The Cycling Chat Thread

[sleaterkinney]

You probably can do more on the bike than you think. Key is to get used to cycling very slowly, and not do big standing efforts. Slow and steady all the way. I have no idea whether there's science behind it, but I definitely find it feels better to stay on rather than walk. If it starts coming through too much on the knees, that's my sign to get off.

I would say for going up hills stay seated, pick an easy gear and keep your breathing and cadence steady. When you go into the red it's difficult to recover from it on a hill. Try and avoid stopping because its difficult to get going again.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

One of the oddly tough things about cycling in the UK... Lot of rolling terrain, so people can have a tendency to go 'ah, I'll just shoot up here', then there's only 20 seconds of downhill, then a false flat, then another little lump, and on it goes until your legs are jelly.

This is why power meters are brilliant. Once you get used to using one you can see exactly how hard you’re going.

 

[sleaterkinney]

It's a good idea to mimic the ride you're going to be doing, so do a 50-60k ride and do some hill reps at the end.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

As for clothing on the bike - I’m a great believer that you should only ever need a maximum of 3 layers. Base, jersey, jacket.

It’s knowing which 3 to pick that’s the tricky bit at times

 

[spitfire]

OMG

Look what just arrived in the post. I'm going to have to do this aren't I?

 

[Orang Utan]

As for clothing on the bike - I’m a great believer that you should only ever need a maximum of 3 layers. Base, jersey, jacket.

It’s knowing which 3 to pick that’s the tricky bit at times

you only need 3 layers - shirt, padded shorts, sky

 

[Orang Utan]

I posted this on the bandwidth thread but it’s probably better suited here:

 

[ska invita]

OMG

I'm going to have to do this aren't I?

get the train half way

 

[spitfire]

get the train half way

Hahaha, good idea. Stop for a pint and coast down to Brighton, (in first place obvs.).

I heard getting back can be an ordeal, has anyone done it? Bad traffic and full trains.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Hahaha, good idea. Stop for a pint and coast down to Brighton, (in first place obvs.).

I heard getting back can be an ordeal, has anyone done it? Bad traffic and full trains.

When I did it, many moons ago they laid on special trains with loads of guards vans to get official entrants back. I was never an official entrant and had to go to Portslade to get a train to Havant and up to London on the Portsmouth line.

 

[spitfire]

When I did it, many moons ago they laid on special trains with loads of guards vans to get official entrants back. I was never an official entrant and had to go to Portslade to get a train to Havant and up to London on the Portsmouth line.

Oh the halcyon days of guards vans and slam door carriages.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Hahaha, good idea. Stop for a pint and coast down to Brighton, (in first place obvs.).

I heard getting back can be an ordeal, has anyone done it? Bad traffic and full trains.

Just ride back, no problems then

 

[spitfire]

Just ride back, no problems then

* returns to jet engine shop *

 

[weepiper]

I am at work. There are four cargo bikes here for servicing/repair today. Three Urban Arrows and a Bakfiets. I think something is definitely in the air.

 

[spitfire]

I am at work. There are four cargo bikes here for servicing/repair today. Three Urban Arrows and a Bakfiets. I think something is definitely in the air.

They're so common round Central London now they're part of the furniture, it's great to see.

 

[purves grundy]

Cheapest upgrades; arm warmers, leg warmers (or just lycra leggings), ear warmers, overshoes, gloves. If you want to go cycle-specific the layering of core warming stuff can get a bit expensive... but it certainly exists. As bees says, thermal base, jersey (potentially long-sleeve), then jackets and rain capes, then the gilet (sleeveless jacket), which can be worn on top of any other layer (though usually over a jersey). The advantage of cycle stuff is that it's often designed to fit in a jersey back pocket, and is very layer-oriented (better fine-tuning of temperature).

The cheapest things I mentioned (arm warmers etc) you can find stuff that does the job on riverine commerce sites... Overshoes can get expensive, but I have some cheap ones from Planet X that work fine (out of stock mind), and given that they are on your feet, dropping £60+ on them seems a bit daft. Gloves also can get expensive, but are kind of essential either way. Foot warming is definitely better dealt with using covers than socks, as thick socks will change shoe fit and can cause injury, particularly if circulation is poor due to cold.

Personally have yet to fully embrace cycle clothing, have some old commuter stuff I use. T-shirt, Lightish thermal, Gore-tex commuter jacket for coldest days. Under armour leggings over bib shorts, with MTB shorts on top of that. Optional leg warmers and arm warmers, headbandy fleecy thing that covers ears. But I end up carrying a small backpack... At some point I'll probably move to cycle stuff to keep things minimal. But I am not ready for external lyrca just yet.

Great stuff, thanks Cid. Good to know it's possible to stay warm and comfortable without spending a small fortune / going proper full kit wanker.

 

[maomao]

Lidl and Aldi are good for basic riding clothes, base layers and stuff. Their climbing base layers are very good too because they're cut long at the back like cycling stuff.

 

[TopCat]

I second the Lidl cycling gear. I have bought the layers for years for motorcycling and now have lots.

 

[David Clapson]

ska invita Here's a candidate. GIANT Liv Ladies' Bike Escape W - Black & Purple size L, good used condition | eBay

It's a 2014 Giant Escape 3 W. Full specs here Escape 3 W (2014) | Giant Bicycles United States and here Giant Escape 3 W 2014 review - The Bike List

New RRP was £299 and the brakes and gears, Shimano Tourney, are cheap. But they appear to be well maintained. Looks like the bike needs nothing spent on it. Even has mudguards and luggage rack and bell.

The size is OK for a 5'7" woman according to Giant: Liv Bike Fit & Size Guide | Liv Cycling Official site If the handlebars are too far away the stem can be swapped. The current one looks to be about 11cm. Easy to change it for a 4cm one.

Giant is very reputable. The world's biggest bike manufacturer. They take women's bikes seriously. The CEO is a woman.

I don't know enough to value it or to suggest a bidding limit. What do others think?

Eta: the seller has almost zero feedback, which could be a plus because it will discourage bidders. Obvs pay nothing until you collect the bike. Try to establish that the seller is legit by communicating before bidding. Ideally a phone conversation. I msgd her to ask what year the bike is - no response yet.

 

[nick]

Th fact they have access to a work stand could imply that they know how to look after a bike (if it is theirs?)

 

[TopCat]

ska invita Here's a candidate. GIANT Liv Ladies' Bike Escape W - Black & Purple size L, good used condition | eBay

It's a 2014 Giant Escape 3 W. Full specs here Escape 3 W (2014) | Giant Bicycles United States and here Giant Escape 3 W 2014 review - The Bike List

New RRP was £299 and the brakes and gears, Shimano Tourney, are cheap. But they appear to be well maintained. Looks like the bike needs nothing spent on it. Even has mudguards and luggage rack and bell.

The size is OK for a 5'7" woman according to Giant: Liv Bike Fit & Size Guide | Liv Cycling Official site If the handlebars are too far away the stem can be swapped. The current one looks to be about 11cm. Easy to change it for a 4cm one.

Giant is very reputable. The world's biggest bike manufacturer. They take women's bikes seriously. The CEO is a woman.

I don't know enough to value it or to suggest a bidding limit. What do others think?

Eta: the seller has almost zero feedback, which could be a plus because it will discourage bidders. Obvs pay nothing until you collect the bike. Try to establish that the seller is legit by communicating before bidding. Ideally a phone conversation. I msgd her to ask what year the bike is - no response yet.

It looks nice and little used, not stored outside. I will be interested to see how much it goes for.

 

[David Clapson]

Christ I was cold on my evening ride tonight. Had to go back home and put a shirt on over my cycling top. I think it’s going to be lovely and warm next week but I do need to get some gear to make riding in cold weather not unpleasant - surely it’s possible?

A merino t shirt is a great investment. It's the ideal base layer for colder weather and perfect on its own in hot weather. Even in 100 degrees when everyone else is indoors. And great to wear off the bike. The problem is they wear out quickly and the moths love them and they're very expensive.

 

[David Clapson]

ska invita Here's a candidate. GIANT Liv Ladies' Bike Escape W - Black & Purple size L, good used condition | eBay

It's a 2014 Giant Escape 3 W. Full specs here Escape 3 W (2014) | Giant Bicycles United States and here Giant Escape 3 W 2014 review - The Bike List

New RRP was £299 and the brakes and gears, Shimano Tourney, are cheap. But they appear to be well maintained. Looks like the bike needs nothing spent on it. Even has mudguards and luggage rack and bell.

The size is OK for a 5'7" woman according to Giant: Liv Bike Fit & Size Guide | Liv Cycling Official site If the handlebars are too far away the stem can be swapped. The current one looks to be about 11cm. Easy to change it for a 4cm one.

Giant is very reputable. The world's biggest bike manufacturer. They take women's bikes seriously. The CEO is a woman.

I don't know enough to value it or to suggest a bidding limit. What do others think?

Eta: the seller has almost zero feedback, which could be a plus because it will discourage bidders. Obvs pay nothing until you collect the bike. Try to establish that the seller is legit by communicating before bidding. Ideally a phone conversation. I msgd her to ask what year the bike is - no response yet.

ska invita Do you know about sniping?

 

[ska invita]

ska invita Do you know about sniping?

thanks for this - that bikes does look clean
only thing is reserve not met and Cambridge is quite far
will keep an eye though
and im a sniper

 

[David Clapson]

47 minutes on the train...and you can tempt her with cash and no ebay or paypal percentage.

 

[Dogsauce]

Just ride back, no problems then

It’s quite demoralising when you’re about half way and see people going back the other way at pace (staggered start times are the main reason for this).

 

[TopCat]

Get an air B and B in Brighton and cycle back the day after.

 

[sleaterkinney]

On clothes, I only recently got a gilet which is great for keeping the chill off your chest.

 

[TopCat]

I have an electrically powered gilet. You plug a power bank into it. Three heat settings.

 

[Badgers]

I have an electrically powered gilet. You plug a power bank into it. Three heat settings.

Nice one grandad