The Cycling Thread (1 Viewer)

jimmyhillsfanclub

Well-Known Member
I know there are a few cyclists on here, so thought we could have a thread for all things cycling.

My first question, however, is actually about some technical kit as opposed to tales of riding, crashing & strava KOM's....

I'm looking at doing some touring this summer & was looking into the options for GPS navigation....

There doesn't seem too many options out there.....I've had a look at the "Garmin Edge touring" but it has mixed reviews....

Any of you lot recommend or know of any "cycle sat-nav" alternatives?
 

CCFC88

Well-Known Member
I have no idea about cycling kit but is there any sort of bicycle phone charger? One where the phone is charge via energy created from pedalling, similar to the lights you used to be able to get, technical name escapes me.
 

Covstu

Well-Known Member
I have my Garmin 1000, put in the routes before you go and it performs well. It also links to your phone if you need it and also to my Di2 to let you know which gear you are in!
 

Gazolba

Well-Known Member
I don't believe in GPS navigation. I like to unfold and read a map. It gives me a chance to stop, relax and put my feet on the ground. The next thing you know we will have bikes that steer themselves. Where I live the big problem is punctures; there are so many plants with thorns. They do a brisk business in puncture-resistant tyres and tubes.
 
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Covstu

Well-Known Member
I don't believe in GPS navigation. I like to unfold and read a map. It gives me a chance to stop, relax and put my feet on the ground. The next thing you know we will have bikes that steer themselves. Where I live the big problem is punctures; there are so many plants with thorns. They do a brisk business in puncture-resistant tyres and tubes.
I use it for a lot more data, power, avg speed etc. It is useful to map a route from the start so I know I am doing 50-60 miles etc when I start out. I can then plan a cafe stop if necessary or bring enough stuff with me.

Tyres - I tend to put my conti hard shells on in the winter for poor roads, thorns etc. It helps but sadly unavoidable with thin tyres.
 

Covstu

Well-Known Member
Used too, still have a set of bontragers but tend to use clinchers for safety. Pain in the ass to glue but good for climbing if that's your thing
 

Skyblueweeman

Well-Known Member
Just found this bad boy. I'm organising a 'Lands End to John O'Groats' ride in September. Getting me a support vehicle...!


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SkyblueBazza

Well-Known Member
In August (20th/21st 2016) in severe weather warning - I had planned & DID a 320miles round trip - yes in two days - from home near Soton to north Walsall & back to raise money for Alzheimer's Research. Train up properly & anything is possible. This was unsupported...and VERY rewarding/satisfying.

Had thoughts earlier about riding to the Ricoh for the last home game & back for charity too. Anyone in?

...onwards & upwards PUSB
 

jimmyhillsfanclub

Well-Known Member
I forgot I started this thread.:oops:

My riding has been fairly limited this year so far......the weathers been shit....its grim up north.....

I was knocked off my bike last October & I have to admit, its hit my riding confidence a bit.....struggling to trust any drivers at present....I've been riding for over 30 years but I'm struggling to get past this fear at present.....

Maybe it'll get better when I finally finish my new (old) road bike build & get up the lake district for a few weekends in spring....

.Hardknott pass, here I come:stig:
 

eastwoodsdustman

Well-Known Member
I have tried a few times but I'm still struggling. An hour's riding leaves me washed out for a couple of days still at the moment. Fucking ticks!
My mate went out in the ice a couple of weeks ago and came off after 5 mins. Fractured elbow and 4 stitches in his head. I looked at going out yesterday morning and though better of it. I have a turbo trainer but hate it with a passion.
 

SkyblueBazza

Well-Known Member
I forgot I started this thread.:oops:

My riding has been fairly limited this year so far......the weathers been shit....its grim up north.....

I was knocked off my bike last October & I have to admit, its hit my riding confidence a bit.....struggling to trust any drivers at present....I've been riding for over 30 years but I'm struggling to get past this fear at present.....

Maybe it'll get better when I finally finish my new (old) road bike build & get up the lake district for a few weekends in spring....

.Hardknott pass, here I come:stig:
It is a big concern. A small number of impatient drivers who hate the thought of spending 20s behind a bike. BUT times are perhaps changing.
Police have plain clothes cops on cycles riding around & reporting drivers to a squad car up the road & giving them stern warnings or fines apparently.
Hope you summon the wherewithal to get back to it.


...onwards & upwards PUSB
 

Covstu

Well-Known Member
Yes get back on the steed. I tend to go out every weekend (clearly Sunday was short Lived!). We leave from baginton and generally do roughly 40-50 in the winter. Hope my leg allows me to go out this weekend!
 

Skyblueweeman

Well-Known Member
Last two wks after riding up Portsdown Hill from Cams Hall - 5x up Farlington Av from Havant Rd. Its very tough but you will make rapid progress if you did that twice a week for a month

...onwards & upwards PUSB

Are you local then Bazza? Weirdly I was talking to the wife the other day about going up Farlington Av as part of my training.

I've gone up Portsdown Hill from the other side a few times (past the large Qinetiq facility) when I was training for London2Paris a couple of years ago.

Going the other way, I've also got the hills around Goodwood as well. Plenty to get up!!


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Covstu

Well-Known Member
This is the problem around cov, no decent hills around. You need to cycle 20 odd miles to get to something challenging I.e. Edge hill around Kineton.
 

skybluesam66

Well-Known Member
walking thro london today - the number of cyclists who jumped red lights - so it is not always the motorist
often the motorist doesnt know what the cyclist will do next
 

SkyblueBazza

Well-Known Member
Are you local then Bazza? Weirdly I was talking to the wife the other day about going up Farlington Av as part of my training.

I've gone up Portsdown Hill from the other side a few times (past the large Qinetiq facility) when I was training for London2Paris a couple of years ago.

Going the other way, I've also got the hills around Goodwood as well. Plenty to get up!!


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Yes...live near Fareham & often trawl up & over Portsdown Hill & back. For some bizzre reason I decided to punish myself with the Farl Av bit...x5. Doing the London to Brighton in June

...onwards & upwards PUSB
 

Skyblueweeman

Well-Known Member
Yes...live near Fareham & often trawl up & over Portsdown Hill & back. For some bizzre reason I decided to punish myself with the Farl Av bit...x5. Doing the London to Brighton in June

...onwards & upwards PUSB

Nice one. I'm just north of Emsworth, up the A27 but know Fareham pretty well. Played golf at Cams Hall last weekend.

I was thinking about London-Brighton but we've opted to do a sportive in the Peak District around the same time.

Good work on Farlington Avenue x5. Mammoth effort...I worked out that the route I'm planning for LEJOG has 40,000ft of elevation. What goes up must come down though!


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jimmyhillsfanclub

Well-Known Member
This is the problem around cov, no decent hills around. You need to cycle 20 odd miles to get to something challenging I.e. Edge hill around Kineton.

Same here round Liverpool......nearest climbs are 20 miles away......and the roads are a fucking disgrace....still, when the council are already £150m in the hole & heading for bankruptcy in 2018, can't see them getting any better....
 

Rich

Moderator
Yes get back on the steed. I tend to go out every weekend (clearly Sunday was short Lived!). We leave from baginton and generally do roughly 40-50 in the winter. Hope my leg allows me to go out this weekend!
Do you get out with the Cov Sportive Cycle group or whatever is called?
 

jimmyhillsfanclub

Well-Known Member
Sorry mate, I may be mistaken but you on about tubular tyes?

The fact that he mentioned the dreaded glue would suggest he was talking about tubs.....

From what I understand about tubeless is that they're great until they fail......and then you can snap several tyre levers or even your wrist trying to wrestle the fucker off the rim...

Personally, I'll stick with my clinchers, panaracers & a spare tube in my saddle bag.
 

Covstu

Well-Known Member
yes indeed. Supposed to be more 'sturdy' but I would always worry about being caught out in the middle of nowhere and they fail on you. At least with clinchers you can do something about it.
 

duffer

Well-Known Member
This is the problem around cov, no decent hills around. You need to cycle 20 odd miles to get to something challenging I.e. Edge hill around Kineton.

By the time I've cycled twenty miles, I don't really fancy anything more challenging than a nice cuppa personally. The toughest one I've found within a sensible distance (by my low standards) is Green End Rd, out by Maxstoke.

On Strava, it's here.
Strava Segment | Maxstoke Hill

There are probably blokes hereabouts that can go up this one faster than I can go down it! Currently, I'm just running a bit - the bike can come out in summer. :)
 

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