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New to Bikes Help! (Read 19838 times)

Grubes

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New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 11:43:16 am
I have just agreed to do a long bike ride with an old school mate for charity in April riding from North london to huddersfield over 3 days (250miles)

Issues:
I don't own a bike but should be getting a decent ish roadie through a mate early next week.
I have not ridden a bike since 1999 when I was 12
I have not ridden a bike on a road before other than outside my house or about a mile circle on the road round my house
I have never ridden a road bike

Here is the list of things I think I need to buy other than a bike.
Helmet
Lights
high viz
Those shorts/touser that look like you shit your self or trying to hide something.
Anything else?

training I plan on doing 10m ish three times a week to get going then build up the milage.

Any advice

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#1 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 12:11:16 pm
Read this thread...
http://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,23224.0.html

Then check out Decathlon, CRC, Wiggle etc then get out on your bike...as much as possible and soon.

You'll be surprised the distance you cover on a road bike. If you have time I'd aim for longer rides ASAP, just do them steadily and build up your speed/fitness. Pick a longish route and time it and as the speed increases it will give you an incentive to train.

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#2 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 12:19:56 pm
Buy the most expensive chat in  your pants shorts you  can afford.

It's all about time on the bike when you first start road biking.. , not cycle computers, heart rate monitors or interval bursts, just time.... Riding at a pace that u can still talk.


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#3 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 12:25:30 pm
Get used to your saddle...

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#4 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 02:12:48 pm
cycle gloves. 
wet weather gear - april is still often cool, so breathable warm mountain gear might suffice, you may already have this.  helly hansen base layers work on the bike as well the in the hills.
tools and spare tube/pump and know how to use them 

you'll need water bottles and maybe a sadle bag with spares and food bars.  A small back pack might be just the job, then you keep your phone / wallet / keys with you as well as the other spares. ooh and a map of the route might help.

and yes, do a few 10 milers this week and next - it'll get you used to the bike and riding on the road with cars etc and then look to quickly up the mileage.  for high mileage rides you need stamina not speed, so long steady rides will be the best training.  get a map out and plan a few routes.  On the days you ride just remember that you can theoretically cycle for a long time, the days are longer and you dont have anything else to do those days but ride, as such you can cover good mileage.  you'll find its easy than you think to get those miles in, especially if you navigate well.

good padded shorts will be your best friend, wash them on a night time or you risk dirt and so sores.  3 days shouldnt be too bad for this and if you've trained beforehand then your bum should be used to it... it takes a few rides.  :D

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#5 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 03:23:45 pm
The bike needs to fit you - when road biking you're in the same position making the same movements for hours. It's like someone designed the perfect machine for creating RSI.

This is why you need to have the saddle height just right (too low or too high => bad knees/hips/ankles/back) and have the bars in the right place (too low or too high => bad knees/hips/ankles/back/shoulders), and why you need to build up gradually by doing short rides, then longer and longer - even a good position can feel strange at first, and it takes time to get used to riding. A few mm in saddle height can make a big difference over a few hours.

It's also why good shorts are essential for longer rides (unless you already have a perineum like Rhino Hide). Bib shorts are usually comfier than ones with a waistband. The pad needs to be in the right place - if it's shaped then the wide bits need to be under your sit bones when you are on your bike, on your saddle, in the riding position.

Bum cream helps (like the minty fresh Assos stuff). Don't double dip.

Saddles come in different shapes and widths - everyone's arse is different so others opinions on what is comfy are useless (although some seem to fit most people).

Grubes

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#6 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 03:42:12 pm
Thanks how do I know what size bike and wheels I need?
Mate is getting bike from a company he does work for. They sell bikes over the internet so won't have any advice really but the deal is v good.

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#7 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 04:03:54 pm
Thanks how do I know what size bike and wheels I need?
Mate is getting bike from a company he does work for. They sell bikes over the internet so won't have any advice really but the deal is v good.

Road bike wheels are all the same size (lets not open that can of worms just yet eh?). For frame size, get yourself down a Local Bike Shop and try a few out and then go with what ever seems closest to your best fit, I'm sure the guys in the shop will give good advice, and if they are helpful, you can always get your lycra and stuff from there.

If its a Specialized bike dealer too they often have a little gel thing to sit on to measure the size of your sit bones, and means you can get the right sort of saddle, kind of eliminates the need to endlessly try all different makes of saddle at great expense before stumbling on one which works.

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#8 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 07:40:18 pm
Road bike wheels are all 700C. How tall are you? Ask what frame sizes they do eg. SML or 56/58 etc. Is it a known brand? If so you'll find a size guide online. As a guide I'm 5'11" and ride a 56cm Trek road bike.

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#9 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 08:27:23 pm
Thanks how do I know what size bike and wheels I need?
Mate is getting bike from a company he does work for. They sell bikes over the internet so won't have any advice really but the deal is v good.

Road bike wheels are all the same size (lets not open that can of worms just yet eh?). For frame size, get yourself down a Local Bike Shop and try a few out and then go with what ever seems closest to your best fit, I'm sure the guys in the shop will give good advice, and if they are helpful, you can always get your lycra and stuff from there.

If its a Specialized bike dealer too they often have a little gel thing to sit on to measure the size of your sit bones, and means you can get the right sort of saddle, kind of eliminates the need to endlessly try all different makes of saddle at great expense before stumbling on one which works.


That specialised saddle thing is a load of bollocks. I did the gel test bought the right sort of saddle and its the most painful thing I've ever sat on. I try it once a year just check it wasn't a case of having a soft arse. I go for ride end up in agony and change back to another saddle.

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#10 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 17, 2014, 08:39:50 pm
Think I am 6' or 6'1 so 58 I guess

don't want to waste shop staff time and then buy on the internet etc I always think its a bit cunt ish

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#11 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 08:00:52 pm
Thanks how do I know what size bike and wheels I need?
Mate is getting bike from a company he does work for. They sell bikes over the internet so won't have any advice really but the deal is v good.

Road bike wheels are all the same size (lets not open that can of worms just yet eh?). For frame size, get yourself down a Local Bike Shop and try a few out and then go with what ever seems closest to your best fit, I'm sure the guys in the shop will give good advice, and if they are helpful, you can always get your lycra and stuff from there.

If its a Specialized bike dealer too they often have a little gel thing to sit on to measure the size of your sit bones, and means you can get the right sort of saddle, kind of eliminates the need to endlessly try all different makes of saddle at great expense before stumbling on one which works.


That specialised saddle thing is a load of bollocks. I did the gel test bought the right sort of saddle and its the most painful thing I've ever sat on. I try it once a year just check it wasn't a case of having a soft arse. I go for ride end up in agony and change back to another saddle.
Not doubting you but i'm currently running a Specialized road saddle on my all mountain bike and its super comfy, done all day peaks and Wales days out on it and its great. I guess its a case of some saddles suit some and not others.

Same for me as rock boots, tried just about every pair of 5.10's in my time and they cripple me but Boreals (even with their pretty crap rubber) are spot on.

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#12 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 08:04:26 pm
Think I am 6' or 6'1 so 58 I guess

don't want to waste shop staff time and then buy on the internet etc I always think its a bit cunt ish
I get that, but just taking a punt on the size based on average height doesn't always work. i'm 5ft 9 but ride a 16.5inch hard tail mountain bike so not quite average size for my height. Quite often it has as much to do with top tube length as frame size. If you really don't want to browse your LBS then at least throw your leg over as many bikes as you can of your friends and the like, at least then you'll get a better idea of what feels right and what doesn't.


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#13 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 08:43:19 pm
Think I am 6' or 6'1 so 58 I guess

don't want to waste shop staff time and then buy on the internet etc I always think its a bit cunt ish

You're that tall? In which case it's been a rich of you to accuse me of lanking everything - I'm only 2" taller than you :)

Re wasting shop time, agree that it' s normally poor form but this is an arse-health emergency, I reckon it's forgivable! Perhaps someone could recommend a bike shop run by a tosser, or better still someone who's actually evil and deserves have their time wasted.  Perhaps try some googling along the lines of  "bike shop owner" AND "animal cruelty"!

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#14 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 08:47:49 pm
Grubes if you don't want to waste a shops time, a lot of them do bike fitting sessions at a cost, so you could pay them to find out what dimensions you need, then you'll be able to order the right stem, handlebars, etc. with your frame.

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#15 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 08:54:07 pm
Some good advice on that other thread, I should know!!

-The PlanetX winter bundle was very good value but the website has changed so the link Obi Wan posted no longer works.

-I also got a light bundle of there, there is a deal at the mo for a front and back set reduced from 60 to 20ish. (I think).

-I got this high vis jacket from Decathlon, very windproof and will keep a shower out, check in store for prices, sure they are only 20 sheets.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/neon-sport-5-jacket-id_8221258.html

-I myself haven't bothered with shorts but then will not be spending the same amount of time in the saddle.

-The fitness will come quickly, I was like you and hadn't touched a bike in 15 years, I've gone from struggling on the 10 mile round trip to work to now riding a 16 mile round trip to the wall and climbing for 3 hours in just over a month.

-I'd check the bike size, the correct Trek frame for me according to the sizing guide was too big for me and I had to drop a frame size.

Peace out.

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#16 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 10:13:48 pm
Try the bikes of diff sizes grubes, I'm 6"3' but often prefer smaller frames due to my riding style/position (which may not be the most efficient but feels the best).. Also different geometries make a real difference in how twitchy a frame can feel..

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#17 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 11:11:26 pm
If your Shef based I can think of at least four chain stores where you could sit on a range of bike's without annoying anyone. Some have models on rollers for this purpose. Even Planet X over near Magna. Whilst their showroom may appear very high end and rather elitist (to a beginner) are actually very helpful and will let you try different sized bikes on a roller, without being pushy. As Zod says you could pick up some bargains when over there.

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#18 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 18, 2014, 11:30:58 pm
Can't see the winter bundle listed anymore, however the autumn bundle and road bike pack look good value

http://www.planetx.co.uk/s?q=bundle

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#19 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 19, 2014, 12:56:03 am
Look very similar to the winter one minus the neck warmer and hat for under t'helmet.

The 'Be Safe. Be Seen' light bundle is also the one I went for and I am very happy with it.

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#20 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 20, 2014, 10:17:59 pm
Okay got my bike today. I spent the evening trying to work out how to ride it.
I fell over 3 times, the peddles felt awkward and the saddle hurt

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk


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#21 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 20, 2014, 10:43:10 pm
Okay got my bike today. I spent the evening trying to work out how to ride it.
I fell over 3 times, the peddles felt awkward and the saddle hurt

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Brill, good start! Welcome to the club. It will get easier! Keep riding!

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#22 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 21, 2014, 09:08:39 am
Quote
Brill, good start! Welcome to the club. It will get easier! Keep riding!

+1

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#23 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 01:02:19 pm
been on a few very short rides (10-20mins around quiet streets local to my house) to try and get some confidence.  Shit myself when ever I hear a car behind me and the down hill speed scares me too but that will pass the more I ride.

Main issue I am having is I struggle to get my second foot in the toe cage. I have been pedalling with my foot on the other side of the pedal to the cage but the cage then scrapes on the ground.
Is there much benefit to having a toe cage or would I be better getting a set of flat pedals just so I can get going properly?
I also had an issue with getting my foot out of the cage when I did manage to get both in which resulted in comedy fall moment and a sore hip.

Definately not ready for SPD etc

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#24 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 01:10:22 pm
Sounds like flat pedals until your confidence builds up is a good idea.

Cages do have some benefit, but mostly when strapped on super tight (which doesn't sound like a great idea for you...).

I'd say that clipless pedals were actually simpler to use than cages, especially if you go for the double sided SPD style pedals. They are easier to clip into as they don't require filpping, and the SPD pedals and shoes combo is a lot easier to pedal along with if you don't manage to clip in.

There are definite effeciency advantages to being clipped in, but best get some confidence first.

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#25 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 01:11:55 pm
SPDs would actually solve all your problems though.

When I first had them fitted they weren't that hard to pick up.

The one tip I would give is to not be stood up whilst trying to clip in, if your foot slips you could end up with something like this....



...which has left me with a nice scar to complement my tattoo.  :oops:

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#26 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 01:35:27 pm
What TLR said, as soon as you have basic road awareness when on the bike, go for some spds.

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#27 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 01:52:03 pm
Thanks Guys.

I am mainly trying to avoid SPD as a cost issue another set of pedals is money I have but dont really want to spend. If I had to buy bike shoes on top I would be pushing my limits.

So I will get a set of flats to get me going. I can then think about spd end of march/april when I should be a little better off depending on tax man


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#28 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 02:01:05 pm
when I should be a little better off depending on tax man

Add cycle mileage to your tax submission  :great:  My accountant has and its not as much as driving mileage but every little helps.  I tried to pursuade him to claim a new bike last year as a business expense and he said it was possible but not the full amount.  Sadly I couldnt afford one, other priorities, but maybe in the future.   :goodidea:

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#29 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 02:04:27 pm
doubt that will work issue is I got a company car and my tax code changed. I doubt work would be happy giving me a company car messing with my tax code cycling to work.

Any advice on what to get for flat pedals?

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#30 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 02:10:22 pm
Superstar nanos, cheap, good and very reliable... Google superstar componments, they deliver in less than 48 hours.

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#31 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 02:24:09 pm
Thanks for the advice everyone really appriciate it.

Oh just incase anyone is interested my mat could not get both of us a bike. So I got a 2013 model Trek 1.1 frame size 56 from a specialist bike shop near where I live in huddersfield. They measured it up for me, set it up and went through a breif explaination of how it works gears etc.

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#32 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 04:18:16 pm
been on a few very short rides (10-20mins around quiet streets local to my house) to try and get some confidence.  Shit myself when ever I hear a car behind me and the down hill speed scares me too but that will pass the more I ride.

Main issue I am having is I struggle to get my second foot in the toe cage. I have been pedalling with my foot on the other side of the pedal to the cage but the cage then scrapes on the ground.
Is there much benefit to having a toe cage or would I be better getting a set of flat pedals just so I can get going properly?
I also had an issue with getting my foot out of the cage when I did manage to get both in which resulted in comedy fall moment and a sore hip.

Definately not ready for SPD etc
Clips for fucks sake. They are toe clips, not cages. No wonder you are struggling you haven't learnt the lingo yet.
What you need to do is get both feet in the clips, then tighten the straps and head for a street with several sets of traffic lights. You'll soon get the hang of it. ;D



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#33 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 23, 2014, 04:35:26 pm
Nice decent budget bikes, I've had a 1.5 for a while which is now my winter bike. Pedals wise, can you not just unscrew the cages from the pedals to start with? Usually they are just bolted to the side of pedals. Get used to them then consider some SPDs in a while. You will benefit from SPDs or similar on a long ride, with SPDs you can wind them down so your foot comes out  pretty easily.

Something like this might be good, SPD one side, flat pedal the other so you have the option of clipping in, handy when there are lots of lights, junctions etc on your long ride.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m324-combination-pedals/

 I wouldn't recommend normal 'MTB' flat pedals for a road bike, they are heavy and slightly OTT for road use. They also have very sharp studs that will ruin your shins if you do slip off them!

When you do want to get some bike shoes SPD compatible Decathlon ones start at £30, alternatively Aldi and Lidl intermittently have a decent range of budget bike kit including SPD compatible shoes. Can't remember how much they were but could be even less than £30.


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#34 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 24, 2014, 08:44:17 am
I remember the days of using toe clips and can honestly say I'd never go back to them, they were more hassle than spds because you hade to tighten them with your hand, which is a faff.  spd's are the same learning curve but a longer term solution as once you're used to them you will never want to go back to clips. 

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#35 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 24, 2014, 12:36:58 pm
I too remember the heady days of using toe clips and straps especially in cyclo cross. I would have just about got my foot in the clip as the leader lapped me.

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#36 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 30, 2014, 12:48:29 pm
Thanks for all your advice I am getting used to the bike and building up my distances.
Fitness is coming fast so far but will find out properly after the long rides at the weekend.
All money raised from my bike ride is going to Yorkshire air ambulance and football youth development in huddersfield.

If anyone is interested in why I am doing this bike ride I have written a blog here: http://grubesblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/pedal-for-pounds-5-my-biggest-challenge.html
and if anyone would like to sponsor me I have a just giving page here: http://www.justgiving.com/grubes
(posted with permission from overlords)

Thanks again for all the advice.

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#37 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 30, 2014, 01:41:33 pm
...and if anyone would like to sponsor me I have a just giving page here: http://www.justgiving.com/grubes
Bit low key Grubes...Let me help you with that...

Give him your f**king MONEY!!! Having barely ridden a bike before he's biking 250 miles to raise money for The Yorkshire Air Ambulance which might be needed to SAVE YOUR SORRY ASS when you punter off an E1 at Stanage.  :2thumbsup:

Click here now...
www.justgiving.com/grubes
« Last Edit: January 30, 2014, 01:52:26 pm by Obi-Wan is lost... »

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#38 Re: New to Bikes Help!
January 30, 2014, 01:54:36 pm
Thanks Obi-wan I left it low key as I don't want to be seen as begging if people want to sponsor me thats great, thank very much but I can understand if people don't.

BTW is the E1 comment aimed at sloper ;)

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#39 Re: New to Bikes Help!
February 20, 2014, 09:17:52 am
an update if any one is interested.
I am getting more confortable on the bike and longer distances (15miles) feel fine.
Hopefully a 30miler this weekend.
I have invested in SPD's which I was shocked at how much of a difference they made. They also resuleted in me going knee first into a curb and almost hitting a lamp post when my foot got stuck.

I have done 1 rush hour ride which resulted with me on the on the bonnet of a white van.

So a mixed bag all in all. 9 weeks till the ride.

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#40 Re: New to Bikes Help!
February 20, 2014, 10:03:06 am
Good work Grubes, have you wound down your SPDs to minimum? You can have them nice and loose and gradually tighten them as you get used to releasing from them.

One of my favourite things about regular cycling is there is measurable improvement over a fairly short period of time which makes it very satisfying looking back a few weeks.

Watch out for those white vans!

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#41 Re: New to Bikes Help!
February 20, 2014, 10:03:42 am
Good to hear it's going better. Did you slacken off the tension on the SPDs? I have mine very easy to unclip from, but there's still no way I could accidentally unclip pulling just upwards on the pedal while pedalling. As someone who rides in the rush hour everyday, I would say you were extremely unlucky to crash the one time you tried it!

Edit: Must have posted at the same time as Obi-Wan with the same advice...

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#42 Re: New to Bikes Help!
February 20, 2014, 10:40:14 am
When I bought the pedals the guy in the shop wound them down to minimum for me. Then he got me to ride up and down the road outside his shop to get used to stopping and getting my feet and in and out of them.
Just getting used to stopping at busy junctions by cars when I am thinking about other things than getting my feet in and out. Just practice.

Yea the van said he did not see me ...
I had my lights on, I have front reflector and I was wearing my bright orange jacket with reflectors.
It was completely his fault I was on the main road going forward and he was turning right coming from the opposite direction.

There was a police car a few cars back who did not see the incident but came and spoke to both of us. Then took the driver to one side as I left.

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#43 Re: New to Bikes Help!
February 20, 2014, 10:57:15 am

Just getting used to stopping at busy junctions by cars when I am thinking about other things than getting my feet in and out. Just practice.

You can also get pretty good at balancing without putting your feet down with a bit of practice.  Easier if there is a slight rise in the direction you are facing as you don't then need to rely on breaks but can just use the peadls.

Yea the van said he did not see me ...

http://www.stop-smidsy.org.uk/

(SMIDSY == Sorry 'Mate' I Didn't See You)

There was a police car a few cars back who did not see the incident but came and spoke to both of us. Then took the driver to one side as I left.

And no doubt did nothing more than waggle his finger at them tell them he was a very naughty boy and to be more careful in the future.  :wank:

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#44 Re: New to Bikes Help!
February 20, 2014, 11:13:50 am
Yeah, lots of people have tried to get me with the right turn :ninja:

Good that the police showed an interest. Hopefully it's one more driver who'll be more attentive in the future  :shrug: I know it would shake me up if I hurt someone, let alone hurt someone then suffered the ignominy of then being told off by the police.



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#45 Re: New to Bikes Help!
February 20, 2014, 11:18:52 am
Good work Grubes, have you wound down your SPDs to minimum? You can have them nice and loose and gradually tighten them as you get used to releasing from them.

I did that when I first got mine, never felt the need to tighten them! Just a MTB punter though, not transcended to being a road biker yet.


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#46 Re: New to Bikes Help!
February 20, 2014, 11:34:49 am



That looks very much like its from Monkey Dust.  Could only ever find the first series of DVD and would love to get the second series.

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#47 Re: New to Bikes Help!
March 25, 2014, 11:55:45 am
another update less than a month now.

Starting doing longer and longer rides. biggest so far was just shy of 40 miles and 10 miles is felling like a warm up.
I am doing more and more hills but I am really struggling on long hills.
Still a little nervous at busy times but gonna try my first bike commute next week.

On longer rides how do you map out routes and stick to the routes if they are not all main roads or roads you know?

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#48 Re: New to Bikes Help!
March 25, 2014, 12:52:46 pm
Some Garmins will do turn by turn nav (Edge 300, 500, 510, 800, 810) (other bike computers are available...but not as good). You can probably do it with with a phone app, though I haven't tried. You could use Google Nav, but this requires having a signal and you to have a decent waterproof phone mount on your handlebars, which I'm not that keen on personally.

http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/ is good for planning a long journey and allows export of GPX files to Garmin etc.


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#49 Re: New to Bikes Help!
March 25, 2014, 01:11:38 pm
You could use Google Nav, but this requires having a signal and you to have a decent waterproof phone mount on your handlebars, which I'm not that keen on personally.

Could you not pre-plan your route "Ok Maps" to download them and use headphones instead of having the map out?

Or use another navigation app (e.g. FreeNAV) to plan the route  and have your approach to turns whispered in your ear.

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#50 Re: New to Bikes Help!
March 25, 2014, 01:27:42 pm
Could you not pre-plan your route "Ok Maps" to download them and use headphones instead of having the map out?

Annoyingly despite letting you cache maps offline Google still needs a connection to use the 'Nav' feature, don't think it can calculate routes offline. Punters. Caching the maps is still a good idea, in the event of getting lost where there's no signal, you'd just have to do it the old fashioned way and map read!

Most navs or nav apps designed for cars won't follow a pre-determined route, and if you let them calculate a route they will prioritise motorways and A-roads, not ideal.

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#51 Re: New to Bikes Help!
March 25, 2014, 01:33:00 pm
Good to know cheers (never tried it myself, hence the question).

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#52 Re: New to Bikes Help!
April 08, 2014, 02:25:56 pm
if anyone interested the route for the ride has been finalised and is here:

Day 1 (setting off after 12pm) Islington to Cambridge
89km distance 461m ascent
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/378888253
Day 2 Cambridge to Leicester
113km distance 638m Ascent
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/378926321
Day 3 Leicester to Doncaster
126km Distance 754m Ascent
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/378942891
Day 4 (must arrive back by 12pm) Doncaster to Huddersfield
66km Ascent 583m ascent
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/378986377

Total
394km with 2436m Ascent
(244miles with 7992ft ascent)

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#53 Re: New to Bikes Help!
April 14, 2014, 12:36:04 pm
final bump I promise

Just over a week until I set off on my 244 mile ride for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

If anyone else would like to sponsor me you can do here: http://www.justgiving.com/grubes/
Thanks to all that have sponsored me so far.

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#54 Re: New to Bikes Help!
April 26, 2014, 06:15:26 am
Just a quick update for anyone interested
In the last three days I have done over 200 miles with 40 left to go today.
Yesterday was gruelling 12hour day cycling around 80miles 20miles of which were a long cycle paths more suited to mountain bikes
I have also earned over £800 sponsorship thanks for everyone's help and sponsorship
Just need to do the last little bit

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#55 Re: New to Bikes Help!
April 26, 2014, 08:49:13 am
Enjoy the last 40 miles as much as you can!  :clap2:

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#56 Re: New to Bikes Help!
April 27, 2014, 08:35:59 am
And its done thanks to everyone on here for your support and advice.
http://grubesblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/i-did-it-p4p5.html

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#57 Re: New to Bikes Help!
April 27, 2014, 11:26:42 am
Nice work Luke! Hope you keep the biking going.

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#58 Re: New to Bikes Help!
April 27, 2014, 12:33:25 pm
Good effort Luke and nice write up! The state of the national cycle network sadly says something!

 

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