Sunday, January 6, 2008
Still talking, not doing
We'll done Andy on the 50 mile ride. And nice bike Lard. Both your hard training is inspirational - all I can do is talk about as I've been down with that norovirus bug these past few days.
Good to see you've gone Campy on your gear set Lard- a true European thoroughbred. I have too, apparently they are a little more reliable than Shimano's, though that's a bit like an Apple lover telling a PC person they've got the wrong computer - it's all personal preference. I prefer the hidden brake cables and the thumb gear change mechanism on the Campy.
I also went double compact rather than triple. But with a 29 tooth granny gear at the back just in case. We'll find out half way up the Toumlat if I need it and it works.
I also spent a while considering which turbo trainer to buy. Living in central London means there aren't many local evening rides, so I wanted a training tool I could do after work. Decided on the Kurt Kinetic, as it had better reviews than most others. We'll see when it arrives. As you can read, there's a lot I've still got to find out.
What have you gone for Lard? Andy - are you going to indulge in one or stick with proper riding and spin classes?
Good to see you've gone Campy on your gear set Lard- a true European thoroughbred. I have too, apparently they are a little more reliable than Shimano's, though that's a bit like an Apple lover telling a PC person they've got the wrong computer - it's all personal preference. I prefer the hidden brake cables and the thumb gear change mechanism on the Campy.
I also went double compact rather than triple. But with a 29 tooth granny gear at the back just in case. We'll find out half way up the Toumlat if I need it and it works.
I also spent a while considering which turbo trainer to buy. Living in central London means there aren't many local evening rides, so I wanted a training tool I could do after work. Decided on the Kurt Kinetic, as it had better reviews than most others. We'll see when it arrives. As you can read, there's a lot I've still got to find out.
What have you gone for Lard? Andy - are you going to indulge in one or stick with proper riding and spin classes?
The strange world of cycling clubs
Nice wheels Lard -- it looks great.
Anyway, I have been putting it off for ages but today I bit the bullet and went out with a cycling club. The Plymouth Corinthians to be precise, a club that has been going for more than 100 years! (when was the bicycle invented?)
Anyway, I turned up at this place they meet every Sunday. There was a group of around 25 people - all ages, shapes and sizes. Half the group split away after about 5 miles as they were off to do 60+ miles over the hills. I went off with the old timers who were just planning to do 50!
It went OK actually. There were a couple of stops for punctures and one tea stop but I did 52 miles -- only a few hills. I reckon it was about 3.5 hours of cycling.
I can confirm you do cycle much faster in a group. I am knackered though.
Anyway, I have been putting it off for ages but today I bit the bullet and went out with a cycling club. The Plymouth Corinthians to be precise, a club that has been going for more than 100 years! (when was the bicycle invented?)
Anyway, I turned up at this place they meet every Sunday. There was a group of around 25 people - all ages, shapes and sizes. Half the group split away after about 5 miles as they were off to do 60+ miles over the hills. I went off with the old timers who were just planning to do 50!
It went OK actually. There were a couple of stops for punctures and one tea stop but I did 52 miles -- only a few hills. I reckon it was about 3.5 hours of cycling.
I can confirm you do cycle much faster in a group. I am knackered though.
Friday, January 4, 2008
possible training events
I was thinking of entering this event http://www.dartmoorclassic.co.uk/ . I entered last year but didnt do it as it was dreadful weather (and I didnt do any training). Anyone interested in doing the 100 miles?
Lard, we should also organize one down in Grrls Malaga flat.
Lastly, we havent paid you yet. Think of it as the UK holding back on our contribution to the EU 'cos you dont let us have pigs lips in our sausages and make our bananas straight. I will be able to do it this week
Lard, we should also organize one down in Grrls Malaga flat.
Lastly, we havent paid you yet. Think of it as the UK holding back on our contribution to the EU 'cos you dont let us have pigs lips in our sausages and make our bananas straight. I will be able to do it this week
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The Hunt
For any future members and readers of this blog, in the old days ' the hunt' as the Dr, Mattw and myself knew it, involved high heeled hairdressers in the Wessex House. In 2008, however, the hunt is all about cycling and getting ready for the Etape du Tour. Happy New Year to you too. I used to be good at hunting, but this is a completely different game. The hunt is no longer about long saturday nights and getting your nutsack emptied by the hungry women of the city, now it's about long sunday mornings on a bike getting your nutsack completely paralysed on a teeny tiny sadle! No more chasing easy women, we chase hardcore road miles now.
'Going ugly early' as our legendary friend Bias urged us to do, has been turned into ' getting up early' and what for? I don't know. I've been told we are to cycle 165 kms on a boiling hot summer's day in France, going from Pau to Hautacam, with the infamous Tourmalet waiting for us half way. I had to look it up too, but for all you interested readers, the Tourmalet is a mountain, with a 35 km-road leading up to it. And we're cycling it, just to warm up for another climb at the end after 150 kms!
It's 2008 and with tears in my eyes I remember the days where just mentioning the hunt would bring joy to my face. Tomorrow, the hunt enters a new era. Funny that the first thing I have to do tomorrow in preparation of the Etape is to get a medical exam by my doctor! Maybe this hunt is not that different from the old one after all.
'Going ugly early' as our legendary friend Bias urged us to do, has been turned into ' getting up early' and what for? I don't know. I've been told we are to cycle 165 kms on a boiling hot summer's day in France, going from Pau to Hautacam, with the infamous Tourmalet waiting for us half way. I had to look it up too, but for all you interested readers, the Tourmalet is a mountain, with a 35 km-road leading up to it. And we're cycling it, just to warm up for another climb at the end after 150 kms!
It's 2008 and with tears in my eyes I remember the days where just mentioning the hunt would bring joy to my face. Tomorrow, the hunt enters a new era. Funny that the first thing I have to do tomorrow in preparation of the Etape is to get a medical exam by my doctor! Maybe this hunt is not that different from the old one after all.
My first bike
Happy New year and all that.
The Bike is ordered, due in about 4 to 5 weeks. Then I'll hit the road.
Deciding on which bike was an education in itself. You'll see there is so much info online, and so many various opinions. Though after a while, you hone in and realise you've read all the reviews there are to read and there's nothing else out there bar random opinions on blog forums. So I read all there was to read and took the plunge. Bear in mind I'm a novice and have yet to ride in anger.
But here's what I learned and what I bought.
Two things seem key - the frame and the fit. Far more important than make, model, kit spec etc. Get those two right and you'll have a bike that fits your body and is efficient and comfortable, rather than one you are contorting into. Frame size is also very contingent on brand. You might not be a 54" on a Trek compared to a Bianchi for example.
Because of all that I ended up going for a Condor. This brand has a shop in London that sits you on a rig, and sizes you properly. The staff then recommend the correct sizing, and you order a bespoke bike to fit you. I went for a Moda. See here: http://www.condorcycles.com/moda.html
I spent far too much cash. Mainly cos I just really liked it, and if I'm going to do this thing, I want to do it properly. The Moda is a titanium bike, which means the frame is essentially a bike for life. More on bike details to come...
Now to arrange that docs certificate to ensure I can take on the Pyrenees
The Bike is ordered, due in about 4 to 5 weeks. Then I'll hit the road.
Deciding on which bike was an education in itself. You'll see there is so much info online, and so many various opinions. Though after a while, you hone in and realise you've read all the reviews there are to read and there's nothing else out there bar random opinions on blog forums. So I read all there was to read and took the plunge. Bear in mind I'm a novice and have yet to ride in anger.
But here's what I learned and what I bought.
Two things seem key - the frame and the fit. Far more important than make, model, kit spec etc. Get those two right and you'll have a bike that fits your body and is efficient and comfortable, rather than one you are contorting into. Frame size is also very contingent on brand. You might not be a 54" on a Trek compared to a Bianchi for example.
Because of all that I ended up going for a Condor. This brand has a shop in London that sits you on a rig, and sizes you properly. The staff then recommend the correct sizing, and you order a bespoke bike to fit you. I went for a Moda. See here: http://www.condorcycles.com/moda.html
I spent far too much cash. Mainly cos I just really liked it, and if I'm going to do this thing, I want to do it properly. The Moda is a titanium bike, which means the frame is essentially a bike for life. More on bike details to come...
Now to arrange that docs certificate to ensure I can take on the Pyrenees
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