Leg shavers anonymous (Read 573550 times)

Mark Lloyd · September 02, 2008, 01:25:57 pm

You Lucky, Lucky B..stard
Of course when we camped we stayed in shoebox in middle of road
used to get up two hours before going to bed, cycle up Alp d'Huez
before breakfast come down and have scraps.
You tell that to the kids today and they won't believe you.

P.S have a good trip, is this training for the Marmotte ?

Percy B · September 02, 2008, 02:12:47 pm

Not really training for the Marmotte, but I'd like to ride this one day so its nice to do a bit of a recce.

On a seperate note, the Snake Pass is due for closure between the 8th and the 19th of September, for all in the know who'd like to ride this great road without the hideous traffic - me and Fatdoc can highly recommend it.

I have just returned from a trip to Manchester this morning, but took advantage with a spot of pre-alps training by riding intervals from the bus-stop right on the top of the snake pass down into Glossop and back up to the top. The torture is completely by trying to do each loop in under 25 mins and not resting between laps (although there is plenty on time to 'rest' on the 40+mph descent!). I managed 3 loops (1200 metres of climbing) before I thought I should stop....now I'm walking like John Wayne.... $:-\$

Norton Sharley · September 02, 2008, 07:17:34 pm

Twas out on Sunday with a split personality rider who tried to explain to me what a compact is.

And there was me thinking you lot carried them for your make up

fatkid2000 · September 02, 2008, 08:31:59 pm

The compact is for wimps who can't push proper gears up hill.

fatdoc · September 03, 2008, 07:48:17 am

right, just coz you've got strong road legs......

you're needing all yr gears on the MTB though eh?

fatkid2000 · September 03, 2008, 07:53:01 am

I've never claimed to be good on the MTB - but I've only used the granny ring twice: forgot it was there a few times. Anyone else seen the new Bianchi range for 09 - they sent me the brochure in the post & they look well nice, shame I've banned myself from new bike purchases for at least a year.

Norton Sharley · September 03, 2008, 09:23:37 am

Quote from: fatkid2000 on September 03, 2008, 07:53:01 am

I've never claimed to be good on the MTB - but I've only used the granny ring twice:

- up every hill and down every hill

Percy B · September 03, 2008, 09:33:30 am

Don't dis the compact, Fatkid! When your knees are knackered you'll be glad of the ability to spin instead of grinding away like you do!
Alberto Contador uses a compact. So did Lance Armstrong in the mountains. I'm over the macho posturing and fully love mine now

tlr · September 03, 2008, 09:45:29 am

Quote from: Norton Sharley on September 02, 2008, 07:17:34 pm

Twas out on Sunday with a split personality rider who tried to explain to me what a compact is.

And there was me thinking you lot carried them for your make up

I bet Norton is really pleased with himself for remembering that joke.

Norton Sharley · September 03, 2008, 10:45:27 am

what joke?

fatkid2000 · September 03, 2008, 10:48:56 am

Norton seems to be contributing to the 'gay boys' riding thread as he puts it, are we going to see him coming out in lycra along with a shiney road bike???

I'm only kidding about compacts - I've got one in the garage somewhere.

webbo · September 03, 2008, 12:49:59 pm

i've just got back from the alps and i'll eat my words regarding compacts.despite avoiding most hardcore cols i still managed find myself trying to bend my cranks in 39x27 on many a hill.i found that chanting a mantra of " fuck,i'm fucking fucked" and telling myself i could get off and walk at the next hairpin was the only thing that got me up.
at least it was a reminder to do more riding.

fatkid2000 · September 03, 2008, 02:28:12 pm

Quote from: Percy B on September 03, 2008, 09:33:30 am

Don't dis the compact, Fatkid! When your knees are knackered you'll be glad of the ability to spin instead of grinding away like you do!
Alberto Contador uses a compact. So did Lance Armstrong in the mountains. I'm over the macho posturing and fully love mine now

Didn't Mr Contador use something like 34x30 on one of the giro stages - the mountain time trial. Apparently Sastre used a compact Q-ring set on Alp d'Heuz this year - whatever that is. Hope you have a good trip Percy - have you used it as an excuse to purchase some new toys??

Percy B · September 03, 2008, 02:28:12 pm

Oooohh, you've got a 27 on the back....tut, tut! It's only good having a 53-39 on the front if you can back it up a 21-11 on the back

I've gone for a 50-34 on the front with a shiny new SRAM 26-11 on the back. Bring on the cols!

webbo · September 04, 2008, 08:39:15 am

the 27 was for last years leg breaker,but alas again i was overgeared or lacking in fitness as i had to walk a couple of times.maybe i should be honest with myself and realise as i ain't racing i don't need 53 x12. but whats the fun in that.

Mark Lloyd · September 04, 2008, 12:47:58 pm

I might be a wimp with my triple but at least I haven't had to get off and walk yet.
Ok I did on Hardknott when doing the Whitton this year, but that was after a 100 miles.
Ok I'm a wimp and crap.
I'd second Percys reccomendation for a traffic free snake pass ride, from either side.

Have you brought a child seat/trailer for the little one yet percy ? that' ll slow you down on the Hills.

chappers · September 04, 2008, 06:52:48 pm

this traffic free snake pass...will i find myself nailing it into a load of road works at 40 mph on the way back down??? - rode it when it was shut last winter, but there was snow on the top and it was bloody freezing!

chappers · September 04, 2008, 07:01:48 pm

oh yeah, i have 50 - 34 and 12 - 25. stop slagging em!

Percy B · September 04, 2008, 07:45:16 pm

Quote from: chappers on September 04, 2008, 06:52:48 pm

this traffic free snake pass...will i find myself nailing it into a load of road works at 40 mph on the way back down???

Yes, maybe! Adds to the fun though....

Its not normally the fast bit they dig up, but the flat section below the pub that is permanently subsiding. I'd be surprised if it wasn't closed to fix that bit again, so all good for cycling I reckon.

fatdoc · September 04, 2008, 07:58:49 pm

I for one.....

will be there

Dolly · September 05, 2008, 09:19:47 am

I reckon I'm up for that as well.
I haven't ridden in ages mind, but a traffic free Snake sounds very enticing.
Next weekend then ?

tlr · September 05, 2008, 12:25:14 pm

I'd be on for a mass blast over a deserted Snake Pass. It can't be at the weekend though as it isn't closed for the weekend, just the weekdays either side - 8th to 19th September EXCEPT the weekend. Shame.

Norton Sharley · September 05, 2008, 12:44:17 pm

Can I come?

I'll bring my hardtail with slicks pumped up to the max. 130mm front travel should be enough to overtake you lot through the roadworks?

Can I wear baggies and carry some pads for the downhill. Might just wear my bike leathers instead.

How about you lot go all the way over to Glossop but I only have to go to the top and back down?

fatkid2000 · September 06, 2008, 07:08:26 am

Looks like Norton may be sighted in full lycra before we know it!!!!

Simon S · September 08, 2008, 09:24:28 am

Quote from: webbo on September 03, 2008, 12:49:59 pm

i've just got back from the alps and i'll eat my words regarding compacts.despite avoiding most hardcore cols i still managed find myself trying to bend my cranks in 39x27 on many a hill.i found that chanting a mantra of " fuck,i'm fucking fucked" and telling myself i could get off and walk at the next hairpin was the only thing that got me up.
at least it was a reminder to do more riding.

I managed l'alpe du huez on a 39x26 although thats nowt compared to my mate who used a 24! We were young, fit with healthy knees and no money to change the block!

Would defo want a compact now.