Thread: First ride >10mi for 2007

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

I can't imagine a week without a bike...let alone over half a year. But good on ya, keep up the fitness

I know. After my rockclimbing injury I sat on my ass too long and swapped 20+ lbs of muscle for fat. I am back climbing now, and recently started working out again. Now I only have to start regular swimming and running and I'll be back on track

For you guys bikes are basic transportation, no? At least this is what I remember... And the bikes people ride around town in Belgium, Netherlands, etc - they are just comfy beat up cruisers. Nobody is in a hurry to get anywhere. Can't really compare this to a training ride

Cheers
Ivo

I just picked up a new bike and one of those baby trailers to pull the 2 year old around in.

Let's see.. the trailer weighs 20lbs, the baby weighs 30lbs....

yep, I'm getting a workout alright.

and to think, I used to pass cars on my bike in 25 MPH zones like they were standing still

I've been slacking on the cardio though lately and a little 2 mile ride had me sweating like a fat girl in a straight jacket at a Chinese buffet!

I bought this a couple of weeks ago, I was mostly spurred back into action as I was watching the Tour de France and I remembered how much cycling I used to do a few years ago, and how much fitter I was back then.

I've only managed 3x 30min sessions on a turbotrainer (roller) in the garage so far, I'm not brave/fit enough to to go out in the real world on it yet!

The geometry on that frame looks pretty tight to me, it should go like the wind, especially when you put the pedals on. What type of frame material is it?

Cheers
John

Originally Posted by Steelforge

I bought this a couple of weeks ago, I was mostly spurred back into action as I was watching the Tour de France and I remembered how much cycling I used to do a few years ago, and how much fitter I was back then.

I've only managed 3x 30min sessions on a turbotrainer (roller) in the garage so far, I'm not brave/fit enough to to go out in the real world on it yet!

The frame is mostly aluminium tubing but the seatstays are carbon fibre, along with the forks, and the seatpost. It's a lovely bike but I'm sad to say I've only ridden it indoors on a turbo trainer so far.

I put my 'Time' clipless pedals from my mountain bike on it for now, and it works just fine. But the seat is really uncomfortable, a mate of mine who also rides road bikes tried it today and said he hated it and wouldn't like to do more than 5 miles on it - so I think it'll be getting replaced shortly.

Oh, I've certainly done much more on this seat. Like hours of riding WITHOUT bike shorts (with swim trunks). It is very stiff and the bike feels very responsive to your efforts when you are riding it! However, I have to admit it was a PITA. I switched to a nice (and more expensive) Terry. May try it again (it's just gathering dust in a crate) just to see how it is now. Seats change, and your butt does too - so it's always a good idea to try out things once in a while. By the way, this seat used to come in 3 widths for various sit bones. It may be that yours just doesn't match the size you need.

I think only guys who ride very seriously adjust well to this seat. One guy here loves it but he lives to ride, I can never dream of matching his mpw and / or his results.

Cheers
Ivo

You guys should read what sheldon brown has to say about choosing saddles, do not change at the start of the season, your ass is just readjusting to the pain of cycling.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

I have learned a lot from Sheldon Brown. He never says cycling should be pain - quite the contrary, at least from what I have read.

I, for one, cycle for fun and pleasure. If it's too painful - I'll do my best to address the issue. I am always amazed to remember how Lance says he found about his cancer very late: he had the pain for a long time but never checked it because he thought it's normal pain from cycling!

Anyway, the article confirms what I was saying myself - maybe Iwan's sit bones are a different size, and his but will change with time. I would add that saddles themselves change with use...

If you really want to try it - log long rides on an Avatar with swim trunks for several months. While you (your butt) will certainly adjust somwehat, I think it would be very likely that after this you may decide to switch for enhanced comfort. Especially once the exhilaration of the Avatar's newly found responsiveness and power transfer wears off a bit.

Cheers
Ivo