Thread: Cyclists Anonymous

Originally Posted by Arbroath

Even though I wear something similar to Spider-Man's costume, anyone pedaling 2 wheels is my friend. I smile, nod or wave to every cyclist I see, be it a 4 year old or an 84 year old.

I only started cycling about 2 years ago (as an adult at least) in the UK employers can sign up to a scheme where employees can buy a bike tax free and pay it in installments over a year with no other fees to pay like interest etc. When I first started cycling to work other cyclists would wave and I'd uncomfortably ignore them thinking ' no, I'm not one of you, I'm just a guy getting to work and back'. Now two years on, and I'm not quite sure when it happened I wave at every cyclist I see, and get a little annoyed when they don't wave back, I do try to be understanding though. It really amazes me the community spirit enjoyed by cyclists, no matter what your ability you're accepted regardless of the latest technology or something you found in a hedge.

If anyone ever fancies a cycling tour of Scotland, or exploring the trails give me a shout!

Originally Posted by monkeypuzzlebeefeater

I only started cycling about 2 years ago (as an adult at least) in the UK employers can sign up to a scheme where employees can buy a bike tax free and pay it in installments over a year with no other fees to pay like interest etc. When I first started cycling to work other cyclists would wave and I'd uncomfortably ignore them thinking ' no, I'm not one of you, I'm just a guy getting to work and back'. Now two years on, and I'm not quite sure when it happened I wave at every cyclist I see, and get a little annoyed when they don't wave back, I do try to be understanding though. It really amazes me the community spirit enjoyed by cyclists, no matter what your ability you're accepted regardless of the latest technology or something you found in a hedge.

If anyone ever fancies a cycling tour of Scotland, or exploring the trails give me a shout!

That would be a dream come true. There's no more beautiful scenery than Scotland in my opinion.

Originally Posted by Arbroath

That would be a dream come true. There's no more beautiful scenery than Scotland in my opinion.

They must be doing something right here, I came to visit 20 years ago, was only meant to be for a weekend, and I'll still here

Originally Posted by Arbroath

My name is Chris,

I'm a dork that wears Lycra.
I ride 2-300 miles a week.
I live to bring my body to the point of breaking.
I eat as many calories per day as a 600lb man.
When I ride, nothing else matters

Chris, I'm curious, do you have any tips? I ride at least 20 miles per day on road with total climbs of about 2000ft plus as many miles as I can get off road, my bike is a fairly heavy mountain bike with trail tyres, all adding up to some pretty hard miles!

Next year I'm really stepping things up and going in for some pretty grueling events. I'm good with motivation so can push myself far longer and harder than I can really take, but I do suffer for it to the point where even the commute to work each day can leave me in a heap, averaging 18 mph with my equipment and route is a massive effort.

Any suggestions on ways I can improve would be great!

Originally Posted by monkeypuzzlebeefeater

Chris, I'm curious, do you have any tips? I ride at least 20 miles per day on road with total climbs of about 2000ft plus as many miles as I can get off road, my bike is a fairly heavy mountain bike with trail tyres, all adding up to some pretty hard miles!

Next year I'm really stepping things up and going in for some pretty grueling events. I'm good with motivation so can push myself far longer and harder than I can really take, but I do suffer for it to the point where even the commute to work each day can leave me in a heap, averaging 18 mph with my equipment and route is a massive effort.

Any suggestions on ways I can improve would be great!

You'll probably see the most difference switching to smooth road tires as opposed to trail tires. The lesser the rolling resistance the better for a sustained effort.

Also, for long distance, aero is everything. The more you can streamline your bike, helmet, clothing, position, the less effort your body will need to put out to maintain the same effort.

Food for thought, a baggy jacket will slow you down by about 45 min over a 75-100 mile ride.

As for weight weenies counting every gram, it's easier and cheaper to lose body weight than bike weight. Maintaining a good power to weight ratio is huge. A $12,000 13lb colnago with an out of shape rider will always be slower than a 25lb bike with a fit rider.

Weight is a massive issue for me. A lot of the miles I do are commuting, I need to carry clothes and laptop as a minimum. I have lost about 30 lbs this year and will aim for another 15 over the winter.

I also hope to get a road bike soon. I am looking for something old and rusted that I can rebuild

Originally Posted by monkeypuzzlebeefeater

Weight is a massive issue for me. A lot of the miles I do are commuting, I need to carry clothes and laptop as a minimum. I have lost about 30 lbs this year and will aim for another 15 over the winter.

I also hope to get a road bike soon. I am looking for something old and rusted that I can rebuild

Look at the old British bikes, Raleigh/Norton/Triumph etc. they can be had pretty inexpensively and have bombproof lugged steel frames.

I would definitely start with putting smooth tires on for commuting. The speed would be easier to maintain than with "knobbies".

So did anyone get any nice bike related goodies for Christmas?

I suppose one could classify the Sealskinz socks & gloves as bike related seeing I bought them for a 5 day race I've entered in June. It will be the middle of winter with an almost guarantee of snow somewhere along the route.

Originally Posted by monkeypuzzlebeefeater

So did anyone get any nice bike related goodies for Christmas?

Girlfriend got me the full DZnuts kit (jersey/bibshorts) and chamois cream.