[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[Stat Brother]

I have nothing constructive to add to this thread. But what a BEAUTIFUL poster that is!

Well firstly thanks for popping by.
You've inadvertently answered a question that's been vexing me for a little while, that being:-

Do we get any 'through traffic' anymore, or are we a completely isolated autonomous thread.

and secondly, typing 'Paris Roubaix cobbles' into youtube shows it's not so much a poster, more a representation of actual events:-

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Immense effort, well played chaps. The first time I've ever watched the race, brutal stuff.

Think I'll stick to being a wannabe mountain goat.

Not so much wannabe, more confirmed!

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Also meant to ask...how did your wheels & tyres hold up? I saw an interesting pic earlier of what the cobbles can do to the tyres but unfortunately it won't upload.

Love the official race poster too.

View attachment 41398

You're right - that poster is a beaut.

My wheels are both relatively new...they're not high budget wheels, Specialized RS 21s, but I like them. And I was using new tyres - Continental Grand Prix 4 Seasons, 28mm.

[MENTION=225]Hamilton[/MENTION] has the wheels that came with his Spesh Allez Pro, and Gatorskins - 28mm.

We were amazed, and very pleased, to avoid any mechanical difficulties. Not one puncture between us, and the wheels held up unbelievably well, with no noticeable wear and tear. Considering the battering that they took, this just goes to show how well made these bikes are.

But there but for the grace of God...

Oh and by the way, I've said it before and I'll say it again - it's worth spending money on some really good shorts/tights. Assos are expensive, but once again were worth their weight in gold (even though they weigh very little); no bruising or saddle sores for me.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

@ Pogue Mahone excellent reading that. I'm genuinely in awe of what you both did; I'd be struggling out of bed for day 2.

 

[Stat Brother]

Oh and by the way, I've said it before and I'll say it again - it's worth spending money on some really good shorts/tights. Assos are expensive, but once again were worth their weight in gold (even though they weigh very little); no bruising or saddle sores for me.

I wonder how your perceived aches and pains would have been had you encountered a mechanical and 3 punctures.


I was doing a lesser event riding up Duncton Hill (which I know doesn't have the same gravitas, but I'll continue).
A little way in front a bloke tumbled off at the top of the climb.
I got to him as he was getting back on a little bloodied and grazed, his first question was:-

'Have I ripped my Assos jersey'

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

It still amazes me how they have the strength to hold those cobbles up after hours on riding on them.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I wonder how your perceived aches and pains would have been had you encountered a mechanical and 3 punctures.


I was doing a lesser event riding up Duncton Hill (which I know doesn't have the same gravitas, but I'll continue).
A little way in front a bloke tumbled off at the top of the climb.
I got to him as he was getting back on a little bloodied and grazed, his first question was:-

'Have I ripped my Assos jersey'

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

It still amazes me how they have the strength to hold those cobbles up after hours on riding on them.

I am going to rewrite this, having just seen the end of this years 'Queen of the North', how the F do they do a cat and mouse track sprint at the end of a Paris Roubaix

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Good report, sounds like an experience of a lifetime. I can especially imagine the welling up of emotion as you entered the velodrome. I even had the tingle factor last year standing there amongst the crowds as Boonen entered and that's just a smidgen compared to what you experienced. Did they give you seats in the grandstand bit by the finish line as part of your package? If nothing else you earnt the right to sit down in comfort to watch the finish. When we went we was stood right about where Canc did his track stand yesterday.

No.

It didn't matter though, as Sunday was a great day. We went to the start of the race, and saw most of the riders signing on...the bike porn here reached levels that I could never have dreamed of, as we got up-close and personal with the teams and their machines.

From there we headed for sector 2 of the paves, where we stood right by the side of the road as the riders passed within inches of us, and managed to avoid bringing any of them down. Stannard punctured close to where we were, Luke Rowe stopped and gave him his wheel, and never made it back...

Then it was back on the coach, and up to the end of sector 14 - there was a beer tent, a band, loads of drunk Belgians and a party atmosphere. There was also a screen in the beer tent so we could see the race as it approached, which cranked the atmosphere right up. Again they hurtled past, again, no one fell off. Hayman was in the lead here, Super G was drafting the Sky team car, and well off the pace after his various disasters. Still, at least we could pick him out and give him a cheer. I'm sure that energised him no end.

From there, we headed straight for Roubaix, and into the Velodrome. I am amazed that anyone can just walk in, that there is no ticketing system, that parking is made easy, and is free...it was great. We were up on the terraces, high up, about 150m from the finish. A brilliant atmosphere in the stadium, especially when Spartacus arrived with Vanmarcke, and what a treat to see a track sprint to finish after 250km in the saddle. And to see Niki Terpstra and Greg van Avermaet come in 3rd and 4th was brilliant, both being in my fantasy team.

We stayed for the Podium presentation, then went back to St. Quentin for a last night in our hotel.

It was another memorable day, made more so by what happened the day before.

 

[Stat Brother]

Zdenek Stybar: fan incident ruined Paris-Roubaix chances | Latest News | Cycling Weekly

 

[Hamilton]

I wonder how your perceived aches and pains would have been had you encountered a mechanical and 3 punctures.


I was doing a lesser event riding up Duncton Hill (which I know doesn't have the same gravitas, but I'll continue).
A little way in front a bloke tumbled off at the top of the climb.
I got to him as he was getting back on a little bloodied and grazed, his first question was:-

'Have I ripped my Assos jersey'

I think the aches and pains would have doubled in intensity. I know this goes without saying, but one of the things I learned was that you just have to keep on going. No long food station stops (when we did that you start to seize up fast), instead frequent small breather stops and moderate your pace. After each pave you need to recompose yourself - if you have time.

The other thing is speed on the paves. The faster you can go, the more you can take the heat off yourself. I say this, but only to a degree as some of the secteurs are just ridiculous in their bone shaking. I honestly thought my contact lenses were going to shake out of my head at one point.

To not get a puncture was an absolute dream. I went out with 3 tubes convinced I'd be by the side of the road, and plenty were. I think it's down to luck, the 28s and getting the psi right (96).

One last funny. This is only my second sportive. I'm new to cycling having only taken it up 6 or 7 months ago. Back in December Pogue Mahone suggested we do a ride in France. "Come along," he said, "it's northern France. It's flat and the French love cyclists." Not a word about the bloody cobbles. So i signed up. On later reading I discovered more.

At 120km I hated him. I wanted to kill him.

 

[Motogull]

One last funny. This is only my second sportive. I'm new to cycling having only taken it up 6 or 7 months ago.

That is some going.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I think the aches and pains would have doubled in intensity. I know this goes without saying, but one of the things I learned was that you just have to keep on going. No long food station stops (when we did that you start to seize up fast), instead frequent small breather stops and moderate your pace. After each pave you need to recompose yourself - if you have time.

The other thing is speed on the paves. The faster you can go, the more you can take the heat off yourself. I say this, but only to a degree as some of the secteurs are just ridiculous in their bone shaking. I honestly thought my contact lenses were going to shake out of my head at one point.

To not get a puncture was an absolute dream. I went out with 3 tubes convinced I'd be by the side of the road, and plenty were. I think it's down to luck, the 28s and getting the psi right (96).

One last funny. This is only my second sportive. I'm new to cycling having only taken it up 6 or 7 months ago. Back in December Pogue Mahone suggested we do a ride in France. "Come along," he said, "it's northern France. It's flat and the French love cyclists." Not a word about the bloody cobbles. So i signed up. On later reading I discovered more.

At 120km I hated him. I wanted to kill him.

 

[Stat Brother]

Put your angry hat on chaps, this is freakin ugly.

Universal Sports Announcers Lose Their Minds at Vuelta al Pais Vasco - Podium Cafe

 

[Bold Seagull]

No.

It didn't matter though, as Sunday was a great day. We went to the start of the race, and saw most of the riders signing on...the bike porn here reached levels that I could never have dreamed of, as we got up-close and personal with the teams and their machines.

From there we headed for sector 2 of the paves, where we stood right by the side of the road as the riders passed within inches of us, and managed to avoid bringing any of them down. Stannard punctured close to where we were, Luke Rowe stopped and gave him his wheel, and never made it back...

Then it was back on the coach, and up to the end of sector 14 - there was a beer tent, a band, loads of drunk Belgians and a party atmosphere. There was also a screen in the beer tent so we could see the race as it approached, which cranked the atmosphere right up. Again they hurtled past, again, no one fell off. Hayman was in the lead here, Super G was drafting the Sky team car, and well off the pace after his various disasters. Still, at least we could pick him out and give him a cheer. I'm sure that energised him no end.

From there, we headed straight for Roubaix, and into the Velodrome. I am amazed that anyone can just walk in, that there is no ticketing system, that parking is made easy, and is free...it was great. We were up on the terraces, high up, about 150m from the finish. A brilliant atmosphere in the stadium, especially when Spartacus arrived with Vanmarcke, and what a treat to see a track sprint to finish after 250km in the saddle. And to see Niki Terpstra and Greg van Avermaet come in 3rd and 4th was brilliant, both being in my fantasy team.

We stayed for the Podium presentation, then went back to St. Quentin for a last night in our hotel.

It was another memorable day, made more so by what happened the day before.

Sounds a bloody brilliant weekend!

When's our next UK sportive then!? (without cobbles )

 

[Bold Seagull]

Geeks with kids...

My 6, soon to be 7 yr old needs a new bike, and like any good cycling parent, I'm leaning toward the Islabike Beinn 20. Everything about it is quality, retained value, lasts (he has a 2 yr old brother who would no doubt inherit it.

But I also know the Decathalon's are well thought of, and currently the B'Twin Racingboy 3 20" is on offer for £70...

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/20-racingboy-3-2012-id_8221827.html#avantages

Now is that £70 down the drain as it will be heavier, components not as good quality, riding it is less enjoyable - therefore ridden less, or is it a genuinely sensible purchase for a 7 yr old to get into cycling? I can't find info. on the actual weight of it (obviously important for those little legs), but wondered if anyone else had any recent experience?

Thanks.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Go for it.

Only yesterday I saw a little lad probably only 6 or 7yo looking the business on a tiny road racer with yellow frame using his drop handlebars, wearing cool wrap around shades and cycle helmet, could have been a mini-Wiggo. His Dad following on another bike, must have been proud as anything. Hope the lad sticks to cycling, maybe a TdF winner in 20 years time! Thats the legacy of 2012.

 

[lost in london]

Put your angry hat on chaps, this is freakin ugly.

Universal Sports Announcers Lose Their Minds at Vuelta al Pais Vasco - Podium Cafe

That was a fantastic take down of some pretty ill-informed comments. inrng also had a go at them, but not nearly so well as that website.

 

[Stat Brother]

I've always worked on the principle they'll out grow any bike, before it 'dies', and they'll never go anywhere taxing enough to worry about weight etc.

The jnr stat's have between them a Halfords £100'er, a free Reebok 'mountain' bike hand-me-down, and a Colnago

 

[Bold Seagull]

Go for it.

Only yesterday I saw a little lad probably only 6 or 7yo looking the business on a tiny road racer with yellow frame using his drop handlebars, wearing cool wrap around shades and cycle helmet, could have been a mini-Wiggo. His Dad following on another bike, must have been proud as anything. Hope the lad sticks to cycling, maybe a TdF winner in 20 years time! Thats the legacy of 2012.

Wasn't one of these was it?

http://all-about-the-bike.co.uk/viking-jetstream-junior-road-bike-2013-20-wheel-7551-p.asp