[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[Pogue Mahone]

I've cycled up there once before, on an old mountain bike, and it was an ordeal, I can tell you

I shall, however, tame the beast of the Beacon before summer is out. Fact.

Edna, it never stops being an ordeal. You just develop a natural masochism that means you seek out that ordeal, and as many others that might hurt more, as you can. The more it hurts, the more you enjoy it! Eventually...

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Needless to say, I avoided Halfords.

For customer service and knowledge, you're quite right but unfortunately the boardman bikes are great value.

Good to support your local bike shop though.

Just to guide you on your journey EK (though don't worry, we're not too strict on them!) -

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

[MENTION=249]edna krabappel[/MENTION], here's the little lady, I mentioned earlier, that's been taking my eye, recently:-
View attachment 54337

Nice one.

I agonised over buying a Cube GTC road bike over some more obvious contenders but the spec (carbon frame, full 105 groupset) was outstanding for the budget of just over £1k and most importantly the fit and handling are great. Two years later I am still delighted with her sharp handling, which needs to be very forgiving on the crap roads around here - and the brakes (105) are great.

Cube may have slightly dumbed down some of their specs lately but still look and feel good value. There are some good deals about and the build quality is very sound. You still don't see too many Cubes around (ok they don't have a big road racing heritage) but the owners I've met seem very happy too.

I agree it helps to support a decent LBS who in return are not too sniffy despite the fact I haven't spent a fortune. Treat me right and I might just stay loyal for an upgrade to a Litening one day.....

 

[dazzer6666]

I've cycled up there once before, on an old mountain bike, and it was an ordeal, I can tell you

I shall, however, tame the beast of the Beacon before summer is out. Fact.

Same here.......even if it kills me.....

 

[dazzer6666]

Best LBS in Sussex ? Is the one in Burgess Hill any good ?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Edna, it never stops being an ordeal. You just develop a natural masochism that means you seek out that ordeal, and as many others that might hurt more, as you can. The more it hurts, the more you enjoy it! Eventually...

Oh I know it will never be easy. But I'd like to be able to cycle up it, no matter how hurty, without stopping. I think that's achievable. Mind over matter

 

[Motogull]

Oh I know it will never be easy. But I'd like to be able to cycle up it, no matter how hurty, without stopping. I think that's achievable. Mind over matter

That's the spirit.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Oh I know it will never be easy. But I'd like to be able to cycle up it, no matter how hurty, without stopping. I think that's achievable. Mind over matter

Yep, you will do it. Then, check out Steyning Bostal. A killer!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Yep, you will do it. Then, check out Steyning Bostal. A killer!

And Box Hill

 

[Stat Brother]

Best LBS in Sussex ? Is the one in Burgess Hill any good ?

This'll show up my complete lack of geography of lesser Sussex.
Even if it's not local, In Gear, Uckfield, is worthy of a visit.

Looking at their site brings up the conundrum I mentioned earlier.

You could get a Secteur (although you wouldn't want a triple!!!!) for £650.
or
It's full carbon 'big brother' the Roubaix for £1150.

2 very very different bike that look similar, one gets you kitted out head to toe, the other takes all your money.
(Pogue is the Roubaix expert here)

 

[dazzer6666]

Cheers, that's only 20 mins away

 

[Stat Brother]

Yep, you will do it. Then, check out Steyning Bostal. A killer!

Are you saving Cobb Lane for another day.

Very wise, we don't want to scare the newbies off.

 

[Motogull]

Don't ride there. They've moved to Forest Row.

 

[1066familyman]

Amazing!, busiest day on the thread for a long while, and somehow it's not all Giro tastic stage related.

Welcome aboard newbies, and as I'm sure you're already finding out, this is possibly the friendliest thread on NSC. Not a binfest to date, top advice freely given, trolls laughed at or ignored, and only the merest hint of a bit of Aussie bashing now and again

 

[1066familyman]

Right off to walk Stat Hound.

After a flat 47 miles earlier anyone want to lay odds on whether I can get past the chippie, or not?

So, was it large with lashings of salt & vinegar?, and how many sausages did you throw in for good measure? Nice work on the ride btw

Been out this evening on a flat run too, with Jnr as a swapsie for her athletics training again

Consequently I haven't had time to catch up with all the gossip and talk about Quintana's descending tatics today. What are your twitter thingies saying? I'll dive into the binfest forum later but it'll be a lot to wade through, so I'd be interested to see what you've turned up.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

What are your twitter thingies saying? I'll dive into the binfest forum later but it'll be a lot to wade through, so I'd be interested to see what you've turned up.

It's a whole can of worms!

Even if people thought it was neutralised, they should have checked!

 

[1066familyman]

It's a whole can of worms!

Even if people thought it was neutralised, they should have checked!

Yep, last I heard, seems like a few DS's might have started a rumour of it possibly being neutralised and then some people put 2 and 2 together and got 5 and a twitter race feed caused some confusion too. Have any of the riders complained yet? It seems not from the little I've seen of reports so far.

I'm firmly on Quintana's side personally, if there's sides to be taken.

1) It's as you say, they should have checked.
2) As I said straight after the stage - he took more time on the final climb than he did on the Stelvio descent anyway.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Yep, last I heard, seems like a few DS's might have started a rumour of it possibly being neutralised and then some people put 2 and 2 together and got 5 and a twitter race feed caused some confusion too. Have any of the riders complained yet? It seems not from the little I've seen of reports so far.

I'm firmly on Quintana's side personally, if there's sides to be taken.

1) It's as you say, they should have checked.
2) As I said straight after the stage - he took more time on the final climb than he did on the Stelvio descent anyway.

Yes a few riders have voiced their opinion on Twitter - most have stuck to facts rather than condemning Quintana.
Won't make much difference over all, I should think.

 

[Stat Brother]

So, was it large with lashings of salt & vinegar?, and how many sausages did you throw in for good measure? Nice work on the ride btw

Been out this evening on a flat run too, with Jnr as a swapsie for her athletics training again

Consequently I haven't had time to catch up with all the gossip and talk about Quintana's descending tatics today. What are your twitter thingies saying? I'll dive into the binfest forum later but it'll be a lot to wade through, so I'd be interested to see what you've turned up.

There you go:-

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/05/news/confusion-neutralization-throws-giro-chaos_329760

TBH if you're stupid enough to ride up, you should be stupid enough to be allowed to ride down.

 

[1066familyman]

There you go:-

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/05/news/confusion-neutralization-throws-giro-chaos_329760

TBH if you're stupid enough to ride up, you should be stupid enough to be allowed to ride down.

Thanks. Clearest of the few articles I've read so far.