Road Cycling

Roady · 1 Jun 2016 at 13:42

madindehead said:
Edit: Found it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkGn-17Hw20

Love that video, but think I saw it as part of another GCN one before and not the whole thing. Needless to say, I climb loads slower than him and anything prolonged much over 20% I have to stand. No way I can ride it seated like he seems able to - feels like my kneecaps will pop off! :eek:

xdcx said:
In Belgium that horrific road would be ripped up.
And new cobbles put down.
Then they would send 200 boys up it 3 times in the space of 4 hours.

I want a shot on that hill.

To be honest cobbles would probably be a better surface! It doesn't help that the thing goes through some forestry with loads of overhanging trees/firs...

Know much of it from growing up around there and doing a good few years of forestry and farm work. My parents still live near and my family farm is right next to it. Really need myself a CX so I can have a crack at some of the lanes I know!

You're welcome to come and have a shot! I can find loads of them around that area if you want them!
https://www.strava.com/segments/998544
https://www.strava.com/segments/2641705
https://www.strava.com/segments/4079514
https://www.strava.com/segments/1874147

One More Solo · 1 Jun 2016 at 14:07

SoliD said:
Not sure if anyone is doing Tour of Cambridgeshire at the weekend, but I'll be riding the TT course on the Friday and will be having a post race beer on the Saturday in the local area. (first for 7 weeks could be interesting )

I'm coming down for this but probably not sticking around after for too long. When are you off?

booyaka · 1 Jun 2016 at 14:35

On my Rose bike it's an 11 speed chain - however I was going to take the chain off today and soak it and clean it - but can't see any "missing link/break" in the chain?

Am I supposed to break it myself and in which case i then need an 11 speed link to attach?

Vonhelmet · 1 Jun 2016 at 14:39

If you do it right you can break it and put it together again without a split link. It's not easy, though.

madindehead · 1 Jun 2016 at 14:48

Talking about chains: mine is absolutely disgusting. Best way to clean it? And then re-lube? Also, who make good chains? Are the KMC ones pretty good? And what's the deal with amount of chain links? :S

fenderbass86 · 1 Jun 2016 at 15:17

If it's that bad, maybe just a new chain?

physichull · 1 Jun 2016 at 15:30

I've decided now that I am no longer going to waste my money on buying gels. They seem to do virtually nothing for me. Anyone else not bother with gels?

I think I've finally found the answer to all my food problems though, half a soreen loaf, compacted into a miniature brick, wrapped in foil then put in a jersey pocket!

janp · 1 Jun 2016 at 15:36

Now that lunch is out of the way.....So the 3 saddle sores on my left testicle merged into one giant saddle sore over the weekend, yesterday it turned black. Today, it split open, blood absolutely everywhere. Today has not been a comfortable day to sit behind a desk

Oh, and my Di2 battery died on me this morning, stuck in the small ring until it's pretty much downhill on the way home.

madindehead · 1 Jun 2016 at 15:39

physichull said:
I've decided now that I am no longer going to waste my money on buying gels. They seem to do virtually nothing for me. Anyone else not bother with gels?

I think I've finally found the answer to all my food problems though, half a soreen loaf, compacted into a miniature brick, wrapped in foil then put in a jersey pocket!

I don't use them, but I've never used one. I take Eat Natural breakfast bars, and jelly babies.

SDK^ · 1 Jun 2016 at 15:40

physichull said:
I've decided now that I am no longer going to waste my money on buying gels. They seem to do virtually nothing for me. Anyone else not bother with gels?

I think I've finally found the answer to all my food problems though, half a soreen loaf, compacted into a miniature brick, wrapped in foil then put in a jersey pocket!

I use both gels and soreen lunch bars - banana flavour, mmmmm

physichull · 1 Jun 2016 at 15:50

janp said:
Now that lunch is out of the way.....So the 3 saddle sores on my left testicle merged into one giant saddle sore over the weekend, yesterday it turned black. Today, it split open, blood absolutely everywhere. Today has not been a comfortable day to sit behind a desk

Oh, and my Di2 battery died on me this morning, stuck in the small ring until it's pretty much downhill on the way home.

Ewww....just....ewww!

FrenchTart · 1 Jun 2016 at 15:52

Lovely :|

madindehead · 1 Jun 2016 at 15:54

janp said:
Now that lunch is out of the way.....So the 3 saddle sores on my left testicle merged into one giant saddle sore over the weekend, yesterday it turned black. Today, it split open, blood absolutely everywhere. Today has not been a comfortable day to sit behind a desk

Oh, and my Di2 battery died on me this morning, stuck in the small ring until it's pretty much downhill on the way home.

I...I think you need to see a doctor?!

Moving swiftly on

FrenchTart · 1 Jun 2016 at 15:55

I love the way you're both horrified but still quoted his post

grudas · 1 Jun 2016 at 15:59

lmao you need to sort out your shorts, you position or get a new saddle!

janp · 1 Jun 2016 at 16:09

grudas said:
lmao you need to sort out your shorts, you position or get a new saddle!

I've gone through so many saddles, think I have 8 now. Shorts definitely do make a huge difference, expensive ones with decent padding seem the way to go. Commuting every day makes it expensive though. Might start buying a pair a month though.

madindehead · 1 Jun 2016 at 16:10

janp said:
I've gone through so many saddles, think I have 8 now. Shorts definitely do make a huge difference, expensive ones with decent padding seem the way to go. Commuting every day makes it expensive though. Might start buying a pair a month though.

Spending money on a pair of Assos shorts: £150. Keeping your testicles: priceless.

janp · 1 Jun 2016 at 16:12

madindehead said:
Spending money on a pair of Assos shorts: £150. Keeping your testicles: priceless.

One way of looking at it, but I cycle pretty much all week, so more like £1,050

Saytan · 1 Jun 2016 at 16:14

physichull said:
I've decided now that I am no longer going to waste my money on buying gels. They seem to do virtually nothing for me. Anyone else not bother with gels?

Leave gels for racing. Have proper food if you're not

They've become popular among recreational riders because they contribute to that "pro look"

Shamrock · 1 Jun 2016 at 16:16

janp, you are going commando right?

Maybe you don't need to go full Assos...

Pre-ride: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/assos-chamois-cream-140ml/

Post-ride: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/assos-skin-repair-gel-75ml/

Talking about food, I currently use Kellogs Nutri-grain bars. The soft bake style is easier to consume on the bike I find. Soreen? That stuff is waaay too chewy. You have to stop breathing to eat it!