe market as my last pair was probably my greatest t'inernet find when I got a lovely pair reduced down to next to nothing by PlanetX, years ago.

 

[East Staffs Gull]

I use Shimano SPD EH500 pedals on my hybrid. One side of each pedal is flat and the other accepts a 2 bolt SPD cleat (not a 3 bolt SPD SL cleat). I love them. Make sure that your cycling shoes are compatible with the cleats.

 

[Weststander]

You only really have 2 choices Shimano and Look.
Which basically means you only have one choice Look Keo.


If you're anticipating staying on your bike then Keo or Shimano SLP (?) is the system you want.
Obvs feet are funny buggers so you might find the shoes come up too small, bearing in mind yours might also expand when exercising, while the shoes can be unforgiving, what with the hard sole.

Shimano also do a half and half smaller clip in, used by mountain bikers as it gives them greater mobility when pointing.

Would suggest you start basic and see how you get on.

I'll dig out some links in a moment.

These appear to be Shimano knock off's but it's everything you need for less than £100.

https://m.lightinthebox.com/p/sd001...TMNwFGCZhT5PgmFlPEaAhCSEALw_wcB#header_anchor

I've used Exustar before as a 'cheap' pedal/cleat Look Compatible option and they were good - Amazon £30.

Don't know what's available in the shoe market as my last pair was probably my greatest t'inernet find when I got a lovely pair reduced down to next to nothing by PlanetX, years ago.

Many thanks.

I forgot to say that my feet are wide too.

I guessed that in general the shoes are narrow.

I think the best bet is for me to actually visit a shop and try some on. Any places you'd recommend that'll have a good stock of shoes?

 

[Stat Brother]

Many thanks.

I forgot to say that my feet are wide too.

I guessed that in general the shoes are narrow.

I think the best bet is for me to actually visit a shop and try some on. Any places you'd recommend that'll have a good stock of shoes?

They'll all have some, but they might be a bit pricey.

I have a vague recollection of having this conversation before, with one among us, gonna guess [MENTION=4472]strings[/MENTION] is your man (apologies if I've offended your dainty little tootsies)

 

[strings]

They'll all have some, but they might be a bit pricey.

I have a vague recollection of having this conversation before, with one among us, gonna guess [MENTION=4472]strings[/MENTION] is your man (apologies if I've offended your dainty little tootsies)

Yes - it was me, I have size 13 wide-fit feet, which makes buying shoes a nightmare at the best of times (and almost impossible when it comes to buying cycling shoes or rugby boots).

Anyway, I have a pair of Shimano R088 shoes, which were available in wide fit and in large sizes when I bought them a few years ago. They could probably do with replacing at the moment, but I have only been on my bike once this year and once last year, hence not upgrading for the time being.

For the record, I have use the Shimano SPD-SL pedal system, with the Shimano RS500 pedals - I like them as they are a little wider than the standard SPD-SL pedals.